Listen: American Idol star Katharine McPhee releases new single 'Had It All'

Katharine McPhee

Credit: Verve Forecast

It's been two-and-a-half years since Katharine McPhee was crowned runner-up on "American Idol," just behind Taylor Hicks. And it seems her handlers are still trying to figure out what to do with her talent.

As we reported in our "Where Are They Now: American Idol" edition, the 25-year-old singer is working on finishing her second major label set, "Unbroken," due Oct. 6. The first single from the set, "Had It All" has been posted to here MySpace page -- it was written buy hitmakers David Hodges, Mitch Allan and AI judge Kara DioGuardi.

Listen to the song here.

Checking out the page, you're greeted with a decidedly Marilyn-blonde version of the former brunette, looking a bit retro-naughty with cherry coyly perched in her mouth.

The look, and the song, seems a far cry from the Former McPhee, who insisted that her RCA debut sound more urban, rhythmic and young. Now on Verve Forecast -- a much more "adult" label, known for its legendary jazz releases -- Katharine McPhee is probably going to skew older for this one, or at least go for a much more general pop radio audience.

Just listen to "Had It All." It's warm, percussive but not dancey, and a little bit more soulful than sultry. If there was pedal steel and a twang in the back of her throat, this would be a modern country hit. Look out, Carrie! (Not really, but still.)

Below are some videos of McPhee and her band tackling the studio with producer John Alagia (John Mayer, Jason Mraz).

TRACKING DAY ONE

TRACKING DAY FOUR

Katie Hasty
Managing Editor

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After five years as a columnist and editor at Billboard, Katie Hasty joined HitFix in 2009 for music and film reporting out of New York. The Midwest native has worked as a writer, music promoter and in A&R since 1999 and performs with her band Numbers And Letters.