American Idol 2012: What Should the Top 8 Sing This Week?

AMERICAN IDOL 2012: Colton Dixon. CR: Nino Munoz / FOX

This week American Idol 2012 will be taking us back to the 80s, which was sadly before most of the American Idol contestants’ time. Ha.

And while the 80s is a pretty broad topic, I’m going to attempt to pick some songs out for these guys. Just for the fun of it. You know how it goes.

Colton Dixon: “With or Without You” by U2. I think a little piano and a little that little subtle twang Colton throws in every now and then could really work with this song. I think familiar songs are crucial right now and this could be just the song for Colton.

Phillip Phillips: “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds. The theme song to “The Breakfast Club” would sound pretty sweet with Phillip’s spin on it. David Cook ended up doing that song for the following season’s swan song, so that could make it less special, but something along those lines would fit well with Phillip’s soul.

Hollie Cavanagh: “Love is a Battle Field,” by Pat Benatar. I’m going to pick a Pat Benatar for someone every week until someone performs one. I think Hollie needs to perform a song with a little more edge. And this, or a number of other Pat songs could do that for her.

Elise Testone: “Sweet Child O Mine,” by Guns n Roses. Elise has to keep her momentum going, so I’m going it has to be something bold like this. And there’s a beautiful version of the song by the band Taken By Trees that she could be inspired by. Their version is mostly just piano and a female voice. Elise could do a mixture and have yet another moment on American Idol.

Jessica Sanchez, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” by Bonnie Tyler. I think this song would be perfect for Jessica. It’s a ballad, but it’s a power ballad. It might not be a dance song, but it’s certainly not a sleepy ballad either. She could really show were range and emotion on this one.

Joshua Ledet, “My Perogative” by Bobby Brown. I’ve been feeling like Joshua needs to mix things up just a bit and this could be the kind of song to make that happen. It’s a song with a great hook and Joshua could show some versatility with it.

DeAndre Brackensick, ” Purple Rain” by Prince. Actually, any Prince song will do. I thought he should’ve done Prince during the birth year week and he didn’t. So now he’s got another chance to honor an artist I feel he was born to be inspired by.

Skylar Laine, “I Want To Know What Love Is” by Foreigner. I think Sylar should stay away from the actual country songs this week. Pick an 80s pop song and put a country spin on it. I’d love to hear her do this song with her Skylar touch added to it.

What songs would you like to hear your favorites  from the Top 8 sing this week?

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153 Comments

    • Me too.  Here’s my wish list:
      Deandre – More Than I Can say by Leo Sayer
      P2 – Welcome To The Jungle by GNR
      Hollie – Desperado [Linda Ronstadt version]
      Colton – Lady In Red by Chris DeBurgh
      Jessica – 
      Elise – Black Velvet by Alannah Myles
      Skylar – Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Cyndi lauper
      Joshua – Key Largo by Bertie Higgins

      • Templar, I love that song Black velvet! It would really be great to have one of them sing it.And I think you are really right about Elise singing it. Especially after that last rock performance she did!!!

      • Templar, the Jessica Basher in action again. No song for Jessica? Your objective is really to put Jessica down. Your postings indicate that it is your only and sole aim. Where’s all the hatred of and prejudice against Jessica coming from? Templar, the Jessica Basher! 

      • @fa23b014a6e20123a2ad4a86316b75ef:disqus The lack of a song for Jessica doesn’t indicate hatred, merely indifference. I don’t hate her, although the zealous pushing of her on this thread has definitely soured me.  Truth to tell, I dislike Skylar just as much.

      • I visit other sites.  I always see ur name with the same attitude towards Jessica …
         This site is enough for me,” U” !! I don’t know …
        If u hate Skylar as well , do the same thing,  MR. NEUTRALITY ..

      • Templar…….. Booooooo. U don’t need to suggest if your motive is to put one contestant downnnn!!!!

    •  Hi Guest#100,

      Me too ! , I must be getting older.

      Here is my song choice for some of the singers:

      Colton      –  Living on a prayer – this song will fit him like a glove

      Philip        –  Jack and Diane  –  I can hear him do a Cougar song since the
                              first day.

