Here is my interview with Vala Seacrest. Enjoy. :)

Why not be the first...
 

Hey, Estel once again. :)
Today I'll be singing Bad Day by Daniel Powter in the voice of Frodo, singing a song (probably taught him by Bilbo) about Sauron and his bad day a long, long time ago...

Where is the Power you needed the most
He cuts off your finger and the Magic is lost
And as you stand where his father lay
Looks like your spirits blowin' away
'Cause you don't have that One Ring on

You joined the fight just to land a few blows
But you never know quite how the battle goes
You orcs weren't nearly great as you thought
You tried to escape but now you're caught
And now you don't have that One Ring on

Cause you had a bad day
They took your One down
And without you the battle's all turned around
You said they can't win
They wouldn't last long
But when the end came it was you who was wrong
You had a bad day
Historians don't lie
You're plan has broke down and now you'll just be an Eye
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

You thought It was safe as could be
On your finger but now you see
And now you don't have that One Ring on

You had a bad day
They took your One down
And without you the battle's all turned around
You said they can't win
They wouldn't last long
But when the end came it was you who was wrong
You had a bad day
Historians don't lie
You're plan has broke down and now you'll just be an Eye
You had a bad day

Sometimes your Power's gone in a blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That with It you could've been so strong
But now it's gone

So where is the Power you needed the most
Oh you and It
He cuts off your finger and the Magic is lost

Cause you had a bad day
They took your One down
And without you the battle's all turned around
You said they can't win
They wouldn't last long
But when the end came it was you who was wrong
You had a bad day
Historians don't lie
You're plan has broke down and now you'll just be an Eye
You had a bad day
You lost yourself and the fight
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day
Had a bad day

Elempi comes out on stage and stands before the audience, clad simply and his face serious.

"This particular piece was #1 during the Seventh Age, May 7, 1977. It is known as "The Orc Tower Cirith Ungol" and it was performed by the Eagles of Manwë.

It is a little nightmarish, I grant you, but such is most appropriate of "such an evil place". I hope you can appreciate it."

A five man band backs up Elempi: drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and two lead guitars which play lead duet to astounding effect (check it out for real some time; really rather breathtaking).

On a dark Mordor orcway, cold wind in my hair
Foul stench of sulphur, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw poisonous light
The Ring weighed heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to rest for the night
The Watchers stood in the doorway;
I heard their fiendish yell
And I was thinking to myself,
'This could be my death, only one way to tell'
Then I put on the Ring and corpses showed me the way
There were Dead orcs up the stairway,
It was as if they said...

Welcome to the Orc tower Cirith Ungol
Such an evil place (Such an evil place)
Such an evil face
Plenty of room at the Orc tower Cirith Ungol
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find death here

'Her mind is full of devouring', said one of the orcish chiefs,
'She got a lot of ugly, ugly orcs she calls meals
How they dance in their cocoons, sweet Spider meat.
We'd best remember, or someday dance to forget'

I called up to my Master,
'I will not say the Day is done!'
They said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since Sauron this tower won'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...

Welcome to the Orc tower Cirith Ungol
Such an evil place (Such an evil place)
Such an evil face
They killin' each other in the Orc tower Cirith Ungol
What a nice surprise (what a nice suprise)
Evil self-destroys

Darkness in the ceiling,
The blood on knives is nice
And Frodo said, 'They are all just slaves here, of the Dark Lord's malice'
And in the Dark Lord's Tower
Wraiths gather for the feast
They smell it with their sneering sense,
But they just can't find the Ring

Last thing I remember, we were
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place we were before
'It's no use,' said dear Frodo,
'The Ring's taking over my will.
I can wish it gone all I like,
But I can never be free!'

The lead duet guitars finish a superb melody and harmony as the lights go down.

Two more days to the deadline and we just have two songs up so far. We've extended the deadline for pretty much every week now so uh... could we have everything up on time for this one? :)

To add to that:

I don't want to sound exclusive or anything - I'd hate to see somebody left out because they couldn't get a song in - but I think continually extending the deadline somewhat cheapens the show.

I mean...what's the point of having a (*drumroll please* :D) deadline if everyone knows it's just going to be extended anyway?

Again, I'm not wishing elimination on anyone because they're short on time (I know how it feels) but still...

