It was Rat Pack Standards Week in American Idol world and Jamie Foxx was the special mentor. These songs are timeless classics and so well known that it’s hard for singers to not come across karaoke or imitation Michael Buble. I was very wary of what our fave contestants were going to massacre sing

But this is one of the best Top 5′s that Idol has ever had. These kids can really sing and they know how to make it their own.

————————-

Kris Allen “The Way You Look Tonight”

When Kris came on stage in a suit, I knew I was in trouble. You put any man in suit and their hot factor instantly goes up. I’ve always thought Kris was dreamy so tonight I pretty much drooled all over myself.

“The Way You Look Tonight” is one of my favorite songs of all time and I’m wary when others try to sing it. But Kris took this song to a whole new place. It’s going to be the first American Idol song I download on iTunes this season. It was sensational.

He wooed every female in America, ages 6 to 96 tonight.

Randy, Kara and Paula loved him.

Simon did not. Apparently Kris is now a “wet Cocker Spaniel on a walk” that “wears women’s panties*.”

In case you didn’t see that episode, Paula drunkenly accidentally said Kris shops in the women’s department, meaning he knows what women like.  Simon mocked her something silly for that comment!

————————————————————–

Alison Iraheta: “Someone to Watch Over You”

First, her dress was absolutely fabulous. She looked stunning.

I didn’t love the arrangement of the song but her voice was just ridiculous. Katherine McPhee sang it a few seasons ago and I still lsiten to it all the time but Allison may have outsung her.

She put so much power and emotion behind that song that I was totally floored. Plus she made it her own, and not a cheesy karaoke version. Randy called her “Pink but with more octaves” and he is right on the money. Except I really hate Pink (the artist, not the color!) and I love Allison!

Randy, Paula and Kara all thought she was phenomenal. Simon still thinks she doesn’t have the attitude and presence to make it to the finals.

————————————————————————–

Matt Giraud “My Funny Valentine”

It’s not my favorite classic song to begin with, and I felt like Matt really didn’t do anything to it.

I was bored silly and couldn’t wait for it to be over. I kept waiting for it to get good. Finally I tuned out and just drifted off.

I almost missed his last runs, which were really good. Randy and Kara felt the same way. Simon liked it and said he thought it was brilliant. Huh.

—————————————————————————————————–

Danny Gokey “Come Rain or Come Shine”

Um. Huh. That was different.

At first I really wasn’t feeling it. And then….BAM! The runs at the end were really amazing!

I did think that the band was a bit loud  and kinda overshadowed him but even then you could tell he was singing the hell out of that classic! Totally made it original and modern.

Kara said he had “Rat Pack Swagger” tonight. Paula, Randy and Simon all agree and thought it was “superb!”

———————————————————————————-

Adam Lambert “Feeling Good”

Snazzy white shiny suit!

I’m really beginning to feel that the other contestants are warm-up acts for the Adam Lambert show, especially since they always put him towards the end. It’s a shame because that’s not the headlining act that I bought my tickets for.

It reminds me of the Live X concert here in Southwest Florida two years ago when Buckcherry and Sevendust were the headliners, but I went to see Chris Daughtry…. I’m loving Idol for Allen, Gokey, and Iraheta but I get a whole lot of Lambert.

Anyway…

Randy said it was a bit “theatrical, drama filled and Broadway” for him, to which Simon retorted, that’s like complaining that a cow moos. In other words, duh. Adam = Mr. Theater.

Kara said: “Mouth drops open. Is he really doing that? Confusing. Shocking. Sleazy. Superb. Way over the top. But I like you.”

I agree with all of those adjectives except

1. nothing he does really shocks me because I expect him to be unexpected)
2. those same qualities actually make me not like him, even though I know he is the technically and vocally the best. I just know I would never actually buy his album and listen to it. Although I do admit that his Mick Jagger screaming would be a better wake up in the car-ride to work than my cup of coffee.

Oh, and Paula said he is the Michael Phelps of the competition. Which is just funny.

—————————-

Bottom: Matt and Allison and maybe Danny. Simon may not think that Kris wowed tonight, but all the females will agree that he definitely upped the ante for fan favorite.

all photos from Rickey.org

About the author: Jennifer Taglione is the owner of this fabulous website Stiletto Sports. Despite writing well over 500 posts, she still maintains that she is not a sports writer! She is however a huge fan of Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Mark Sanchez, the Celtics, and totally kicks butt on March Madness brackets! Connect with her by following her on Twitter @StilettoSportsJ and subscribing to her weekly newsletter. For more info check out the About the Editor page!

Now Available!