No sleep for the remaining weary tonight.  We finally made it to the semi-finals, so it was three-for-three this evening:  three songs for each of the final three contestants.

One song was chosen by a judge, another by the producers and the final tune was up to the singer’s discretion.  Who brought their game faces tonight and who cracked under the increasing pressure?  Read on!

JORDIN SPARKS
SONG:  “Wishing On A Star”/ Rose Royce (song picked by Simon Cowell)
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Well—it’s starting off nice and sweet, but the song seems a bit mellow to me.  Thankfully the tune finally started to kick it up towards the end because it allowed Jordin to bring on the sass.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said it was a very good vocal.  He said it was reminiscent of Beyonce.  Paula said it was a great way to start off the show.  Simon said she sang it brilliantly though he didn’t like the arrangement.

BLAKE LEWIS
SONG:  “Roxanne”/ The Police (picked by Paula Abdul)
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  The reggae part of this song perfectly suits his voice and style.  If anything, it’s the background vocals that are horrid.  He’s really turning up the showmanship tonight…and thankfully, he decided to hold back on the beatboxing.  (Though he’s still got two more songs to go).
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy loved the whole package.  Paula said he was fantastic and thought the song sounded fresh.  Simon said it was not as good as the original—especially since we’re forced to make a Sting comparison

MELINDA DOOLITTLE
SONG:  “I Believe In You And Me”/ Whitney Houston (picked by Randy Jackson)
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  I already know that she will hit this one right out of the box—and she hasn’t even started.  And she did exactly what was expected of her.  What more can i say?  She’s predictably good.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said it was hot.  Paula thought it was one of her best performances this season.  Simon said it was her best performance in recent weeks.  He also said she won the first of three rounds.

JORDIN SPARKS
SONG:  “She Works Hard For The Money”/ Donna Summer (chosen by the producers)
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Even though she’s probably too young to know suffering in the 80’s—she’s really selling the story behind the song.  This song is full of attitude and she’s brought that and more.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said it was hot.  Paula thought she was fantastic.  Simon said it was a very good performance.

BLAKE LEWIS
SONG:  “This Love”/ Maroon 5 (chosen by the producers)
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Another great song choice for him.  And I’m sure singing a contemporary tune will only help him with the voters.  It really sounds like something I would hear on the radio.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said that he should stick with that type of music for his future album.  Paula thought he was totally in his element.  Simon said he sounded very comfortable the 2nd time around.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE
SONG:  “Nutbush City Limits”/ Tina Turner (picked by producers)
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  What a great song choice!  I love this song.  I can’t say I’m crazy about the arrangement (it doesn’t seem as angry as the original)—- but boy, can she do Tina or what?
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy really liked it.  Paula said she looked like she was having a blast.  Simon thought it was another brilliant performance.

JORDIN SPARKS
SONG:  “I (Who Have Nothing)”
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Okay—so she’s already done this one before.  But I think it was smart of her to pick a song that she knows she will kick butt on…instead of relying on songs other people have picked for her.  (And I’m sure not having to learn a third song this week was also a factor).  I have no idea who is going to make it to the Final Two—but she’s proving with this choice that she deserves to be there.
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said it was her best performance of the evening.  Paula thought she sounded really great.  Simon loved her singing—but hated the fact that she picked an old-fashioned song.

BLAKE LEWIS
SONG:  “When I Get You Alone”/ Robin Thicke
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  I’ve never heard this song before, but it’s undeniably catchy.  And Blake is definitely selling it.  But I have to still wonder if successfully sounding commercial necessarily makes him the best singer?  Or does that even mattter?
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy didn’t like it as much as Maroon 5, but still thought it was ‘alright’.  Paula said he pulled off 3 great performances.  Simon ‘actually really liked’ it.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE
SONG:  “I’m A Woman”
MY FIRST IMPRESSION:  Well at least Melinda is revisiting a song she’s done before as well.  But now she gets backup singers on stage with her.  Why don’t they just give her the finals while they’re at it?
JUDGES’ NOTES:  Randy said we saw the great range of Melinda tonight.  Paula loved the fact that she is getting out into the spotlight.  Simon said that she deserves to be in the finals for being consistent week after week.

FINAL THOUGHTS:  Due to some weaker song choices—not necessarily weaker performances—I’m afraid Jordin may actually be the one going home tonight.

(You can find all the American Idol 6 posts here.)