American Idol 7 Final 3

Tonight, things almost come to an end. The final three, David Cook, David Archuleta, and Syesha Mercado sing three songs each on ‘American Idol,’ season 7. The performers choose one song, a judge chooses a song, and the producer chooses a song.

Tiff: David Archuleta was set to sing “And So It Goes” from judge Paula Abdul. The acapella beginning for the song was a very smart choice, because it really showed David’s voice, and of course, I loved the strings. It was a good song choice for him. I agree with Simon in that it was predictable, but he did well.

Kim: I wish she would’ve given him something more exciting, but boy did his voice sound FLAWLESS. The a capella in the beginning was really beautiful. Would’ve been nice if he had played piano on this one, but he always sounds better when he doesn’t. I don’t like what he’s wearing though.

Tiff: The next song David Archuleta sang was his own choice, “With You” by Chris Brown. This was something I wouldn’t have expected him to choose. I am glad he chose something more modern. Can I say it was really weird hearing him sing “I need you boo…Hey there mama.” It was odd. I know the little girls in the audience loved it, but I can’t say I did….Sad, because I like this kid. I just didn’t think it worked, Randy didn’t either, and he said “Seeing you singing ‘My boo,’ I didn’t believe it.” Simon: “It was a little bit like a chihuahua trying to be a tiger.” Haha. Me either, really. Remember when Jordin Sparks did “Spiderwebs” by No Doubt wearing the odd outfit? This was like that.

Kim: *tries to stop laughing* Okay, at least I’ll give him credit for trying not to put us to sleep for a change. I thought he would maybe be able to pull this off, but early on in the song he just didn’t get into the pocket of the song and sort of lost control. And my gosh, he rocked back and forth so much I was getting sea sick.

Tiff: The producer’s choice for David Archuleta was “Longer.” This put David right back to his ‘predictable’ choices. It was sort of ballady and old fashioned. Seeing as how he chose the Chris Brown song and it didn’t work, and the old fashioned songs are what he usually does, it would have been nice to see him do a full on pop song, to see if he really COULD. This might be the year of Miley Cyrus and Disney, but I can’t see David being a successful pure pop artist. I think he would have to go a more Josh Groban (who is awesome,) direction, but I don’t know if he’s old enough to do that and be taken seriously. He sang it well though, I thought it was a bit boring.

Kim: What IDIOT thought this would be a good idea??? Seriously, are the producers 85 years old or something? (I swear I wrote that before Simon mentioned 90 year olds) Cheesiest, most boring song choice since Clive Davis choosing “I Believe I Can Fly” in S5. Little David got royally screwed by Paula/producers, but then again his own choice pretty much failed. Lil homie can’t win tonight.

Tiff: Syesha Mercado had Randy choose her song, which was “If I Ain’t Got You.” I thought she really did well when she got to the chorus. I wasn’t so crazy about the beginning, but, from the chorus on, it was good. Though she did look gorgeous and did well, I wish Randy would have chosen something to pull her out of her comfort zone.

Kim: Yeah I’m still not wild about that song choice. Of course she sang it well though, just like she did on “The One”.

Tiff: Syesha Mercado chose “Fever.” I loved her dress this round. She decided to use a chair as a prop. Very ‘Chicago.’ Her voice sounded really good on this song, she added the right amount of sexiness, and it worked. It was a bit Broadway, but I liked it. She might should have chosen something that wouldn’t come across so theatrical. Simon even mentioned that it was cabaret.

Kim: Super cute dress! I think this was the PERFECT song choice for her (I almost put it down as a song suggestions for her). There’s no way to fully take out the cabaret in that song, and I like that she’s embraced her broadway side. How many contestants can go from that to mainstream so effortlessly? Not many, that shows her versatility.

Tiff: The producers chose “Hit Me Up” for Syesha Mercado. I hadn’t heard of this song, really. Honestly, I didn’t love it. She sang well, but it just wasn’t good enough for me. I don’t think it worked, and I don’t think it was fair of the producers to choose it for her, well, unless of course they didn’t want her in the finale. *gasp.*

Kim: Well we can agree on one thing; Syesha loves her some sequins. I think Tiff has a very good point about the producers choosing this for her, it does kind of come across as sabotage. That’s a tough song to sing live.

Tiff: David Cook sang “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” chosen by Simon. Given the choice, I was very, very curious to see what David would do with this song. David looked a little nervous when he watched Simon explain why he chose the song. I thought his take on the song was very Bryan Adams reminiscent, and it worked. I was glad to see he changed it a bit, and left the opening mellow so that it was still recognizable. And I loved when it sped up, I adored it. I agree with Simon, I think it was one of his best performances this season. Haha, Simon: “Round one goes to Cook and Cowell.”

Kim: I’ve heard a lot of HORRIBLE covers of this song, but that arrangement really worked. His vocals were a bit off in the beginning though, and his screamy rawk glory notes never fail to annoy me. I don’t think it was even close to being one of his best; I actually expected it to be better.

Tiff: David Cook chose a Switchfoot song, “Dare You to Move,” though it was rumored he had chosen “The World I Know” by Collective Soul. I like this song, and probably will always associate it with the movie ‘A Walk to Remember’ and standing in the parking lot on a 95 degree day at a music fest in Tulsa. I thought he actually sounded a little flat on the opening, but it could be because I’m used to the original singer. But, on the chorus, he picked it up, and changed it a bit, and I loved it more around the middle. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was okay. Wow, it was over quick, wasn’t it? I wish he could have done Collective Soul. Sad.

Kim: Again flat in the lower register, sharp in the upper. Once again he fails without the NOVELTY of doing someone else’s cover. But that’s a good song, so at least it was semi interesting.

Tiff: The producer’s choice for David Cook was “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” I love Aerosmith, and this song in particular, as much as it was played on the radio years back, I never tired of it. The thing about this song though is, it’s SO well known, and probably near impossible to change and make more original, so the thing is, will the judges call it a copycat performance? Ha, I loved it, which probably isn’t surprising at this point, is it? Simon: “I have to tell you - David Cook wins the night.” Haha, yay.

Kim: Diane Warren should’ve smacked someone for them butchering the arrangement of her song like that! Seriously, Longer and this? Someone is trying to kill me. What are we going to hear next week, Truly Madly Deeply? My Heart Will Go On? Shoot me now.

Tiff’s Ranking, Best to Worst
01. David Cook - “The First Time Ever…”
02. David Cook “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
03. David Archuleta - “And So It Goes”
04. Syesha Mercado - “If I Ain’t Got You”
05. Syesha Mercado - “Fever”
06. David Cook - “Dare You to Move”
07. David Archuleta - “Longer”
08. Syesha Mercado “Hit Me Up”
09. David Archuleta “Without You”

Who should go: Syesha Mercado
Who will go: Syesha Mercado, unless David Archuleta goes in a “SHOCKER.”

Kim’s Rank

My brain is numb. But I can tell you David A. was the WORST.

Producers FTL.