      Joshua      –  Eye of the tiger  – he can kill this song but he has to get out
                              of the gospel/church style and into some rock ballads.

      Jessica      –  Careless Whispers – Her voice is so versatile she can  sing
                               the phone book so they say….. she has to stick to her forte
                              which is power ballads, yes she can sing other styles but
                               that can cause her the “WIN” if she does. She should listen
                               to herself first.

      Skylar       –   Wind beneath my wings – Bette Midler classic  – she will kill
                               this song and put her back to contention.

      Elise          –   Ahh , my favourite  – Branden is spot on on this one !!
                              Sweet Child O mine , she will rock tonite!!

      Just saying………………………..

                             

      • Hi Ed ! Skyler sang “Wind beneath my  – Bette Midlar classic-. Did you like her rendition of  it?  I thought it was a very pretty song for her. I could not sleep. So I am on the computer. I thought Jessica sang a pretty rendition of Whitney Houstons ” How will I know if he really love me.” And I could under stand every word she sang. It was a good one for her!  I am wondering who will go home tonight. What do you think?  Lot of talent there last night. Philip Phillip’s cracks me up. I don’t think he ever gets nervous. I think Colton did a good job on everything he sang. My husband said he liked his hair do better.  Have you seen Phyllis G. anywhere?  I miss her. She is such a nice person!   See you later. Sherry K

    •  definitely Isha ,,,Jessica will fit much on that song,,,,but anyway i hope next performance would be great if ever it wouldnt be,,,,and we keep on lovin’ it again and again…..God bless Jessica…

    • Cheesy, Oh that would be so cool if Jessica could have sang that Journey song! I don’t think I have heard anyone sing a Journey song yet!  I think they are very particular about who sings their songs. And I think they have to get permission to sing them. Don’t they? 

  1. I disagree with you on Skylar. She’s only done one actual country song since the live shows started.

    top 12 girls – some Rod Stewart song I don’t know

    top 13 – Whitney Houston song

    top 12(11) – Bonnie Raite Song (Bonnie Raite is a Blues/Rock singer not country.)

    top 10 – Shamless by Billie Joel (Not a country song despite being covered by Garth Brooks)

    top 9 – Gunpowder and Lead by Miranda Lambert (Finally a country song!)

    Skylar needs to do country if she wants the country vote and it should probably be a ballad since she’s only done fast songs up to this point.

    I agree with you on Hollie and thought she should do Pat Benatar as well. I even picked ‘Love is a Battlefield’. Then I thought maybe she should go youthful and playful with something like ‘Hey Mickey’ (don’t know the artist) or Cindy Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’. Then someone on another site suggested Irene Cara’s ‘What a feeling’ and I thought an Irene Cara song could be perfect for her but I think ‘Fame’ might be a better choice.

    • Hey Mickey is Toni Basil.  Like Paula more choreographer than singer.  But what made that song was the cheerleader choreography not the song itself.

      • Thanks! I couldn’t think of her name. The song is still a fit for Hollie since she can probably relate to it alot more than some of the other songs she’s had to sing.

      • Mickey would be a HORRIBLE CHOICE! 

        People always stay away from most of the Punk 80s stuff — and most of the European Invasion stuff too —

        I Ran – Flock of Seagulls
        Safety Dance
        Our House – Madness
        Something About You – Level 42
        Lessons in Love – Level 42
        Too Shy
        etc

    • She had to do a song from the theme… The themes had hardly any country songs besides birth-year and personal idols.

      • She’s had three opportunities to sing a country song but has only done one once. I was just disagreeing with Branden that she should stay away from country because, until this week, that’s all she’s done.

  2. Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire” for Jessica…with modern RNB vibe…what do you think?

    • Deandre can actually do Through The Fire…then uses his falsetto at the end of the song. BUT if Joshua sings it…blood will ooze from my ear. Can you even hear the scream and wailing at the end? Lol!

      • I think Deandre should do either Prince or Debarge with his falsetto.  He reminds me of Debarge………alot.

