American Idol: Top 3 Sing Three on Season Five

American Idol last night was pretty good as the three remaining contestants each sang three different songs. First they each sang a song picked for them by legendary music executive Clive Davis. Next they sang a song chosen for them by one of the three judges. Lastly they got to choose one for themselves.

It was easy once again to point to who had the best overall night and unfortunately for Elliott it wasn’t him this week. He really stepped up last week but this week only his last song came even close to sounding like he did then.

So how did the performances last night on American Idol rank:

1. Katharine McPhee – Most thought she was the likely singer leaving the competition last week after a lackluster showing. Yet this week she really stepped up and brought it last night. Especially with her second song chosen by Simon, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Randy said it was the “best vocal of the season for you” while Simon thought it was the “best performance in the competition to date.” It was almost as good as Fantasia Barrino singing “Summertime” on season three. For her first song of the night she sang a very good version of “I Believe I Can Fly” and for her final song she sang “I Ain’t Got Nothin But the Blues.” It was the happiest song about the blues ever. She just can’t help but smile when she sings no matter what it is.
2. Taylor Hicks – Taylor’s best performance last night was his last song, “Try a Little Tenderness.” Paula had originally selected this song for him to sing but he had already chosen it for himself. Randy is now calling him the “have a good time funky Taylor.” Simon thought it was a “great performance” until the end, which he called “hideous.” For his first song he sang “Dancing in the Dark” which Clive Davis personally called and asked permission from Bruce Springsteen to use it on the show. His second song was “You Are So Beautiful” chosen by Randy and he sang pretty well it was just to bad he looked constipated while doing so.
3. Elliott Yamin – After having the best performances last week he really took a step backward tonight. I thought he had not just the third best overall performance but also the third best on each song. His best of the night was his final song chosen by him, “I Believe to My Soul.” Simon said after this performance that, ”your songs are not going to get you through to next week.” I would have to agree with that assessment. For his first song he sang “Open Arms” and for his second he sang “What You Won’t Do For Love.” I think he needed another week like last week to stay in it and he didn’t come close.

I thought last week that Katharine needed to have a week like Elliott did last week to stay in the competition. Well she did and I think it will be enough to put her in the finals with Taylor. That will leave Elliott as the one leaving the show tonight. Who do you think will not get the votes this week on American Idol?