Keeping it Close
After the customary introductions (including Ryan's really strange way of saying, 'This [pause] is [longer pause] American Idol!'), Ryan revealed that this year's competition was one of the "closest race."Triple Threat
The contestants are taken to task this week, having to sing three songs each. One song will be their own selection, one will be a "producer's choice" and one song will be picked by either Paula, Randy or Simon, otherwise known as "judges' pick,"You Can Go Home Again
This week, the contestants all returned to their hometowns for the obligatory pep rallies and publicity junkets. David Archuleta returned to Murray, Utah. Syesha Mercada went to Tampa, Florida, and David Cook journeyed back to Kansas City, Kansas.Judges' Pick
David Archuleta opened the show and his first song was Paula's selection of "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel. Paula said she picked the song because she thought it was suited to David's "beautiful voice" as well as the fact that it had a "certain level of difficulty in the melodies" which would be a nice challenge for David. Randy thought Paula picked a "dope song" for David to sing, and that David was "in it to win it, baby!' Paula said that he gave a "beautiful performance" and that he became a "storyteller" with the song. Simon thought it was "very good" but "predictable" with "no surprises."Syesha Mercado was given "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys. Randy said he chose that song for her because like Alicia, Syesha was "young, hot and talented" and that the song was the kind of "record she could make and be successful with it." Not surprisingly, Randy thought she did an "amazing job" with the song and that she was "peaking at the right time" during the competition. Paula noted that it was hard to sing such "an identifiable song" but that she was "very proud" of Syesha. She also thought Syesha looked "absolutely stunning." Simon echoed Paula's sentiments, finding that Syesha looked "gorgeous" but he thought Randy's pick was not good for her because it didn't give her a chance to do anything other than an "imitation" of the original.
David Cook was assigned "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack. Simon said he chose that song not only because it's "one of the great songs of all time" but that it was something different and it would give David a chance to "show some originality." Simon also joked that many of his exes have told him the lyrics 'suited him." Let's not go there, Simon. Randy, returning the favor to Simon regarding his criticism of Randy's pick for Syesha, said he didn't like the song choice, noting that David's "a rocker" and the song wasn't really right for him. But he noted that David "can sing anything, [he] can sing the phone book" and it'd be good. Paula said that this was one of her favorite songs, and after David's performance, he "was her second favorite person to sing it." We assume Ms. Flack would be her first favorite person, but with Paula, you never know. Simon said the reason David was so "brilliant" was because he was "original [and] takes risks." He thought it was one of David's "best performances to date."
Not Their Best Picks
David Archuleta chose Chris Brown's "With You" as his song choice for the night. He said he picked the song because it was "something [he hadn't] done yet, [and] it was worth a shot." Randy "applauded" David's willingness to try something different but felt it wasn't the right song, noting that when David sang "my boo" it "wasn't believable [for Randy]." Paula said that David was used to ballads and that his singing style reflected that, which didn't quite fit with this song. She told him he should "get right into it" and "shorten [the] phrases." Stop the presses! We actually agree with Paula. The song should be sung with more of a hip/hop beat, but the way David sang it, it sounded like a faster paced ballad. Simon said his performance was like "a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger" and that "the dancing [was] awkward." That wasn't the only awkward thing about that performance.Syesha Mercado chose "Fever" by Peggy Lee, and said she picked the song because she "liked the vibe" of the song. When Ryan pointed out that there was a chair set up for her performance, Syesha noted that she was going to "work it a little bit" and have a little "fever fun." Randy thought her song choice was "interesting" and that she sang it "amazingly well." Paula said she was "surprised" by Syesha's selection. Simon told Syesha that she would "probably regret [picking the song] tomorrow." Instead of showing how she could be a hot, contemporary singer, she gave a "lame, cabaret performance."
David Cook chose Switchfoot's "Dare You to Move" noting that "lyrically, it wrapped up the [Idol] experience" and thus, seemed "appropriate." Randy thought the song choice was "great" but that it wasn't David's best performance, finding it "a little pitchy." Paula noted that it was hard to take a 3 to 4 minute song and sing it in 1 minute and 30 seconds, which was her way of saying he didn't quite nail that performance. Simon thought it "wasn't the best melodic performance" for David and said "there's not much [he] can add" to that. How very unlike you, Simon!
