Greatest American Idol Performances

American Idol Kickoff: 10 Most Unforgettable Performances

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From David Cook's rockin' rendition of "Billie Jean" to Kris Allen's unique take on Kanye West's hit "Heartless,” American Idol has given us some great stage shows over the years. Check out the countdown of the Top 10 Most Unforgettable Performances to see where our favorites ranked!

Clay AikenRuben StuddardAmerican IdolJennifer HudsonChris DaughtryElliott YaminFantasia BarrinoJason CastroDavid CookKris AllenPOPSUGAR NewsTamyra Gray

62 Comments

aseemore aseemore
Loved David Cook's Billie Jean.
I would have chosen Clay Aiken Bridge over troubled waters, Solitaire, To love somebody , Don't let the sun go down on me. , Unchained melody, Somewhere out there, He sung everything flawless except Vincent, but ended it classy. He is fantastic, inside and out, and by far the most talented singer American idol has ever made.....
I agree with some of the choices but I think there was a lot of forgotten STELLAR performances. In no such order here it is: CAPITALIzED means that I was shocked they wwerent on the list. Kelly clarkson-natural woman Tamyra gray-a house is not a home Christina Christian-ain't no sunshine Justin guarinni-get here Kimberley Locke-over the rainbow Ruben studdard-superstar Clay Aiken-bridge over troubled water Fantasia-summertime Diana degarmo-don't cry out loud Jennifer hudson-circle of life George huff-take me to the pilot CARRIE UNDERWOOD- alone Constantine maroulis-bohemian raphsody Jessica sierra-total eclipse of the heart Vonzell Solomon-best of my love MANDISA-I'm every woman Katharine McPhee-somewhere over the rainbow Chris daughtry-dead or alive Elliott yamin-a song for you LAKISHA JONES-and I am telling you JORDIN SPARKS-I who have nothing Blake lewis-you give love a bad name Gina glocksen-smile DAVID ARCHULETA-imagine David cook-billy jean MELINDA DOOLITTLE-I'm a woman ramiele malubay-you don't have to say you love me Brooke white-love is a battlefield Carly smithson-come together/alone MICHAEL JOHNS-queen medley Jason Castro-hallelujah David hernandez-papa was a rolling stone ADAM LAMBERT-mad world Kris Allen-heartless Anoop desai-my prerogative DANNY GOKEY-hero Asia'h epperson-piece of my heart Lil rounds-be without you Allison iraheta- papa was a rolling stone Siobhan Magnus-paint it black Lily Scott-top 12 girls week Crystal bowersox-gimme one reason Andrew garcia-straight up Michael lynch-waiting on the lady I know it's alot but these are my favorites ever!
How on earth could you have left Adam Lambert off this list? He has to be the most exciting entertainer in Idol history. He's well on his way to becoming an icon, with the starpower and staypower of the greats. No one compares to Adam Lambert.
just1 just1
Your #4 is my #1. Jason Castro is the best thing american idol has ever unleashed on the world! But I will also never forget Allison Iraheta's PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE. What a gutsy, intense performance! That girl can SING!
just1 just1
Your #4 is my #1. Jason Castro is the best thing american idol has ever unleashed on the world! But I will also never forget Allison Iraheta's PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE. What a gutsy, intense performance! That girl can SING!
SOME of my favorites include Katherine's 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', Carrie's 'Angels Brought Me Here', Clay's 'To Love Somebody', Jason's "Halleluja", Jordin's 'A Broken Wing', Clay's 'Solitaire', and David Cook - I could name 4 or 5 of his.
Clay's Solitaire or To love Somebody by the BeeGees were defining moments as well. Agree BOTW should be #1.
Try Clay Aiken's performances of Solitaire and Mac The Knife - and the all-time best performance Bridge Over Troubled Water!
For me, no other Idol performance comes close to Clay Aiken's Bridge over Troubled Water, although many of Clay's performances were exceptional.
There are at least three other songs I would have picked for Clay's best performance before "Sun". But then everyone of his performances was great. He has a beautiful voice and and was always so poised and gracious in his critiques from the judges. He has that "one" voice in a mass of voices. You hear it and go to a special place .......it's mesmerizing! Like Sinatra or Karen Carpenter.
A decent list with a few exceptions - I would have included KC's "Natural Woman", Bo's "In A Dream" and Carrie's "Alone" and chosen either Clay Aiken's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" as several others have mentioned or "To Love Somebody" or even " Build Me Up, Buttercup" lol. Yeah, too many to choose from but still... And I definitely would not have chosen THAT one for Rube! Any other but that one.
my golly.......Adam wasn't there what kind of list is that? !!!!.......
Clay Aiken - Solitaire
Yes, Kris Allen! Great picks, PopSugar!
Can't believe you didn't choose "Bridge over trouble water" for Clay or that Ruben's disney song is on the list at all. Sorry, didn't care for Tamyra's song, Kelly definitely should be on there for Natural Woman or A Moment Like This. Loved Kris Allen's: Falling Slowly, Heartless, and They Way You Look Tonight. Agree with David Cook's: Billie Jean but most importantly would have The World I Know! . Absolutely, loved it. Also, Phil Stacey's: Blaze of Glory and Bo Bice's: In A Dream.
Adam with "Take a good look" by Smokey
David Cook ftw, w/ Kris allen in a close second
Bo Bice acapella In a dream! Adam's Tracks of my Tears
wow, anonymous 39, i could not disagree more. Adam does not think he gets a free pass. He worked hard before idol and then worked hard on the show. I really do not know where the vitriol is coming from. Especially with a comment like "part of the reason society is on the decline." To blame a contestant on a reality show for society being on decline is a foolish and ignorant comment to make. I would think that things like crime, corruption, and unemployment would be reasons for society on decline...not someone who is in the entertainment industry and happens to be gay. Of course, these are just my thoughts on the matter. Not trying to stir anything up here, just grossly disagree with you.
I agree with those, thank you for not pimping Adam. Adam Lambert is part of the reason society is on the decline, he thinks he gets a free pass because he is gay. He cries foul and does not take any ownership for his actions. Finally an honest site!
I agree almost totally with your list. Love Kris Allen, he is so talented! I would have added Kelly Clarkson/Natural Woman and Carrie Underwood/Alone.
I remember when Kris finished "Heartless", just saying "Wow!" Even though I wasn't that invested in the season, I knew it was SPECIAL! Also, Bo Bice's "In a Dream" was extraordinary. There have really been a lot of excellent performances in the last 8 years. And they usually have just a week to prepare the song!! So many of these AI contestants sing better than these auto-tuned "stars" who are making millions...life just isn't fair!
I can't believe Chris's "Dead or Alive" made it over "Walk the Line!!" Bo Bice "Stand By Me" deserves it over his other pick too. Adam's "The Tracks of My Tears" should also be up there (as mentioned). Kelly should be included over Ruben (really?)
I agree that I can't believe they left Adam off the list completely. And, George Huff's Take Me To The Pilot should be on there. As for what they chose for Clay, yeah, I would have chosen something else, but not Bridge. I would pick something like Mack the Knife. Did anyone else notice that they mislabeled Tamyra's clip?
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