Final 3 - X Factor 3 - Leona Lewis - Over The Rainbow

Leona Lewis
Song: Over The Rainbow Download 'Over The Rainbow' at iTunes Check out 'Over The Rainbow' at Amazon.co.uk (Judy Garland Download 'Judy Garland' tracks at iTunes Check out 'Judy Garland' at Amazon.co.uk, Eva Cassidy Download 'Eva Cassidy' tracks at iTunes Check out 'Eva Cassidy' at Amazon.co.uk)



Leona Lewis puts her heart and soul into her performance of "Over The Rainbow" on semifinal night.
Every song that Leona has sung over the last couple of weeks has been a huge challenge. Somewhere Over The Rainbow is no exception, it tops the American Film Institute list of best movie songs. It's been sung with great success by Rowetta and Shayne Ward on The X Factor, and earlier this year on American Idol by Katharine McPhee.
For Leona though, this song has a special meaning; she sang this at the funeral of her young cousin who lost her fight with leukaemia and she's dedicating tonight's performance to her memory.
Leona sings a brilliant version of the song. The arrangment is quite different to any version we've heard before and it's obvious that she's feeling every word she sings. Technically, she's reached another level, mixing the intimate with the ultimate and closing out on a glorious high note. And on another high note Simon Cowell tells Leona "That was, for me, the single best performance I have ever witnessed".
High praise indeed! Leona will have to wait until the results show to find out if she'll get one step nearer to the pot of gold at the end of The X Factor rainbow!

Panel-Bites:

Introductions...

Kate Thornton:  Emotional times at the semifinal and we're staying now with the 16 to 24s and Simon.

Simon Cowell:  0kay, final time tonight, it's Leona.

Intro clip...

Leona: This song is dedicated to a very special family member that we've lost. It's gonna be a difficult song to sing but I'm going to be singing it for my cousin. It isn't about you know, winning the competition. It's something that I wanted to give back to her and to my family and I think that through this song I can do that.

Kate Thornton:  Ladies and gentlemen, Leona!

(Cheering and Applause)

Leona sings...

¯ Somewhere over the rainbow ¯ Way up high ¯ In the land that I heard of ¯ Once... ¯ Once in a lullaby ¯ Well, s-o-o-o-meday I'll wish upon a star ¯ And wake up where the clouds are far beh-i-i-nd m-e-e-e-e-e-e-e ¯ Where troubles will melt like lemon drops ¯ Way above the chimney tops ¯ That's where you'll find m-e-e-e-e-eee ¯ Somewhe-e-ere over the rainbo-o-o-o-w ¯ Skies are blue ¯ A-a-a-a-aaaand the... ¯ The dreams that you dare to dream ¯ They really do come true ¯ If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow ¯ Why oh why can't I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I? ¯

(Cheering and Applause)

Sharon Osbourne:  Leona... just... (Sharon waits for the audience to settle) ...you definitely made that song your own. Leona you... you took it, and you Leona-fied it and you owned it. But Leona, you know, your voice is just... you cannot say anything about your voice that isn't you know spectacular but I just wish that you would believe that in yourself and let's see it in your body language when you walk out here, 'cause you should come out here and own it missus, 'cause you do. (Cheers) And I wanna see that!

Louis Walsh:  Leona, you picked one of my favourite songs. You absolutely nailed it. You nail it every single week and it's very rare I see somebody with the 'X Factor' and star quality but I'm looking at it tonight on that stage. You've got it all!

(Cheering and Applause)

Simon Cowell:  Leona, you know, your... your lack of awareness as to how good you are is what I believe makes you such a special performer. And I will say this... for so many reasons and I've done a lot these shows... That was, for me, the single best performance I have ever witnessed.

Kate Thornton:  A hugely important song for you tonight Leona. What would you like to say back to those comments?

Leona: Thank you so, so much. Ehm, the song is dedicated to someone very, very special and I'm just glad ahm, (Becoming tearful) that I got to do it. Thank you.

Kate Thornton:  Okay, it's a song that meant everything and it would mean everything for her to be at the final next Saturday. (Kate gives out the voting details) (Kate checks back with Leona) You okay? Yeah? Good! Ladies and gentlemen, stunning, Leona!

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