Simon Cowell Talks Paula Abdul, 'The Voice' & 'X-Factor': Don't Sing These 5 Songs In An Audition

For nearly a decade, one man has ruled the reality singing competition throne -- Simon Cowell. Over the last 10 years, Cowell has seen -- and heard -- it all, but when it comes to a few choice songs, he's had enough.

During a conference call to promote the Sept. 21 premiere of "X Factor" on Fox, Cowell revealed to Billboard Magazine that there are five songs he never wants to hear again. And the songs Cowell never -- ever -- wants to hear again at an audition are as follows:

1. R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly"
2. Etta James' "At Last"
3. The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody"
4. Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours"
5. John Legend's "Ordinary People"

He also took the time to clarify a few things for future auditions. Whoever said the "Unchained Melody" was his favorite song "must have been joking." As for the Etta James classic? "I'm allergic to it," Cowell told the music magazine.

The "X Factor" judge and music mogul also took the time to take a few shots at fellow judge Paula Abdul.

"With Paula, within five minutes of a shoot she's not aware that the cameras are not on any more and she's still prepared to argue." And their reunion? "It's like getting your old dog back from the pound."

While we're sure that Cowell was just poking fun at his old friend Abdul, he didn't hold back when it came to NBC's star-studded competition, "The Voice."

"('The Voice') didn't do it as well as us. I kind of expected them to -- that's the nature of the game. It's a necessary part of the format. Anyone can mentor, but can you mentor and create a star? You have to recognize what we have done (in the U.K.), where our third runner-up One Direction is going to have the (fastest-selling) single of the year."

For more, click on over to Billboard.

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