After reading MSN’s Top 10 American Idol performances of all time, Cathy and I got to talking about our Top 10 favorite American Idol performances.
She’s making her list, and I’ve made mine. See how different my choices are from MSN’s.
Oh, and feel free to post some of your favorite AI moments directly in the Comments, or leave a link to your blog where you posted it. 🙂
10. Tamyra Gray, A House is Not a Home. I personally think season one fourth placer Tamyra Gray deserved to go into the Final Three over Nikki McKibbin, but let’s let bygones be bygones. All said and done, Tamyra’s version of this popular chestnut is so heartachingly sung, so originally done, and so flawlessly performed that one would be crazy not to notice.
9. Fantasia, Fool in Love. Fantasia scored the #1 American Idol performance on MSN with her performance of Gershwin’s Summertime, but I will always remember Fantasia for this performance. Her originality came out bright and shining with this incredible track, and absolutely blew everyone out of the water. That night, people only remembered Fantasia Barrino.
8. Blake Lewis, You Give Love A Bad Name. Season 6’s runner-up scored a major coup with an exciting and original reworking of the original Bon Jovi nugget You Give Love A Bad Name. Lewis’ take took America completely by storm, landing the beatboxer a slot in the Final 2 and earning him the grudging respect of rockers everywhere who didn’t think he could pull it off.
7. George Huff, Take Me To the Pilot. Season Three’s fourth placer delivered an absolutely stunning version of Elton John’s long-forgotten pop anthem. Infusing a gospel, R&B-flavored touch to the track, fitting in his trademark George Huff bounce, and sealing it with a flawless vocal run at the end, George Huff easily made a mark as one of American Idol’s most enjoyable performers.
6. Melinda Doolittle, My Funny Valentine. Season Six hasn’t ended, but I would say contestant Melinda Doolittle has certainly established hersef as a front-runner. Her version of the ancient My Funny Valentine breathed new life into the song, infusing it with a charm and vocal prowess that makes Constantine Maroulis sound like Tweety Bird. Absolutely spectacular.
5. Constantine Maroulis, I Can’t Make You Love Me. Of course, Constantine also had his own shining moment. The former Pray for the Soul of Betty lead singer wanted to promote himself as a rocker, but the goo-goo eyed crooner made his mark with an absolutely stunning version of the Bonnie Raitt original – tweaking the version of George Michael, and delivering a heartfelt performance that did not need any vocal histrionics to make his mark.
4. Mandisa, I Don’t Hurt Anymore. Season Five’s second most underrated singer- after Melissa McGhee – was eliminated waaaaaay early in the competition, ending up ninth after a limp performance of Shania Twain’s Any Man of Mine. To her credit, however, she chose to perform a Dinah Washington song early in the competition, and blew the competition away to smithereens. The Christian singer delivered the track teasingly and coyly, with a blow-the-speakers-away powerful note at the end. Classic! Simon said it was sexy, “it’s a great stripper song. I loved it!”
3. Carrie Underwood, Alone. Season Four’s runaway winner (never a bottom three finish) is reaping the awards now for her country music, but Carrie made her mark with a stunning rendition of the Heart original. Underwood blasted away at the 80s chestnut, delivering an unforgettable performance – with matching 80s hair – that firmly established her as the singer to beat. No one did, and now Underwood’s got that Grammy New Artist plum.
2. Elliott Yamin, A Song for You. Season Five’s ‘little train that could,’ Elliott Yamin was an underrated singer who no one thought would advance to the next round. But with a humble demeanor, crooked teeth, and, most importantly, a flawless set of pipes that is arguably the greatest male voice the competition has ever heard, Yamin sang his way to a Final Two finish. On the way, he delivered some truly amazing performances, including Moody’s Mood for Love, It Had to Be You, and Trouble. His best performance, though, was this track, giving his flawless vocal so much heart, it reduced Paula Abdul to tears.
1. Jennifer Hudson, Weekend in New England. Ironically, Jennifer Hudson’s version of this Barry Manilow track was the one song that got this Chicago native booted out of the competition. Hudson’s personality and powerful pipes got her into the Final 12, and despite delivering vocally pleasing performances week after week, never truly met the judges’ approval until she began to belt the ballads out – I Have Nothing, Circle of Life, and this chilling performance, which was emotional, absolutely flawless, and perfect down to the last note. Despite being kicked out seventh, Hudson overcame the odds and scored the role of Effie White in Dreamgirls. The rest, as they say, is history.
