Casey James was finally eliminated in American Idol Season 9 Episode 41, leaving a final two showdown of Lee DeWyze against Crystal Bowersox. One song will be chosen by the contestants, one will be chosen by Simon Fuller, and one will be the song they’ll be forced to sing if they win.
Lee DeWyze
Song: The Boxer by Simon & Garfunkel (from inspirational week)
Randy: A great way to start it off. Pick it up and get some more energy going.
Ellen: Couldn’t be prouder if I birthed you myself. Better than the first time.
Kara: Gotta push harder, but a meaningful song.
Simon: Would expect a lot more passion and excitement. A kiss on the cheek when I want a kiss on the lips.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-01, 1-866-IDOLS-03, 1-866-IDOLS-05
Crystal Bowersox
Song: Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (from Billboard #1’s week)
Randy: I hope you make a record like that.
Ellen: Stunning.
Kara: Loved it when you first did and tonight.
Simon: Brought back to the time when we fell in love with you, before the last three or four weeks.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-02, 1-866-IDOLS-04, 1-866-IDOLS-06
Lee DeWyze
Song: Everybody Hurts by R.E.M. (executive producer choice)
Randy: Better. Could feel the Lee I love by the end.
Ellen: Felt you went off a couple times but really don’t care about that.
Kara: Emotionally accessible. Not a perfect vocal.
Simon: Brilliant song choice. Feeling the nerves.
Crystal Bowersox
Song: Black Velvet by Alannah Myles (executive producer choice)
Randy: Mamasox is in it to win it.
Ellen: Fantastic. (And some babbling about wardrobe, as if Paula never left.)
Kara: That’s what tonight was all about.
Simon: Almost allergic to that song, but you nailed it.
Lee DeWyze
Song: Beautiful Day by U2 (wait, what?)
Randy: By the middle of the song, you started getting your groove back.
Ellen: Love that you’ve been able to get to this place to do that.
Kara: Swallowed up a bit in that song. You’ve grown the most in this show and have one of the most commercial voices of the season.
Simon: Made the most of it. This is what this competition was designed for.
Crystal Bowersox
Song: Up to the Mountain by Patty Griffin (apparently, they’re picking more or less suitable existing songs, after Kris Allen dropped Kara’s lame song from his performances)
Randy: This is what the show is about. An amazing song by an amazing singer. One of the greatest performances at the perfect time.
Ellen: Cannot compare you to one contemporary artist. In a league of your own.
Kara: Completely emotionally invested in that song. Really blossomed with that song.
Simon: By far the best performance and the song of the night.
Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 9 Episode 43, where we will find out who the American Idol Season 9 winner is, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.