This is the best version hands down of this song. Her voice is perfect for it. I remember when she performed this live on the show. Now it's 10 years later! So much talent from this show. Yet this song only has 28,000 views after ten yrs.?!? It should have millions. Very emotional, made me think of all those I have lost in the last 10 yrs.
I don't really like how blackbirds sing but Season 7 of American Idol was the best. Bring it back! I dreamed of Speech-language Pathology back in 2008! I had a sobered reaction to this song but I couldn't stop singing it afterwards! I renewed its magic again in 2023 the most dire, devilish, frightening, demonic and hate-filled year of my life. Ms. Rae Smithson performance helped me pull pathos, FAITH and inspiration from a Beetle's song that I never even knew! I am belting baritonally in awe of America and I am a blackbird. My accent still beguiles me but I'm learning to fly - call me Ray! And YOU Ms. Smithson... good on you for standing up for yourself at the end...Thank you lady for singing and.... talking!