16 comments
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March 8, 2007 at 7:27 pm
Anonymous
Well, one thing is for certain and that is your taste in music and vocal talent is sure different from mine. I agree with Tamyra, Mandisa, Carrie, and Jennifer Hudson (don’t know if they would make my Top 10), but your other choices were not “outstanding” performances to me. And you didn’t have any of Kelly Clarkson’s or Clay Aiken’s performances? I would have to include:
Kelly – Natural Woman, Stuff Like That There, A Moment Like This
Clay – Solitaire, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On me
Anwar Robinson – What a Wonderful World
Constantine – Bohemian Rhapsody
Nadia Turner – Try a Little Tenderness, You’re The Only One
Jessica Sierra – Total Eclipse of the Heart
Katherine McPhee – Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Until You Come Back To Me
Thank goodness we all have different tastes I guess.
March 8, 2007 at 8:48 pm
sts
First of all Ruben and Clay were NEVER, EVER ‘neck-to-neck’ . Clay received 80 percent of the vote from the VERY FIRST WEEK he was on, every single week. A producer finally admitted it. It was so easy to see anyway. Who got the most applause, who had the most signage in the audience, who was invited back more than any other contestest; who was chosen to Emcee the Xmas special some of the AI2 alumi did that Dec.???? IT WAS CLAY, ALL THE WAY. Also, Ruben’s “Superstar” was one of the most boring performances ever by any contestant. And I am not the only one who thought that. There were several articles written afterward as to how slow and boring it was. That performance did NOT make more people vote for Ruben than Clay. YIKES! I bought the single and couldn’t finish listening to it. And to not include Clay’s ‘Solitaire’ or the finale’s BOTW (even Simon told Clay-that can win you this contest) as one of the best performances; wow- you really have another agenda for chosing the performances you did. Any wonder why Ryan was tongue-tied trying to read off the ‘number’ of votes that supposedly separated Ruben and Clay?? Ryan couldn’t and wouldn’t believe it either. I think he purposely allowed Clay to ‘read’ the ‘winner’s name off the card to prepare him for the shock of his life. Ryan no longer, though, has the winner’s name on the card-it is BLANK. Any wonder, also, why the phone lines and amount of time to vote increased AFTER Season 2????????? Think about it. Ever try to get tickets to your favorite performer through the phones before on-line ticket purchasing was available-or even try on-line and can’t get through?? Ever hear of ‘so many calls trying to come in they mess up the lines or get caught up in them?????? That is what happened to Clay- he was receiving so many votes that final night they couldn’t get in. Ruben’s mother got in 200 votes for him; Clay’s mother…..only 2 for Clay. This doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out. Besides, Clay has proven a “A Thousand Different Ways” that he was the TRUE and ONLY winner that night.
March 8, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Carrie Underwood » Carrie Underwood March 8, 2007 10:11 am
[…] will be in the spotlight at the 79th annual Academy Awards Sunday night. In seven years, …Top 10 Favorite American Idol Performances Carrie Underwood, Alone. Season Four?s runaway winner (never a bottom three finish) is reaping the […]
March 9, 2007 at 10:07 am
ganns
It’s a shame you didn’t leave any web contact info, Anonymous. 🙂 But you certainly are entitled to your opinion. Thanks for posting!
The songs you mentioned Anwar, Constantine, Nadia and Jessica did nothing for me. (But that they did for you is still a testament to these singers’ great talent.) McPhee’s “Over the Rainbow” and Clarkson’s “Natural Woman” would’ve probably been right outside my Top 10.
What do you think of the MSN list?
March 9, 2007 at 11:37 am
Donna
I disagree with you concerning Melinda’s version of My Funny Valentine.. I didn’t like that at all. Constantine’s version was romantic and sexy.. I believe that’s the way the song was meant to be…. not screamed. Her type of singing is what one can hear at the churches in this area on any given Sunday. Sorry..
