![‘American Idol’ Recap: Top 4 Perform Songs by Californians + Songs They Wish They’d Written](http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/popcrush.com/files/2012/05/Joshua-Phillip.jpg?w=980&q=75)
‘American Idol’ Recap: Top 4 Perform Songs by Californians + Songs They Wish They’d Written
On tonight’s (May 9) episode of ‘American Idol,’ the Top 4 performed songs by Californians and songs they wish they’d written. With a pair of boys and a pair of girls remaining, things are intense and in PopCrush’s opinion, the boys have the edge. We can’t decide which of the two will win because they are both so good.
Here is our recap of who sang what and how. Tomorrow (May 10), the final three will be revealed.
Phillip Phillips: The cutie opened the episode with Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s classic rock jam ‘Have You Ever Seen the Rain?’ sans his trusty guitar. It was quintessential Phillip Phillips: raw, raspy, rootsy rock. He was slow and soft with Damien Rice’s ‘Volcano,’ which sounded like he wrote it. It was intimate and personal, like he gave us a keyhole view into his heart.
Hollie Cavanagh: The petite blonde went the ballad route, singing Journey‘s ‘Faithfully’ in chin-quivering fashion. She is peaking at the right time — when you are in the Final 4, it’s the best moment to show your strengths. She returned with Bonnie Raitt’s ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me,’ which she needed to stuff with emotion, but she ended up oversinging it. She was technically astounding but devoid of passion. It didn’t click. She needed to show her flaws and her feelings, but didn’t pull through.
Joshua Ledet: Josh did Josh, as this powerhouse tackled Josh Groban’s ‘You Raise Me Up.’ Ledet raised the roof and the spirits of everyone who watched. Groban, for the record, is also a powerhouse. His reprise was James Brown’s ‘It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,’ which he infused with soul and that voice. Oh that voice. Don’t you just love it when he grits his teeth and gnaws on a song like it’s dinner? He consistently reinvents the familiar songs he sings and that’s no easy feat.
Jessica Sanchez: Once again, Bebe Chez sang a song older than her years in the form of Etta James’ ‘Steal Away.’ She can sing, but it wasn’t age appropriate. She roared through Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.’ It was larger-than-life, but like her fellow remaining female Hollie, form prevailed over content.
During the duets, Joshua and Phillip performed Maroon 5‘s upbeat ‘This Love.’ It was cool and unexpected, whereas Hollie and Jessica singing ‘Eternal Flame’ (while distractingly swinging) left something to be desired.
We predict the Top 3 will be Phillip, Joshua and Jessica after tonight’s offerings.
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