Many singers make the mistake of choosing their favorite song to sing in a competition. Although you may love the way the song sounds, it might not be your best choice. It is important to choose a song that will work with your vocal range, personality, and the type of competition. For example, if you are auditioning for The Voice, it is a good idea to pick a top 40 song. However, you should not mimic the artist. Put your own spin on it. On the other hand, when auditioning for American Idol, the best strategy is to pick a really well known, "All American" song that the audience and judges will identify with. Again, you should be yourself and sing it your way, not simply copying the artist.
For any competition, when choosing your song, it is also important to choose a song that fits you. For example, if you have the range of Johnny Cash, don't choose a Mariah Carey Song, and vice versa. If you have a solid southern accent, rap is not going to be your best pick for competition. Also, if you look and move like William Hung, probably don't choose a Ricky Martin song unless you are going for laughs of course!
