I would be remiss if I did not release a countdown honoring 15 years of televised rock and roll performances on one of the biggest shows of my generation, American Idol. Before tonights series finale, I decided to follow up on yesterday’s ranking of all 14 coronation songs, and do my best to countdown my top 40 favorite Idol performances over the span of the series. Granted, these may not be considered “the best”, but they are as close to my top 40 as humanly possible. No write-ups are necessary, just the cold, hard facts, and a link to the performances. You be the judge and tell me how much of an awful person I am for not including 7 David Archuleta songs, or the entire Melinda Doolittle Idol catalogue. Or tell me I am an idiot for having such an obsession with “And I Am Telling You”, and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” But, considering Ryan Seacrest is signing off for the final time tonight, I think it would be more fitting, if we just all just get along, and get through this night together.
Without further adieu, my Top 40 American Idol performances of all time.
*** Note, coronation songs are not included, as they were part of yesterday’s countdown.
40. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” – James Durbin (Season 10)
39. “The Story” – Lacey Brown (Season 9)
38. “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right” – Michael Johns (Season 7)
https://youtu.be/DuEPrrfsxtE
*Johns became the first Idol finalist to pass away a few years ago. RIP MJ. You were the man.
37. “Circle of Life” – Jennifer Hudson (Season 3)
https://youtu.be/erbr3L2NRo4
36. “Wanted (Dead or Alive)” – Chris Daughtry (Season 5)
35. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” – Jena Irene
34. “The Trouble With Love Is” – Clark Beckham (Season 14)
33. “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” – Vonzell Soloman (Season 4)
*Not exactly sure why I love this so much, but I do, and I am not ashamed.
32. “Maybe I’m Amazed” – Caleb Johnson (Season 13)
31. “I Believe” – Joshua Ledet (Season 11)
30. “Eleanor Rigby” – David Cook (Season 7)
29. “You Give Love a Bad Name” – Blake Lewis (Season 6)
28. “The Boxer” – Lee Dewyze (Season 9)
https://youtu.be/Z3gOJTpHcsw?t=1m52s
27. “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” – Jason Castro (Season 7)
26. “Bright Lights” – Nick Fradiani (Season 14)
https://youtu.be/Etwz8j7bTU4
25. “Fat Bottomed Girls” – Phillip Phillips (Season 11)
24. “Man in the Mirror” – Kris Allen
23. “Think” – Katherine McPhee (Season 5)
22. “Imagine” David Archuleta (Season 7)
21. “Paint It Black” – Siobhan Magnus (Season 9)
https://youtu.be/NXOXEYk7nxo
20. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Jacob Lusk (Season 10)
19. “That’s All” – Phillip Phillips (Season 11)
18. “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” – Nadia Turner (Season 4)
https://youtu.be/cLzCWfzzIXM
17. “Tracks of My Tears” – Adam Lambert (Season 8)
16. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Constantine Maroulis (Season 4)
15. “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman)” – Kelly Clarkson (Season 1)
14. “Remedy” – Bo Bice (Season 4)
13. “So Small” – Matt Giraud (Season 8)
12. “Independence Day” – Carrie Underwood (Season 4)
11. “Me and Bobby McGee” – Crystal Bowersox (Season 9)
10. “House of the Rising Sun” – Haley Reinhart (Season 10)
9. “One Rock and Roll Too Many” – Syesha Mercado (Season 7)
*Sexiest Idol performance ever??
8. “Moving Out” – Phillip Phillips (Season 11)
7. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Clay Aiken (Season 2)
6. “And I Am Telling You” – Jessica Sanchez (Season 11)
https://youtu.be/NU1UByQHBQ4
and then there was this…….
HO.LY. SHIT!
5. “Always Be My Baby” – David Cook (Season 7)
4. “You Found Me” – Matt Giraud (Season 8)
3. “Alone” – Carrie Underwood (Season 4)
2. “Hallelujah” – Lee Dewyze
1. “This Ain’t A Love Song” – LaKisha Jones (Season 6)
https://youtu.be/f_NMuJTdyJk
“I have heard of Bon Jovi and I have seen him on Oprah.”
Yes LaKisha Jones said that, and yes, I am sure this is my favorite Idol performance of all time. And no, I do not have a fever.
What performance did I miss? What is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.