Phillips grew up in Leesburg, Georgia and went to Lee County High School. He graduated Albany Technical College, but had to miss the graduation ceremony due to being on American Idol.
Phillips auditioned for American Idol in Savannah, Georgia. He auditioned by singing the Stevie Wonder song "Superstition." The judges then asked him to audition with his guitar where he performed Michael Jackson's "Thriller." He made it to the Hollywood rounds and later to Las Vegas round.
On February 23, 2012, Phillips was chosen as one of the Top 24 semi-finalists. For the semi-finals, he performed "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins. He was one of the top five male vote getters and advanced to the Top 13. After the Top 13 performance night, Phillips was taken to a doctor for possible kidney stones. The Home Songfacts reports that after advancing to the final, Phillips was declared the winner on May 23, 2012. He won with a record breaking total vote count of 132 million.
Superstition
Phillip Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Very superstitious, them ladders 'bout to fall, yeah
Thirteen-month-old baby, yeah, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, oh, them good things in your past
Oh, but when you believe in things
That you don't understand
And then you suffer
No, oh, oh, ohh
Oh, no, no, no no
Very superstitious, wash your face and hands
Rid me of my problem, do all that you can, oh
Keep me in a daydream, yeah, keep me goin' strong
You keep me, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
No, but when you believe in things
That you don't understand
And then you suffer
Don't you know that superstition ain't the way?
Oh, no, no, no no
No, no
Oh, no, no, no no
No, no, no, no no
Very superstitious, there's nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the devil is on his way, yeah, oh
Thirteen-month-old baby, yeah, broke the lookin' glass, oh
Seven years of bad luck, oh, them good things in your past
Oh, but when you believe in things
That you don't understand
And then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, oh
The lyrics to "Superstition" by Phillip Phillips are a reflection on the irrationality of superstitions and the harm they can do to our lives if we let them control us. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song by asserting that superstitions are a significant force in our lives. The "writings on the wall" refer to the ancient practice of divination, in which seers would interpret signs and symbols that appeared on walls or other surfaces as a way of foretelling the future. The next lines take us on a journey through various superstitions, including the idea that if a ladder leans against a wall, someone is likely to die.
The lyrics continue with the story of a thirteen-month-old baby breaking a looking glass, an action that is thought to bring seven years of bad luck. The repetition of "oh" at the end of each line adds a sense of mournfulness to the song, as if the singer is lamenting the sorry state of the world. However, the chorus changes the tone of the song, with Phillips warning against believing in things we don't understand. Superstition may seem like a harmless habit, but it can lead to suffering and misery if we let it take over our lives. The final verse is a reminder of how pervasive superstition can be, even when we try to avoid it.
Line by Line Meaning
Very superstitious, writings on the wall
Believing in superstitions that serve as warnings written on the wall
Very superstitious, them ladders 'bout to fall, yeah
Believing in the fear of ladders that could cause harm and cause one's fall
Thirteen-month-old baby, yeah, broke the lookin' glass
The superstition that a baby who breaks a mirror will experience seven years of bad luck
Seven years of bad luck, oh, them good things in your past
The fear of bad luck shadowing one's good memories and achievements from the past
Oh, but when you believe in things
That you don't understand
And then you suffer
Don't you know that superstition ain't the way?
Discrediting superstitions that one cannot comprehend or justify, as the reason behind suffering
Very superstitious, wash your face and hands
Rid me of my problem, do all that you can, oh
Trying to rid oneself of problems through superstitious practices like washing face and hands, believing it could rid them of their problems
Keep me in a daydream, yeah, keep me goin' strong
You keep me, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
Hoping to keep the dream alive and put their trust in superstition rather than others to keep them going strong
Very superstitious, there's nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the devil is on his way, yeah, oh
Considering superstitions are the ultimate truth and the dangers of not obeying them are like the devil, an inevitable fate
No, but when you believe in things
That you don't understand
And then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, oh
Insisting that belief in superstitious practices that lack comprehension or explanation leads to suffering, hence not the right way to follow
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Stevie Wonder
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jupitermynx23
Just Awesome! He took every cover he sang on Idol and made it his own. I tuned in each week just to see what he'd do next. Even amongst the other Idol winners, I think PP is in a class all his own. #1
Malana Johnson
His voice gives chills so happy he won
Joseff C Cymro Cymraeg
Woah didnt follow this show but what a talent! Get in there !
Nerdycoolchick3
His sound effects get me every time
ando1135
thats my favorite part too! he's so good!
Jerome Lange
Huh WHAT ? I'm a big fan of Olly and his version can't HOLD A CANDLE to DOUBLE PHIL ABSOLUTE VOCAL PERFECTION OF A COVER. HE KILLED IT FOREVER ! DOUBLE PHIL >>> Olly ! EAT IT !
jwebby85
You can really tell just how much he is influenced by Dave Matthews.
pnxstudios100
I actually prefer this style of his better..more gritty and raspy....especially at 1:15 -1:23
Jessica Iguado
No hunny YOU can eat it. Olly rules the end.
Jessica Iguado
Olly Murs did a much better version of this song on xfactor UK!