American Idol 2014 is about to end, possibly forever, and in honor of the finale week for season 15, we decided to take a look back at some of our favorite performances of all time on the show. We aren’t going to include anything from this season as we don’t want to seem biased toward any of the 2016 contestants.
I’ve been watching American Idol since the start and I’ve been blogging about it here for the past few years, so I’ve got a ton of favorite performances locked in my memory. So I thought it would be fun to pull out all of my favorites and make a list. And it’s the perfect time to do so as excitement builds for the season 15 finale!
14. Angie Miller, “You Set Me Free” (Season 12). Doing an original song is always a risky move, but it paid off hugely for season 12 singer Angela Miller. She quickly became a huge fan favorite and the various YouTube videos of the song quickly gained millions of views.
13. Jessica Sanchez, “I Will Always Love You” (Season 11). I always say “Don’t do Whitney Houston.” But someone always does it. And sometimes it’s totally OK. Like when Jessica Sanchez paid tribute to the late pop star with her version of this hit. Jessica may have been the only reality singing contestant to ever do Whitney this much justice.
12. Chris Daughtry, “Hemorrhage” (Season 5). Chris is arguably the most robbed contestant in Idol history, but he’s done just fine without the title. His version of this Fuel song was so well-received, he got an invitation from the band to become their new lead singer. He declined, of course, to form his own band Daughtry.
11. Phillip Phillips, “Home” (Season 11). Most finale songs in recent years have been laughable. Literally laughable (remember Kris Allen and Adam Lambert hamming it up over their horrible finale song?). But Phillip’s coronation number was anything but. When he came out with this song during the finale, it was all over for runner-up Jessica Sanchez. And the song has had huge success since the show, which is very rare.
10. Elise Testone, “Whole Lotta Love” (Season 11). I have to say, season 11 was a pretty solid season. Elise had some ups and downs, and this was her biggest up. In fact, I think it was the best performance from the season. Which is why it places higher than Phillip and Jessica on the list.
9. Clay Aiken, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (Season 2). Clay was quite the fan-favorite, but somehow lost to Ruben Studdard. I thought he had it in the bag after his emotional and flawless performance of this classic.
8. David Cook, “Billie Jean” (Season 7). Ah, the battle of the Davids. My favorite David won. David was my favorite because he was so versatile. And he transformed every song he performed into his own. He had so many greats (“Baba Riley, “Always Be My Baby”) that it was hard to pick one. But I think Michael Jackson‘s “Billie Jean” is it. Or maybe it’s “Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey. No, “Billie Jean.” Yeah, OK.
7. Carrie Underwood, “Alone” (Season 4). The only person who should be allowed to sing this song is Carrie. It’s been covered countless times after she did it, but it’s never been matched. It actually made my list of Idol songs that should have been retired.
6. Fantasia, “Summertime” (Season 3). Another song that needs to be retired because it can never be topped. No one sings this song like Fantasia. Her rasp and her deep connection to the music is what made this song great and her the season 3 winner.
5. Melinda Doolittle, “My Funny Valentine” (Season 6). Melinda, in my opinion, was the most consistent contest to ever compete on the show. She was never, ever off. Every sing week and every sing song was flawless. I thought she had the win nailed down, but something happened at final three and she went home. But not before she could leave behind the best version of this song to ever be performed on a reality singing show.
4. Jordin Sparks, “I Who Have Nothing” (Season 6). Still to this day I listen to this song on my iPod. I never knew the song existed until she performed it on Idol. I fell in love with it and thanks to this performance alone, I’m OK with her winning. Otherwise I’d still me mad Melinda was robbed.
3. Katharine McPhee “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (Season 5). I’m not sure I like Katharine as an actor these days, but I definitely liked her as a season 5 contestant. Especially after her version of this “Wizard of Oz” classic. It was emotional, powerful, stripped down and just completely commanding.
2. Kelly Clarkson, “Stuff Like That There” (Season 1). I struggled with where to put Kelly and this song. I had it at No. 1 a few times, but felt like it was OK for it to land here. It was big band night on Idol and the soulful little singer became a winner that night with this song. Of course she did go on to win season 1 and the rest is history. Her other truly standout performance of the season, “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin, also could have placed her here or in the top spot as well.
1. Adam Lambert, “Mad World” (Season 8). Another contestant arguably robbed of the win, Adam Lambert’s version of Tears for Fears‘ “Mad World” was remarkable. It was vocally flawless. It was staged beautifully. But what really makes this performance special is how connected to the song Adam was. He owned it. It was filled with emotion and power. It will always stand out as one of the best performances. And until something tops it, it is the best. In my opinion. We also could have easily put his rendition of “Ring of Fire” here as well. He was truly the American Idol winner who never won.
What are your favorite performances from American Idol’s past 13 seasons?
