* American Idol S07E37: Top 4: Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Songs

AI season 7 episode 37.

Three of them have been number one in the votes? That’s what Seacrest said.

Best to worst. Numbers are singing order.

5. David Cook – “Baba O’Riley.” The song, by The Whos, is often incorrectly called “Teenage Wasteland.” The beginning is much better than his last song. I hope he picks it up soon. When he gets the chorus, it really starts to rock, but it ends way to soon. Would it kill them to have songs longer than 1:30? Randy said it was great. Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon said, “Welcome back David Cook.”

2. Syesha Mercato – “Proud Mary.” This song has been covered over 100 times. So why not cover it 101 times? I’m not sure this is good logic. Another copy-cat performance and she tries to channel Tina Turner. It’s too slow during the first part. A better karaoke performance that David’s. Very good but not very original. Randy said she was in the zone (that’s good). Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon said it was a bad shrieky impersonation of Tina Turner.

1. David Cook – “Hungry Like The Wolf.” Came out in 1982, the year he was born. I feel old. Did you heard that Duran Duran broke up and became two bands? Duran and Duran. I think this was a solid performance, but it’s the first time he’s bordered on karaoke. I would have liked to see a different take on a song. Randy thought it was just OK. Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon called it copy-cat but probably good enough to make it to the next round.

4. David Archuleta – “Stand By Me.” Of course he’s singing last so they can save him for the finals. Too breathy, too many runs, to much liberty taken with the melody. Yuck. Perfect for Disney World. Let’s ship him off there and give the AI title to David Cook. Randy said it was hot. (I say not.) Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon said he was very well placed (4th), said he struggled at the end but called it the best so far. Huh?

8. David Archuleta – “Love Me Tender.” I can’t listen to this. He is incapable of singing the actual melody. And, you know, some of these melodies are pretty darn good. That’s why they’re in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame! Fortunately, it ended quickly. Randy said it was another great performance. Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon said he crushed the competition. Which is completely wrong.

3. Jason Castro – “I Shot The Sheriff.” Jason admits that there are a few on the list that he knows. And that he’s doing a Bob Marley song (go figure). He’s hilarious. My wife liked it better than the original. My only complaint is that it ended before it started. Randy said it was karaoke. Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon said it was atrocious. Simon said, “I don’t know what you were thinking.” And Jason responded, “I was thinking Bob Marley!” Good banter.

6. Syesha Mercato – “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Nobody but Taylor Hicks should sing this Sam Cooke song on American Idol. I think this is a competent but boring rendition. She can’t resist a yelling gratuitous run at the end. It takes more than one glory note to make a song. I didn’t like it. Randy did not love it, said she was pushing, trying to hard, that it felt disconnected. Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon agreed with Paula (who I was ignoring), which means that he liked it. Syesha cried for the sympathy votes. I am feeling manipulated.

7. Jason Castro – “Mr. Tambourine Man.” I love both the Dylan version of this song and the version by The Byrds. I wanted to do it when my band did a 1960s theme gig (but I got vetoed). Something about not having a 12-string guitar. Oh no! He just butchered the song by forgetting the words! He hummed his way through it, but I don’t think this is a mistake that he can recover from. That was brutal. Randy said he’s not in the zone. Paula Abdul sipped from her Coke cup. Simon told him to pack his suitcase. I think he’s right.

Best to worst:
David Cook
Syesha Mercato
David Archuleta
Jason Castro

Going home:
Jason Castro