American Idol second runner-up (and wearer of questionable eyeglasses) Danny Gokey debuted his new song, “It’s Only,” on Milwaukee radio station FM 106.1 today. The track, which is the lead single of Gokey’s upcoming RCA Nashville country album, was reportedly written by Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley and produced by Carrie Underwood collaborator Mark Bright. Sounding a little like Five for Fighting (at least in my opinion), “It’s Only” is a big, emotional ballad and definitely the type of tune Gokey fans wanna hear. Personally, I kinda detest the dude and his overly jazzy LensCrafter frames but I’m also a loyal Adam Lambert fan (I’ve had Lambert’s new single, “For Your Entertainment,” on repeat all day today). That being said, I could totally see this song becoming a big country hit for Gokey.
What do you think, Music Mix-ers? Is Gokey the next big Idol star?
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It doesn’t stack up against other country artists right now in my opinion. But then I’m not really a country fan so…
Is this really country? I don’t get it. His voice is completely unaffected. What exactly makes a song country? Isn’t it the grit and the twang and the instrumentation and even the six-packin’, pickup truckin’ lyrics?
This is a Christian song with, perhaps, a light country undertone(here I refer to the instrumentation only). George Straight would not be impressed.
Im sure your parents arent impressed with you
@Aunt Gokey: And who’s impressed with YOU?!
I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! I knew from the start this was Gokey, his voice is remarkable! How could anyone not like this song? Its emotional, he sings from his heart, and his voice is smooth as silk! Hey Tim, just because you are an Adam Lambert fan no reason to dis Gokey. Adam and Danny are friends, so come on! Danny you have a hit and I can’t wait to buy your album!
I actually love it as well! I have not been the biggest danny fan, but this sort of mellow tune with inspirational message and a country undertone works for danny. Not to mention that his voice is so beautiful on it.
Note to the writer of this article: More critiques of the actual song you are writing about, and less fantarding over Lambert. K? Thanks
I don’t like it because the lyrics are cheesy and hit you over the head with its “message”. Danny sounds fine — he’s got a good voice. I’m just not a fan of inspirational cheese.
I love this song but not sure it is country, doesn’t matter to me though I can’t stop listening to it!
You’re the one who doesnt stack up
I agree Aunt Gokey. With all this drama going on right here in the U.S. we need positive songs. Wendy- some people really don’t “get the message”. Its a beautiful song and we all need to appreciate the kindness of the song. For all the man has been through, we should be appreciating what he has done with his life. Look what happened this past week when people were down and out. Thanks Danny! People need to quit hating on Danny and appreciate what he has done and what he will do in the lives of children. Good, positive, and beautiful song.
@Liz KA: What he has done? Did you mean…
a) teasing Matt about “Viva La Vida”
b) fondling Allison’s breasts twice
c) saying he’ll “think about” buying Kris’ CD
d) Godly-gate with his BFF Sarver
e) tweeting a race joke
I just feel a big fat disconnect for a guy with questionable character and a so-called “uplifting” song. Then again, if you see it as emotionally-dampening material, then that’s spot-on for him.
@Joey- Go to Sophias Heart Foundation’s website. Thats what I mean. Helping thousands of needy families, children, and teenagers. I feel your “facts” are questionable.
@LIZ KA: Those facts aren’t questionable, those facts were in fact seen and heard in various media. He teased Matt in live TV, he manhandled Allison during the cooking segment and Michael’s MySpace video, he had an interview saying he’ll “think about” buying Kris’ CD, and his joke was on Twitter. Oh, and did I mention he dismissed country as “having no soul” in an interview and he was talking about hitting on an intern when he was being interviewed about his fave movie. What a tacky SOB!
Okay, I lasted about 15 seconds before dry heaving. Anyone manage to make it through the entire song?
LMAO. It’s okay.. you’ll be fine. Just don’t press the link again.
I have to be honest and say that the cheesiness of the lyrics was a major part of the turn off for me too.
Yuck! I’m done with that!
That’s weird, I had the same reaction my first time hearing Adam’s Time for miracles…
GOD! its horrid. gosh cheesy. eew.
Yes, if Adam fans insist on trying to take over the thread lets talk about cheese…TFM…Time For Mediocre
Jean your comment sucks! Adam’s TFM, Danny nor Kris could sing this……..not talented enough. STFU!
Well, put it this way, I like it wayyy better than Kris’s Live Like Were Dying but then I think tht one sucks! I am with you, I LOVE For Your Entertainment but there is no comparing Adam’s vocals to Danny and Kris, He just blows them both outta the park!! I will be buying Adm’s album based on what I am hearing, not the others!
