American Idol 10 Wrap-Up: 25 Best Performances

To the obligatory count: 6 months. 39 episodes. 146 live performances. 12 elimination rounds. Yes, with another season in the history books, I compiled a list of the most memorable live performances up to the Finale.

I must say, whittling down the performances to 25 is absolutely terrible. With a fantastic and diverse set of contestants this year, it was almost next to impossible. Of course, there were a couple of trainwrecks along the way, but it was just a handful compared to the usual. Plus, there were seriously good performances from different contestants. It's almost insane!

One thing though, just like many other lists or countdowns, this one is extremely biased. It's based on personal preferences. There will probably be some performances that are nowhere to be found on your list that may be as high as 10 or something on here - actually I guarantee it. But please respond maturely, flames don't make me particularly happy.

Now, we pay tribute to the performances that made this season worth watching - and reviewing!:

Honorable Mentions!

Week: Top 11 Redux

Theme: Elton John

Week: Top 24

Theme: None

Week: Top11

Theme: Motown

Week: Top 5

Theme: Now

Week: Top 9

Theme: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Here are the TOP 25 Best Live Performances of Season 10:

25. Daniel

Thia Megia

Week: Top 11 Redux
Theme: Elton John

Possibly the most underrated performance this season!! I admit, I thought it was just another boring performance from Thia, but it got progressively better until the end. It was pure, natural and the tone to her voice was lovely. She started and ended great and if she had supported the verses and chorus just the same, this would've been phenomenal. But that's just me nitpicking, I really felt her and I had shivers listening to this.

24. If You Don't Know Me By Now

Stefano Langone

Week: Top 12
Theme: Year You Were Born

This performance showed the emergence of a new credible competitor that week. I thought that this was a very good vocal and it actually reminded me a bit of a fusion of David Archuleta and Elliott Yamin. Sure, he generally sounded really good until the end where he ran out of breath and I could have done with less random oohs and ahhs, but this definitely nudged himself onto the ring of contention. 

23. Seven Day Fool

Lauren Turner

Week: Top 24
Theme: None

It was such a shame that this other Lauren didn't seem to get much credit in this competition. Sigh. To me, she absolutely killed this performance and I was really hoping more people understood just how amazing this woman was and why she deserved to go far in the competition. Sure, she started off slow in the verses, but when she got into it half way through, she never looked back! She has a supple voice with power and although the arrangement was a little too cheesy for my taste, the energy she exuded during that performance was shocking. ROBBED!

22. A House Is Not A Home

Jacob Lusk

Week: Top 24
Theme: None

I admit, I'm not in anyway a big fan of Lusky Stank, but this was a very powerful performance. Color me surprised, but Jacob just made a mockery of the people that week who performed before him, it was as if he was like "B*tches, watch how it's done" - of course, he was competing with the other guys. Haha. I particularly enjoyed the fact that he had some comparatively restrained moments in the beginning and he delivered that song with a lot of style and power. I’m not sure if I was emotionally connected to it, but it made me appreciate him a lot more. The phrasing, the modulation, the dynamics; they were all so pitch-perfect.

21. Anyway

Lauren Alaina

Week: Top 4
Theme: Inspirational Song

Well, this actually felt like an Idol coronation song! It felt original and I could really picture Lauren singing this while being showered in confetti at the Nokia theater. There were a couple of notes early on that were just a touch flat, but when she really hit the power, her vocals soared. I was just glad that somehow she didn't hold back on that note because if Kristy Lee Cook pulled this one really well, I don't see why Lauren can't.

20. What Is And What Should Never Be

Haley Reinhart

Week: Top 3

Theme: Personal Song Choice

This was just flat out awesome! I thought that this was exactly the energy level that Scotty and Lauren forgot backstage. True, her vocals were definitely off on a few instances, but I honestly thought that the dynamics she showed on the verses were stunning, the effort she put into tuning the song to compliment her voice was very well done, and the way she riffed during the last part of the song blew me away. Oh, and she tripped!! I admit, I sort of laughed when I suddenly couldn't see her on the screen, but she recovered excellently. Her father playing the guitar on stage with her was another nice little Idol moment.

19. Gone

Scotty McCreery

Week: Top 5
Theme: Now

Just from the first verse alone, I knew that Scotty was destined to do this type of music. This was a PERFECT song choice, and if you think that Scott won’t be selling a lot of records to the Country market, then you are completely out of your mind. His stage presence was heads and tails above his competition, and his ability to connect with the audience was oddly strong. He showed so much personality, his vocals were pretty solid and those crazy eyeballs were hysterical. I was entertained, that's for sure.

18. Georgia On My Mind

Kendra Chantelle

Week: Top 24
Theme: Wildcard

Seriously? Kendra showed the most range, ability, and connection to the song like no other - except for Stefano Langone's Wildcard performance, of course. Plus, she didn't miss a note. I was really taken aback in a good way. No, it wasn't a groundbreaking performance, but she flawlessly showcased her tasty tone and she effortlessly glided around her upper register with this performance. ROBBED! Haha.

