This essay emphasizes ways to raise the student interests and help students develop skills for analyzing music and music performances through the television program "American Idol." As music classrooms experience an increase in the number of students from a variety of cultures, valuing the music of all cultures becomes increasingly important. Cross-disciplinary learning can occur by using American Idol. The culture of today's young people, often expressed through popular music, is frequently overlooked in public school music curricula. Some music educators, along with parents and administrators, are hesitant to include popular music because of concerns that such music is nonstandard for public school music curricula, the sometimes-questionable conduct of contestants and judges, and the mocking of performances that is prevalent during early episodes. But these issues should be addressed with music educators, administrators, and parents by explaining the objectives and reasons for using American Idol to assist students in analyzing music. American Idol provides an opportunity to discuss such life lessons as setting goals, the benefits of hard work, open-mindedness, cooperation and teamwork, and stage presence. (Contains 11 notes.)