This week three idols sing three songs each. One choice belongs to the judges, one to the producers and one to the idols themselves. Who will rise and who will fall? And who will make it into the finale next week?

David Archuleta
Paula’s choice: And So It Goes (Billy Joel)

I love this song. So he better not screw it up. I like that he started out a cappella, but I think what I really didn’t like was that he seemed to rush through the phrases and not spend time savoring the words. It was vocally pretty, but it had no emotion or meaning to it. And part of that is probably his age, but part of it is that he just sings words and notes and he doesn’t sing emotion. I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t do much for me either. There was a blahness to it - no feeling, no emotion. It’s a haunting beautiful song and it just didn’t feel that way when he sang it.

Syesha Mercado
Randy’s choice: If I Ain’t Got You (Alicia Keys)

This was a good performance - not a great performance. It was kind of boring overall.

David Cook
Simon’s choice: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)

A very odd choice, but strangely enough, it worked for him. And I loved the arrangement and the edge he gave it. In fact, it was pretty awesome.

David Archuleta
Idol’s choice: With You (Chris Brown)

Can someone teach him about posture? And personality? And how to move on stage? And how to choose good songs? Although it was nice to see him singing something a little more upbeat and young and not so sappy. Moving on.

Syesha Mercado
Idol’s choice: Fever (Peggy Lee)

I like that she tried something different. I like that she made it a performance instead of just singing the song. I don’t mind that she changed up the arrangement a bit, but I’m not totally sure I like the way she did it. This was a good performance, yes, but not a blow me away, oh my gosh, she should be in the finals performance. And I agree with the judges that she should have chosen something that showed who she is as an artist and this song wasn’t it. Unless she wants to be a “lame cabaret artist” as Simon said. Then again, it was better than Archuleta, so there you go.

David Cook
Idol’s choice: Dare You to Move (Switchfoot)

Well, Cook gets the first two rounds hands down. In this round, he showed who he is as an artist a lot more clearly than the other two did. I didn’t totally love the song, but it was a good performance.

David Archuleta
Producer’s choice: Longer (Dan Fogelberg)

Another song I love. Can someone tell him not to squint his eyes? Oh wait, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber already did that. Otherwise, it was one of his better performances for me. But not blow everyone out of the water. I think he was overall just okay tonight.

Syesha Mercado
Producer’s choice: Hit Me Up (Gia Farrell)

My favorite Syesha performance of the night. And with that, maybe she can edge out the kid into the finale. Probably not, but we shall see.

David Cook
Producer’s choice: I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith)

It was a very good performance, but I wish they would have chosen another song for him. It felt a little copy cat to me. But very well sung, well done and definitely enough to get him into the finale. And he took all three rounds. Easily.