61. Taylor should ABSOLUTELY be allowed to be Taylor. The song 'Do I Make You Proud' is an exceedingly trite refrain of various 80's ballads and ya, from a song writer's point of view, it sucks. The only reason anyone can enjoy it, if anyone does, is because Taylor is singing it and he is believable.

You know, that's the one aspect of American Idol that my friends and I can't stand; The absolutely lame and cheesey compositions they make the contestants perform. Everything else about the show is great, but damn if that cheese factor isn't reaching new heights on the song writing! Great and accomplished writers or not, that is just a fact.

Thank goodess for the mute button during those moments.

Posted at 11:29AM on Jul 1st 2006 by Mike

62. Taylor is truly the first in many years that I feel will become an icon in the industry. He gives the feel he is here for the long haul and there is no question in my mind he will not bite the hand that feeds. This guy screams integrity! And by the way I'm older and willing....have him give me a call!

Posted at 3:42PM on Jul 1st 2006 by Ruthann Burkhardt

63. I have to agree with an earlier comment that Taylor makes any song proud. So often, while listening to songs on radios, I imagine how Taylor would taylorize it and how wonderful it would sound. His own music and style, I'm sure, will be even more unique and bluesy.

Posted at 10:02AM on Jul 2nd 2006 by May

64. Taylor Hicks is the best thing to come to the music Industry in a long time! I love his song Do I Make You Proud. Check out his original material on his Under The Radar cd. Its awesome!

Posted at 7:03PM on Jul 2nd 2006 by Deb

65. I agree with Taylor. The song is not that great. He's the winner this year and the song stinks. Sorry Taylor,but I bought Katharines CD and her song is a little better then"Do I make You Proud",but what ever CD'S you come out with I am going to buy them.

Posted at 8:08AM on Jul 3rd 2006 by Marysa Cianfrocca

66. Thats showbusiness,people!You say something and they turn it around and paint it ugly until it fits in their story!
I m shure Tay is very grateful for all A.I. did for his career and he will NEVER EVER bite this way,thats not his style.Pretty shure its not his favorite song,but he likes the lyrics and he TAYLORIZED it beautifully.
Even if its not the direction he want to go,he s acepting the treat with A.I. how it is and he ll pull the very best out of it.
Dont believe every story you read,trust our southern,gentle soulman!He s doing just right!

Posted at 11:26AM on Jul 5th 2006 by labelle

67. I can't wait to see taylor hicks dance again he great at that!!!

Posted at 4:35PM on Jul 5th 2006 by andy

68. I agree that "Do I make you proud" is not a great song. However I am willing to bet that if it had been released a month earlier, it would have been played at every graduation in the country. I saw Taylor on the tonight show and it is obvious that he has "Taylorized" it. Still not a silk purse, but much better. I am looking forward to his album

Posted at 5:29PM on Jul 5th 2006 by Richard Drechsler

69. I am going to have to agree with what has been said about this so-called producer Will Smith. I have worked with him in the past and he is definitely a scam artist amongst other things. He doesn't care whose money he takes and how he gets it. I hope that Taylor is careful and doesn't fall into Will's scam like so many of us have. I also feel that Taylor should listen to his management. They have been in the business and know what is radio friendly and what isn't. Taylor's time will come when he can start choosing songs that he likes, but we all have to start somewhere. God Bless you Taylor, you deserve only the best!!!!!

Posted at 1:21PM on Jul 6th 2006 by brittany

70. I absolutely love the song "Do I Make You Proud." I think Taylor sings it so awesome! He is an amazing singer and performer.

Posted at 3:05PM on Jul 6th 2006 by Robin

71. way to go Taylor. you make us all proud, Youll go far and I will buy every CD out there of yours.!!!

Posted at 10:43AM on Jul 8th 2006 by TS

72. I sincerely doubt Taylor hates his single, "Do I Make You Proud". Would Taylor have preferred to have been able to record and release his own work, of course he would!! That's one thing he's been working so hard to do all these years. Soon, he will get to do his own stuff. Taylor does understand what winning American Idol meant. It meant doing a song written for him by their writers. He actually turned down the first song presented to him and went on to choose DIMYP. So, he doesn't "hate" the song. If he disliked the song so much, I don't think he could have put so much feeling into it.

That report was based on the "comments" of a man named, Will Smith, a record producer in Nashville. Mr. Smith DID produce Taylor's first (demo) CD, "In Your Time" well over 5 years ago. The story had Mr. Smith referring to himself as Taylor's "long-time" producer. Taylor, most likely, has not even spoken to Mr. Smith in several months!!! In actuality, he produced ONE CD. Mr. Smith would dearly love to get a ride on Taylor's coattails and make a few bucks for himself. So, why not attempt to make waves and tell people that Taylor "hates" DIMYP...and then talk up a song "The Fall" (a wonderful song by the way!!!!) that he, Will Smith, produced. Diminish interest in DIMYP...get people to buy the song you (Will Smith) produced...make some money!!! Sounds like someone's motives are purely selfish!!!

So, please take this and all negative stories concerning Taylor with a major grain of salt!!! Many members of the media, print, TV and radio will seize any opportunity (for the sake of ratings or sales) to take remarks attributed to Taylor or from a "long-time" producer, twist them around, take them way out of context or just flat-out lie about them for sole purpose of putting an "interesting, provocative..albeit negative and hurtful"
story about Taylor Hicks into the public arena.

Posted at 4:01PM on Jul 8th 2006 by Judy Norris

73. It is hard to believe that the producers of "Do I make you proud" were blinded by their own arrogance in thinking that song was fitting for a soulfull Hicks. I can't wait until Hicks can get away from them. Upon completing that track I'm sure they smiled at each other upon listening to it and thought "that is our song!", while Taylor was thinking "What the heck was that?!"

Posted at 11:25PM on Jul 9th 2006 by T. Anderson

74. I have his CD, and honestly, I dont think he is a good songwriter. The Fall is not memorable.

Everyone wants to write their own songs. Everyone tries, but few can write great music. Just my opinion.

Posted at 9:45AM on Jul 10th 2006 by carol

75. This may not be the perfect song for an artist with the Caliber of Taylor Hicks, but I can't imagine anybody else singing better. Nonetheless the single is pretty good by AI standards.

The bottom line is that I will buy anything Taylor Hicks sings just because it is Taylor Hicks!

Posted at 11:23AM on Jul 10th 2006 by JMSuarez