With Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox getting ready for their final performances on American Idol this week, I thought it would be fitting to share my favorite Top Two performances from past seasons. (Some of my picks may come as a surprise!)
In season three, it had come down to Diana DeGarmo and Fantasia Barrino in the Top Two. They both had to sing the Tamyra Gray-penned coronation song, "I Believe." Diana sounded pretty good, but it was Fantasia's performance of the song that made me reach for my Kleenex box. I am definitely not a huge fan of hers, but in my opinion, her performance of "I Believe" is one of the best performances on Idol over the past nine seasons.
During season six of Idol, I was strongly rooting for a Blake Lewis win. After watching Jordin Sparks perform what would become her winning coronation song, "This Is My Now," I knew that Blake would more than likely not be winning that season. I am usually not a fan of the coronation songs — they tend to be too cheesy for even my taste. Jordin sings "This Is My Now" with so much conviction, it's impossible for me to not just love her performance.
One of the biggest moments during the season two finale performance show was Clay Aiken pulling out all of the stops during his last performance to try to win it all. His performance of Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" to this day still gives me chills. I am still surprised that he didn't manage to edge out Ruben Studdard for the win that season.
Season seven ended with the two Davids (David Archuleta and David Cook) in the Top Two. David Archuleta ended his season with an immaculate reprise performance of John Lennon's "Imagine." You can really tell that he put everything he had into that performance and that's why it has remained one of my very favorites.
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Article comments
1 - mike
Diana degarmos version outdid Fantasia. It brought tears to Kelly Clarkson and it is also favored by Fred Bronson of Bilboard .
2 - Geri
I thought that all 3 songs by David Archuleta on Finale night were amazing!! He sang his heart out that night.
3 - Sherry
Clay's performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" will never be equaled. Best performance of the entire 9 seasons!