As I've stated earlier if you're short of time please drop us a message and we'll take care of it but really I find it hard to believe so many people are hard pressed to post a song on time for uh... three months... :p

Seriously speaking though, if something restrains you from posting please let us know and we'll make sure you're given an extension. Yes, I've decided extensions are going to be made exclusively for someone who requires them. (and has a reason to back that up. If its personal then we respect your privacy and shall not prod) It may sound a bit extravagant but its the only way I see posts coming in on time. Sorry if this is an inconvenince to anyone. :)

I'll have my entry up on time. It's just that I only have time to come up with my songs on the weekend. Tomorrow!

I will get something posted by tomorrow but if you prefer me to pull out that is fine. I never expected to last so long and having parodied or tried to just about every song I have ever heard has been a big strain on my limited online time and I am behind with other Downs commitments (quiz questions, RPG, answering PMs...) .

This has been an incredibly long running 'event' I guess I should say, but it's all still for fun. If you need to win back some time you are not obligated to stay.

There will be an extention here again, however, so you can post if you'd like, Mith. :D

Also, Celuien, I'll be changing the deadline until after the weekend for now on. I should have seen that before, but didn't catch it.

...Also (again), Sleepy, the summer is ending and school is getting back into session. I'm not good with remembering ages, so I can't recall most of our contestant's scholarly level, but for those that are in school, this is a very busy time. I know it is for me, at least! :p

I have got something part done but having not been on holiday during the summer I have been very busy all the time... :cool: and now I am taking a break I have been so tired I have just slept.... however I would rather leave if I am perceived as gaining some kind of unfair advantage.

Thank you. :)

And, apologies to everyone, but I'm going to have to take until tomorrow too. Today turned out to be very busy RL wise because of family stuff. Didn't have a chance to start writing anything until about an hour ago, and I don't think I can finish my song tonight.

This song is Saruman's version of a tune called "Joy to the World." The original from Three Dog Night was a chart topper in 1971...

Gandalf Greyhame was an Istar
Thought he was a friend of mine
'Til the day I showed him my true colors
Not just White, but many others.
And I asked him if he liked my plans.

Sayin' join with me now
Rule all the world now.
The power is ours for the takin'
Power for you and me.

If I could rule all of Middle-earth
I tell you what I'd do.
I'd put everything in order the way I'd like to see it
'Cause I know what's best for all of you.

I'm sayin' join with me now
Rule all the world now.
The power is ours for the takin'
Power for you and me.

You know I'm not so evil
I just have to compromise.
Anything to shape the world I want.
But if you won't help me like I asked
I'll have warn you that ain't wise.

I'm sayin' join with me now
Rule all the world now.
The power is ours for the takin'
Power for you and me.

I'm sayin' join with me now
Rule all the world now.
The power is ours for the takin'
Power for you and me.

Rule all the world, it's all mine now.
Rule all the world, it's all mine now.

So you won't join with me now?
I'll rule all the world now.
And lock you on high Orthanc.
And lock you on high Orthanc.

So you won't join with me now?
I'll rule all the world now.
And lock you on high Orthanc.
And lock you on high Orthanc.

(repeat last verse and fade)

Whew, just before the deadline! (I've got about 9 hours left in the 27th where I am.) Sorry that I'm cutting it close, but a recent storm has my internet on the fritz.

Anyway, I'm Gurthang (haven't changed!), and I'm back for the next round. Looking at the list of choices for this weeks number, I saw a lot of great tunes. Being a sentimental type ( ;) ), I decided to go with the tried and true.

This song is I'm A Ringbearer sung by Frodo Baggins just after he received the Ring and begins to see it's true nature. (Play I'm A Believer by The Monkees, which was #1 in 1967, but most of you probably know it. :D )

I thought Bilbo was just telling fairy tales
A story he had made up just for me.
The Ring was bound to find me
That's the way it seemed.
He gave it to me and fled the scene.

Then I took his place, now I'm the Ringbearer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
Here's the Ring, I'm the Ringbearer!
I feel it taking over me inside.

I thought it was more or less a little thing,
Seems the more I had it the worse it got.
Why'd he have to leave it?
Hanging on it's chain.
Now all that it's causing me is pain.

Cause I took his place, now I'm the Ringbearer
Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
Here's the Ring, I'm the Ringbearer!
I feel it taking over me inside.

Deadline is actually 28th since Mithalwen can't come online on Sundays. :rolleyes:

I will spare you the trauma of dressing either as Right Said Fred or a Balrog (though Balrog isn't far from the mark) having changed my mind at the last minute, I went for the novelty song and back to 1992 (US) 91 UK .. cos I just love the original :D . THis version is sung by the Balrog of Moria to the Fellowship of the Ring on the Bridge of Khazad Dum. Inexplicably Tolkien did not include this in his account ....

