Australia’s Got Talent neglected to clarify Jack Vidgen co-wrote ‘Yes I Am’
Australia's Got Talent told viewers 14 year old Jack Vidgen was performing a song he had written himself, but the song actually has two other co-writers.
- Published by David Knox
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“Doing a song he has actually written himself called ‘Yes I Am’, and proving why he deserves to be here tonight, is Jack Vidgen,” Grant Denyer told Australia’s Got Talent viewers when he introduced the 14 year old singer last night.
Today a Seven spokesperson confirmed to TV Tonight that Vidgen in fact co-wrote the song with Erana Clarke, former vocal coach on Australian Idol and The X Factor, and A2, as part of a Sony Music composition. It was arranged by the show’s musical director Dorian West.
“Yes I Am” was a big crowd-pleaser last night, drawing a standing ovation from the audience and judges and amply demonstrating his vocal skills.
Judge Kyle Sandilands said, “The kid can sing better than nearly anyone I know, he’s a charming, good, well-natured likeable kid, he’s now a songwriter.”
Brian McFadden added, “I heard you were singing your own song tonight and I was ‘Maybe…. I was getting really annoyed as to how perfect you’d been up ’til now. This kid’s a freak, and it was getting on my nerves because he was too good. Oh he’s writing his own song? There’s no way he can write a song as good as the other songs he’s covered.’ And he did.
“It’s just blatantly obvious you are a superstar.”
Today it isn’t clear how much of the song the young singer wrote himself, whether it was music, lyric or both.
The spokesperson said the song was constructed to reflect the journey Vidgen has had with the show, thrust in the spotlight with over a million hits on YouTube. They denied the song already existed and merely tweaked with a lyric in order to give Vidgen a composer credit.
Indeed, in the music industry many pop stars have been known for adding a handful of lyrics in order to land a credit and the subsequent royalties.
But it isn’t the first time a TV talent show has neglected to outline a song’s origins.
In 2004 Australian Idol told its viewers Dianne Warren had written “Listen To Your Heart” especially for series winner Casey Donovan -but the song had actually been recorded in 1998 by gospel singer CeCe Winans.
Others who performed their own songs on AGT didn’t fare as well as Vidgen. Singer-musicians Dan Conway and Adam Hynes failed to make the Grand Final, with judges commenting that performing their own material was a risk with the voting audience.
It remains to be seen if showcasing the song as a composition by the young singer will increase his voting chances at the expense of the 9 other acts.
His popularity has emerged from his performance ability rather than his songwriting, with many viewers commenting on the strength of his vocals at such a young age.
The majority of voting for talent shows also takes place straight after the show has aired.
This year’s series has been a runaway hit for Seven, despite -or possibly, due in part to- negative stories, including a plagiarism claim levelled at comedian Jordan Paris, and a ‘backstage tantrum’ detailed by host Grant Denyer but subsequently denied by pianist ‘Chooka’ Parker.
The announcement of the winner will air next Tuesday night, and is expected to top the 2 million viewer mark once again.
Seven says Sony is expected to release “Yes I Am” next Wednesday regardless of who wins the show.
UPDATE: Seven has since advised Jack wrote the lyrics and collaborated on music.
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- Tagged with Australia's Got Talent, Australian Idol, The X Factor
72 Responses
Anyway just because channel 7 say he wrote the lyrics, that does not mean it is true. Seven will do whatever it takes to make him famous to help themselves. I mean do people believe the britney spears’ of this world actually write their music? Oh and also, no i don’t think many struggling aussie families would spend what little money they have to make their children’s normal teeth into a mouth full of giant tic-tacs
Surprised?
As they say… “Don’t let (all) the facts get in the way of a good story!”
Who is A2?
I knew it! A record contract is done and dusted, they basically used the Grand Final to showcase his first single.
@annie I do believe he is good at his singing and stage presence, I just believe Channel 7 has over exposed him… its just my 2cents. each for their own.
As he was writing the lyrics, he also fixed his own teeth. Amazing.
Well David Knox, you fessing up now that Jack did actually write the lyrics.
Too late the damage is done. You could at least bold the font on your Update so we can all easily see how wrong you got it.
Annie: The show still should have said he co-wrote the song and other print and radio have made the same point today. Especially in a contest where other acts expect a degree of fairness. Chooka Parker claims that the show beat up his tantrum is another example of misrepresentation. Nothing I have written is factually “wrong” and in fact Seven told me all the voting was effectively done on the night, so no damage done as you say. Far from me criticizing Jack (everything I have written on him has been highly complimentary of his talents across the blog) I have criticized the show. As Idol did in 2004 sometimes talent shows get a little carried away with the hyperbole.
