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'American Idol': The Top 10 Freshest Performances

by Hilary Rothing, posted Apr 11th 2011 2:30PM

Now 10 seasons in, 'American Idol' has had its fair share of innovators -- those willing to risk it all and sing outside the box.

And while some Idols' inventive interpretations took too many artistic liberties with the source material, (Tim Urban's 'Under My Thumb,' anyone?) others found putting a fresh spin an old classic set them apart from their 'Idol' also-rans.

Here's our picks for 'American Idol''s top 10 freshest performances and a look back at how these big gambles changed the 'Idol' game. And don't forget to check out 'American Idol''s Top 10 Freshest Faces!
David Cook

Season: 7

Song: 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson (Chris Cornell's version)

Fresh Factor: David Cook took this song from the year he was born and wisely chose Chris Cornell's slow and heavy rock version to make it his own. Randy labeled Cook "the most original contestant, we've ever had." Paula Abdul claimed she couldn't sit down after the performance and Simon said Cook's risky move could have been "insane or amazing." Clearly, it was the latter.

Clay Aiken

Season: 2

Song: 'Solitaire' by Neil Sedaka

Fresh Factor: The quirky, wet-behind-the-ears Clay Aiken came into his own with a very grown-up performance of Neil Sedaka's heart-wrenching ballad. Clay owned the song so much so that Sedaka himself told the 24-year-old, "I have lost my song forever to you. It will always be a Clay Aiken song." That's an accolade no other 'Idol' can lay claim to.

Andrew Garcia

Season: 8

Song: 'Straight Up' by Paula Abdul

Fresh Factor: Garcia wowed the judges (perhaps a season too late, sans Paula) with this stripped-down, soulful interpretation of Abdul's biggest hit. But unfortunately, like Paula, Garcia was never able to replicate the kind of magic he conjured up in this Hollywood-week performance.

Chris Daughtry

Season: 5

Song: 'Walk the Line' by Johnny Cash

Fresh Factor: With mentor Neil Diamond's blessing, Daughtry took the "freight train" rhythm of Cash's classic and slowed it down to a dark, jangly ballad. Like Cash, Daughtry had his wife in mind with the song and it shows in the intensity of this performance.

Crystal Bowersox

Season: 9

Song: 'People Get Ready' by The Impressions

Fresh Factor: Crystal Bowersox got out from behind the comfort of her acoustic guitar for this uplifting performance on "inspirational songs" night. So inspired was Crystal that she wound up in tears by the end of the song.

Blake Lewis

Season: 6

Song: 'You Give Love a Bad Name' by Bon Jovi

Fresh Factor: The words "beat boxing" and "Bon Jovi" don't generally go together, but season 6 runner-up Blake Lewis proved the human drum machine and the Jersey boys are a match made in heaven with his breakout, beat-boxed rendition of Bon Jovi's classic rock anthem.

Fantasia Barrino

Season: 3

Song: 'Summertime' by George Gershwin

Fresh Factor: Many have tried since Fantasia's original performance of this Gershwin classic, but none have matched the beauty and finesse of the season 3 winner's "songs from the movies night" performance. There are apparently over 24,000 different versions of "Summertime," and Fantasia's is definitely in the top 1,000.

Casey Abrams

Season: 10

Song: "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Fresh Factor: Whether or not Casey Abrams is solely responsible for making the upright bass cool again is debatable. But what's not up for argument is Abrams' inventive performances and superior musicianship, as evidenced by this performance of the CCR classic.

Kelly Clarkson

Season: 1

Song: 'Stuff Like That There' by Betty Hutton

Fresh Factor: Kelly Clarkson appeared to have stepped into a time machine for this performance of the 1944 hit for "big band night." The future pop star seemed right at home, dressed for the occasion for a performance that brought the charm and spunk of the big band era into the 21st century.
Adam Lambert

Season: 8

Song: 'Mad World' by Tears for Fears (Michael Andrews/ Gary Jules version)

Fresh Factor: Bathed in a blue glow, Adam Lambert was the first and only 'Idol' contestant to bring Simon Cowell to his feet. Like many of Adam's 'Idol' moments, his artistic choices for this dialed-down yet dramatic performance set a new standard for original interpretation and style on a show that's often accused of being a karaoke competition.<

'American Idol' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on Fox.

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grayfox994

I don't understand the judges falling all over Casey unless they feel they have to justify their waste of a "save" on this guy. He is mediocre and has a weak voice to boot. Can't believe they gave Casey a standing ovation??? Maybe the bass this turns them on??? Pia should have still been in the fray and Casey long gone. Paul's time to go was long overdue so adios Paul!