Is it really necessary to slam Kris, promote Adam when all that was asked is do you like this song? You could just say no, it sucks.
No it isn’t but it makes us feel better.
I know seriously. I get sick of hearing these kinds of comments, and I’ve seen Susan before.
Or, she could just say whatever the heck she wants to say, you know, this being a free country and all.
Surrrrrre Rachel, becuase “Susan” is such a RARE name that only one person on the planet has. It just HAS to be the same person. You’re so smart Sherlock.
*Rolls eyes*
Wow Susan, I’ve seen your posts so many times. You can’t say anything without trying to slam Kris. This article is about Danny’s new song, not about Kris. You sound like a childish ass.
By the way, the article isn’t about Adam either.
It sure isn’t, is it Wm? What are they thinking?????
Geez this is a blog people. The woman can have her opinions!
Why do you have to compare Danny and Kris with Adam on an article about Danny. Everyone of the contestants have their own style of singing and I like them all. They all have their own different style of singing. That is what I like about each and every one of them.
I heard them play Danny’s song a second time and it was sandwiched between Rodney Atkins and Brooks & Dunn. My first thought I’m sorry to say was that Danny’s voice just can’t compare to the heavyweight male country singers out there today. I mean Dunn – absolutely amazing.
Susan, you sound like a spoiled child. Well maybe a jackass would be more appropriate for your stupid comment.
Danny’s really got a beautiful song with this first single. I think it could become very popular.
I absolutely am a country music fan, this definitely works for me.
I agree. I like country music. I love Danny’s voice and this is the kind of song I hoped that he’d record. I’m all ready to order on iTunes! Thanks Danny, don’t listen to “haters” (namely Slezak); this song will sell well. Congrats in advance.
I agree Annie, does have a beautiful voice. I hate the haters on here. Go away!
I fell asleep.
“he needs a hand up not a hand out” uggggg
Yea, that line caught my attention too, and not in a good way.
exactly.
BARF!
But then I,m not a fan of Christian rock.
I had to stop at the “homeless woman with a shopping cart” part – BARF-O-RAMA!!! He just comes across as so phoney – it’s just gross.
I am with you – sooooo cheezy!
“I’m just here for your entertainment” so Cheesy!
ps – check the facts? Danny is the second runner-up, not the third.
Lmao, just seeing his picture was enough for me.. I know hate is a stupidly harsh thing to say for a tv contestant, but I have never come closer to hating a contestant than I have to him.. He just litterally made me so angry my blood boils.
Has his voice gotten worse since the Idol tour? He sounded better than this back then, and that was singing live. Why’s this recording so breathy and odd-sounding?
Oh, and Carrie did the pseudo-Christian country music a lot better. I wish Gokey the best of luck, if only because I’ll never hear this crap on any radio station I listen to.
This will be a hit for Danny.
He’s definitely connecting to the song – this is the power behind it.
Ugh, Danny Hokey. Didn’t like him on Idol, not going to start now…
Gawd what’s with all the danny haters? It’s like the second there is Danny gokey news you guys swarm like dogs! If you don’t like Danny and never have then it follows that you won’t like his music. Instead og coming here wasting your time on commenting, DO AND LISTEN TO SOMETHING THAT YOU ACTUALLY ENJOY.
Wow… I’ve never been yelled at in one of these forums before!
I listened because I was willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. See what he was capable of outside the confines of Idol. I should have trusted my instincts.
But getting you all riled up was kind of fun though…
Odd comment Mr. Stack? What does being an Adam Lambert fan have to do with critiquing this song??? (Unless you mean you prefer sleazy to cheesy) The competition is over and they are in completely different genres.
I think this is a beautiful song with pristine vocals and yes inspirational (this is country music remember) and the truest of all the S8 singles so far IMO.
Good job Danny.
quality country does not = hokey lyrics
You should know by now Lambert fans can’t SHUT UP about him no matter the topic.
The song is OK for Danny but I don’t like the “la-la” and falsetto bits. Those take the song to weird places.
Yeah well I’m one of those dreaded Adam Lambert fans that seem to haunt your nightmares but I don’t blab about him all the time. Especially not on some Gokey post. Don’t generalize por favor. I know some people give us a bad name, but it’s not everyone. Respect the artists individually and you won’t look like a jackass.
I’ll take sleazy over cheesy every single time.
ditto
Then go listen to that sleazy dreck and leave the “cheesy” to those who like it : )
FINALLY someone with sense! I’m wondering if this guy is not just some random Glambert doing what they do best (hating Gokey) under the guise of professionalism.
gaahh! you’re being hypocritical. you’re insulting people for liking adam on a danny post. i think you’re the one getting off topic.
i perfer sleezy to cheesey….adam to danny…adam to my own brothers and sisters…adam pretty much OWNS MY HEART
hokey pokey karaoke gokey with his pants tucked into his boots isnt going to get far, trust me.
