The Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever

When I (Sting7) first thought of ranking the Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever, I realized this wasn’t a list I could do alone. I got some input from some outside sources, Mike DeGeorge stepped in graciously to assist with the process. Even with that, I had no idea how much work it would actually be. The first 12 or so were easy. The rest I had to go with gut because the choices became so varied. I can honestly say that every song in the Top 20 came from more than one list, which makes me feel comfortable in including them. Some of which, Mike clearly disagreed with, and he didn’t mind saying so!

But, all told, the sum of this list serves to highlight the best of what we’ve seen from the American Idol contestants. Sometimes, the weight of the ranking had to do with what the performance did for that contestants’ standing in the competition. There are certainly some surprises. No list like this can be done to make everyone happy, and everyone won’t be. Think of it as snapshots to a great vacation; some great moments may have been missed, but then again, getting splashed on the log ride might not be everybody’s party.

And so, without further ado, the Top 20 Greatest American Idol Performances Ever:

1. Justin Guarini, “Get Here”

Mike DeGeorge: Became a bit of a staple for Justin, as he sung it in his tryout, later in the season, and again at the end of the year for "singer's choice" week. It fit his personality perfectly, that of the sweetheart with the silky-smooth voice. Even the ending, with the high note that faded into his trademark smile, seemed made for him.

Sting7: The signature song for Justin’s campaign, no question. He did performed it a few times in Season One, but none captured the magic of when he sang it during his original audition... and left Paula in pile of her own juices. She was so affected, she couldn’t even say “Hollywood,” or anything else for that matter. And, just like that, he was my favorite to win. For awhile. He didn’t win, obviously, but no performance has been that lights out since. All of things that made Justin Justin, and he is so much more than a warm singing voice, came to the surface in that performance.

2. Kimberley Locke, “New York State of Mind”

Mike DeGeorge: K-Lo was a staple of the bottom three for weeks before Billy Joel week, although most thought she did not belong anywhere near the likes of Kimberly Caldwell, Carmen Rasmussen, and Julia DeMato. Viewers went into the week not expecting anything different, but no doubt most considered this performance the best of the night.

Sting7: Maybe we were still clutching New York a little closer to our hearts than we had, maybe Kimberley was too, but this performance was the performance that announced her arrival in the race. She had never sung with this kind of feeling before, and her place in the final three was ordained. It left us shaken. Period.

3. Kelly Clarkson, “Natural Woman”

Mike DeGeorge: This performance, more than any other on the list, marked a turning point in the competition. Before this night, we knew Kelly (if we recognized her at all) as that cute girl from Texas with the nice voice. Kelly came out in top hat and tie, and sang the absolute bejeezus out of "Natural Woman." It made everyone at home sit up and take notice of the first American Idol. It made one fan run up and kiss her and give her flowers! Without this performance, would she have won? Perhaps. But when you hear people say that Kelly came on strong midway through, this is what they're talking about.

Sting7: Kelly had left us slack-jawed with her gifts in the weeks preceding, but this was the performance that said she is going to win. I agree, Mike, that I barely remembered her before. When she won her Round of 10, I thought “I was sure Alexis Lopez would get that spot.” Little did I know! She managed to match Aretha Franklin with power, and had the nerve to throw a high C in for good measure (Randy Jackson would later say in astonishment “I didn’t know you could do that!”). She was the American Idol from that point on.

4. Ruben Studdard, “Sweet Home Alabama”

Mike DeGeorge: Singing "Sweet Home Alabama" might have seemed natural for the man who had to this point worn a "205" hockey jersey every night, but in reality it was a bit of a risk. Younger viewers may not realize that Lynyrd Skynyrd, the group who originally released the song, is usually seen as the "Good Old Boys" of Rock 'n' Roll, a staple of those "rednecks with gun racks and confederate flags on their pickup trucks." Not the sort of song you'd expect from a large, soulful black man, is it? With this performance, Ruben proved his versatility.

Sting7: Ruben’s game was the ballads. He liked the stuff that he could croon. Then came country-western week, and we all wondered how a Luther-influenced smoothie would fare. He brought “Sweet Home Alabama,” kicked it hard, and it became the signature performance of his campaign. You smile just thinking about it. Even Lynyrd Skynyrd commented that Ruben is free to perform that song with them whenever he wants.

5. Clay Aiken, “Build Me Up Buttercup”

Mike DeGeorge: One of the most frequent criticisms of Clay by writers was that he always stuck with ballads. Sure, he sang "Tell Her About It" two weeks previous, but he merely stood there. This time, he danced around the stage and had FUN with the song, letting the audience have fun as well, which all added up to Clay's best performance.

Sting7: Clay had the misfortune of being consistently good. So good, that he was accused of being complacent. Not pushing himself. Then, with a panting Neil Sedaka in attendance, this new, improved, industrial-strength Clay arrived, slipping, sliding, dipping, and diving through the arrangement like he owned it. And he was dancing, by God. Brimming with confidence and presence, he was a star.