Caramba!

American Idol did not waste time – they made the first night Beatles Night. And it was a good night, in my opinion. I feel sad though because my little David Archuleta did not do well. He actually forgot some parts of his song. After the first time it happened (yes, it happened more than once), he lost his confidence, and that was it. Which is pretty sad because he sang most of the song well (minus the forgotten lyrics), he just wasn’t able to perform it well.

Let’s look at the performances one by one…

Syesha Mercado – Got To Get You Into My Life – Great vocals towards the middle and end of the song yes, but the performance was a bit boring. I wasn’t in awe, and I think I should have been, given the song and the singer. I just wasn’t.

Chikezie Eze – She’s A Woman – I don’t like him. But his performance, over the top as it may seem, ROCKED! Loved the intro, loved the entrance of the band, loved how he FELT the song and just rocked it.

Ramiele Malubay – In My Life – I don’t think her performance was as bad as the judges made it seem to be. See, it’s tough to be one of the better ones, because more is expected. I think she sang the song beautifully. But I agree with the judges that it was boring. It wasn’t the great performance that’s expected of her.

Jason Castro – If I Fell – Great song choice, but I kinda agree with Simon that it wasn’t really a great performance. I love his voice, it’s so unique, but but there were some parts of the song that he just couldn’t sing well.

Carly Smithson – Come Together – I think I can officially say that I will not become an avid fan of Carly. The judges raved about her performance, but it was just okay for me. She sang it well, but I really can’t feel Carly connecting to me. See, that’s how complicated it is in American Idol – aside from singing well, the Top 12 have to perform well, come across as likeable (better if lovable) and genuine, and connect to the audience.

David Cook – Eleanor Rigby – This guy is getting better and better, and the arrangements of his songs are definitely helping him. Though I think his performance last week was better, he still did well, and more importantly, he did enough to stay and be part of the Top 11.

Brooke White – Let It Be – Okay, while watching the performance, I noticed the parts when she was pitchy. However, overall, I think it was another great performance because I FELT it. She also has a unique voice, unlike any past winner of AI, and so I like her (and Jason) for this. She also doesn’t come across as annoying anymore.

David Hernandez – I Saw Her Standing There – Over the top, which didn’t work, unlike Chikezie’s performance. He was just trying to hard. It’s unfortunate because he has a good voice, and if only he can temper his performances then he could go far.

Amanda Overmyer – You Can’t Do That – Nothing new. Typical Amanda performance, with some slurred lyrics here and there. She can’t do this every week, she has to reinvent herself and at the same time still retain that which the judges loved about her. Easier said than done I’m sure. I am looking forward to a moving, slow, song from her – let’s see how she’ll handle that.

Michael Johns – Across the Universe – Beautiful, beautiful song. Okay performance. I think he sang it well, but like Ramiele, he didn’t do anything to the song. He didn’t make it HIS song. I forgot about this when I was explaining what’s needed in American Idol above (entry for Carly). The song should come across as being owned by the contestant. It shouldn’t seem like just a cover.

Kristy Lee Cook – 8 Days a Week – I admire her for taking a risk but… WHAT WAS THAT? The performance was a mess! I didn’t understand the arrangement at all. It was just so forgettable. I think she’s in danger of leaving tomorrow.

David Archuleta – We Can Work It Out – I am so sad that my little David Archuleta did not perform well this week! This is a perfect case of getting ahead of yourself. From the start (his video), you can already see how unsure he was, and it really showed in his performance. He forgot some lyrics – after the first time it happened, it all went downhill. He wasn’t able to recover. See, if you don’t believe in yourself, it will show and you really won’t do well. My little David – I just hope that you have gathered enough fans from the auditions to your past 3 performances so that you will be saved tomorrow. Because if we base everything just on tonight, yours was one of the worst performances (plus Kristy Lee Cook).

It’s hard to make a fearless forecast. But I’m guessing either Kristy Lee Cook or Amanda Overmyer will go home. My ranking for the Beatles’ Night:

1. Brooke White
2. David Cook
3. Chikezie Eze
4. Michael Johns
5. Ramiele Malubay
6. Jason Castro
7. David Archuleta (Yes I know I’m biased but I really can’t say that I liked the performances of the people below MORE than David’s.)
8. Carly Smithson
9. Syesha Mercado
10. David Hernandez
11. Amanda Overmyer
12. Kristy Lee Cook

Friends from the US, I hope you saved David A!