Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

Copyright 2007, Fox Broadcasting

At last, the big moment arrived as the season six American Idol finalists, Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, faced off.

Each sang three songs: one they'd performed before this season, one personal choice and this year's AI single, "This is My Now", which was also the winner of the American Idol songwriting contest.

When he won the coin toss, Blake chose to go first, giving the competitive advantage to Jordin, who would sing last and therefore have a chance to leave a stronger lasting impression. Was this calculation on his part? Perhaps. I'll explain later.

Blake began the night by reprising his breakout performance of the Bon Jovi song, "You Give Love a Bad Name", where his beat-boxing arrangement, paired with his characteristically sweet vocals, had blown the crowd away. This time he wore a charcoal jacket over a black button-down shirt and gray flannel pants, with snazzy track shoes, and he rocked it on the chorus.

Judge Randy Jackson said he gave him a 10 out of 10 on the beat-boxing but that the singing was "just all right." Nice judge Paula Abdul said that Randy should check his ears because Blake had outdone himself. She said she'd give him more than a 10. Tough judge Simon Cowell said that he was not the best singer in the competition but he was the best performer. He noted that the singing was flat in the middle but said he was right to recap that song.

Next up, Jordin sang the Christina Aguilera song, "Fighter", doing a great job with it. She even looked nice for a change, pairing dark jeans with a black and celery halter top.

Randy said that she wasn't the greatest entertainer but that she sounded brilliant. Paula raved that this was one of the best finales ever and called her stellar and awesome. Simon said he was glad she'd chosen a younger song but called the vocals "a bit shrieky" in the middle. He called round one for Blake.

For his personal choice, Blake sang the Maroon 5 song "She Will Be Loved". This sort of song is definitely the sort of music that Blake enjoys and that he does best: ethereal vocals rising above trip-hop rock. He wore a green and brown argyle sweater over a light pink shirt with gray striped pants. This time he really played the audience, touching the outstretched hands of the front row, and showed his range on the higher notes.

Randy said that he loves when Blake sings naturally and pure. He called it very nice. Paula said that he'd sounded great and was very relaxed. Simon called it good but safe and said it wasn't as good as the first. He said he wouldn't have chosen this song because it doesn't make much of an impact.

For her reprise, Jordin selected the Martina McBride song, "Broken Wing". She sat on a stool for her performance, which I found tepid. Her clothing choice was godawful, a black, blousy embroidered shirt with a belt that was at least a size or two too big.

Randy said that he'd loved her since day one and that she was the most talented 17-year-old he'd ever seen. He called her flawless. Paula said she has a great vocal voice and that she looked incredible. Simon said simply, "Now that was good."

In the final round, the finalists went head-to-head with the AI single, "This Is My Now". To sing it, Blake looked out of place in a glittery argyle sweater over teal shirt and tie. The song was rough for his voice, and he wobbled into off-key territory, basically falling apart. The song was exactly the sort of bland pop song that Blake had avoided singing throughout the competition. Perhaps that's why he let Jordin go second: he realized that if he won he'd have to sing this all the time!

Randy called it "just all right." Paula said he'd done a great job even if it's not his genre. Simon called it all a little odd. He said that Blake had looked frustrated. He commented that it's not a bad song but it's not what he'd normally sing. And to finalize, he remarked that he'd always known there was talent in Seattle, which is where Blake auditioned.

To close the show, Jordin sang the single in a flattering ensemble of a black halter dress with sparkly earrings. She put her all into the song and even cried at the end, which I found first touching and then a little annoying.

Randy said that she was the best singer tonight. Paula said that she'd made her proud and that "you're an angel." Simon said that last week he didn't think she was good enough to make the finals, but he was wrong. He said she'd just wiped the floor with Blake on that song.

I'll have to admit, my favorite (Melinda Doolittle) is no longer in the competition, so I didn't have a horse in this race. But of the two, I think Jordin should win. If she does, that single will do well for her, while it would only lead to Blake's career self-destruction. I hope the teenyboppers thought of this before voting frantically for Blake. They'd help him out better by allowing him to be second, so that his first album can be one that's more characteristic of his favorite music and what he does well.

More on American Idol:

Musings on American Idol Season 6 (2007)

Musings on American Idol Season 5 (2006)

Musings on American Idol Season 4 (2005)

Musings on American Idol Season 3 (2004)

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

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