March 9, 2007 at 11:51 am
ganns
You’re entitled to your opinion, Donna. I might point out though that Constantine belted that last “Stay…!” note too, in fact two notes higher than Melinda. Thanks for posting! 🙂
March 9, 2007 at 2:06 pm
ganns
Thank you for that informative post, sts.
I just want to point out that I do respect Clay Aiken, and I thought he was really, really good that year. I also think that, of the Idol vs Idol singles released for season 2, “This is the Night” was better than “Flying Without Wings.” Of all the performances in Season 2, though, I personally enjoyed “Superstar” most. You obviously don’t agree. That’s fine.
I just want to say that I have no agenda other than to post what I feel are my favorite Idol performances. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and the passion with which you support Clay is wonderful and, I’m sure, encouraging to him. Please don’t read between the lines because I put nothing there to read.
Have a great weekend!
I hope you can post your own favorites as well
March 9, 2007 at 6:16 pm
benj
Here’s my 10. I only watched seasons 3-6.
10. God Bless The Broken Road – Carrie Underwood
9. Drift Away – Bo Bice
8. What A Wonderful World – Anwar Robinson
7. Hemorrhage – Chris Daughtry
6. Part-Time Lover – Nikko Smith
5. Moon River – Anwar Robinson
4. Whipping Post – Bo Bice
3. What’s Going On – Anwar Robinson
2. Trouble – Taylor Hicks
1. Never – Mandisa
Mister Dean, I’m shocked Paris’ Fever didn’t make it to your list. 🙂
March 12, 2007 at 7:16 am
ganns
Your list surprises me on many levels, Benj. 🙂
Yeah, Paris Bennett’s “Fever” didn’t make my list. Curiouser and curiouser.
March 13, 2007 at 9:39 am
jher
The debate as to who’s the better singer or who has the list that best represent the greatest performances of AI will not end. I guess the contestants (winners or not) who truly made it as recording artists with hit albums and songs are the real winners, whether their previous AI performances were great or not.
March 27, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Ann
Clay Aiken is my favorite male singer and male entertainer. I love Clay Aiken. Clay Aiken Rocks!!! Clay Aiken Rules!!!
March 28, 2007 at 11:11 pm
rik rok
Elliott Yamin – Song For You… hands down the best performance ever on idol!!!
the only performance that was really a tear jerker to me..
.. and coz im australian and want to represent down under, might i suggest..
Anthony Callea- The Prayer,
Paulini Curuenavuli – At Last (or any other performance she gave!!)
January 27, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Casey
I cannot believe that Kelly Clarkson isn’t on here at all, she was the best anyway, Natural Woman and Stuff Like There were both AMAZING…I think this list is whack, but we all have our opinions, so whatever…
February 28, 2008 at 11:40 am
Rob
Top 10 for me
Wanted Dead or Alive- Chris Daughtry
A Song For You- Elliot Yamin
In a Dream- Bo Bice
Summertime- Fantasia
You’re All I Need- Kelly Clarkson
Crying- Carrie Underwood
You Give Love A Bad Name- Blake Lewis
Solitaire- Clay Aiken
All By Myself- Latoya London
Over the Rainbow- Katharine McPhee
April 23, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Renaldo
my top 10 :
#10 : Solitaire – Clay Aiken
#9 : A House is Not A Home – Tamyra Gray
#8 : When I Need You – Carly Smithson
#7 : You Don’t Have to say You Love Me – Ramiele Malubay
#6 : Home – Melinda Doolitle
#5 : Inseparable – Jasmine Trias
#4 : Lately – Melissa McGhee
#3 : Bless a Broken Road – Carrie Underwood
#2 : Someone to watch over me – Kath McPhee
#1 : A Natural Woman – Kelly Clarkson
August 8, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Justin
#1: ELLIOTT YAMIN – A SONG FOR YOU
Man, that was the best performance I’ve ever heard in my life.
2. Tamyra Gray – A House Is Not A Home
3. Katharine McPhee – Somewhere Over The Rainbow
4. Melinda Doolittle – My Funny Valentine
5. Fantasia Barrino – Summertime
ALL vocal and emotional masterclasses. Absolutely brilliant.