'X Factor': Song Choices Revealed, With Stevi Ritchie Tackling 'Bohemian Rhapsody' In 'Queen vs. Michael Jackson' Theme

'X Factor' Stars To Play It (Seriously!) Safe For Queen vs. MJ Week

The ‘X Factor’ song choices for this weekend’s Queen vs. Michael Jackson theme have been announced... and to say they’re unimaginative would be quite the understatement.

MORE 'X FACTOR' NEWS:

Indeed, just for fun, take a piece of paper and write down the nine most overplayed songs from Queen and Michael Jackson that you can think of, and see how many of them have made the cut.

Seriously, considering that both acts have some of the most varied back catalogues in music, we don’t understand why the best the Mel B could come up with for Paul Akister is ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’.

Open Image Modal

Paul Akister's song this week is not exactly an inspired choice

Similarly, Ben Haenow is taking on MJ’s ‘Man In The Mirror’, a song we’ve only heard pretty much every year on ‘The X Factor’ since it started. We can only imagine the valuable seconds that Simon Cowell spent picking that one.

And as for Stevi Ritchie tackling ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’... we’ll not even go there.

Sigh.

Open Image Modal

Lauren Platt

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini decided to give Lauren Platt a break from last week’s ‘extensive choreography’ with her song choice, ‘I’ll Be There’, while Only The Young’s rendition of ‘Blame It On The Boogie’ is sure to be laden with their trademark pep.

Of course, this could all have been avoided if producers had stuck with the ‘Disco Fever’ theme that Dermot O’Leary had previously announced at the end of last weekend’s show.

Instead, rather than bringing a bit of Studio 54 to our Saturday nights, we’re getting all of the songs we could have heard if we actually bothered to go to a karaoke night, instead of sitting in our onesie eating a tub of Ben & Jerry’s, wondering if it’s too late for them to bring back Chloe Jasmine.

Check out the full list of songs below…

  • Andrea Faustini - Somebody To Love
  • Ben Haenow - Man In The Mirror
  • Fleur East - Will You Be There
  • Jay James - The Show Must Go On
  • Lauren Platt - I’ll Be There
  • Only The Young - Blame It On The Boogie
  • Paul Akister - Don’t Stop Me Now
  • Stereo Kicks - You Are Not Alone
  • Stevi Ritchie - Bohemian Rhapsody
'X Factor' Finalists: How Many Can You Name?
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(01 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Austin Drageb) Jonjo Kerrc) Sam Callahan (credit:Emma Peios via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(02 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Austin Drageb) Jonjo Kerrc) Sam CallahanOne of the most fancied 'X Factor' hunks across the show's ten years, Austin came in 9th place in 2008. He's still singing and, needless to say, still regularly taking his top off for selfies on Twitter. (credit:Emma Peios via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(03 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Treyc Cohenb) Maria Lawsonc) Alisha Bennett (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(04 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Treyc Cohenb) Maria Lawsonc) Alisha BennettAlthough she only finished in eighth place, Maria was one of series two's best loved contestants and signed a recording contract soon after the series ended. She has since played the female lead in 'Thriller Live' and fronted a campaign for Brastop.com (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(05 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Kimberley Southwickb) Carolynne Poolec) Lorna Simpson (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(06 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Kimberley Southwickb) Carolynne Poolec) Lorna SimpsonHaving already tried out for 'The Voice' and a previous series of 'The X Factor', Carolynne was the first contestant to get her marching orders in 2012. (credit:Jo Hale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(07 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Ashley McKenzieb) Jamie Archerc) James Michael (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(08 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Ashley McKenzieb) Jamie Archerc) James MichaelLong before Tamera Foster, Ashley was the contestant who famously struggled to remember his words back in series three. Despite being an early favourite for winner, he ultimately finished in eighth place. (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(09 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Niki Evansb) Hannah Barrettc) Lucie Jones (credit:Suzan/Suzan)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(10 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Niki Evansb) Hannah Barrettc) Lucie JonesControversially, Simon Cowell opted to save Jedward over Lucie in series six. She's since gone on to play Cosette in 'Les Misérables', as well as bagging a role in the recent 'American Psycho' musical in London's West End. (credit:Suzan/Suzan)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(11 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Aiden Grimshawb) Anthony Hannahc) Rikki Loney (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(12 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Aiden Grimshawb) Anthony Hannahc) Rikki LoneyCheryl Cole was shocked when Jedward were saved over Rikki, who was the second contestant to be eliminated in 2009. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(13 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Brenda Edwardsb) Beverley Trotmanc) Roberta Howett (credit:Claire Greenway via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(14 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Brenda Edwardsb) Beverley Trotmanc) Roberta HowettSince finishing in sixth place in 2007, Beverley toured the UK in a production of 'Fame'. (credit:Claire Greenway via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(15 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Nikita Edwardsb) Laura Whitec) Sami Brookes (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(16 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Nikita Edwardsb) Laura Whitec) Sami BrookesLaura's exit is commonly referred to as one of the most controversial ever, with even Mariah Carey claiming that her finishing in eighth place was an injustice! Last year, Laura released her EP 'What My Mother Taught Me', having toured with Peter Andre earlier in her career. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(17 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Kingsland Roadb) Futureproofc) The Risk (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(18 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Kingsland Roadb) Futureproofc) The RiskGood hair. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(19 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Kandy Rainb) Bad Lashesc) Hope (credit:Jon Furniss via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(20 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Kandy Rainb) Bad Lashesc) HopeOne of the first groups ever put together of solo singers who didn't make it on their own, Hope paved the way for One Direction, Little Mix and Belle Amie. (credit:Jon Furniss via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(21 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Robert Allen b) Ben Millsc) Storm Lee (credit:Harry Herd via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(22 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Robert Allen b) Ben Millsc) Storm LeeBen signed a five album deal with Sony after finishing in third place back in 2006. He has since released one album with Sony... (credit:Harry Herd via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(23 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Cassie Comptonb) Rachel Hyltonc) Sophie Habibis (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(24 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Cassie Comptonb) Rachel Hyltonc) Sophie HabibisCassie was just 17 when she auditioned for the first ever series of 'The X Factor', famously pleading with mentor Sharon Osbourne not to cut her a fringe in. Since then she's enjoyed a successful theatre career. (credit:Ian West/PA Archive)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(25 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Nicolo Festab) Aiden Grimshawc) Luke Friend (credit:Neil Mockford via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(26 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Nicolo Festab) Aiden Grimshawc) Luke FriendNicolo was the first contestant to be eliminated in 2010, following a performance of Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance'. (credit:Neil Mockford via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(27 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Andy Williamsb) Danyl Johnsonc) Leon Jackson (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Name The 'X Factor' Finalist(28 of28)
Open Image Modal
a) Andy Williamsb) Danyl Johnsonc) Leon JacksonYou might recognise Leon - he actually won the show back in 2008, following a duet with Kylie Minogue in the live final. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)