American Idol Top 3 performances

Top 3 performed three songs each tonite, one song chosen by the judges, one chosen by the producers, and one of their own choice.

Round 1, Judge’s Choice

–

David Archuleta – Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes”, chosen by Paula Abdul
Good, but just another boring, sappy ballad to me. Randy thought it was a dope song and that he was in the zone. Paula said it was a pure and stunning performance. Simon said it was very good but not outstanding, no surprise and a bit predictable.

–

Syesha Mercado – Alicia Key’s “If I Ain’t Got You”, chosen by Randy Jackson
Boring and blah to me. I was glad when it was over. Randy said she did an amazing job and had peaked at the right time. Paula said she was proud of her for being the last girl standing, and that she looked stunning. Simon said she sang it very well.

–

David Cook – Roberta Flack’s “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, chosen by Simon Cowell
Wow, this was good, very, very good! Great performance that just further proves that David Cook can sing anything! This was the best performance of the night, by a mile. Randy said he had loved him since day one but he wishes Simon had picked something more rock. Paula said it was one of her favorite songs and that now David was her second favorite to sing it. Simon said it was one of his best performances to date, and brilliant.

–

Simon says the first round goes to David Cook.

–

Round 2, Contestant’s Choice

–

David Archuleta – Chris Brown’s “With You”
To me, this really sucked. It was not believable at all to me, I think it was a ridiculous song choice and so very awkward, and I think he might have even messed up the lyrics at one point. Randy said he applauds the fact that he tried something new, but that it was not believable. Paula said it was perfect for the tone of his voice and he did a great job. Simon said that he applauded him for not doing another treacly ballad, but that it was a bit “like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger”, the song wasn’t him.

–

Syesha Mercado – Peggy Lee’s “Fever”
Well, she wore a very short dress and danced around a chair. It was okay, but a little silly, and definitely a strange song choice at this point in the competition. Randy said it was an interesting song choice and she sang it amazingly well. Paula said she was surprised she picked this song and that she’s not sure it shows who Syesha is an artist. Simon said she will probably regret the song choice tomorrow and that it was a lame, cabaret performance.

–

David Cook – Switchfoot’s “Dare To Move”
The song started off a little weak for me, but he rocked it. I didn’t care for the song very much, but as always, David sang it very well. Randy said it was a great song choice but that performance-wise, it wasn’t David’s best, it was a little pitchy. Paula said she felt like he just sang the beginning and then the song ended abruptly. Simon said it wasn’t the best melodic song, but it was okay.

–

Simon said all three had “Okay” performances for Round 2.

–

Round 3, Producer’s Choice

–

David Archuleta – Dan Fogleberg’s “Longer”
And yet another sappy, boring ballad. He sang it well, but oh-so-predictable. He always sounds exactly the same, and all his performances just blend together for me into one big dripping ballady whine — nothing stands out at all. Randy said it was a very interesting song choice but that David can sing anything, and then predictably said, “it was another hot one!”. Paula said it was very lovely. Simon said he sang the song very well, but the song lyrics were horrible and gooey.

–

Syesha Mercado – Gia Farrell’s “Hit Me Up”
It was just okay, another just okay performance. Randy also said it was just okay. Paula said she did the song very well but again, she doesn’t know if this type of song defines Syesha as an artist. Simon said it was better than her second song, but not as good as last weeks “Change Is Gonna Come”. He said Syesha was forgettable, and she had no defining moment.

–

David Cook – Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing”
The arrangement started out a little weird for me, with violins and strings, but it got better and better. I liked it, it was another great performance by David Cook. Randy said he loved the song and it was okay. Paula said, “See ya in the finals!”. Simon said it was one of the greatest songs of all time, and that “David Cook wins the night!”

–

So, who did you like tonite? I agree with Simon, David Cook definitely won the night. I think David Cook has shown that he’s the best and most versatile singer this year. While Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul always tell David Archuleta that he “can sing anything, even the phone book”.. all of Archuleta’s performances sound exactly the same to me and are about as interesting as someone actually singing the phone book. To listen to an entire cd of that? No way, my attention would be wandering midway through the first song. David Archuleta is a technically good ballad singer.

On the other hand, David Cook really can sing anything, and from Lionel Richie’s Hello to Broadway night to a Roberta Flack classic, from Mariah Carey’s pop to hardrock to musical theater to ballads– David Cook has proven without a doubt that he can sing many styles of music, and he sings them very well. I hope he wins it all. I got in a few votes for him tonite, but not many — all three of his phone lines were almost a solid busy signal. Syesha? I think she’s gone tomorrow night.

Results Update, May 14
Not surprisingly, Syesha Mercado was eliminated tonite. The two Davids are headed for the finale next week. I hope the right one wins. :)