Dreaming Big (Angie Miller)

Shop Around

Chapter 17: Shop Around

This week I was performing "Shop Around". I was a little nervous about it, it wasn't really my style. But this was the kind of song that I have to have fun with, so I'll try.

I waited for my turn to take the stage in a electric blue dress and black lacing over the V-neck. I stood in simple tall black heels.

I made my way onto the stage on commercial break. I stood patiently for the video to stop playing and the my que after the band started:

"Just because you be coming here with me now.

There's still some things you don't understand now.

Before you ask, some guy for his hand now!

Oh keep your freedom for as long as you can now.

My Momma told me!

You better shop around.

I've got some things I want you to know now.

Before you take him and say 'I do' now.

Before you say 'I'm gonna go I'm gonna go now!'

Before you tell him that you love him so now.

My Momma told me, you better shop around.

You better shop around.

Yeah, trying to get yourself a bargain girl!

Now now now don't be sold on the very first one.

Pretty guys come down but doesn't find the one that's gonna give you true love.

Babe!

Before you take him and say 'I do' now.

Oh make sure he's in love with you!

My momma told me, you better shop around!

Shop, shopping!

Oh shop, shop, shop around!

Shop, shop, shop around!

My momma told me,

You better!

You better shop!

You better shop around!

Yeahh!"

I loved how I ended it, and, don't tell anyone, but I think I have a teeny crush on the guitar player.

Now came the fun part. Being judged. Great. I was nervous, as usual, Nicki looked as though there was a skunk in the building, but I wasn't sure how to react to that.

Randy started,

"Yo, Angie! This was a strange one for me, because I don't know of there was something going on in your ears, and I love how you're doing the rock arrangement, because I've never seen you have such a pitchy performance."

The crowd responded with boos and I couldn't help but smile. Them disagreeing was a good thing.

"I don't know if you couldn't hear in your ears or whatever," He continued,"Or if it was in the right key, I don't know, it was strange for me."

At that point all I could do was nod and say "Okay" to his response to my performance.

"You're usually so right on, and it wasn't right on tonight, it wasn't a great night."

More boos as I waited for Mariah to critique.

"Hey Angie!"

"Hi!"

"You look fantastic, to start off. Very sexy moments, a little riskay, darling, a little riskay. It must've been incredible for you, a songwriter, to be able to sit with Smoky Robinson."

"Yes!"

"You'll have that forever, that's amazing. I would've rather heard you at the piano, because I love to hear you at the piano, and I know you're probably sick of that, and I'm not saying that because I did a remake of that, since we're doing Motown, Detroit, you could've sang "I'll Be There" at the piano, and swung it home. And I'm sorry if somebody else disagrees with me, but I want you to do the best you can as Angie, and I think this is not nessasarily what you do best because I love when you're just relaxed, singing, in the way that you naturally sing. And I think you do a great job at that."

"Thank you so much." I said after her long critique, followed by Keith:

"And Angie, I hear what Randy's saying about the pitch tonight. For me is that the song, and it's a great song, Smokey, by the way. The melody kept pulling you down. Your energy level was here, and the song was here." He said, making a point with his hands.

"And you would soar at moments, and then you would be pulled back down again for the need of the melody. But I will say that your talent is undeniable, and we will be seeing you next week."

Nicki started quickly:

"I don't really know if this goes with undeniable talent, I think that everybody knows that you do, and I don't think it has anything to do with the melody of the song, I think you came out here today to show a different side of Angie that didn't need to be shown. I think you have to stop, and realize that people are enjoying what you're doing. You don't have to be overly sexy, you don't have to be having fun, in the video, with Jimmy and Smoky, they're telling you that it doesn't even feel like an organic choice just for your swag, just the way that you're saying the words, if you're style is not R&B or bluesy, switch it up and do what you shine at, don't come out here and give us another side, we didn't ask for another side yet."

I have to admit, I was really scared after that last comment. The tone of Nicki's voice startled me and made me worried for tomorrow's results. I guess I'd just have to wait and see.....

*******************************

I KNOW, I SUCK.

I'M SORRY.

CHANNEL SURFING TAKES UP LOTS OF TIME, YOU KNOW.

AND IT TAKES LOTS OF TIME TO DO A NEW PART.

I'M WORKING ON IT THOUGH.

AND TOUR'S STARTING FRIDAY WHOOOO!

THANKS FOR READING, DREAMERS!

<3-

Zoe