Danny shines during the big choruses, but with this song, he actually handled the verses of this standard with skill as well. Still, the “swagger” he brought on this night made us reconsider Danny after several weeks of just-average performances
Kris Allen, "Falling Slowly" (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova)
The one shining moment of the Quentin Tarantino-mentored movie week. Kris’ vulnerable and beautiful take on the Oscar-winning song from Once solidified him as a true contender in the competition. (It also made us swoon.)
Adam Lambert, "Mad World" (Tears for Fears)
Simon’s been quoted as saying this is his favorite performance of the year. Taken from the year of Adam’s birth (1982), this haunting, slowed-down rendition was a nice alternative from Adam’s tendency toward over-revved, screechy vocals.
Allison Iraheta, "Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone" (The Temptations)
Like Alexis, Allison has a voice well beyond her teenage years, and this Motown Week performance perhaps highlighted it best. She paid respectful tribute to the funky original, while absolutely rocking the mic with her powerful vocals.
Michael Sarver, "Ain’t Goin’ Down (’Til the Sun Comes Up)" (Garth Brooks)
Oil rigger Michael seemed right at home with this rapid-fire country tune, delivering one of his most commercially viable performances of the season. It’s not really a singer’s song, but his enthusiasm and good ol’ boy smile charmed us.
Megan Joy, "Walkin’ After Midnight" (Patsy Cline)
Always a wild card, Megan managed to deliver a straightforward rendition of this classic that still allowed him to show off her own unique style. And mercifully, it didn’t involve any cawing whatsoever
Anoop Desai, "Always on My Mind" (Brenda Lee)
After trying (unsuccessfully) to dazzle America with his upbeat R&B stylings, Anoop earned props with the smooth vocal chops of this pitch-perfect rendition of a classic country ballad. We’ll take that over chest-thumping any day.
Matt Giraud, "So Small" (Carrie Underwood)
Soulful Matt manned the piano in many of his Idol performances, but never to greater effect than with this rearrangement of former Idol Carrie Underwood’s hit. It was this night that we realized how talented he is as both a musician and a vocalist.
Lil Rounds, "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Michael Jackson)
Lil never quite found her groove in the finals, and seemed desperate to follow any advice the judges gave her. This Week 1 performance, however, demonstrates the energy we learned to love during auditions, even if (and perhaps because) it didn’t allow her to show off her belter’s pipes.
Alexis Grace, "Dirty Diana" (Michael Jackson)
Alexis’ early departure from the Top 13 is among the season’s biggest injustices. Although she proved she had a mature voice during the semifinals, it was this edgy rendition that showed that the tiny single mom could be “naughty.”
