X Factor perf of "Say Something" lights up

“SAY SOMETHING” ONCE, WHY SAY IT AGAIN? Speaking of “Say Something” (as we’ve been compelled to do with great frequency since it exploded last month), a performance of the ballad by contestants Alex & Sierra last night on The X Factor is now #1 on the iTunes chart, while the actual hit version from A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera that was first featured on competing musical contest The Voice has shot back up to #3. Apart from the delicious irony, this turn of events makes it clear that there’s something magical about the song itself, which turns out to be sturdy enough to stand up to a somewhat less subtle interpretation despite the delicacy of its sentiment. (12/5a)