American Idol Top 4

This... is Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night! I know there are people who find some of the song choices questionable. I say that all of these songs did indeed have an impact on the course of rock history. Duran Duran is one of the most enduring and beloved '80s bands, with both commercial and critical acclaim; Creedence Clearwater Revival and later Tina Turner had an evergreen with Proud Mary; Bob Marley is undeniable; Stand By Me is admittedly boring in the wrong hands, but a real classic; the Who are just rock gods that I dare anyone to question; Sam Cooke is another genius; Bob freakin' Dylan (though there could've been a better song); and Elvis. How could anyone have an issue with any of this? I just don't get that. On with the shewww!

David Cook - Hungry Like The Wolf: I was hopeful that he would do this song on Year You Were Born night, so I was excited to see it. I don't know what the judges were smoking, because I loved it. The man can't rearrange both songs for the week, given how little rehearsal time they get and how many other things they have to do. Anyway, it was smexy and he really played up the prowling. There were sound issues that made his voice much louder than the band, and I think he was holding back in order not to sound shouty. He knows what he's doing and I have faith in his ability to learn from any screwups and improve upon them. Good job, Cookie!

Syesha Mercado - Proud Mary: I saw this one coming a mile away. She really has blossomed, but I felt this was "a bit karaoke," as Simon loves to say. And as Paula would say, she looked beautiful. I see a bit of Beyonce in her. There's no denying her vocal talent; she just needs to connect emotionally.

Jason Castro - I Shot The Sheriff: I was expecting some Bob Marley from him, but I hoped it would be better than this. That was just a mess. He obviously didn't take it seriously enough to work on his performance.

David Archuleta - Stand By Me: This is the first time I've actually liked one of his performances in about eight weeks. It was still a little yawny for me, but his voice sounded beautiful. He's still being hyped to the stratosphere.

David Cook - Baba O'Riley: That's what I'm screamin'! Hale yay-uh! Oh lordy, this was a Moment. I wish the judges had acknowledged that he accomplished another solid arrangement of an iconic song. This is one that I would've considered untouchable for anyone else, but when he said in his pre-performance interview clip that he was doing this song, my heart raced in elated antici.............pation. He sounded fantastic, he looked heart-stoppingly gorgeous, he had all the right moves, and even the lighting and camera angles were perfect. I want to watch this one again and again, and please, gods, let this be the studio recording that they'll sell on iTunes this week! I would do just about anything to hear Cookie do the full song, because the opening of the song was left off in the performance and it's one of the most exciting song openings I've ever heard. I feel a powerful sense that David Cook is going to be a star. His voice is beautiful and he connects viscerally with every word he sings. Cookie, I can't stop loving you.

Syesha Mercado - Change Is Gonna Come: I understand where Randy was coming from, as it did seem that Syesha was forcing it at various points throughout the song. This is a legendary song with a powerful meaning. She needed to take it to church, and I think she just got to the front steps. Again, her technique is wonderful but, for an actress, she sure isn't feeling the songs. I was a little offended that she kept equating her personal changes throughout the competition to the revolutionary civil rights movement that inspired this song. Having said that, I nearly cried myself when she openly wept after Paula's praise.

Jason Castro - Mr. Tambourine Man: ...erm... wow. I've never seen anyone fsck up this badly in the top 24, let alone top 4. It was as shocking as any of Brooke's flubs. He's apparently skipping out on rehearsals, if rumours are true, and that was obvious when he completely forgot at least one line of the song. If he doesn't go home tonight, there is no justice in the Idol world.

David Archuleta - Love Me Tender: Again, I don't know what the judges were smoking. This was the most soporific version of this song I've heard in my life. I couldn't even pay attention, as I had already started voting (the lines open during the last song, and I can usually get in about 20 votes before the show ends). He is just a modern Christopher Cross, but without the songwriting ability. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I feel nothing when he sings and I can't stand his mannerisms, the way he stands and the way he holds the mic and scrunches up his face in such an act of earnestness. I'm not sure what it is that makes him look like he's about to start preaching at me (or take a dump).