Chris Daughtry at the 2012 SDCC

Tara: Do you mind if I talk about your band and your music for a second?

Chris: That’s it. I’m done. (Starts to walk away … we all laugh. Of course I giggle like an idiot.)

Of course! Of course!

Tara: I have a problem with your first album in that I’m addicted to it and I love it.

Chris: Well, that’s a good problem, right?

Tara: What I notice about your music? I’m not going to say all of it but I’m going to say, by and large, that most of it is very introspective, very much about leaving, parting, breaking up. Kinda angsty.

Chris: Yeah.

Tara: Is it all coming from your personal life? Is it all coming from you imagining … ?

Chris: I think that being a songwriter, you tend to exaggerate something that could have lasted five minutes. And make it sound like it’s a bigger deal than it really is. But I think it’s easier to write about a bad day than it is to write about a good day because when you’re having a good day? You don’t want to be writing. You want to be enjoying it, right?

So I think one small thing can inspire something that’s bigger and I think a lot of people can relate to those kind of situations. And they’re a little vague. And I think that’s what’s great about songwriting. As a fan of music I like to listen to a song and go “I get it,” rather than going “What exactly is he talking about? I can’t relate.” You know what I mean?

Tara: Rather than ambiguity?

Chris: Exactly! So, I think a lot of the first two records I think a lot of people were like “He seems like a pretty miserable person.” So this third record was the exact opposite of that.

Tara: Yes, it was.

Chris: And I think a lot of that came from changing the music aspect of it when we were missing something that was a little more upbeat. Well, when you have something that’s a little more upbeat, you don’t want to sing about anything that’s drab or dirgey. So … you go the complete opposite way.

Tara: I love the word “dirgey!”

Michael: Speaking of music, you came into Idol on season five. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s one of the best, if not the best season of Idol.

Chris: Five? I thought it was!

(Chuckle)

Michael: The top four? Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Taylor Hicks and yourself. Any relationship with them at this point in time?

Chris: You know, I’ve probably kept in touch with Elliott and Kat more than anyone. And I’m not even sure why, just out sometimes you run into them at an awards show or whatever and you just tend to keep that communication going. I haven’t seen Taylor in a long time. And it’s more of just everybody’s schedules are so hectic and crazy you tend to lose track of people.

—

So?

Michael and I got some inside scoops. And as a bonus, a signed lithograph of Chris and Jim Lee’s “Batman.” (Yes, we went outside and waited in line with everyone else!)

We may or may not have one for you, too. I believe we may have just snuck out an extra.

Or so rumor has it.

I hope you liked reading Chris’ thoughts, and that you’ll take the time to download “Rescue Me” on iTunes for the benefit of those in Africa who so desperately need our help.

You can be a Hero!

Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Jul 20, 2012 @ 22:15 EST5EDT