Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2005 Fox Broadcasting

For the final time this season, Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood matched vocals on American Idol, this time for the crown.

Each sang original songs picked by the producers and one song from earlier in the season.

The producers' song choices gave a glimpse of the fate that awaits them, should they win.

Bo lost the coin toss, so he took the stage first with "Long Long Road." Despite it being a fairly safe, boring ballad, he was in his element, working the audience. Judge Randy Jackson said that he didn't love the song, but that it doesn't matter what Bo sings because he's that good. Nice judge Paula Abdul congratulated him for his dream coming through and had some nice, but tepid things to say about the song. Tough judge Simon Cowell called it a "dreary song" and told him he'd have to do better than that to win.

The first of the two to perform this year's single, Carrie did "Inside Your Heaven." She sounded flat in parts, and she just stood there, in marked contrast to the way Bo was interacting with the audience just minutes before. Randy said, "This is a 'wow' night." But he admitted he didn't love the song and that the first half was pitchy. In the end, he said she brought it home. Paula said she sang it beautifully, despite a couple of not so great notes. And Simon said the song was better than the first song but that her vocal was right on the edge. Even so, he gave round one to her.

Next, with a song he'd performed earlier this season, Bob did "Vehicle," the song that got the audience jumping in the '70s competition. Now he was in his element, and he gave an even stronger performance of it than the first time he sang it, all the while playing to the audience. Randy said, "That's what I'm talking about" and called it a great song and a great vocal. Paula said he couldn't have performed it better. Simon said, "Welcome back."

Performing her song of choice, Carrie did "Independence Day," which is a country ballad that has become her signature song. While she didn't have the same audience connection Bo did, she was definitely on the money. Randy said, "That's the Carrie I love." Paula called it brilliant and lauded the great vocal. Simon said he didn't think it was a great vocal, that it sounded strained. He gave round two to Bo.

For the last song of the evening, Bo did another producer choice, the single, "Inside Your Heaven." His version clearly had more passion in it, making the song come alive. Randy called it brilliant and said it made him love the song. Paula noted that he'd gone outside of his range and that she fell in love with the song. And Simon said it was the only time he'd seen Bo nervous. But he added that, since he won't have another chance to say so, it has been an absolute pleasure having him on American Idol.

Finishing up the evening, Carrie did "Angels Brought Me Here," another syrupy ballad chosen by the producers. Her phrasing was rushed, and she was flat in parts, but she powered through it to the end. Randy gave her a standing ovation. Paula complimented her for all she's accomplished in the last six months. Simon said that she has a lot of guts and that he'd felt her emotions. He said, "I think you've done enough to win."

But who knows if the fans agree. While each individual performance is, of course, important, the cumulative performances over the course of the season are just as important, I believe. Last week's a capella song by Bo, which brought the house down, is still in fans' minds. That alone might have given him the win, not to mention his other stellar performances in the past.

Since fans are such an important part of winning this show, I think Bo still has a solid chance. He's been far better at connecting with the audience over the course of the season, and his talent won out over the likable but inconsistent Constantine and even the uber-pop Anthony Fedorov. Can he best the Country Girl with a heart of gold? We will find out tonight.

More Musings on American Idol:

American Idol, Season Four

American Idol, Season Three

Copyright 2005 by Alyce Wilson

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