American Idol 2, May 13: Sing A Song of Three Picks

Kimberley Locke, "Inseparable"

Randy - "you know you did a good job, don't you?... you're trying to win this!... hot!"

Paula - "you are like a diamond, you're sparking and smooth as silk... brilliant... beautiful"

Simon - "this is the only time we've had three good people in the Top 3... not the case last year (Nikki McKibbin is wincing somewhere out there)... I don't know who will be in the Top 2 because you all deserve to be there"

Sting7 - This rivals "New York State of Mind" as my favorite of her performances. She brought it all to the table with this one. Dead-on perfect, and the beaming smile on her face at the end says she knew it! Great range, great technique, executed fantastically. If she makes the Top 2, do not be surprised!

Ruben Studdard, "If Ever You're In My Arms Again"

Randy - "I was feeling your passion... you're trying to win this... it was dope!"

Paula - "great night for you... America loves you... I'm gonna shut up!"

Simon - "I said this competition wouldn't be the same without you and the Top 2 won't be the same without you either... you've shown enough that you deserve to be there"

Sting7 - I have to admit that I never liked this song. Ruben sang it well, but Ruben always sings it well. I'm just a bit disappointed with this choice of song. Peabo Bryson is probably one of Ruben's idols, you can hear the influence in his voice, and this seems like a song Ruben has sung a ton. His most effortlessly effective performance of the night.

Clay Aiken, "Unchained Melody"

Randy - "I hated the arrangement, but you made it work... you sang that!

Paula - "this performance, that song, best performance of the competition!"

Simon - "I wouldn't go that far... a little over the top... let's just vote off Ryan and you all can come back next week... very good"

Sting7 - I'm with Simon here, it was a little over the top, but when he slammed the high note (I neeee-eeee-eeed your love), I forgave all those annoying little performance quirks that suddenly came back. Clay said his idol is his mother and this song is her favorite to hear him sing. Maybe he threw on the extra mustard for Mommy. Hard to argue with that. So, allowing for the Mommy curve, it was an exceptional performance. Not the best of the season, I'd have to think about that, but fantastic.

Ranking the Idol's Choice:

1. Kimberley Locke - her best of the night, and, arguably, her second best of her whole competition.

2. Clay Aiken - Randy said it best. He sang that!

3. Ruben Studdard - his most passionate performance, but I really hated the song choice.

Yeah, but that's me! What's America gonna say? I have to tell you that I agonized over this prediction like none before. But, I think, and it pains me greatly to say this, but I think the final two will be Clay and Kimberley. Something has been amiss about Ruben since he was in the bottom two a few weeks ago. I think his confidence has been shaken, and that 'Ruben magic' has been missing. It has affected his performances. He's always sung well, and still does, but something is just... off. The confidence is missing.

Ruben-ites, before you assail me with emails, know that I would love to be wrong. Whatever happens Wednesday night, my heart will be broken. Expect a standing ovation for whoever leaves. Expect Paula to cry. Expect Simon to whip out a contract as soon as the credits quit rolling. Expect Randy to say dawg 17 times tomorrow. Expect the unexpected!

Sting7 can be reached at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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