It seems like just yesterday we were listening to Kris Allen and Adam Lambert fight it out on season eight of American Idol. It was the first season that we got to see the singers compete with duets! It was also the second season that the contestants could play instruments. This led to some really great performances and a shocker finale that led to the judges favorite coming in second place. Let’s take a look at the best performances from last season.
(1) I Never Love a Man (Alexis Grace): This was a sexy, stand out performance that made it seem like Alexis was going to be the one to beat. She slinked around the stage and sang the stuffing out of the number. It was surprising to see such a big voice come out of the petite blonde. She set the bar high during the semi-finals.
(2) To Make You Feel My Love (Kris Allen): I wasn’t a fan of Kris Allen at first, but after this amazing performance it was inevitable. He has this subtle way of taking on a song and changing up the melody just enough to make it his own. It doesn’t hurt that he can play the guitar and the piano. It’s hard to compete with a great voice and multiple instruments.
(3) So Small (Matt Giraud): Speaking of instruments, Matt Giraud was a fabulous pianist and had a great set of pipes. His nerves kept him from multiple appearances on this list, but he had so much potential. During this performance everything came together for him. It was a great ballad, uplifting, and his voice sounded beautiful. I wish he could get it together and have this good of a performance every week. I hope we get to hear more from him.
(4) Papa Was a Rolling Stone (Allison Iraheta): Allison is a little pistol. She’s still a teenager, but her voice has grit beyond her years. She took on this song like it was written for her and legitimately rocked it out. That’s what passed “rockers” Gina Glocksen and Nikki McKibbon were missing, the incredibly husky tone that Allison was born with.
(5) The Track of My Tears (Adam Lambert): Though I’m not usually a fan of a whole song sung in head voice, Adam took on this Smokey Robinson classic and gave it new life. He was very emotionally attached to the song and brought the audience in to this beautiful and heart breaking ballad. Adam Lambert can really sell a song!
(6) Dirty Diana (Alexis Grace): This was another great performance from Alexis, and another sign that she left the game way too soon! It was a surprising pick for Michael Jackson week, and she owned the song, the stage, and seemed like she was a lock on the top 5. She definitely left to soon.
(7) Aint No Sunshine (Kris Allen): I thought that I would never be wild about any one’s cover of this song, because so many people do it. However, I really enjoyed this. Kris Allen has a way with music and I love that even though it is technically impressive it is understated and classy. This was excellent.
(8) Mad World (Adam Lambert): This is my favorite Adam Lambert performance! It’s an amazing, haunting song, and he did it justice and then some. This song manages to be spooky and seductive. Adam made it one of the most memorable performances on American Idol season 8, and perhaps the other seasons combined.
(9) I Can’t Make You Love Me (Allison Iraheta): I thought nothing would out do Kimberley Locke’s version during season two of the show, but Allison Iraheta blew me away with her version. She changed small nuances that were absolutely refreshing and her run towards the end was so stunning. She emotionally connected to subject matter well beyond her sixteen years.
(10) Slow Ride (Adam Lambert & Allison Iraheta): Duets! Kris Allen and Danny Gokey’s may have been a bit of a bust, but Allison and Adam brought us a rock concert. They complimented each other perfectly and picked an awesome song. It went so well that they did duets again this year.
(11) Heartless (Kris Allen): This is the first song that Kris really took and turned on its head! He totally rearranged this Kanye West hit and made it absolutely his own. I love the version, and it was absolutely amazing. I still stand by the fact that this was the performance that won him the American Idol title.
