American Idol Top 50 Performances: #10-1

This is it, the top ten!!

10. Chris - Walk The Line

This was a controversial performance for more reason than one. Lots of Johnny Cash fans hated it, but I couldn’t help but love it (save that ridiculously sour note in the beginning). It was probably the most intense performance on the AI stage (and all the others come from Chris as well).

9. Blake - You Give Love A Bad Name

But if we were talking about the most creative performances, this would be #1 hands down. I think it will be hard for us to EVER forget what Blake did to this Bon Jovi classic; but you know, even as much as he changed the song the original melody was pretty much in tact throughout most of it. I love contestants who take risks and this was such a gutsy move!

8. Taylor - Livin’ For The City

This to me is the quintessential Taylor performance! Stevie Wonder songs are not easy to sing, and he managed to that, put his own soulful vibe on it and show us his moves. Ay, alright!

7. Carrie - Alone

Who doesn’t love Carrie’s version of Alone? This was my first time even hearing this song and I’ve been in love with it ever since. Everything came together perfectly to make this performance work; the song, the arrangement, the orchestra, the background singers, and of course Carrie’s voice as the icing on the cake.

6. Blake - When I Get You Alone

This is probably an unexpected choice, but my favorite Blake performance was his cover of Robin Thicke’s “When I Get You Alone”, even though it took me a while to realize that. Love the song itself and I’m always a fan of contestants being as current as possible. Also that song has a LOT of lyrics; Blake definitely earned his place in the Top 2 by learning three new songs when the girls only took on two.

5. Christina Christian - Aint No Sunshine

Ain’t No Sunshine is a fabulous song, but not always the easiest to pull off when you’re trying to put on a show because it doesn’t really have much of a climax. But Christina Christian used that to her advantage and created kind of a sultry vibe in this performance. Definitely one of my all time favorites!

4. Latoya London - All By Myself

I remember being absolutely blown away by this performance! LaToya sang her little heart out here, and I don’t think anyone saw it coming. I would have to say she and Melinda are probably the best technical singers we’ve had on the show.

3. Kelly Clarkson - Natural Woman

Okay, forgive me but I completely forgot about Stuff Like That There! Both were amazing performances, so let’s just say they share this spot, alright? But truthfully whenever I hear the song Natural Woman I go back to Kelly’s version, high note and all. This performance for me sums up everything that was great about Season 1 and why Kelly was my fave (but wasn’t she everyone’s?)

2. Clay - Solitaire

This is one of the most memorable moments in AI history for more than one reasons. After Clay’s amazing performance of “Solitaire”, Neil Sedaka (who originally sang the song) sat there with tears in his eyes and said “I have lost my song forever. It will now be known as a Clay Aiken song”. And he kind of was right since Clay went on to record the song for his album and he actually performed it even better the second time on AI (as well as other shows), but part of me couldn’t help but feel sorry for the guy.

But to sum it all up, that song was MADE for him.

Alright. It’s been fun guys, but here were go…my #1 favorite American Idol performance of all time…….

1. Constantine - Bohemian Rhapsody

Those of you who frequent this website probably called this in the very beginning! But if you ask me, Constantine’s rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody has all the makings of an AI showstopper; gutsy song choice, artist interpretation, pacing, and just a touch of theatricality. Has Simon ever given anyone a higher praise than simply “Astonishing”? That sums it up in a nutshell.

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