17. Uprising

James Durbin

Week: Top 7
Theme: 21st Century

Major points for singing Muse!! Haha. Quite frankly, the weak points on this performance were blatantly obvious. I mean, the verses were carried by his notoriously weak lower register and a few of the screams were trending sharp. However, I seriously appreciated his vision. I thought the overall performance was pretty creative and very interesting. I loved that he came out from off-stage - a first on American Idol, I think - and he had a marching band, for crying out loud! True, he pulled off this performance by mere theatrics, but who was I to complain? I enjoyed every moment of it.  

16. Turn On The Radio

Lauren Alaina

Week: Top 24
Theme: None

Coming into the semifinals, I actually find Lauren precocious, entitled, and downright obnoxious. Yes, I hated her! So, I was seriously annoyed when I realized that she slightly won me over that night with this performance! Haha. I thought her vocals were effortless, the delivery was entertaining, she seemed fairly comfortable on stage and her connection with the song was surprising. Plus, at this early she already showcased the type of artist she would be marketed as: country-pop! 

15. With A Little Help From My Friends

Casey Abrams

Week: Top 13
Theme: Personal Idol

In Casey's words, "I want to be felt". I think I did. Haha. Ok. So while this performance really gave off a strong Taylor Hicks vibe, I actually enjoyed this. Sure, the last 30 seconds was more talk-singing than an actual singing, but I seriously like that he lives in the music, if that makes any sense. The vocals were on point, his musicality was absolutely impressive and he was enthusiastic, which was so refreshing. I thought this performance almost had that classical appeal. It’s visceral, it’s real, and it has a real resonance.

14. All In Love Is Fair

Pia Toscano

Week: Top 11
Theme: Motown

Pia is a freak of nature and this performance proved it! Yes, it was another ballad from her that week, but this was just too impeccable of a vocal that it was just too damn hard not to give credit on its own. The performance was pitch perfect coupled with her lovely tone and a pretty impressive build up. I loved how stripped down the verses were and when she went for the big notes, I just lost it. True, it's not all about hitting the right notes, but it sure doesn’t hurt. Right? Right! Haha.

13. You've Got Another Thing Comin'

James Durbin

Week: Top 24
Theme: None

This was the week that I had to eat my words because I obviously spoke too soon about James. He did prove me wrong when he performed this Judas Priest song - a first on Idol - and did it with some impeccable range that wasn't grating at any point. He was shockingly convincing - I had never considered him convincing in the slightest - and the over-the-top moments were, at the very least, more appropriate than his usual non-sense screaming self and showboating. Everything just clicked - the stage presence, the look, and the voice. Very nice.

12. I Need You Now

Stefano Langone

Week: Top 24
Theme: Wildcard

Never heard this song before and I'm not particularly a big fan of this kind of music, but I have to say that he impressed me greatly. Seriously. I had goosebumps after this performance. He connected well with the song and his vocals were spot on. To me, he understood what the Wildcard was all about and he sang as if his life depended on it. Possibly one of the best male vocal performances of the season! Very impressive.

11. Dancing In The Streets

Naima Adedapo

Week: Top 11
Theme: Motown

CRAZY!! One thing about Naima? You'll never know what you're going to get! Seriously. Is she the best singer? Hardly. Is she the strongest singer? Not really. Does she have the whole package? Doubtful. But goddammit! She was the most entertaining and she knew how to use them to the hilt. She brought the stage presence other contestants were lacking and just made the other favorites look duller than usual. Plus, her vocals were shockingly on pitch.

10. Out Here On My Own

Thia Megia

Week: Top 24
Theme: None

This was really impressive! I have to say, she got major points for starting a capella - it's pretty tough to stay on pitch when the piano comes in. Plus, her vocal control was just astounding. I'm seriously not a fan coming into the semifinals as I find her terribly robotic - she can work on that - but she obviously has the talent. Of course, the vocals weren't perfect as she went a bit flat in some of her notes, but she definitely caught my attention more than most of the girls who performed before her that night and she made this song pretty dynamic and relevant.

09. Rolling In The Deep

Haley Reinhart

Week: Top 7
Theme: 21st Century

I was ready to write her off as another Haley - Scarnato or Vaughn - but instead she'd shown that she deserved to go much farther in the competition. This performance was incredible! Sure, the vocals weren't perfect by any means - some of her falsetto was off - but that didn't affect the awesomeness of it all. Her transition to that falsetto was amazing, her phrasing was absolutely gorgeous and the best parts were when she did her own adlibs. What she can do with her voice was absolutely crazy! The judges were annoying though when they gave her a bit of a half-hearted praise after a far more superior performance than, umm, James Durbin? Nothing more to say.

