American Idol 2, May 20: Decide

Now, performing his single, currently climbing Amazon's chart (and which you can order here)...

Ruben Studdard, "Flying Without Wings"

Randy - "from me and Paula (standing ovation )"

Paula - "that was like the church of Ruben!... amen!... I believe!"

Simon - "you saved the best for last! Over to you Clay!... that was fantastic!"

Sting7 - A choir! Oh, I hope they are staying for Clay because the unrest will be devastating among Clay Nation otherwise! A song I absolutely despised, but Ruben delivered it for me. There were some singing glitches, I bet he would have liked more time with the song before performing it, but he made me believe it. He felt it. He conveyed that touchy, feely, hug your kids schmaltz like he has a house full of them. But no tears this time.

Here comes the pressure.

Clay Aiken, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters"

Randy - "me and Paula (standing ovation) what are you doing dawg! ... I didn't know you could hit that note!"

Paula - "you gave us chills... you are a true artist, you took a classic song and made us feel like we were hearing for the first time... this was your personal best!"

Simon - "I think you have been a little off this evening, ... I think that performance may have won you the competition."

Sting7 - Damn! That was gorgeous! The choir stayed (thank you) and Clay choked me up. My goodness. That was wonderful. I can see why he saved this one for last, it was another smart move! I'm out of adjectives. He absolutely saved the best for last. The best of his whole season. Damn.

Round Three: Clay. That was big.

Astonishing performances. Backstage, both say they weren't nervous. Clay says it's in God's hands now. It must be, because I can't see how anyone will be able to say one was decisively better than the other. I don't care what camp you are in. Beautiful performance, two very different vocal styles, both performers left it all on the stage.

As if things weren't special enough. Ryan says Paul Anka is here to perform a new version of "My Way" (think Frank), especially written for American Idol. Paul comes out and sings this rendition as the video screen shows some of the funnier images of the season. It was so cute, I have to share it with you. It goes like this:

"Hey, I just have to say
Ruben and Clay
This is some showdown
I can't miss
A chance like this
To reminisce
So here's the lowdown
Each week
You reached your peak
Heard each critique
Not shown the doorway
The record shows
You took the blows
And you both sung it
Your Way
Ooh, Paula Abdul
Your mind so cool
No bad thought gets out
And we know
Randy's the pro
Who makes this flow
The dawgs he lets out
We see
Judge number three
And most agree
Who there's no pleasing
They say he pries
The wings off flies
That what he does
In the off-season
Now
Lifelong memories we all share
Of Simon's stares
And Ryan's hair
As we await
The final vote
I'd like to add
One final note
Win lose or draw
The world's in awe
Cause you sang it
Your Way"

All season long, as you probably know, I've predicted the outcome. So, tonight, I must make my last prediction. I think the American Idol should be Ruben Studdard. (I wish it could be a tie!) I predict the American Idol will be...

Ruben Studdard.

Now that you've read the full recap, see what David Bloomberg has to say. (Hint: This time, he and Sting7 disagreed almost all the way down the line.)

Sting7 can be reached at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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