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Entertainment Weekly's Top 20 Idol Performance List |
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A New and Improved Idol Top 10 Performances of All Time I
1. Even Split Between Guys and Gals
Posted December 28, 2010 
And yes its true reasonable minds will often disagree but let me just say, 'Blake Lewis' is on this list. That should give us all some pause.
There are other aspects about EW's top 20 list that makes one question its authenticity. We shall take each in turn:
Go figure. I mean really, "go figure" the odds of the top 20 all time best performances on a decades long talent show being a perfect statistical tie between men and women. If this is an attempt at being politically correct shouldn't there a slight advantage to the women since they make up more of the population? Sarcasm aside, this reeks of forced balance over pure artistry.
2. It Left Out Bowersox
Oh how soon we forget. 20 spots to fill and not one goes to the reincarnation of Janis Joplin?
3. But has Jason Castro on the List
How can Bowersox not be on the list but Castro is (No. 17). His version of Hallelujah wasn't even the best version of the song sung on Idol. Just about "any" performance of Crystal's would be more riveting than Castro wouldn't it? Come on Michael, too much eggnog perhaps?
4. Did We Mention "Blake Lewis" is on the List?
5. Wait for it: Blake Lewis is actually in the Top 5.
You can bet grandma's green bean casserole that Blake Lewis is not on "Our" list. Sanjaya even had a alright performance now and then, that doesn't qualify him to be on the all-time 'best of' list. By the way, thanks Slesak for not putting Sanjaya on the list, at least that leaves room for honest debate.
In Slesak's defense, the EW top 20 did include alot of riveting performances for seasons past. We just think that they were woefully out of order. Lambert's Mad World made No.3, which will make some Idol fans crazed with anger I am sure, and although that is my personal favorite, I believe the proper ranking is No.2. And while watching Kelly Clarkson's "Stuff Like That There" dusted off a great breakthrough moment, I don't think it was No. 2 material, nor should it have been behind Fantasia's "Summertime," which EW ranked the No. 1 Idol performance of all time.
That said, lets not split hairs and argue over who should have ranked over who on the EW list. EW has its list and KaraokeTraveler presents its own list. We will list our Top 10 Idol performances since we believe any list longer than 10 makes an already difficult and fantastically subjective job an impossible one.
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Slesak never mentioned in his piece what guidelines were used in coming up with the EW list, but in making KaraokeTraveler's list we decided to rank performances based first on what I call the "Chill Factor" and originality of the interpretation. The chill factor is that thing that gives you goosebumps when you hear a song, it leaves you wanting more, sparks your imagination, and makes you wish you could sing it that way just so you can hear it all the time. Originality is the gold standard that the judges are always talking about. A cool new twist on an old song is the best measure of artistry.
Ten
Bo Bice - season 4 "In A Dream"
EW put Bice at No.5, and like Slesak says in his list, Bo Bice gets much credit for this rare acapella performance of a little known Badlands song.
Nine
Allison Iraheta - Season 8 "CryBaby"
Perhaps the most underrated Idol in recent memory, Iraheta had a voice that oozed with a wisdom and depth that was slightly eery for a 17 yr old. She never had a chance though with Lambert and Allen in the competiton.
Eight
Lee Dewyze - Season 9 "Simple Man"
There is something refreshingly honest about Lee Dewyze, wouldn't you buy a used car from him? He didn't make it on the EW list but we thought he belonged here. How would we make room for him? we'd take Blake Lewis off for starters.
Seven
Crystal Bowersox- Season 9 "Midnight Train to Georgia"
We must admit, this was one of the harder choices in our top ten. Crystal was so consistent in her craft it was hard to pick out one performance over another, but we knew she deserved a spot on the list. EW snubbed her though. Her soulful rendition of this Motown classic is refreshing and it gives you a little chill when you hear it.
Six
Chris Daughtry - Season 5 "Walk the Line"
Daughtry was the most consistently great performer on Idol in my humble opinion. Every song was a showstopper. His "Walk the Line" was especially so. EW lists him at No.9 with "In My Hands." No argument there, but we like this more. And, if we had a top 20, Daughtry would be listed a couple more times for "Dead or Alive," and " Have You Ever Loved a Woman." Oh and by the way, the video of him singing an acoustic "Poker Face" would trump any of his Idol performances.
Five
Kelly Clarkson - Season 1 "Stuff Like That There"
EW has her awesome performance at No.2, we like her too, that's why she is No. 5. She had just the right mix of old-fashioned charm and modern sass for this old tune. It was hard not to watch, she was bigger than that season one stage.
Four
Kris Allen - Season 8 "Heartless"
Kris Allen was/is a very talented artist, but not in a damaged sort of way. I always thought he could sell deoderant or something because he was so clean cut. And while I usually don't fancy singers that don't have a rough edge or two, anytime he can take a Kanye West joint and make it sound raw and polished at the same time, well thats just chilling. EW has him at No.6, so we both agree, Kris Allen rocks.
Three
Jordin Sparks - Season 6 "I Who Have Nothing"
EW buried Jordin at No.16 and I agreed at first, until I watched that video. I forgot how good that performance was, I literally got goosebumps. While Jordin isn't my kind of artist in terms of what I like to listen to, there is no way to deny her props for this performance. It really gets you right in the old ticker, so much so, we say No.3!
Two
Adam Lambert - Season 8 "Mad World"
"Haunting" is the only word for this performance that almost never was. An awe-inspiring performance is one that motivates the listener to sing it. I know, I have tried many times unsucessfully. No doubt that this is one of those rare tunes in which the cover is now the standard. Sorry Tears for Fears.
One
David Cook - Season 7 "Billie Jean"
This is really not a hard choice, a bluesy, grungy version of a Michael Jackson dance tune, hmmmm, it could be really awful OR a wonderful interpretation that transcends anyone's imagination. David Cook put more than a new twist on an old song, it is completely reimagined, poignant, a sound as sweet as a baby's first words. It is why we watch dozens of Sanjayas and Blake Lewises, to catch a glimpse of brilliance like this that comes around about as often as a falling star in the night sky. Thanks David