I'm too Deadly

I'm too deadly for Gandalf, for Gandalf, too deadly for Gandalf
But Gandalf will kill me.

I was too deadly for Durin, for for Durin, too deadly for Durin,
So deadly a bane.
And i was too deadly for Balin, too deadly for Balin,
Ori and Oin.
And I'm too deadly for your party
Too deadly for your party
No way I'll let you depart here.

I'm a Balrog, you know what I mean
And I'll wave my fiery sword on the bridge here
Yeah on the bridge here, on the bridge here, yeah
I'll wave my fiery sword on the bridge here

I'm too deadly for Moria, too deadly for Moria
Too deadly by far
And I'm too deadly to have wings
Too deadly to have wings or to need rings

'Cos I'm a Balrog you know what I mean
And I'll wave my fiery sword on the bridge here
Yeah on the bridge here, on the bridge here, yeah
I'll swing my thonged whip on the bridge here

I'm too deadly for my, too deadly for my, too deadly for my...

'Cos I'm a Balrog you know what I mean
And I'll wave my fiery sword on the bridge here
Yeah on the bridge here, on the bridge here yeah
I'll swing my thonged whip on the bridge here


I'm too deadly for my orcs, too deadly for my orcs
Poor scared little orcs
I'm too deadly for Gandalf, for Gandalf, too deadly for Gandalf
But Gandalf will kill me.

And I'm too deadly for this song

And with that voting is now open. Send in your favorites to me. Voting closes 30th.

Here is my interview with SpM from last week. And this is my interview with Wilwa from this week. Enjoy. :)

Here are my judgements for this round.

Estel ~ I really enjoyed that, you picked a song that really suited you. Great job!

Elempi ~ Great song, loved how you sang it. I'm very impressed.

Mith ~ Uhm, I didn't really enjoy that, it was rather repetitive and didn't show off that lovely voice of yours. I thinkyou could have done alot better.

Celuien ~ I really enjoyed it, I'd say it was one of your best performances.

Gurthang ~ A bit short, but still enjoyable. Good job.

Good luck to everyone! :D

I can't say anything bad about any of those. They all rocked the casbah!! ( :rolleyes: :p ) Way to go dogs and doggettes!! (If you would like individual judgements, please yell at me and I will do so. Thank you.)

I would, but with you trying to cement your WW game "rocked the casbah" will work. :D

For the first time ever in this competitions short (but eventful) history there has been a tie for the elimination. The judges will now vote. Two of you will be facing the dreaded risk of elimination. I will confirm the two higest vote recipents as well as the next theme so you can start preperation (all of you can actually :p) for your next performance.

TORE, Elempi, Gurthang, Mithalwen and Celuien... which of you two are safe and the highest vote recievers?

Elempi, no it isn't you... quit jumping about. ;)
TORE and Gurthang the two of you recieved the highest number of votes and are safe. You may not post your performance till the elimination has been done though.

The next theme is Songs of the 21st Century.

Cowell's Comments
 

The Only Real Estel

I think it was a bit of a risk picking such a famous song but you did alright. Nothing too over the top, a bit of flair and yeah, that was a pretty good performance. Well done.

Elempi

Now that was definitely a major risk. Such a popular song. Known by everyone, loved by everyone. You do have to take a risk every now and then. You've shown plenty of class in this competition and you've done very well so far. Good luck to you.

Celuien

I did not like that. Had you done that five rounds ago I would have called it average but now... I don't mean to be rude but... that was horrendous, boring, pathetic and I don't think you'll last this week. Karaoke Queen is still accepting entrants.

Gurthang

Ah! My favorite contestant performing one of my favorite songs. You pulled it off very well, you kept me entertained. You've shown us just why you deserve to be here again next week.

Mithalwen

I heard you had some problems before the performance but in the end you came up with something alright. You seemed to enjoy yourself. Definitely not your strongest performance I don't know if this will see you through the week but well, I think it was okay.

When will we know? beforeI have ot find out what the young people listen to these days? :p

With five remaining in the competition the Hall of Fire was growing hot. Save for Sleepy Cowell, of course. :p

Tonight another contestant will leave the Hall 'forever', and those remaining will ALL be on the hot seat, so to speak. Now since there are an odd number of contestants remaining three will have to preform for us tonight. With that said, lets get crack'n:

Celuien worked magic on an old favorite of mine, but according to the Sleep-ster, simply croaked. Unfortunately Celuien will be part of the three who will be in the hot seat tonight. Good luck.

Elempi shocked Middle Earth with his dark theme this round, and it seems to have recieved mixed reviews from both the judges and the voters. You too will be preforming tonight from the hot seat.

