3 Outstanding Non-Journey Covers by ‘America’s Got Talent’ Finalist Richard Goodall

After earning the Golden Buzzer during his America’s Got Talent audition in May 2024 with a rousing performance of the 1981 Journey classic “Don’t Stop Believin‘,” Richard Goodall returned to where it all began for him during the season 19 finale with Journey’s 1983 power ballad hit “Faithfully.”

For years, the 55-year-old janitor from Terre Haute, Indiana had been singing for himself and his students at the West Vigo Middle and High School and sharing some of his “performances” on TikTok but never took his big voice to a larger stage. Goodall, who also plays in a band called ManOpause, a cover band that covers classic rock, initially tried out for AGT in 2009 in Chicago but never made it past the open auditions. Before his 2024 audition, he had never even been on a plane but made the trip to Los Angeles to give it another try.

“When I took off from Indianapolis, I felt that front wheel come off the ground and you have this floating [feeling], you’re no longer stable,” said Goodall of the experience during an early pre-taped interview on AGT. “And that’s what this whole experience is like right now. It’s a good off-balance but until you actually do something, you don’t know if it’s right for you or not.”

[RELATED: 5 Things to Know About the Journey-Singing Janitor on ‘America’s Got Talent’]

Uploading videos of himself covering a series of songs on TikTok since June of 2022, Goodall has already amassed (as of September 2024) nearly 200,000 followers, who have watched his renditions of the Lee Greenwood classic “God Bless the USA”—his first TikTok video—along with the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” the Mack Rice-penned “Mustang Sally,” made famous by Wilson Pickett in 1967, The Mamas & The Papas’ “California Dreamin’,” Eric Clapton‘s 1992 hit “Tears in Heaven,” and dozens of more songs.

Now that Goodall is on his way to potentially winning season 19 of America’s Got Talent, here’s a look at three non-Journey songs he’s covered over the past few years—sometimes while performing his janitorial duties.

 1. “Wanted Dead or Alive,” Bon Jovi

While Goodall was still buffing the floors at West Vigo before his AGT breakthrough, he broke into Bon Jovi‘s 1987 hit “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Though the acoustics weren’t top-tier, Goodall still delivered an explosive rendition, a cappella. Written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and released on the band’s third album Slippery When Wet, “Wanted Dead or Alive” went to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

[RELATED: 10 Songs You Didn’t Know Jon Bon Jovi Wrote for Other Artists]

2. “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” Michael Bolton

When Goodall returned after his Golden Buzzer win, he didn’t disappoint fans and the AGT judges when he blew through Michael Bolton‘s 1989 hit ballad “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.” Bolton originally co-wrote the song with Doug James for Air Supply, but it was released by Laura Branigan in 1983. The song was a hit for Branigan and Bolton. Branigan’s version went to No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100, while Bolton’s version topped both charts.

[RELATED: 8 Songs You Didn’t Know Michael Bolton Wrote for Other Artists]

3. “Eye of the Tiger,” Survivor

Risin’ up, back on the street / Did my time, took my chances / Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet / Just a man and his will to survive sang Goodall when he pulled out a cover of Survivor‘s 1982 hit “Eye of the Tiger” during the AGT Semifinals on September 11. Written by Survivor’s Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik as the theme song for the 1982 film Rocky III after Queen denied director and star Sylvester Stallone the use of their song “Another One Bites the Dust,” the song topped the charts worldwide including the Billboard Hot 100.

Photo: Trae Patton/NBC