Top 10 Idol Moments

The idol "moment." It's the performance when the viewer "knows" something special is happening. Whether it's simply through the eyes or through goose pimples on one's arms, we all know when it happens. It's the performance that us idol fans can point to when critics state the show lacks "musicality" or is simply a karaoke contest.

For this list, I picked on performance per season. The performance which I thought was THE performance of the season. Then I simply ranked them. I ranked them based on what the performance did for the performer, the singing, how good the singing was, how good the performance was, and public reaction.

So with all that said......

10. Crystal Bowersox: "Me and Bobby McGee" (Runner up to season 9, Siobhan Magnus "Think")
Although Season 9 was simply "the season that shall not be named" Crystal was most certainly the only light in a dark dark season. This song was really, the only thing close to a "moment" in season 9, and Crystal's subtle vocal's in the beginning which lead to a powerful finish, were simply stunning.

 

9. Carrie Underwood: "Alone" (Runner up from season 4, Bo Bice" "In A Dream")
I know most would give the "moment" of the season to Bo Bice, but Carrie won the damn thing, and is easily the most successful winner in the show's history. "Alone" showed off how powerful Carrie's voice was, and it simply announced that she was a power to be reckoned with. 

8. Jordan Sparks: "I Who Have Nothing" (Runner up from season 6, Melinda Doolittle "As Long As He Needs Me")
Once again, some may give the "Moment" award to..anything Melinda sang, but I'd have to disagree. (Obviously.) Everything Melinda sang was beautiful, but the song everyone remembers from season 7 is "I Who Have Nothing." And unlike Carrie, who had the competition in the bag from the getgo, this song, actually won the whole thing for Jordan. 

7. Clay Aiken: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Runner up from season 2, Clay Aiken: "Build Me Up Buttercup")
Clay remains one of the best voices this show has ever seen, and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" was just a perfect combination of his voice and a song that fit it.

6. Katherine McPhee: "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (Runner up from season 5, Chris Daughtry "Hemorage")
Once again, Daughtry seems like the obvious choice, but when I think of season 5, this song pops into my head. This song was perfect for Kat, and it, in my opinion, is still the most beautiful performance AI has seen.

5. David Cook: "Eleanor Rigby" (Runner up to season 7: David Archuleta "Imagine")
Although "Billie Jean" is another obvious pick for Cook, "Eleanor Rigby" was when we first saw Cook take a well known song, and change it up completely. Something which he was known for on the show. On a personal note, this is also my favorite Beatles cover. Ever. (Okay, that's a lie..My favorite Beatles Cover not done on "Across the Universe.)

4. Fantasia Barrino: "Summertime" (Runner up from season 3, Diana Degarmo: "Don't Cry Outloud")
I'll say right now, the top 4 could have been arranged in any order, but eventually, I settled on one. "Summertime" for all purposes on American Idol, is officially a Fantasia song. No one will be able to sing it without being compared to her, and it was possible the invention of the term "moment" on idol. It was, simply Spectacular."

3. Kelly Clarkson: "Stuff Like That There" (Runner up from season 1, Tamara Gray:  "A House is Not a Home")
It was so hard to pick between the Kelly songs (Natural Woman, Respect etc..) And then of course there was Tamara, who had some unbelievable performances herself. But eventually, I settled on this one. This song is still the highest rated song, ever, on "What Not To Sing," and this is another song that, like Carrie's, announced to the audience that "we have a hot one in the house." (At least I didn't say she was "in it to win it.")

2. Haley Reinhart: "House of the Rising Sun" (Runner up from season 10: Haley Reinhart: "Bennie and the Jets)
As Adam Lambert said "The sexiest performance on idol ever." Haley looked like she was in another world during this performance. The song, as eviljimmy noted was "right out of her songbook." She displayed her bluesy rock vocals flawlessly and had an unmistakable energy about her after the judges had (quite unfairly) criticized her for her first song choice ("You and I" ..bad things will happen to those who criticize Gaga, Mr. Randy "I don't think that's a good song anyway" Jackson) This song likely would have catapulted her into the finals if she hadn't told the whole world she was "perverted" in an angry fashion. (Thanks again Randy.)

1. Adam Lambert: "Mad World." (Runner up from season 10, Tie Allison Iraheta "Cry Baby" and Kris Allen: "Heartless")
The most flawless and haunting performance on the idol stage yet. Adam, who had been a big power vocalist showman, showed eviljimmy that the audience does appreciate subtlety and could appreciate the simple. Adam was, perhaps, the greatest singer in Idol history, and this song (Like Fantasia's) will forever be his. Once again, it's just stunning. And it shows, for all the power notes he hit, the soft and quiet song was easily the most special.