When Gurthang ran puffing on stage none of the judges were sure if the out of breath star could cough out something quite as catchy, but apparently anoribics is not a factor for him! Congratulations, Gurthang, you are safe tonight.

By the grace of the judges (and the alarming amounts of Orca Cola Wilwa has been drinking) Mithalwen was given a later preformance time, but unfortunately that was not enough to save her from the hot seat tonight. Personally, I thought she was on fire.

The Only Real Estel, I guess you already know that you're safe for tonight, so sit back and relax while your fellow preformers battle it out for the third and fourth place.
And the votes are in! Will you three please join me here on the stage again?
*puts an arm around Celuien and Elempi*
The preformers to remain for the next round are... Mithalwen and Elempi. Celuien, here is five hundred gold, go out to th-- er, we'll talk about it later, alright?

So thats it for now. Keep watching, listening, jingling and... tingling... for the next round! I know I am...? How much mead did I have after I wrote this Wilwa? Huh?

The next theme will be Songs of the 21st Century. You will have two weeks to submit your preformances, so aim to have them up before the 18th.

Erm, actually the next theme is Songs of the 21st Century as I confirmed in my above post.

Hahaha.

Oh wait, you really thought there was a possibility of that? ;) :p

Knowing you? Definitely...

I may regret this, but here goes. I like the song and I like the music of it, and it's one of the few I know from the 21st century. So here goes. From EvenstarEssence, troubadours who seem to know how to sing about Eowyn:

"Bring Me To Life"

(Eowyn looks on from a distance as Aragorn, his Rangers, Eomer and Gimli enter the Paths of the Dead)

How can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I've become so numb without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home.

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become

Now that I know what I'm without
you can't just leave me
breathe into me and make me whole
bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become

Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without the hope of your love for you have gone to walk among the dead

All this time I couldn't see
kept in the dark until you were in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
You've opened my eyes to everything
without a thought without a voice without a soul
don't leave me to die in Rohan
there must be something more
bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become

(Bring me to life)
I ve been living a lie, there's nothing inside
(Bring me to life)

Sometimes a song is so appropriate that you hardly have to change the words.....

here we go
 

Alright, so I'm Estel (as I so often am up here in front of you) & I'm going back to my rocking roots a little bit with some Bon Jovi for you all. This one's called It's My Ring (It's My Life) sung by Frodo...probably in or around Mount Doom.

This ain't a tool for the simple-minded
No golden trinket for the power-blinded
I won't be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud

It's my Ring
It's now or never
I just wanna live forever
I won't let it go while I'm alive
(It's my Ring)
To throw it away just wouldn't pay
Like Boro said
There's more than one way
I won't let it go while I'm alive
It's my Ring

This is when I start standing my ground
No matter what they say I'll never back down
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky
I'll take this One break

It's my Ring
It's now or never
I just wanna live forever
I won't let it go while I'm alive
(It's my Ring)
To throw it away just wouldn't pay
Like Boro said
There's more than one way
I won't let it go while I'm alive
'Cause It's my Ring

Gonna stand tall when they're searching me out
Don't duck, don't hide, baby, don't back down

It's my Ring
And it's now or never
'Cause I just wanna live forever
I won't let it go while I'm alive
(It's my Ring)
To throw it away just wouldn't pay
Like Boro said
There's more than one way
I won't let it go while I'm alive

It's my Ring
And it's now or never
'Cause I just wanna live forever
I won't let it go while I'm alive
(It's my Ring)
To throw it away just wouldn't pay
Like Boro said
There's more than one way
I won't let it go while I'm alive
'Cause it's my Ring!

*Gurthang walks in, glances at watch, and says:*

Well, I'm almost late... which is right on time for me! *burst out laughing. Members of the crowd look at each other awkwardly. Gurthang realizes that no one else is laughing and immediately stops.*

Hmm, tough crowd I guess. Anyway, I have prepared a song for you tonight; I really hope you enjoy it. This one's done by a little know band called Little Hobbiton, and its title is "Shire-land." (Listen to Boondocks by Little Big Town.) It has become very popular all throughout the Shire, so much so that no one really remembers the individuals who originally did it... other than the name that they called their group. Anyway, I'll be singing as Pippin, but really any Hobbit would know it. Here goes everything.