      • If anybody would bring blood to your ears, it’a DEANDRE. The blood curdling high pitch scream shrill he does with his girl sounding falsetto us enough to bring blood to your ears, break glass and have every dog in the neighborhood howling!! Deandre has far and away the most annoying voice of anyone in the competiion. Watch any horror movie, and watch when the chics scream at the top of their lungs, and place Deandre’s scream there, and they’ll sound exactly the same. He would be great in a horror film as one that falls while running, then goes into his falsetto, and kill the attacker by shattering their skull with the piercing shrill, that’s a great idea for a movie for him to star in. Lol

        Ie.. Just being funny and sarcastic Dre fans, don’t take me serious and scold me now. Ha

      •  Not sure if it’s from the 80s, but Deandre should do Tarzan and Jane from Toy-Box. He can do both the male and female vocals. I’d vote for that 😉

  3. For Jessica >>>
    Chaka Khan – Aint Nobody ( I prefer this)Donna Summer – Macarthur Park

  4. Already posted this last week…here goes again.

    The 80s has a lot of interesting things to offer.  What I struggle with is the Idols aren’t going to have any idea of the full depth of songs from that era and only know what they hear on oldie stations or see on VH1 best of shows.  My recommendations are:

    Colton-A great choice for Colton is “Faith” by George Michael.

    Deandre-“Kiss” by Prince.  No question.  Another good option for him is “After the Love Has Gone” by EWF.  He is going to want something where he can use his falsetto.  Unfortunately I don’t think his falsetto is strong enough to carry him through a whole song and he is better using it as a flourish to the song.

    Elise-It seems this timeframe is made for Elise.  A few songs that come to mind right away are “The Warrior” by Scandal, “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar and “Harden my Heart” by Quarterflash.  Songs that have a rock vibe for female voice.

    Hollie-Hollie has me confused as to who she is as an artist.  Lets go for “Angel of the Morning” by Juice Newton or “Woman in Love” by Barbra Streisand.

    Jessica-I really think Jessica needs to go out of her comfort area without actually going out.  So I recommend “Time after Time” by Cyndi Lauper.  A ballad, but not one from her usual stable of artists.

    Joshua-I am not sure where Joshua goes.  My recommendation is Luther Vandross “So Amazing”.

    Philip-I really want to see Phillip do his thing on “Janie’s Got a Gun” by Aerosmith and see Steven’s reaction.

    Skylar-The ultimate song for her would be “I was Country when Country Wasn’t Cool” by Barbara Mandrell, but more likely she will do a Reba or Dolly Parton song.  How about “9 to 5”.

    • I think Elise should do a song where it’s a slow starting, then rocking at the end. People love those.

    • Elise did Zeppelin — not sure she needs to be harnessed by a “female” only rock song.

      I could hear her doing Steve Perry, Don Henley, Lou Gramm, or even Van Hagar — (Dreams?)

      I am looking forward to Elise more than anyone….

      • Elise could never do Steve Perry. Her range just doesn’t go high enough. She could handle the others though.

      • her range isn’t high enough for Steve Perry but she can do Robert Plant?

        LOL — try again…..

  5. Elise Testone- Flashdance… What a Feeling (Irene Cara)
     
    Phillip Phillips- Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
     
    Jessica Sachez- You Got The Love (The Source and Candi Staton)
     
    Joshua Ledet- I Want to Know What Love is (The Foreigner)
     
    Skylar Laine- Faithfully (Journey)
     
    Hollie Cavanagh- Love is Battlefield (Pat Benatar)
     
    Colton Dixon- I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2)
     
    Deandre Brackensick- Purple Rain (Prince)

      •  Hi terTin21,

        I hope that she doesn’t not even think about this song, wow she needs to develop more fan base not loose more.  That song will seal her way home early, to my opinion.   No offense, I know you like her too.

        She is in second place according to the polls  because of a hard rock and roll done flawlessly and in near perfect pitch when she did A whole lotta love, which by the way was my first song choice for her to sing.

          ( you can check out my previous comments before last Wednesday’s ,  competition and it is there in black and white )

        I agree with Branden on “Sweet Child O’ Mine” if she sings this song the same way she sang Zeppelin’s she will rock again.

        Just saying…………………….

  6. I’ve read somewhere that Prince hasn’t approve that his song can be used on AI…is this true?

    • Tyetus1000. I think it is true that they have to get Prince’s permission to sing his songs. And Journey too. Both parties are very picky about their songs.

  7. Very broad selection of songs, I’ll just keep myself excited and be surprised with their individual renditions… Go Jessica! Go Joshua!

  8. Colton and Phillip can do  anything this week and get away safe. Jessica, I suggest she does an uptempo song, just to prove she’s not a ballad girl. Hollie should pick a known song, do it well and put some soul into it. Elise I agree should do a classic rock song to keep up her momentum. DeAndre and Skylar should also do popular songs else they will fade into oblivion. Joshua should do something fun and upbeat too. Agree?

    • Jessica isn’t a ballad singer alone. You might have missed her “Turn the beat around” and “I Love you I do” performances. They are both up tempo songs. 

      • ‘I Love You I Do’ was mid-tempo at best and ‘Turn the Beat Around’ was not good. I’m not hating on Jessica, just stating the facts.

  9. I just hope they all pick popular hits and not unknown songs.  The 80s was a great decade with hundreds of amazing songs for all of them.
    Pretty sure Phillip will pick some obscure song and sing it the same way he has been singing for the past 5 weeks. I really can’t differentiate between his performances now… :/
    And Colton will continue to sound like The Jonas Brothers.
    Looking forward to Jessica though. She’s the one!

    •  Why do people need to sing well-known songs? That’s so boring. Isn’t the whole point of the show for them to put out their own music? If so, then we should definitely be listening to them sing things we don’t know. That way you can get a better idea if you will like their album or not. morons

      • Micheldello: If they sing a song no one knows, not many people will pay attention and they won’t get votes. If it’s a really popular song, people are like, ‘I wonder how they’ll do! Better not ruin it!’ So if they do good, then people will vote. If they do good on a song no one knows, some people might notice, but not everyone will really care because they don’t know the song.

      • Just because people do not think the way you do does not make them morons. Respect.

    • I agree. PHILLIP IS BORING NOW! He needs to do something different. I used to like him when it was something new. But he’s just doing the same thing each week. Boo.

      • Agree with you Elise_Rocks, sometimes consistency in style, choice of music and tone can be quite boring. Tough contestant has to take or experiment different musics to show that he/she is indeed a talented performer

    • I agree i can’t see any changes from Phillip Phillips performance since top 24…

  10. Elise Testone- Flashdance… What love got to do with it (Tina Turner) 
    Phillip Phillips- Everything I do, I do it for you (Bryan Adams) Jessica Sachez- Flash dance-what a feeling (Irene Cara)
     
    Joshua Ledet- No idea!! 
    Skylar Laine- Girl just want to have fun (Cydie Lauper) 
    Hollie Cavanagh- China in your hand (T’pau) 
    Colton Dixon- St Elmo’s Fire (John Parr) Deandre Brackensick- Wishing Well (Terence Trent D’aby)

    • Gooosssshh….what’s wrong with the broad…yiiikk!!?? I meant

      Elise Testone- What love got to do with it (Tina Turner)

  11. I would like for one of them to sing a Journey song!  I don’t think there has ever been a Journey song??   A Journey night would be great. But that’s not going to happen. I cannot wait to see what they sing from the 80’s. I know the songs from then.

    • Hey let’s have a Journey theme week!

      James did Journey last year, I thought…..

      Elise – Lovin Touchin Squeezin
      Phillip – Open Arms
      Hollie – Lights
      Jessica – Who’s Cryin Now
      Joshua – When You Love a Woman
      Skylar – Separate Ways
      Colton – Stone in Love…..

      Let’s do it!

      • James did ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ last year and it was one of the worst performances of the entire season.

      • Bahloo2000, I would love a Journey week!!  I love their music. But I think they have to get their permission. And they are verp picky about who sings their songs. I am a big fan of Journey. Good idea though!!

  12. would LOVE to hear jessica sing streisand’s “woman in love” and elise sing “save a prayer” by duran duran.  skylar would do justice to lauper’s “girls just wanna have fun”, and i’d love to hear hollie sing anything by madonna

  13. Deandre should do some Chaka Khan “Tell Me Something Good” or good for the sexy vibes vote with a Prince song.

    •  Wait just realized that song came out in the 70’s. Yeah, he shold just stick with Prince!

  14. Thanks! I couldn’t think of her name. The song is still a fit for Hollie since she can probably relate to it alot more than some of the other songs she’s had to sing.

  15. Either of these “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, “Alone”, “One Moment in Time” and even “Listen to your Heart”……the first 3 songs will surely give another standing ovations for her powerful voice.
    Hmmmmmm can I expect again for another bad comments for Jessica from the publisher here no matter how beautiful is her rendition?…….

    • Most of my favs have done some of those… Carly, Allison. I don’t think that Jessica fits that kind of song.

      • Remarkably it would be a different awesome rendition and I am sure a lot better than them. 

  16. DeAndre should do a song by MJ coz when he did the MJ’s medley he sounded very good or something by Smokey Robinson………

    • No way…. I would hate him more if he did more MJ. It about killed me when I heard both Deandre and Heejun were going to sing MJ.

      • Not true!!!!! He did a very pretty job coz he got the same thin voice like MJ…….. 

      •  ELISE_ROCKS doesn’t want Deandre to sing anything. She’d rather he just stand there and not perform with the other Top 8 performers, all of whom earned their spots to be there. Since every song suggestion seems to be off for Deandre, tell us, what do YOU think he should sing?

  17. U2+ Colton = Win!
    Prince+ DeAndre = Win! However:

    I would like to hear Phillip singing Joe Cocker.

    “Total eclipse for a heart” is a great song, but not for Jessica, it’s more for Elise. There’s no doubt Jessica could nail it, but giving her vocal range I would give her something more challenging.

    And Skyler should definetely not touch “I wanna know what love is”, not after Wynonna Judd covered this.

    Oh, and I would LOVE to hear one of the girls sing “Girls just wanna have fun” by Cyndi Lauper. Hardest song EVER, by the way 😉

    •  I agree, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun would be a hard song to pull off, but Misha B from XFactor UK KILLED it last year, did you all see that version? She did great!

      • I have finished watching it on youtube because of your post. Wow! a beautiful version, she really nailed it and it was like a concert too. Anyway, who are these girls in UK-X factors judge panel. They are beautiful and gorgeous!

  18. Would love to hear Elise sing “What’s up” by 4 Non Blondes!!!!

  19. Colton – “Every breath you take” (the slow piano version) by Sting.
    Phillip – Anything by Joe Cocker / Bruce Springsteen.
    DeAndre – “Take on me” by A-HA. Don’t kill me, it’s a great song with lots of falsetto. Actually very hard to sing. Or Prince, but that’s just too obvious 🙂

    • I’m on Fire – Bruce Springsteen might be a good song for Phillip — but not sure

      “Hey Little Girl is your Daddy home, did he go and leave you all alone, umm hmmm” might be inappropriate….. how about Tunnel of Love?

      • In fact P2 might do something like “Born in the USA” or “Dancing in the Dark” ….. which would be HUGE Pimp slot songs!

        No rumours yet?

      •  I was thinking more of “Born in the USA”. I think no one done Springsteen on AI, this could be huge for Phillip.:)

  20. DeAndre — Easy Lover (Phillip Bailey)
    Elise – Life in the Fast Lane (The Eagles)
    Colton – Love Changes Everything (Clymie Fisher) (sp?)
    Joshua – Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson)
    Hollie – This Used to Be My Playground (Madonna)
    Skylar – Whoever’s in New England (Reba)
    Jessica – Keep Me Hanging On (Kim Wilde)
    Phillip – Drive  (The Cars)

    Some thoughts!