I can agree with most of your picks. I can’t agree that Phillip Phillips performance was anything outstanding as I don’t think he has that much talent. I do agree that Adam’s performance is the best one ever on AI to date. I also think his performance of Whole Lotta Love and ACIGC should be on this list.
Phillip Phillips is an amazing and very talented musician. He is a musician and a guitar player first, only then he is a singer. He loves music, he loves performing live. Just watch him live – truly an awesome and unique experience! Musicians get him, that’s why Matchbox 20 and John Mayer were happy to have him on tour. Phillip’s Rock In Rio performance was awesome too! He is a truly gifted Musician, there is no doubt about that.
But i agree with you on the “Home” performance. From the creative standpoint, i don’t think it was the best performance of his. I think he had some more interesting performances on Idol.
My only quibble with Philip’s “Home” is that I think the finale performance of the song was more memorable, even if he didn’t sing it as well. You can’t beat a drum line. 🙂
I’m afraid I never really cared for Katherine McPhee on the show, so I would swap out her “Over the Rainbow” for Candice Glover’s “Lovesong” (or possible “You’ve changed”).
I disagree with your choice of Elise Testone’s “Whole Lotta Love.” I just don’t get a women singing about having a large penis, otherwise you are entitled to your opinions. You just can’t ignore the meaning of the words “whole lotta love” according to Robert Plant. Adam sang it much better and had the equipment to boast about. I think Adam’s “A Change is Gonna Come” was his best performance of the season. The quality of that performance got lost by the shock of Adam’s loss due to Arkansas /AT&T cheating.
I agree. “A Change is Gonna Come” was probably the best one of the season but was overshadowed by his loss. In the end, Adam won though as Kris has disappeared, as I knew he would, and Adam is succeeding in the business.
I would put Kris’ Heartless there as that song was a game changer for him. also, I’d swap David Cook’s Hello for Billie Jean bc that really set him up as a contestant to beatm
Mostly great picks! I’d swap Clay’s “Bridge” for his “Solitaire”. Love Melinda Doolittle’s to this day. Less a fan of Katherine and Elise. Would prefer Hollie Cavanagh’s “Power of Love” to those. And I’d place Haley Reinhart’s “House of the Rising Sun” VERY high.
Of course anything by Adam Lambert, but Bo Bice’s In a Dream still gives me chills to this day.
Casey James “Jealous Guy” = #1
Great job with your list. I especially agree with Adam and Kelly at 1 & 2. I have been a HUGE fan of both since AI. IMO several of Adam Lambert’s other performances were also listworthy, especially “A Change Is Gonna Come”. Haley Reinhart’s “House Of The Rising Sun” was amazing too. I would have tried hard to find a spot on the list for it.
Adam lambert is the best singer:)))
I agree 100% Adam lambert #1, because he has million strong voice:) I love him very much!!!!!!
I loved Adam sing ” black or white” he is very perfect:)
I……love……..you……Adam lambert
I have seen a few seasons but Adam Lambert is THE ONLY STANDOUT for me. C’mon! He even performed with KISS! and didn’t get upstaged by them! After that, he performed with Queen and is now their frontman! It just goes to show what top notch talents/caliber he has. ‘Born To Be Wild’ and ‘Satisfaction’ are my favorites! He did something crazy on ‘Satisfaction’ that SHOCKED me and I looked him up on the Internet because of that song. The day he didn’t win was the day I became a Glambert!
BTW, if you like ‘Mad World’, have you seen Adam’s version at Winstar just recently? He changed it up again! This time, a slightly faster more dangerous and darker feel to it with heavier beats. Very exciting!
TALC HD – Adam Lambert – Mad World – Winstar Casino, OK – New Years Eve 2013
crystal bowersox over the mountain
Adam’s Whole Lotta Love and a Change Is Gonna Come should have been on the list. I love Adam’s Ring Of Fire also. Kris Allen’s Heartless should have made the cut along with Haley’s House of The Rising Son. Adam broke idol for me. There will never be anyone that can compare.
Adam Lambert shocked, Jaw dropped, and Blew the Roof off AIR every week…Every song he sang and performed was Phenomenal and Exhilarating. After Adam sings ANY song he owns it. He just sang Red House by Hendrix on NYE & took it to a new level, like everything he does. Whole Lotta Love , Ring of Fire, AGOG, Born to be Wild, If I can’t have You…seriously, Adam is beyond Spectacular…everything he sings is incomparable…I sooooo excited for whats to come next for this incredible talent, and I feel blessed to be on his journey with him.
Where’s Haley Reinhat’s rendition of House of the Rising Sun??!?? or Bennie and the jets??!?
List is missing Danny Gokey doing “Hero” and “You are So Beautiful”.
Simon Cowell says that Fantasia’s “Summertime” was his favorite, while Randy Jackson said Candice Glover was Number 1 last year!