[Chorus:]
I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the Shire-land
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul
In the Shire-land

I can feel that
Good tilled earth underneath my feet
I can hear the
whisper of the wind in the trees
And it sings to me and sounds familiar

[Chorus]

I can taste that pipeweed leaf
And it's still so sweet
When it's grown there
In the fields of the South Farthing
And it reminds me of those rolling green hills

[Chorus]

It's where I learned about livin'
Its where I learned about love
Its where I learned about working hard, and having a little was just enough
It's where I learned about laughin'
And knowin' how to have fun
You can take it or leave it
This is me
This is who I am
Give me a small hole, an oval door, and a grassy hill
And thats home to me, feels like home to me

[Chorus]

You get some pipes I'll get the ale
We'll go dancin' at the Green Dragon
Sing some songs on a Saturday night
Dance until the morning bright

Well after some deliberation I shall be singing in the voice of Elwing addressing Earendil a song by a famous Georgian, not as famous here as our own dear Heren Istarion but .... nevermind eh.... Statistics quoted are very much of the damned lies variety :D

Voting is open. Please direct your votes to me. Results will be up day after, the 21st.

Good afternoon lords, ladies, kings and wights! Tonight is certainly one of the most thrilling nights of the Middle Earth Idol competition as we break away from yet another preformer... leaving -dun dun dun- Three more left! After tonight the competition gets a little trickier as the preformers will be asked to take on two songs. Though they will have longer to complete this challenge, it is -indeed- a challenge, as one of the songs will be 'judges' choice'. Frightening...

But thats AFTER tonight. Hit the lights and sit down, because we're breaking it down to the top three. In no particular order (other than alphabetical) our current contestants are: Gurthang, littlemanpoet, Mithalwen and TORE, but who remains?


Gurthang might not be laughing much longer. His preformance was brilliant, but unfortunately this time he did not escape the hot seat.

However littlemanpoet might consider a name change. Styling as Eowyn Elempi nearly tied for the top spot tonight. Congratulations, you are safe.

Even as Mithalwen's work was very touching, the last lady of the contest is in danger. You too are in the hot seat, Mith.

That means that, yes, the rocking TORE takes the lead tonight! Great job!


*Ahem* If you would take your places. Gurthang and Mithalwen...
*They preform... Vala squints* The lights of the evening star those are NOT. For all of these people snicker about my lazy eye you're sure making it hard-- And it's just not motivated!

Right! And our guest audience has decided... Gurtang remains! Good luck, and good work. Mithalwen, you've really got something going for yourself, but since you've been with our production so long we own your name... No! Just kidding! I didn't mean to say that until the cameras were off! :D

Amazing job, everyone! For you there gents' who remain your second theme is "Bands/Artists beginning with O". A deadline will be posted later. Have fun!

So, just to make sure, we are doing two songs this round: One of our choice, and the other from a band/artist beginning with 'O'?

No, one is the judge's choice and the other is from a band/artist beginning with 'O'.

If you don't get your song by the 25th then you have a free choice. :)

This will be the picking scheme,

Sleepy Ranger - Gurthang
Glirdan - TORE
Wilwa - Elempi

"Little known they may be,"
said Elempi,
"but the lyrics are meet
and the music sweet.
I give to you a band of limited fame:
'October Poject' is their name.
Troubadors of great merit they,
for giving Aragorn's answer to Eowyn's fay
as he left her alone
among Dunharrow stone.
This is or could be the thought
of Aragorn in a new peril caught."

Chords begin playing in arpeggio on an acoustic guitar, the only background; a single spotlight reveals the singer.

If I could
I would tell you all the truth
I would love you
From the heart

If I could
I would take you in my arms
Take you inside
Into my heart

If I could
I would be the one you seek
When you're hopeless
And afraid

I would shine
Like a lantern in the dark
Take you inside
Into my heart

Though you feel as if
You've found the love you crave
Another claims my heart

If I could
I would always keep you safe
Take you inside
Into my heart

Though you feel as if
You cannot bear to live
I tell you that you are strong

If I could
I would love you as you are
Take you inside
Into my heart

Into my arms
Into my life
If I could

The spotlight goes out, leaving all dark. Dark as Dunharrow.

I assume we were supposed to get our's through a PM? 'Cause it is now the 25th & I don't have one so...I get a free one I guess. :D

Uh... no they were to be posted here... :p
Anyway yeah, due to a slip it seems you all get a free pick since I reckon it would be unfair if only Gurthang had to sing a pre-picked song.

The slip being that Glirdy and I didn't find out about the "judge's pick" idea until yesterday, leaving us a very small amount of time to make a decision on a song. :p

Perhaps an increase in judge to judge communication is required. ;)

Free? Really? Oh, I'm excited now! :D I've been waiting a long time for this. :cool: