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Gabby Samone performs “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway, American Idol 2025 Season 23 Top 12. Startattle.com – American Idol.
Contestant: Gabby Samone (22 years old), Child care specialist from Baltimore, Maryland
Round: Top 12
Song: “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway
Result: Advanced
Gabby Samone American Idol Top 12
Gabby Samone Covers “A Song For You” by Donny Hathaway – American Idol.
Gabby Samone “A Song for You” American Idol
“A Song for You” is a song written and originally recorded by rock singer and pianist Leon Russell for his first solo album Leon Russell, which was released in 1970 on Shelter Records. A slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover, the tune is one of Russell’s best-known compositions. Russell sang, played piano, and played tenor horn on the recording. It has been performed and recorded by over 200 artists, spanning many musical genres. The Encyclopedia of Country Music wrote in 2012: “In 1970 Russell released his self-titled debut solo album, including such enduring songs as “Delta Lady” and “A Song for You”, both written for versatile vocalist Rita Coolidge.
One of the first versions of the song that brought it broader attention was by Andy Williams, whose single peaked at number 29 on the adult contemporary chart and number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. Ray Charles recorded a version that earned him the 1994 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. Other notable versions were recorded by the Carpenters in 1972 and Herbie Hancock in 2005.
1971 – Donny Hathaway recorded the song for his second album Donny Hathaway, featuring orchestral string and woodwind parts arranged by Arif Mardin. Hathaway’s producer Jerry Wexler wrote that this version revealed why Mardin was known for the “fastest growing reputation among the new breed of arrangers…” Hathaway’s gospel-inflected interpretation has been praised as redefining the song as his own. His live performances were electrifying, evoking a near-religious experience for the audience.
Show: American Idol
Season: American Idol 2025 (Season 23)
Host: Ryan Seacrest
Judges: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie
The twenty-third season of American Idol premiered on March 2, 2025, on the ABC television network. Ryan Seacrest returned as host; Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie returned as judges, along with season four winner Carrie Underwood replacing Katy Perry as a judge.
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