Three songs! Three songs each!
Jordin Sparks –
“Wishing On A Star” – It was great for Jordin’s voice – it’s just not one of my favorite songs, really. It almost seemed like she was holding back a little (it stands to reason – she was first to sing on what was no doubt the biggest night of her life), and I want to see her blow it out of the water on the next one.
“She Works Hard For The Money” – Now I’m a little sad for Jordin, because I think she got a bum rap on the song selections tonight. This song just feels like karaoke to me – it doesn’t matter who’s doing the singing. So even though Jordin did a good job with it, ultimately I just found myself feeling sorry for her that she got stuck with this song.
“I Who Have Nothing” – I thought this was brilliant – and it was a great choice on her part to sing it again. Absolutely her best performance of the night; and hopefully it’ll be enough to push her into the final two.
Blake Lewis –
“Roxanne” – Okay, until I saw this performance, I’ve never thought about the similarities between Blake and Sting…but they actually sound a little bit alike. I have to say, though, that this was sort of weird to me, because “Roxanne” is not a happy song…but Blake sang it like it was a summer beach anthem or something. A little bizarre. But he did sound good – he really did.
“This Love” – I like this song a whole bunch, and it’s pretty much tailor-made for Blake (Jordin should file a protest or something; he got a good, relatively current song – why didn’t she? I’m thinking too much about this. I need to let it go). He did a good job and should thank the producers for picking the song that they did. Unlike Jordin. Who should not be thanking the prodcuers.
“When I Get You Alone” – VERY fun. It’s a perfect Blake song – and I think, with this performance, he may have edged out Jordin for the final two. Because if that were a single? I’d totally download it. And listen to it over and over. Smart song choice on his part.
Melinda Doolittle –
“I Believe In You And Me” – That was perfection. Her best yet.
“Nutbush City Limits” – COME ON, NOW WITH SOME TINA TURNER. Personally, I would’ve rather heard “Proud Mary” (AND I WOULD HAVE DANCED TO IT), but she did a great job with a song that’s no doubt a little outside her comfort zone.
“I’m A Woman” – Did she stumble over the words at the beginning? Because if so, that’s the first mistake we’ve seen from her all season. Even so, she took a song that could be campy in the wrong hands and made it current, fun and catchy. The girl can SANG. Not sing. SANG.
Who should go? – Based on tonight alone, I have to say Jordin. Blake and Melinda were stronger across the board – and part of that is because they had better song choices from the judges and from the producers.
Best of the night? – Melinda’s version of “I Believe In You And Me”
If you wrote tonight’s AI on your blog, feel free to sign the Mr. Linky below and link to your post.
Go Melinda!
How thankful am I for YOU?? We had a storm and our satellite went out. The ONLY thing we saw was Blake’s Sting impersonation. I’m sick about missing my girl Melinda! Thanks for the recap. I came straight to you!
I had a Junior League meeting and had to miss the show. Thank you for bringing me up to date. I fully plan to demand that we plan next year’s annual meeting around AI!
I have to disagree with you and the judges about Melinda’s I Believe…Whatever happened to “Don’t Do Whitney”? I guess I am too familiar with the WH version, I just didn’t care too much for MD’s version. Didn’t really care for the Tina Turner song, either.
I think vocally Jordin is SO talented, but performance-wise she is the least experienced and the least out there. I think she sounded great on all 3 songs but was a little too “relaxed” for lack of a better term, on She Works Hard… should have had more power in her movement or something. I wanted McPhee to win last year, too, but performance won over voice, in my opinion.
Blake was, well, Blake. You either love him or you don’t. But I did like the 2nd song.
As far as who goes, I don’t have a clue, but at this point, it doesn’t matter that much to me. They will all get contracts and make albums, and I think they will all be successful. I want Jordin to win, but I won’t be heartbroken if she doesn’t.
Sorry for the long comment. I guess I should have posted on my own blog. Thanks for your opinions, though. I enjoyed reading them.
AHHHhhhh….. you are an hour or more ahead of me- I started to read your post knowing I have 12 minutes and 44,43,42,41…. seconds left until I grab my frozen yogurt and self indulge….. SO I had to STOP and write :) Enjoy your tacos tomorrow… PUH-LEASE let me know if you like them!!!! I also copied almost all of the The Best Life” recipes from Oprah’s trainer. SO- I have those if you want them to- all I have to do is one click- and they’re yours! ;)
So funny you said that–as I was watching Blake sing tonight I was thinking, “STING! THAT’S who he reminds me of!”
Sorry to say I missed AI tonight. I Was too busy bawling during the SERIES FINALE of GILMORE GIRLS. Oh sweet mercy in the heavens … it’s OVER :(
*ahem*
I’ll be running over to youtube now to catch all the performances from tonight’s show — I do love me some good TIna Turner, though!
Totally agree with you that Jordin got the short end of the stick when it comes to song selection. Blake’s songs were much more current, and better suited to him. Melinda can sing anything, and they gave her songs she could soar on. “She Works Hard for Her Money”??? What were they thinking? I really hope she makes it into the top two!
AI: What does that stand for, exactly?
jist kiddin’
Maggie
Ok- watched Jordin sing “I who have nothing”.
A-flippin-maz-ing.
Period.
GO BLAKEY POO!!! He done great tonight. Maroon 5 fits him very well too!
I hope its Jordin and Blake in the final two…I just think Melinda is boring. A great vocalist, but boring or old-fashioned to me. It’s gonna be a tough one Dawg!
I agree with you about Jordin’s song choices.
And I thought Melinda either stuttered at the beginning of her last song, or sang faster than my ears could hear. I wish I’d thought to put that in my post :)
We’ll see what happens~
I am kind of mixed on who I think is going home, I thought they were all good!! So who do I think is going home? UNKNOWN!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOO JORDIN!!!! THAT’S MY FAV!!! LOVE HER!!! SHE IS PRECIOUS AND…SHE HAS IMPROVED EVERY SINGLE WEEK!!! :-) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HER!!
Well, after driving by all the “We love Blake” banners in our area (and having 2 kids who love him), I have to say that I did vote once for Blake. And then 5 times for Melinda. :)
I hope it is Melinda and Jordin in the final two. I am just not a Blake fan…never have been. I am rooting for Melinda to win, but I would be fine it it was Jordin.
I agree on performance of the night. New AI rule…only do Whitney if you can bring it…Melinda brung it!!!
We’re all sad at my house—just saw the results show….can’t wait to read your recap!