Tonight the Idol contestants performed two songs—a song from the year that they were born and a song from the current Billboard charts.  Did appearing twice in show hurt or help their chances?  Read on!

ELLIOTT YAMIN
SONG: “On Broadway”/ George Benson (1978)
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  I’m not thrilled with this arrangement, but his scatting abilities more than make up the difference.  He is definitely in a groove these days.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought it started a little rough but improved by the end.  Of all things, Paula loved his vibrado.  Simon thought the performance was a bit disjointed.

ELLIOTT YAMIN
SONG: “Home”/ Michael Buble
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  What a nice, soothing contrast to his first song.  A very sweet and pleasant job.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought it was nice to hear his tender side.  Paula said that she heard the richness in his voice.  Simon said that the song did not have enough of a wow factor for him. 

PARIS BENNETT
SONG: “Kiss”/ Prince (1988)
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Okay, Elliott’s arrangement was not nearly as bad as this one.  This is gawd awful, cheesy version resembles the Tom Jones’ version more than it does the Prince version.  Paris has been hovering near the bottom of the pack for a couple of weeks now, and this song won’t get her out of there.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy appreciated that she was trying to show her youthful side and thought it was nice.  I have absolutely no idea what Paula just said.  Simon thought it was screechy and annoying.

PARIS BENNETT
SONG:  “Be Without You”/ Mary J. Blige
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  It’s hard to do Mary J. Blige.. and it’s definitely not an artist you should attempt when you are on the brink of going home.  Paris did fine, but I don’t think she did great.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought there were several pitch problems, but said she pulled it out in the end.  Paula loved it.  Simon actually thought she did rather well.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY
SONG:  “Renegade”/ Styx (1979)
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Well if rock is going to remain his thing, than this was the right song choice for him.  It was a perfect fit.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy was enthusiastic.  Paula thought it was outstanding.  Simon thought this song was a million times better than the first two performances.

CHRIS DAUGHTRY
SONG: “I Dare You”/ Shine Down
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  I hate to admit that I have no idea what this song is, but Chris definitely did his rock thing.  As far as I can tell, it went well.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought the song was ‘aw-right’.  It wasn’t Paula’s favorite, but she still loved him.  Simon wasn’t entirely thrilled.

KATHARINE MCPHEE
SONG: “Against All Odds”/ Phil Collins (1984)
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Where do I begin?  That beginning sucked hard.  Her moaning made me moan (in a bad way).  The arrangement: embarrassing.  Her runs were annoying and unnecessary.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought the key was all wrong.  Paula said that it was not her favorite performance of hers.  Simon thought the song was a mess and that it got away from her.

KATHARINE MCPHEE
SONG:  “Black Horse & The Cherry Tree”/ KT Tunstall
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Again, I have no idea what this song is.. but it sure sounds a thousand times better than the song I did know.
JUDGES NOTES: Randy said that song was more like the Katharine he knows.  Paula was impressed by her choreography.  Simon ‘much preferred’ that song to the first one.

TAYLOR HICKS
SONG: “Play That Funky Music”/ Wild Cherry (1976)
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  This song fits his gravelly voice to a ‘T’.  Definitely a fun and energetic performance.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought it was a wild choice.  Paula thought it was authentic Taylor.  Simon thought it was like a horrible wedding performance.

TAYLOR HICKS
SONG: “Something”/ Beatles
OUR FIRST IMPRESSION:  Started off a bit quite weird, but then it got Taylorfied.  He found a way to inject some Cocker-esque inflections and make it his own.
JUDGES NOTES:  Randy thought he chose a nice song.  Paula thought it was daring but that he moved it tenderly.  Simon said that it reminded him of how good a singer Taylor really is.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  I think it will come down to one of the two ladies.  Although Katharine’s rendition of ‘Against All Odds’ was by far the worst performance of the evening, I think that Paris was the weakest one overall.

(You can find all the American Idol 5 posts here.)