It’s the type of song you listen to while getting ready for work in the morning. You can hear noise in the background but aren’t really paying attention.
I would LOVE to hear Kristen Baldwin’s take on this!
“Ghoulish Widower” nuff said.
Not kind at all.
WOW!! It’s funny how you can make fun of someone losing their wife and their personal pain! Yes this makes you snarky and clever.
Yeah, got realllllllllll tired of hearing that sob story!
amen.
We’d have to wait til she sobers up first
ROFLMAO at the sober up!
Yes, I think those who prefer sleazy to cheesy here probably are big fans of Kristen Baldwin
Hells yeah we are!
@Aunt Gokey: Maybe YOU’RE the one who should sober up, you c*nt!
@Jean: Sleazy trumps cheesy anytime, b*tch!
Wow Joe you are low class man. To call people the C word and the B word, that was uncalled for. Not cool.
@T-Man: Aww, you got a problem with me saying such words? Deal with it! It’s called Freedom of Speech, stronzo!
Oh my god, the song was bad enough. But the lyrics? It’s only… it’s only… PRETENTIOUSLY AWFUL.
Gotta go throw up now.
@leighh: Awesome idea! Can we start a campaign to get Kristen Baldwin to do a video talking this song? And a bonus cameo by Kristen with glasses would be icing on the cake!
Would be great!
Oh brother, why do I hate this guy so much?! I was so annoyed every time he spoke on Idol and when he gave his preachy speech during the Idol Tour. Most of all, I DETESTED the fact that voters had him come at #3 after that Aerosmith murder-scream when Allison nailed it. That being said, I’m not a country fan and the lyrics and sappiness of this song kind of gross me out, but I can see it on country radio and country fans lapping it up.
Also, I don’t understand why he went country. I think he should have gone Gospel all the way. This song sounds a bit more Christian Pop than country. In that genre it totally wins.
Because Gospel doesnt make you nearly as much money does as a succesful country artist would.
Also, the last time I checked, he originally wanted to do his soul-Latin, but since that concept wouldn’t test well with the current market, he had to go for country instead. In other words, he was simply directed into that path.
I have heard a lot of Christian music (being a Christian myself), and trust me when I say that NONE of it is this pretentious. PUT THE GO(D-AWFUL) IN GOKEY!
He doesn’t have Adam’s voice no, but then no one does. Adam is in a league of his own with regard to talent. That said, I like this song. I don’t find the lyrics cheesy, but then I’m a Christians so they make sense to me. I’ll probably buy this song. Well written, well sung, well done.
Are you saying that if you’re not a Christian you won’t be able to make sense of the lyrics? Or that if you are a Christian you won’t find this cheesy? Because if that’s what’s your implying, that’s remarkably offensive. Stereotype much?
I’m a Christian and I thought this song was ridiculously cheesy. I have no interest in ever hearing it again.
Thank goodness he does not. Two totally different artists.
I mean, really. With the relentless coverage you do for Adam Lambert (the album cover! The album listing!), we get it — EW loves the Lambert! You even get a Danny hater to report on Gokey’s new single! I’m not even a Danny fan, but whatever you think about his new song won’t take away your love for Adam or his “awesomeness”. Just tell us about the song without bringing Lambert into it. The reason Adam’s good (and I’m not an Adam fan either) is not just because Danny is “baaaad.” (Nor is it “Danny’s terrible because Adam is the bomb!”) That said, what do I think? Danny DOES have a very lovely voice, but the lyrics of the song are horrid. Good vocal, terrible song.
I’m with you, Pancakes. I like Danny Gokey, and I think he has a really melodious timbre to his voice, but the lyrics of this song are just making me gag.
I agree, Danny does have a very good voice, but he just seems to try to hard to show it off, thus making everything he sings sound forced and and thought out instead of just flowing out naturally. He sounds okay but his delivery is too rehearsed and the la la la’s and ooo- ooo’s he always throws in just kills it for me. And i am guessing when he performs it live he will be shouting out “come on!” as he always does.
I am not a big fan of Gokey, but why the heck have a sold out Lambert fan review on Danny’s new single? You need someone who is not bias…maybe a country music fan? Slezak himself said how much it irks him when jounalists write uninterested reviews because he/she obviously does not care about the American Idol Tour. I don’t like Danny, but even I think it’s unfair to have a bias reviewer to only crap on it. Its rude.
Totally, Kradamberry! Apparently Adam fans found this entry because Lambert is one of the tags. Talk about stacking the deck when it comes to comments discussion.
