Ten American Idol hopefuls remain. I really liked the theme this week. Tonight, each of them will sing a song from the year they were born. I liked it even more once I started to hear the performances. I hope they bring this one back every year. So here’s what they sang and how they sang it:

Ramiele Malubay: Hearts Alone
Ramiele sounded great just like she always does. This was probably her favorite performance of mine this season. I only wish she had picked up the tempo a little bit and really rocked out. Although, considering how sick she apparently was this was pretty impressive.
Randy: “Its a little too big of a song.”
Paula: “You’re a very big talent.”
Simon: “I don’t think it was as bad a Randy said. You’re going to get through to next week again on that performance.”

Jason Castro: Fragile
I liked it. It sounded just like every other song Jason sings while he plays the guitar. So either you like his sound or you don’t. If you do great because once he picks up the guitar everything he sings is just a variation on a theme.
Randy: “It was very nice and pleasant.”
Paula: “I think you’re staying true to who you are. You’re staying safe in your zone.”
Simon: “I think you’ve had two bad weeks. I think you need to take this a little more seriously… it was too laid back, too much in your own world.”

Syesha Mercado: If I Was Your Woman
I think that was a great song choice for Syesha. She should try to pick songs like this every week. Awesome performance. She got a standing O from the audience.
Randy: “I think this is the best I’ve ever heard you sing, even when you auditioned.”
Paula: “This is going to be the moment every one remembers when Syesha flipped it and became the dark horse.”
Simon: “I think there is a limit on your vocals and I think that stretched it.”

Chikezie Eze: If Only For One Night
I know he was criticized last week for being gimmicky but, I really like Chikezie better when he sings more up beat songs. He did a good job but his voice isn’t quite good enough to pull this off. This was not my favorite performance of his.
Randy: “I didn’t love this for you…it was old school… it was just kinda boring for me.”
Paula: “I disagree. Its a good throw back.”
Simon: “I think you sang it well that being said, the performance was cheesy. You have to show originality. I miss your personality.”

Brooke White: Every Breath You Take
I love the Police so I was looking forward to this. The first half of the song was totally awesome. Yeh, she goofed up but once she readjusted it was really good. I didn’t think the part with the band was as bad as Randy and Simon but I do agree that it was better when it was just her on the piano.
Randy: “It was only alright for me.”
Paula: “I enjoyed that performance. You’re consistent.”
Simon: “If you had just stayed with you on the piano. Definitely good enought o keep you in for another week. The first half was fantastic.”

Michael Johns: We Will Rock You
Awesome song choice. For the most part I liked it. During the chorus “We will, we will rock you” he should not have used the back up singers. I also thought he shouted the song in spots. The audience went crazy. It was ok, maybe even good, but I didn’t think it was great. Maybe I was watching a different a show.
Randy: “That was the best performance for me since you’ve been on the show.”
Paula: “This was your shining moment. I’m so proud of you.”
Simon: “This is the first time with you I’ve seen star potential. Tonight, you just got it right. For me its the only memorable performance of the night so far.”

Carly Smithson: Total Eclipse of the Heart
This was another great song choice. This was probably my favorite performance tonight. The only thing that I didn’t like was the big finish. This is then only song from tonight’s show that I will definitely download. I really liked that one.
Randy: “I liked it, I didn’t love. It wasn’t quite the right song choice. It was just OK for me.”
Paula: “You could take every song I don’t like and make me a believer. I love what you did at the end. Carly, you can do no wrong tonight.”
Simon: “Something didn’t quite work tonight.”

David Archeluta: You’re the Voice
I am not a big fan of David Archuleta and even I liked this one. No one had ever heard of this song before (except Simon) as it was by Johnny Farnham from Australia. I really prefer more of hard rock sound. This sounded a little too Christian Rock for my tastes but I still liked it. I thought he did a good job singing it. This could even be his first single if he wins. David may also have had an advantage in singing a song no one had ever heard of before because they did not have a well known arrangement to compare it to.
Randy: “It was very nice, I don’t know the song but very nice.”
Paula: “David you could sing the phone book and we’d fall in love with you.”
Simon: “You sang it well in parts… I actually didn’t like the performance at all. I thought it was reminiscent of of a theme park performance.”

Kristy Lee Cook: God Bless The USA
Kristy picked a good one for her this week. This is a very popular song that everyone knows as it gets played every year around July 4th. It’s a country song which has become her niche. She didn’t do very much to make it original but she put in a good solid performance and showed off her voice. After the beating she has taken from the judges the past couple of weeks, this is just the kind of performance she needed to regain her confidence and give her a little breathing room.
Randy: “Great song choice. Other than some pitchy spots I thought it was a good performance.”
Paula: “It was a very good choice for you. I have seen better performances from you but your voice sounded stronger.”
Simon: “Your best performance by a mile. That was the most clever song choice I have heard in years. I thought overall it was a good performance and that’s going to keep you in the competition.”

David Cook: Billie Jean
That was absolutely fantastic. I have always hated that song but David Cook has finally put a spin on that song that I love. This is the song to download this week! Hands down, this was the best performance of the night.
Randy: “You are the most original and bold contestant we have ever had. You might be the one to win the whole lot. Molten hot!”
Paula: “I’m blown away.”
Simon: “That was brave. It could have been insane or amazing and I have to tell you that was amazing.”

WBM’s Most Downloadable AI Performance of the Night: Billie Jean by David Cook

If you enjoyed David Cook’s cover then you’ll probably enjoy the cover he covered: Chris Cornell’s “Billie Jean”

Thanks to VFTW for the tip.

Don’t forget to stop by tomorrow morning to check out our predictions for which of this season’s American Idol Top 10 will be headed home tomorrow night. Then, make sure you come back tomorrow night after the results show and see if we were right.

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