April 16 2011 at 10:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kylie

Well, it is painfully obvious that Adam's fans are determined to bring Clay down to zero. Software will do that.

These are NOT fans of Chris D. They rarely vote on polls, and he never places or wins. This same group used Bo as their Idol on another poll, trying to upend Clay, and got caught cheating. Bo gets no votes now, since they were blocked, and that's no surprise. It's the same thing here.
I wish someone were watching their work. It was mainly during the night, but now, they realize no one is stopping them, so the machines drone on and on all day.
If their mean attitude is because Clay used harsh words in describing his reaction to Adam's I Walk The Line, then, this has gone on too far. He apologized for that, and I agree he should not have said it. I voted for Adam, and attended a concert, as he has a terrific voice, but his fans are turning me against him, which is unfair to Adam, but it's hard. Never have I seen a more vindictive bunch. He is not even on the poll.
I know David A. has all the voting equipment too, but, I truly don't think they would do this with David not on the poll. They wouldn't vote for David C. anyhow. They are generally not like this.
This poll means nothing now. Even those on other fan's boards have said they know what is going on. They are very familiar with Adam's fans. It spoils all the fun, and it's difficult to believe such negativity.

April 13 2011 at 1:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Martha Ellis

It is sad to see this poll being spammed. During the night, you can see the totals change too quickly to be real.

I am trying to figure out what kind of person would do this kind of thing....a small poll that is supposed to be for fun. Do people do this because they are bored, or love messing up the results, or trying to play with other fans?? Whatever the reason, these people should know that they are ruining fun for fans of all Idols. They also need to know that EVERYONE knows that the results are bogus!

So.......read a book.....volunteer at a charity....learn to knit......tutor a student.......all positive things

STOP SPAMMING POLLS!! I would bet you would never tell your friends thats what you do with your free time!!

April 13 2011 at 11:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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April 13 2011 at 12:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
martigyrl1953

I think you got your list pick... DEAD ON!! I would have picked the same exact performances. I'm glad to know I have good taste too. LOL. Thanks for creating the list.

April 12 2011 at 9:36 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
fancy

You gotta love the cows. If Lambert isn't on a poll, they'll vote against Clay every time. It just goes to show that they're afraid of Clay. Boo!

April 12 2011 at 6:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to fancy's comment
adamluv1000

I am one of Adam's biggest fans and have NEVER voted against Clay. I enjoyed Clay when he was on AI also and voted for him above Ruben. Why is all this nonsense going on? I think part of the issue is that Adam is new and has a large fan following right now. I don't spam polls.

April 15 2011 at 12:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lynn k

I have watched every season of AI and there have been some great ones and some clunkers! I loved Kelly's "stuff like that here", Fantasia's "summertime" and Clay's "Solitaire". Of all the seasons, season 2 remains my favorite. And if I remember correctly Simon even said Season 2 was his favorite. The finale was a nail biter for sure. Plus it turned 2 nice guys into life long friends, Clay and Ruben. If you watched that season, seeing the two most unlikely contestants become the last 2 standing. Yes, Simon did give Clay a SO regardless of the "impact" it generated, it did happen. Yeah Clay for sure is still my favorite from all the seasons, the voice was magnificent, nothing fancy just pure singing from an unlikely looking young man! Can't get any better than that!

April 12 2011 at 6:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
thevisitor967

Wow. Some of your choices I agree with and some of them I don't. I felt Crystal Bowersox turned in much better performances than People Get Ready, which I found corny and one of her weakest performances. (I felt her strongest were Me & Bobby McGee and her duet with Lee on Falling Slowly.) I'm also surprised to see Casey Abrams on the list. You actually thought his rendition of Have You Ever Seen The Rain was the best performance of the night--and so far this season?! To tell you the truth, I liked Pia's performance of River Deep, Mountain High much more. And a very close second place would be James' rendition of While My Guitar Gently Weeps. And although David Cook's rendition of Billie Jean was a showstopper, I still don't think it had the same emotional impact like his rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

April 12 2011 at 2:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
number8gurl

I have been a die-hard American Idol fan since Season 2 (I love Kelly but I didn't watch Season 1). I've voted HARD for 6 people who either won or were runners-up (including 3 ppl from my hometown). Of those 6 people I became emotionally invested in 4 of them and here are the performances that left a lasting effect on me:

Bo Bice - Season 4 - Within a Dream
Blake Lewis - Season 6 - You Give Love A Bad Name
David Cook - Season 7 - Billie Jean
Adam Lambert - Season 8 - ALL OF THEM.

Adam topped every performance I had ever seen on Idol before and all that I have seen since his departure. He set the bar so high for himself and was and is in a league of his own :)

April 12 2011 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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