  21. Hi Branden!! It is so nice to see you back this year again!!I have been doing this blog for ever. Probably since it started!!  And I like you Branden. Do not get upset this year if anyone say’s bad stuff to you! I have your back. I already put on a post where Matthew told someone you had to  make remarks about the contestants. The person was asking why you don’t talk like Einstein because Matthew does!!!I like Matthew too. I think BOTH of you do a great job!! 

     How do you like David Cooks version of ” don’t forget about me?  ” I downloaded it in to my ipod. I like it! Do you really think it is a good song for Philip Phillips? I guess Colton could pull of ” With or with out you.” One of U2. Bono’s’s song. I like  “Where the streets have no name”  too!

  22. I’d love to see Deandre do a Terence Trent D’arby song.  Either “Dance Little Sister” or “If You Let Me Stay” would be awesome.

  23. deandre is my favorite this season, i think he has the most unique voice and has the most edge in making it big (good looks, originality, nice attitude).  Vote for Deandre!

    • i agree with you!! i’m fed up with the old same boring stuff…..every year and almost every contestants are doing the same thing!!

  24. colton and philip do the same thing over and over! its becoming pretty boring. colton has nothing special with his voice, he sounds like kris allen, though kris is better (at least he knows how to mix things up), and philip? UGH! He sings everything in the same, disgusting growl!

  25. I’ve given this some thought;

    Colton. November Rain, by GnR, or Inspiration by Chicago

    Elise. Either ‘sweet home Alabama’ or ‘Freebird’ by Lynyrd Skynard

    Deandre. ‘red red wine’ by UB40. Or. ‘kiss’ by Prince

    Joshua. ‘purple rain’ by Prince. Or ‘with or without you’ by U2 or any Michael Jackson.

    Phillip. ‘in the air tonight’ by Phill Collins. Or ‘I want to know what love is’ by Forsigner Or ‘sister Christian’ by Night Rider

    Skylar. ‘baby blue’ by George Strait. Or ‘when you say nothing at all’ by Keith Whitley

    Hollie. ‘girls just want to have fun’ by Cyndi Lauper. Or. ‘call me’ by Blondie

    Jessica. ‘how will I know’ by Whitney Houston. Or. ‘every breath you take’ by the Police

    There are so many awesome songs to choose from. The 80’s was cool era to grow up in, and a lot of the music back then was ground breaking. I tried to pick out songs that would show a different side to the contestants than what we have been seeing, while still picking songs that can show off their voices. Opinions??

    • Disregard ‘November rain’ it was 92. Thought it was 89. Oh well. How bout ‘here I go again’ by Whitesnake then I think the rest are 80’s songs tho.

    • Pretty sure both Skynyrd songs are from the 70’s….. you may need to give this more thought 😉

      • Well crap. The only band I dint look up! Still think Elise would kill Skynard, no matter what era they were. Dang it. 🙂

  26. Great Choice for Jessica… She could also sing Alone – Heart or Better Days – Dianne reeves

  27. We love Deandre here in the Philippines! If only we could vote!  I think he’s a standout among all other contestants, just look at him when they perform in groups, (trio with heejun and joshua//group song during stevie wonder week), he stood out among the others because he can also dance and he has the groove

    • The diction on that was way too good for you to really be from the Philippines. Are you for real? Jessica fans better get worried! LOL

      •  Living in Taiwan, I’ve befriended many Filipinos who’s diction far exceed that of native English speakers from America, it is only in the area of pronunciation where there is a noticeable difference. The Filipinos are a hard working and supportive people. Fight the stereotype!

        BTW VoteforDeandre, great post!

  28. Chaka Khan’s Through the Fire, Making Love out of nothing at all by Air Supply, Saving All my Love for You by Whitney or any Mariah song for Jessica Sanchez.

  29. I want Jessica to sing Almost Over You by Sheena Easton. She should sing it sitting down beside the piano. She would rock it!

  30. Yes, total eclipse of the heart is a good song choice for Jessica and i also want through the fire by Chaka Khan for her.

