All we need is love

Idol chatter

…So here we go. Another night of “American Idol.”

This was a weird night. Our minds are on so many other things. And I really wasn’t excited for tonight’s show …

But it goes on. And tonight the Idols are singing songs from the years of their births. Nice … So I looked over a list of the top songs from the year I was born. But before doing that, there already was one song playing in my head -- If I were on stage tonight, I think I’d have to sing Supertramp’s “Breakfast in America.” Love that song! (And while we're talking about the awesomeness that is Supertramp -- How 'bout "Dreamer." Now that one's been a favorite of mine since the day I learned to play a cassette tape ...) … After looking at the list, Billy Joel’s “My Life” and Cheap Trick’s “I Want You To Want Me” also would be possibilities …

Ramiele Malubay started off with Heart’s “Alone.” And sang it totally off-key. Didn’t like it. I’ll say it again: She needs to go.

Didn’t like Jason Castro’s version of Sting‘s “Fragile” either. His vocals were uninspired and, hey audience, it’s not a clappy type of song!

Syesha Mercado sang “If I Were Your Woman.” … Yeah, so apparently the judges liked her performance, but at this point I was totally tuned out. Kates and I were musing about the burst of 1987 babies. And then I threw out the possibility that it’d be fun to see a 1988 baby sing Tiffany’s “Could’ve Been.” Didn’t happen …

I also tuned out for Chikezie, who was back to his boring ballad-singing self. I was barely paying attention; I didn’t know what song he was singing …

My ears perked up, of course, when Brooke White took the stage … Yes, her rendition of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” was fantastic. In past weeks we’ve said she was channeling Carly Simon. This week Kates rightly mused that she had a Sheryl Crow vibe going … And as the judges noted, she showed her maturity and professionalism and rightly started the song again after a bad start ...

Talk about channeling! … How about Michael Johns doing his best Freddie Mercury! The dude knew how much America loved his “Bohemian Rhapsody,” so he pulls out a “We Will Rock You” / “We Are the Champions” Queen medley. Awesome.

Carly Smithson did “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” It was pretty good, but not great …

David Archuleta sang "You're The Voice" …And America, I agreed with Simon’s theme-park comment. He sang it well, but I thought the whole performance was sort of hokey …

Kristy Lee Cook, in the You’re singing what!? category, sang “God Bless the U.S.A” … Um. Ok. After her disasters of the last few weeks, it was a good performance from her. No doubt, she earned some points with it … Simon hit it again: It was a clever song choice and it’s probably going to keep her in the competition.

David Cook played it risky with a slowed down version of Michael Jackson‘s “Billie Jean” … I was skeptical initially, but the further he got into the song, I kind of liked it. Bold. He’s the sleeper.

My performances of the night: David Cook, Michael Johns and Brooke White.

I think Ramiele, Jason Castro and Chikezie earned spots in the bottom three.