For the sixth season of American Idol, debuting in January, songwriters as well as singers will get in on the competition. Series creator Simon Fuller tells the Los Angeles Times that songwriters both pro and amateur will be afforded the chance to pen an original tune for the show's finalists, a task previously farmed out (with varying degrees of success/hummability) to an industry vet or producer. The new twist, Fuller says, is aimed at achieving better matchups between artists and songs. After all, flying without wings is just silly.

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