     

  31. jessica – through the fire…(i can really imagine her singing this song)..the song really fits her..

    phil – kiss…this is actually a sexy song choice for him
    colton – open arms or faithfully….(match with his piano, he can possibly nail it)

  32. I am so excited for Jessica and Hollie.  I am sure Jessica will do well (she always does), but I worry about Hollie. 🙁

  33. Wow! There’s enough suggestions here. Someone has got to be right. I don’t think any of the Prince songs are on the table. I think he refuses to clear any of them. I could be wrong. I have no idea what they should sing. I was into country music in the 80’s which was way un-cool with my peers. But I am pretty much always on the other side of the tracks from the majority. I don’t know why that is. Hope what ever DeAndre performs is awesome. I heard he is gonna be singing in mostly falsetto again this week. That could just be rumor though. I wouldn’t mind. DeAndre fans don’t forget to vote and vote this week!

  34. Deandre – Careless Whisper (George Michael)
    Colton – I can’t let Go – Air Supply
    Philip- Carrie (Europe)
    joshua – Ther’s no easy way (jame Ingram)
    Elise – Straight from the heart (Bonnie Tyler)
    Skylar – Time after Time (Cyndi Lauper)
    Hollie – Crazy for you (Madonna)
    Jessica – Memory (Barbara Streissand)

  35. anything Elise sings you can be sure it’ll be damn good. Personally I think she has had the best performances for two straight weeks. The momentum is too strong to stop now. And hell yeah I wanna hear her sing Sweet Child O Mine. Her rocker scream last week was over-the-top and she’ll have so many opportunities to do it with that song.

  36. I agree that Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire” is a good song choice for Jessica aside from Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”  Another power ballad that she can sing is Taylor Dayne’s “Love Will Lead You Back.”

    • Agree with you for the first 2 songs, Jessica will definitely give justice for those songs…..but for “Love Will Lead You Back” although it’s one of my favorite 80’s love songs but I doubt if it is fit for a tough singing competition like AI.

  37. Here’s what Deandre haters would love. If the song “Time We Reveal” by El Debarge released in the 80’s then he should sing it…entirely in falsetto baby. Yes? 🙂

  38. Ok, here is my opinion for each contestant:

    Jessica- we all know that she can singggggg… she has the most beautiful voice in the competition.  She can actually win this whole thing! 🙂

    That’s it.  Wait, did I miss any contestant?

    • Yeah, you are really stupid with that comment! She’s a clone of the x factor winner and thousands of other singers. Once she gets out of ballads and r+b she is lost( though admittedly young). Even Whitney realized she had to go pop every so often. Sanchez best attempt was with a estefan song on which she was mediocre. Clarkson and underwood saw that they had to go upbeat to succeed. This girl has to expand her offerings, althought I realize she is young. The most marketable entrant seems to be elise.(i also predicted underwood the most marketable when she came out)

      • Ya, Carrie was my bet on their season and this time it’s jessica. We have our own bets so i respect ur opinion by calling me stupid. Anyway, elise is boring. She will leave the competition soon 😉

  39. Jessica Sachez- You Got The Love (The Source and Candi Staton) … best song for her this was first released 1986 by The Source feat. Candi Staton, but i think Jessica could the version of Florence and The Machine or Little Mix(X factor UK) of the song.

  40. It will probably be ballad, ballad, and ballad again. Well maybe not for Phil, Elise, and Skylar. Those three don’t seem to be afraid of uptempos.

  41. American Idol needs to get more current. It’s really difficult because of all the audio technology people are using but there are some new songs out there that are good. These up and coming artist need to be singing more current stuff if their longevity in the music industry is really to be tested. I mean what’s wrong with artists like Coldplay, Bruno Mars, Snow Patrol, The Fray and other artists like that who have recent or semi-recent hits. Adele has been over done but what about the rest? They need to at least perform songs that are from this decade. I’m growing tired of all the retro music and trying to bring back the 60s, 70s and 80s. The up and coming talent pool is getting younger and it’s hard for these young artists to relate to that older music. American Idol really needs to get with the times on their music themes. Don’t get me wrong. A lot of talent came out of those decades. Especially the 80s when MTV busted onto the scene. They needed something to fill the air time and there were so many “one hit wonders” it isn’t even funny. But I really think they need to get more current with their music themes.

