You Won’t Believe the Song A Young Adam Lambert Chose to Sing When He Auditioned For American Idol

Adam Lambert is a well-known singer and songwriter these days. He took over lead vocals for the iconic rock band Queen in 2011 from Paul Rodgers, who had previously succeeded the late Freddie Mercury. But here’s something less well-known about Lambert: he initially became famous after participating on American Idol in its seventh season. With his 2009 debut album, “For Your Entertainment,” and subsequent solo efforts, he went on to become a successful artist after finishing the show in second place.

If you watch Lambert’s American Idol audition from years later, you will likely be amazed by the music he chose. “What are you going to sing for us?” inquires Kara DioGuardi, the judge. Lambert confidently launches into a note-perfect rendition of the Queen tune, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and receives a yes from all four judges. However, Lambert had no idea that he would be performing that very song with Queen on stages all over the world a few short years later, launching a successful career.

Despite receiving four yeses, Lambert’s audition seems to stir up some disagreement among the judges, which is ironic. When Simon Cowell and Kara got into an argument about Lambert’s dramatic flair, it appeared as though Cowell wasn’t a fan of the singer. Paula Abdul wrapped up by calling Lambert “brilliant,” while Randy Jackson chimed in that, after some thought, he thought Lambert was a decent singer and that “I actually think it’s time…for someone like you.”

The judges probably would have given Lambert the green light for his audition had they realized he would soon be a full-fledged member of Queen, delivering nightly performances of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ in his own ‘theatrical’ flair. In 2020, Lambert performed with Queen in Japan, which is one instance of this. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was obviously on the setlist, and he delivered a stirring performance of the song while also paying touching respect to Freddie Mercury halfway through.

Fans of Queen believe that Freddie Mercury will never be replaced, but they also think that Lambert has done an incredible job as lead singer since Mercury’s departure. This was proven by the enthusiastic reception Lambert received during his 2020 performance in Japan. Watching his American Idol audition and learning the origin story of how he became lead singer of Queen is, thus, an intriguing experience in and of itself.