`Hollywood's Not America` (CD single) (by Ferras, Pop)

This heartfelt ballad is the exit song for losing contestants on American Idol. Staying true to your roots and not getting caught up in the Hollywood scene is what it's all about.

There's a reason why American Idol picked newcomer Ferras' song for their show: it's sincere, it's inoffensive, and it speaks to anyone who's ever had a dream. (Although, it's kind of strange for a show about making it big in Hollywood's music industry to choose a song about how Hollywood isn't real life.) Ferras' voice is good -- save for a few high notes -- and he glides over the piano keys like someone who's been playing for quite some time. Yes, the lyrics are generic ("And I know, what you're doin'/I know that you, you can be/anything you want to be") and at times a bit too preachy ("If you can make a million dollars/you might lose yourself/and you can take the heat/where your heart grow cold"), but this easy-to-listen-to, blue-eyed-soul singer will be big.

Released on: January 29, 2008
Label: Virgin Records
Genre: Pop