    • Well, I disagree. American Idol is doing fine the way it is. I know it sounds nice to say American Idol needs to get more current. But, do they? Those theme nights from one person musical catalogue is what makes American Idol the show it is. The performers on “The X Factor” and “The Voice” are allowed to sing any song they choose, without restriction most of the time. Most will agree that American Idol is much better than those shows. Now they could say choose from the musical catalogue of groups like Coldplay, Bruno Mars or Snow Patrol … But, none of those groups have a large enough catalogue of good songs for 13 players to choose from. And that might be the case with most any modern group. Simply because they have not been together long enough to have that many hits. There are exceptions. But, not many.

  42. Whatever song the 8 finalists sing, for as long as Jessica receives her fourth standing ovation tonight, it will be a great night for me! 🙂

  43. Sorry..Branden, but I think you’re way off on your picks. The only 2 that I think are possible was your picks for Elise and Colton. Phillip will pick something bluesy. Jessica doing Bonnie Tyler? Really? lol. I can’t see Hollie doing Pat Benatar either and Foreigner for Skylar? If Deandre were to do Prince, he should do Kiss because that is song in almost all falsetto.

  44. I want to see them do something different, out of the comfort zone.
    Jessica-Get out of Ballad world    
    “Heart of Glass”, “The Tide Is High”
    Hollie    
    “Material Girl”, “Crazy for You”
    Elise    
    “Brass in Pocket”, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”
    Skylar    
    “Holding Out for a Hero” or “Total Eclipse of the Heart”
    Deandre-Get out of entire falsetto world, only part please.     
    “Purple Rain”, “Careless Whisper”
    Phillip    
    “Born in the U.S.A.”, “Come On Eileen”
    Colton    
    “Every Breath You Take”, “Sister Christian”
    Joshua    
    “Tainted Love”,”Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”

    • A lot of good suggestions. But please no ballads or r+b. The 80’s give contestants a chance to break out. Congrats to elise for taking a risk last week. All these shows with primarily ballads and r+b make me feel like I am at a funeral. No wonder they have limited commercial sucess. The winner of the voice was a skinny ruben and sanchez is a clone of the x factor winner. Clarkson and underwood picked up the pace and became successful. Only George strait and adele can make a living doing these type songs(and she is a once in a lifetime performer). Don’t vote for anyone who does ballads or r+b tonight.

  45. She could probably sing it beautifully but I don’t think she has the life experience to pull off the emotion of the song. 

  46.  I disagree about the life experience because look when she sang “I Will Always Love You,” she blew us all away with her emotion. Plus, Irene Cara was like 20 when she first sang this song and that’s only 3 1/2 years older than Jessica. Not sure if Jessica is going to do this song because it’s a ballad and I have a feeling she’s going to do an up tempo song. Either way, she will blow us all away again like she does every week!

    • Speak for yourself. The only time she truly impressed me was with I Will Always Love You.

  47. Phillip Phillips needs to sing Grave Digger. He sounds just like Dave Mathews, so if he thinks he can sing that then go ahead. Good luck.

  48. Colton should go with Pink Floyd’s “Another brick on the wall”. Hollie should go with something from Blondie, perhaps “Heart of Glass”.

  49. I think for deandre…el d barge song time will reveal is great
    For hollie any song by cindy lauper no particular choice
    Skylar barbra mandrel or dolly parton
    P2 aerosmith to challenge his vocal more
    Colton U2 or simpleminds
    Elise songs by steve perry or robin beck
    Josuah songs by luther vandros or freddie mercury for a change
    Jessica sanchez better donna summer or irene cara

  50. Check out Foreigner Ready for the Rain on the Unusual Heat album-Johnny Edwards was lead, originally by the band,  Northrup, great 80’s ballad!!!!

  51. josua try “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me” various atrtist performed over the years it will put you on the final and on the charts for sure….Joe 

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