Forgot to mention: Adam is a tag, but not Danny!
I am a Danny fan and actually think this is an amazingly good review, considering the source. The guy admits he hates Danny, yet calls it a “big emotional ballad, and could totally see it being a big country hit for Gokey”. High praise from someone who “detests the guy”. The only unfair point really was throwing Lambert in there so all his more immature, idiotic fans (yes, I know they’re ALL not like that) can flood the site with hater comments since they have nothing better to do with their life.
It’s true. I’m not the greatest fan of Danny Gokey by any stretch of the imagination, but this all just seemed gratuitous, and re inscribing the lines of S8 while doing a critique… I mean, come on. Have a care.
Also; you put this in the categories for “Adam Lambert”? And not “Danny Gokey” (if such a thing exists)? Ugh. Heck, as much as Slezak would be no less biased, I’d have preferred he review it instead (or maybe even Kristen), as at least he would have been funny doing so.
It’s pretty.
Awful dreck from a poser. He shouldn’t be polluting the airwaves for long.
Can we GET that in writing PLEASE?????? LOL
I tried but I just couldn’t finish it. The guy is jst too full of himself. It’s pretty enough I guess if you could hear it over his ego.
OK, I tried, I really did. My daughter really liked him on idol. I like country, but we all have our own personal taste and this is not mine.
Actually thought it was pretty good. What you guys need to be worrying about, as others have posted, is that disastrous garbage that Kris is emitting.
Boo, you whore! I think you’re mistaking that disastrous garbage that Kris is emitting for the garbage Gokey is emitting. Smells of rotten cheese and tastes like too much saccharine, I may add.
Stop with your nasty comments. You don’t know Danny personally so stop acting like you do! All you nasty people on here, hating on a man who has done nothing to you! It didn’t say if you liked Gokey, it asked if you liked the song. Danny has a beautiful voice, this song is not cheesy, it is fantastic and he will do great. Kris sucks!
Candy, you’ve just taken hypocrisy to a whole new level.
Excuse me, Candi*
Candi -You told people not to hate on Danny. Then you turn right around and hate on Kris.
That’s more than a little hypocritical.
@Candi: I was talking about the trash that is THE SONG ITSELF, not him per se. And Kristen and Melanie are right, you are a real hypocrite bashing Kris while defending Gokey, ugh!
Hey Candi, don’t put Kris in this, he didn’t do anything, this is about Danny Gokey and his song. Not about Kris! BTW Kris does NOT suck!
WOW Joe, is it really that DEEP?????
@x: CUNextTuesday, ho!
I love this write-up. Haha. Personally, I don’t like Gokey’s song primarily because I don’t like his recorded voice. I couldn’t even get past the voice to focus on the lyrics. I don’t know how country radio will react. Will they feel the same?
Well some of the country fans know Gokey did not want to sing country and did not like that type of music. He could not get a contract for pop or r and b, so he was stuck with country. Also, the problem with Gokey is that he has no personality. Interviewers found this out all along the tour. He just blabbers in a very annoying way.
Beautiful song from a beautiful man. Sorry, haters, but Danny’s got it GOIN ON!!!
Ewww! You like a low-rent Robert Downey Jr look-alike with a penchant for all things cheesy, karaoke and foot-in-mouth? You could definitely do better than that.
Nope…..sorry Angie, he DOES’NT!!!!!!!
It’s okay. It didn’t rock my world. I am more of a Kris Allen fan myself.
This is a very nice song. I guess a lot of poeple here dont listen to county, but it has a lot of nice songs that touch your heart like this one and so does Danny Gokeys voice. I listend about 200 times alredy!
200 times? REALLY? Then my friend I say you need to get a life.
speaking from one who takes the time to listen, hate, and comment on someone they don’t like.
Peanut I am praying for you!!!!! I think he sounds awful and oh yes, boring, boring and boring.
Just like you’re doing lana?????
Think you might need help.
His voice sounded quite different on this song. Not nearly as strong as Idol days. Not being a country fan, I will wait and see how popular it becomes. I would not buy it.
This song has all the hallmarks of one produced following the Carrie Underwood model of how to make it in country music post AI. Like Ms. Underwood’s first single ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’, Gokey’s song has all the elements: cheesetastic lyrics, overproduced isntrumentation and cloying, overreaching vocal delivery. Gokey will not go nearly as far and as fast as Ms. Underwood (note to all the CU defenders, I don’t dislike her…she has a lovely voice, but I wish she would find material to match her talent.)
Gokey will be like the other AI folks who tried country half-heartedly — Diana DiGarmo, the bald dude named Phil. The best he can hope for is some lesser level of success like Kellie Pickler or Bucky Covington.