08. Candle In The Wind

Lauren Alaina

Week: Top 11 Redux
Theme: Elton John

Arguably, Lauren's most powerful vocal on the show. It was connected, unassuming, surprisingly strong, and confident and she also managed to bring a fabulous country vibe to the song, which made it sound like I was hearing it for the first time. I love that she added some texture to her voice and her tone was just beautiful. Plus, the vocal choices she made were actually quite interesting. This, to me, was a moment for Lauren and it probably made me consider her as a potential winner of American Idol. 

07. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

James Durbin

Week: Top 6
Theme: Carole King

The a capella sounded really good. There were one or two wonky notes in there, but his vocals were surprisingly unaffected. Now, I must admit that at first listen, I was a little disappointed when the rocked out arrangement kicked in. To me, he should have kept it sparse, ditched the guitar and dropped those over-the-top last two notes. But in hindsight, it wouldn’t have worked if it was purely stripped-down. I mean, the song needed music for some of the more melodic segments, and I was actually glad that somehow they kept it relatively subtle. Besides, his vocals remained in tact even after the tempo changed, so it's all good.

06. Bennie And The Jets

Haley Reinhart

Week: Top 11 Redux
Theme: Elton John

HARDCORE BANGAGE FTW!! HAHA. Seriously, this was the week where everyone paid attention to her and where she actually stolen the “dark horse” title away from Stefano Langone. Everything really did come together for her with Bennie And The Jets. It was fun, she delivered some impressive vocals, her voice had more character and her stage presence - though still awkward - worked. There were interesting choices of throwing in some jazz during the opening verse, and just the whole performance aspect was well thought out. I guess, somewhere in America, Syesha Mercado called to silently pass her throne to Haley as the most underrated contestant on American Idol. Haha. And yes, Haley justified her presence on the show with this rousing performance.

05. You've Got A Friend

Scotty McCreery

Week: Top 6
Theme: Carole King

Beautiful!! This was exactly what he needed to do. I thought he sounded really good, his phrasing was a little interesting than usual, and it was convincingly heartfelt. And as much as everyone harps on the inevitability of Scotty's win, this was the first week where he genuinely LOOKED like a potential, deserving winner. Yes, after that night, I didn't mind Scotty sailing through to victory one bit. "Gangsta hands" notwithstanding, I really loved this performance. He even held the microphone relatively straight! Haha. Definitely his best vocal performance on American Idol and this also proved that Scotty is one of the best storytellers to come on this show in a long time - aside from another performer..

04. Your Song

Casey Abrams

Week: Top 11 Redux
Theme: Elton John

He almost got eliminated a week before this, but Casey went back and fighting! Sure, this performance actually proved that he's not the best singer in the bunch - and without his growling, he just exposed his weakness vocally. But you know what.. this was still very impressive! It was emotional, tender, powerful, and a chill-inducing performance. There was a serious emotional connection that I thought was missing from most of the contestants - no matter how trained their voices might be - and Casey, to me, just outright embodied the feeling of the song. I loved how he just sit there and showed his fellow contestants that they don’t have to meander aimlessly across the stage to give the judges some illusion of "stage presence". Outstanding! Oh, and it was also refreshing to just hear him sing without all the vocal affectations he usually put on.

03. I (Who Have Nothing)

Haley Reinhart

Week: Top 4
Theme: Lieber and Stoller

She was lambasted by the judges prior to this performance but Haley returned to perform the absolute hell out of this song and deliver another stirring vocal that will be named one of the best of the season. Really. This performance just proved the fact that out of the four remaining contestants that week, she's the only person capable of actually having a "moment" every single episode! I admit, it was a little theatrical, but who was I to complain? This was incredible! So. Much. Emotion. Nevermind Jordin Sparks' equally brilliant version because Haley brought another side to it. Oh, and I actually loved the look she had in her eyes during her performance. If only eyes could kill, Randy's dead now! HAHA.

02. I'll Stand By You

Pia Toscano

Week: Top 24
Theme: None

So… this happened! Pia was just like any other cannon-fodder when she entered the Final 24. We never saw her during the auditions and we only had one or two clips of her singing during the Hollywood and Las Vegas round. So, obviously, I was incredibly shocked that the biggest surprise of the semifinals ended up being the beautiful Pia Toscano. So nuanced, so flawless. I loved how restrained her verses were and then just went all the way towards the end. Lovely phrasing. Impressive control. Great range. Gorgeous girl. What's more to ask? A little personality maybe? But that criticism of not having a strong personality was the same thing that has often been said about Carrie Underwood. So, whatever.

01. House Of The Rising Sun

Haley Reinhart

Week: Top 5
Theme: Then

No doubt, this was a phenomenal rendition. I, for one, had been actively looking for a water cooler moment this season and I believe I legitimately found it with this performance. Seriously. This was by far the strongest performance I have seen all season. Lovely phrasing. Great musicality. Outstanding vocals. Even the a capella bit was like watching a vocal masterclass. I especially loved the look on her face after this performance. It was like saying, "How you like that judges? What are you got to say now?" Haha. Abso-fcukin'-lutely badass! Yes judges, you have NOTHING - and I mean, NOTHING - to bitch about this number! Thank you very much!