The Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever
by Sting7 & Mike DeGeorge
Foxes On Idol, May 19 2003
www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-b...art&page=1
Season Two of American Idol is almost in the books. Now is a great time to look
back and rank the Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever. There's no
way Nikki McKibbin (right) could make this list, could she?
When I (Sting7) first thought of ranking the Top 20 Greatest American Idol
Performances Ever, I realized this wasn’t a list I could do alone. I got some
input from some outside sources, Mike DeGeorge stepped in graciously to assist
with the process. Even with that, I had no idea how much work it would actually
be. The first 12 or so were easy. The rest I had to go with gut because the
choices became so varied. I can honestly say that every song in the Top 20 came
from more than one list, which makes me feel comfortable in including them. Some
of which, Mike clearly disagreed with, and he didn’t mind saying so!
But, all told, the sum of this list serves to highlight the best of what we’ve
seen from the American Idol contestants. Sometimes, the weight of the ranking
had to do with what the performance did for that contestants’ standing in the
competition. There are certainly some surprises. No list like this can be done
to make everyone happy, and everyone won’t be. Think of it as snapshots to a
great vacation; some great moments may have been missed, but then again, getting
splashed on the log ride might not be everybody’s party.
And so, without further ado, the Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances
Ever:
1. Justin Guarini, “Get Here”
Mike DeGeorge: Became a bit of a staple for Justin, as he sung it in his
tryout, later in the season, and again at the end of the year for "singer's
choice" week. It fit his personality perfectly, that of the sweetheart with
the silky-smooth voice. Even the ending, with the high note that faded into his
trademark smile, seemed made for him.
Sting7: The signature song for Justin’s campaign, no question. He did
performed it a few times in Season One, but none captured the magic of when he
sang it during his original audition... and left Paula in pile of her own
juices. She was so affected, she couldn’t even say “Hollywood,” or
anything else for that matter. And, just like that, he was my favorite to win.
For awhile. He didn’t win, obviously, but no performance has been that lights
out since. All of things that made Justin Justin, and he is so much more than a
warm singing voice, came to the surface in that performance.
2. Kimberley Locke, “New York State of Mind”
3. Kelly Clarkson, “Natural Woman”
4. Ruben Studdard, “Sweet Home Alabama”
5. Clay Aiken, “Build Me Up Buttercup”
6. Tamyra Gray, “A House Is Not A Home”
7. Kimberley Locke, “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
8. Christina Christian, “Ain‘t No Sunshine”
9. Clay Aiken, “Solitaire”
10. Corey Clark, “Foolish Heart”
11. Ruben Studdard, "Ain't too Proud to Beg"
12. Frenchie Davis, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
13. RJ Helton, “Lately”
14. Trenyce, “Let’s Stay Together”
15. Clay Aiken, "Unchained Melody"
16. Justin Guarini, “The Look of Love”
Mike DeGeorge: Didn't feel like this was one of his better ones, actually. But
remember that he called Burt Bacharach a hip senior-citizen?
Sting7: I admit, I pulled a bit of a veto to get this one in the Top 20. I
don’t know how many people have mp3s of their favorite performances, but this
gem from Burt Bacharach Week in Season One cannot be ignored. This, to me, is
how brilliant Justin can be. The soothing string arrangement with that warm
brandy voice of his conjures a spell that television kind of ruins. When you
listen without the visual, it takes you to another place. Awesome.
17. Nikki McKibbin, “Black Velvet”
18. RJ Helton, “Annie’s Song” (also known as “You Fill Up My Senses”)
19. Kelly Clarkson, "Stuff Like That There"
20. Ruben Studdard, "Can't Get Enough of Your Love