Pull your head in Matthew, His parents who are not that well off probably spent their last dollar to get his teeth done just like any other parent would. You’re very spiteful and petty. I wish you what you wish him. You should be ashamed of yourself being jealous of a kid.
leave the lad alone,give him the fame now before his voise breaks,it takes a lot for a 14 year old to get up in front of 2.2 million veiwers,i couldnt do it could you?
I still stand by my comments about him being over exposed and pushed by seven to have additional screentime than anyone else on various shows. Truthfully, I hope he doesn’t win.. And also leaves me to wonder .. Who actually paid for his new teeth?
Who cares?
Who the hell believes something written by a reporter who obviously does not possess the talent to find something decent to write about; resorting to slander and sensationalism is a sure sign that it’s time to get out of the business.
The judges gave standing ovations to everyone except for David Da Vito, who was (unfortunately) the weakest performer last night (he should have done something like “The Prayer” for the final, after his show stopping semi performance of “Nessun Dorma”).
I’d say that people like Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll and Jessica Mauboy would argue that it’s possible to have a sustained career as a result of appearing on a talent show. Bardot certainly had a huge amount of success from 2000 to 2002. Mark Vincent did well for a couple of albums, although interest really waned after his last release. Rikki Lee Coulter also enjoyed a fair amount of success, as did Anthony Callea, but both would struggle to have an impact now.
Well of course he had help. He is 14 for gods sake. When they announced he had written it last night I assumed he had someone that did assist and go over the lyrics. No big deal.
I think Liam is better anyway
The machine behind Seven and AGT is putting too much pressure on this kid. Just be honest and fair about the credits as well as the criticism because Jack has got alot of maturing and growing up still to do. It would be nice for him to have a well balanced career filled with longevity.
Instead I think possibly ratings of a Network seems more important and therefore interested in getting a quick sale at the expense of true talent like in the case of Nikki Webster.
yawn….let’s see how he goes 3 years from now….then I will say he is talented.
Channel 7 so want this kid , they even lie about the authorship of the song..disgraceful..too late now..most of the votes will be casrt last night
The kids got talent no doubt, but so had Jamie Redfern.
No not “Wwho” Jamie Redfern.
And his jocks are waaaay too tight.
Is it too late to claim I wrote ” Stairway to Heaven”.
@wei ting
I have to wonder how someone could come to the conclusion that being part of a televised talent show, is more than most australians will accomplish in their lives. If someone has the ambition to be a teacher or a parent, that is also an achievement, being part of the entertainment business is not better or more important just because you are in the public eye. I mean in this day and age of celebrity worship, you have to question if any of these young people have a real passion for singing, acting etc. It seems more likely that they just want to be rich and famous, its just about the easy lifestyle not the art.
Horrible performance, he won’t make it.
Jack’s performance last night was brilliant.. Channel 7’s performance was shocking..
Public should have been notified that he only co-wrote the song. I thought this was the only show that didn’t have a set-up winner but now I can see that I am wrong about this also…
Disgraceful….
An interesting 2 minute arrangement, going from B flat for 16 bars to C, but I must have missed the standing ovation as the judges did it for all the acts, except for kyle. I tipped the pidgeon to win from week 1. and still do. who gives a rats about what he does next week, FFS he is 14 ! already he has achieved more than most australians will in their entire life !
And: Anything with the name sandilands associated with it is fraudulent anyway, as demonstrated by the key bashing chooka. How can a ‘talent quest’ have a judge that has no peer or talent himself ? Someone pls enlighten me as to what Sandilands has actually done that is worthy of being on TV or Radio?
Sony will stage manage this every step of the way.
I don’t care who wrote it, it was a brilliant performance. Jack is destined for a very successful career, winner or not. I think even the industry will respect him because he is so young and brilliant. I admit though, if he didn’t have much input in the song, they should have said ” written for him “, but at least it will stop all the haters saying he only sings girls songs.
Careful David – you’ll be accused of suffering ‘tall poppy syndrome’ by the wowsers.
No big surprises there, im sure the kid had about 5% input towards the song, if that. Although let’s be honest, he may a brief time in the spotlight, but he will never be a big time recording artist. No reality show singer or band has really hit the same levels of true performers and bands. You feel that the industry does not quite respect them because as such they simply hit the musical lottery.