Daily Archives: May 25, 2023

Iam Tongi is 2023 American Idol & America’s Therapist

This 18-year-old from Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii 96731 is now America’s post-covid therapist.

Iam (nickname for William) staked his grounds when he sang the more mellow version of James Blunt’s song “Monsters”. Iam’s version and his personal circumstances of losing his father at such a young age and of being priced out of Hawaii endeared him to the judges and the audience.

I have to admit that I’ve never heard of James Blunt until it was sung by Iam. But his powerful poetic words caught my attention.

Oh, before they turn off all the lights
I won’t read you your wrongs or your rights
The time has gone
I’ll tell you goodnight, close the door
Tell you I love you once more
The time has gone
So here it is I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine

And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away Oh, well, I’ll read a story to you
Only difference is this one is true
The time has gone
I folded your clothes on the chair
I hope you sleep well, don’t be scared
The time has gone
So here it is I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away Sleep a lifetime
Yes, and breathe a last word
You can feel my hand on your own
I will be the last one
So I’ll leave a light on
Let there be no darkness, in your heart But I’m not your son, you’re not my father
We’re just two grown men saying goodbye
No need to forgive, no need to forget
I know your mistakes and you know mine
And while you’re sleeping I’ll try to make you proud
So, daddy, won’t you just close your eyes?
Don’t be afraid, it’s my turn
To chase the monsters away

Source: MusixmatchSongwriters: Jimmy Hogarth / James Blunt / Amy Victoria Wadge Monsters lyrics © Cookie Jar Music Llp, Emi Music Publishing Ltd

In the American Idol finale, James Blunt would share the stage to sing along with Iam. Enjoy it. It’s an inspiration to see the 18-year-old Kahuku High senior being supported and bolstered by the 49-year-old British superstar singer and poet. It’s sweet to see there’s ample humanity and level of intensity in these artists.

Coming from a close-knit community in rural Oahu and being part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kahuku High School and the Polynesian communities throughout the U.S. continent helped Iam too. The coconut wire did its job.

Local Hawaiian KITV followed and covered his journey from the beginning.

Iam has become America’s post-Covid Therapist.

It’s his easy-going, humble, and authentic self that endears him to his audience. Iam is simply one of the local kids here who attend school, attend church, went to community and church activities, hung around with his big gang of relatives, and neighborhood friends.

When the Tongi family decided to relocate to Federal Way, Washington, it couldn’t have been easy for this teenager. Not only did he have to leave his friends, he had to leave the Hawaiian weather behind. Like many in Hawaii, his big family was priced out of Hawaii due to the escalating costs of living where the average home price of a simple home is around $1 million.

One thing that may set Iam apart was he had a father who recognized the great potential in his musical gifts and future. He father worked hard to support and encourage the young boy. Iam lost his father and his aunty last year. During his young aunty’s hospice days, he would sing to her. Like most Americans, he also knew people who passed away from Covid-19.

Iam and British pop star James Blunt – a powerful combination – singing “Monsters” at the American Idol Finale.

Katy Perry, one of the American Idol Judges described Iam as such, “The sound in the room when Iam comes on is undeniable. He’s an undeniable character. He’s just kind of got this incredible magic. You almost can’t explain it. It’s an ‘It factor.’ It’s like you’re born to do this, and it’s undeniable.” Perhaps the “it factor” could be just his vulnerability and innocence of a nice cub scout who is kind and loves his family and music.

A community concert put together in six days by local organizers in Kahuku. Even the big stars came out to support – Jack Johnson, Paula Fuga, Kawika Kahiapo, and John Cruz. About 14,000 came out to show support.

Bonus Information on “Monsters” composer James Blunt – the song that propelled Iam’s talent and background that set him apart from the rest of the American Idol contestants. Blunt’s depth in his life experiences and intellectualism mingled with musical talent is an interesting read:

Excerpted from MentalFloss.com – ” James Blunt was born February 22, 1974, at a military hospital in Tidsworth, Hampshire, England. His father, Charles, was a retired colonel in the Army Air Corps, and he wasn’t the first Blunt to serve his country. The family’s military history apparently extends back to the 10th century, when the Blunts first moved to England from Denmark. 

Young James studied piano and violin before picking up the guitar at 14. He soon began writing songs and dreaming of a career in music. But first, he studied aerospace mechanical engineering—and later sociology, after changing majors—at Bristol University. Blunt’s education was paid for by the British Army, and as a result, he was required to serve four years. He trained at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and later fought in the Kosovo War, which raged from 1998 to 1999. 

Blunt’s troop was among the first British units to cross into Kosovo, and at one point, the future pop star was ordered by U.S. General Wesley Clark, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, to seize Kosovo’s Pristina airport, which had been taken by Russian soldiers. Blunt, who was a captain, disagreed with the order, for fear of escalating a conflict with Russia, and he told the BBC in 2010 that he would have declined General Clark’s order, even if it had meant a court martial. 

As it happened, Blunt never had to defy Clark. British General Sir Mike Jackson wound up blocking the order. “I’m not going to have my soldiers be responsible for starting World War III,” Jackson told Clark. While the BBC headline “Singer James Blunt ‘Prevented World War III’” is a touch hyperbolic, there’s at least some truth to the story.

After spending six months in Kosovo and witnessing many horrors related to the war, Blunt went to Switzerland for three months and had a much easier time. He became the skiing champion of the Royal Armoured Corps, and with his trusty guitar at his side, he charmed many a young lady. Toward the end of his military stint, Blunt began writing original songs, including the future single “No Bravery,” which was inspired by his time in Kosovo.”