Wednesday night…

The Final 4 sing two songs each:

The songs of Lieber & Stoller/Songs of Inspiration.

Idol Chatter’s Final 3 rankings at the bottom of this post…

Round 1 – Songs that Inspire them.

Round 2 – Songbook of Lieber and Stoller.

James Durbin – “Don’t Stop Believing” By Journey –

First of all I like the song. Nothing different, but that’s the way it should be. Solid version. No real miscues. This will assuredly get him in the Top 3.

Steven: “An indication of what’s to come. You did it right. You couldn’t have picked a more popular song. Nice going.”

Jennifer: “It’s amazing. Everybody can’t do that (hit the high notes).

Randy: “You pay such homage to my friends. One of the greatest rock bands, greatest singers, Steven Perry. That was the highest degree of difficulty, and you did it.”

Haley Reinhart – “Earthsong” by Michael Jackson –

I’ve heard this song. This version was a little weak. Kinda shrill. What about being on key, Haley…

She’s arguing and that is a real no-no…did this song kill her chances?

Jennifer: “I really felt that that did inspire you. James sets the bar. You’ve got to choose the hit records. That song has a beautiful message.”

Randy: “It confused me with who you are as an artist. It felt like you were screaming. The song needed you to deliver it.”

Steven: “They’re both wrong. That song showed me that you can. You nailed it. Don’t believe them.”

Scotty McCreery – “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning” – Alan Jackson

He gets a sit-down to begin. Scotty sings the way he typically does. He couldn’t have picked a better song. This one will put him in the Final 3.

Randy: “That’s a great amazing song, Alan Jackson. They mean so much to you. Perfect song choice for where we are as a country. I hope that you keep that. You’re ready for superstardom dude. Very nice.”

Steven: “That was beautiful. Saw you almost lose it in the middle because of your passion. You keep that up.”

Jennifer: “I’m in love with you. What you stand for, what you bring to your music. It’s the mark of somebody who was meant to do this. I’m glad that we’re here to witness this.”

Lauren Alaina – “Anyway” by Martina McBride –

Solid performance that she seemed to put more into than the past few weeks. More personality this time around.

Steven: “You did it again. You broke my heart. You deliver a song like a blue plate special. And I’m in love with the buckles on your shoes. You’re the whole package.”

Jennifer: “I’m so proud. I feel like you’re listening to what we tell you. That was exactly what we’re talking about. That was exactly what you have to do.”

Randy: “Last week I was a little worried. America, Lauren is back in it to win it. That was hot YO. That was amazing.”

Who won the round?

How about: Lauren, Scotty, James, Haley in that order…

Jennifer has a hard time picking. Randy tells Haley she’s got to up her game in Round 2. Haley again puts on the FACE and now is not the time to do that.

Here comes Lady Gaga – yes, gag me….I’m not a fan… did you know she came to the show wearing a pair of shoes that looked like dildos? AI officials made her change them. What exactly is her point? Class? Try classless…

Haley Reinhart – “I Who Have Nothing” –

So much better. Gaga might have had a little to do with it, but this was pure Haley.

But it was probably too little, too late.

Jennifer: “This is why we can’t take it easy on you. Look what you’re capable of. That was amazing. One of the best performances of the year.”

Randy: “What you did is you came back and you were mad. You just had a moment right here that put you into it to win it. That was amazing.”

Steven: “You just Reinharted yourself into the middle of next week.”

Scotty McCreery – “Young Blood” –

Gaga tells Scotty to make love to his microphone. LOL. Scotty needed to kiss his cross after that. Fun song, not a winner though. Maybe he could have made a better choice. Face it, I wouldn’t buy that.

Randy: “You were actually having fun with Gaga. You came out having such a good time. We just saw both sides of a Scotty concert.”

Steven: “You make Gaga’s Ya ya go La la. A little Pat Boone. It was funny. I love the humor.”

Jennifer: “You really hit your stride, right now. Now it’s the sprint to the finish line. This reminded me what you did with “Gone”. Next week I want to see a whole different side of you.”

Lauren Alaina – “Trouble” –

Lauren’s song but actually Haley would have done it better. Didn’t like it.

Steven: “That was well done. The character came out again. I love you.”

Jennifer: “I saw a performance quality that came out of you that I haven’t seen before. Total attack. Really, really great. Towards at the end I kind of lost you. We saw some maturity. It was sexy. It was good.”

Randy: “We saw a fun side of you. Rocker thing with a little attitude. I really enjoyed it. She’s working it! Gaga gave you really good advice. Big ups to her, big ups to you.”

James Durbin – “Love Potion #9″ –

Gaga gets behind James to get his hips moving. “When you move those hips, you look sexy,” says Gaga. Arrangement different, more like a heavy metal version. Vocals were OK. Did I like it? Sorta…

Jennifer: “That showed me that you can sing anything. I wasn’t sure about that song for you. You just told me I was absolutely wrong. You put that James-thing on it.”

Randy: “Hopefully, all four of you are in it to win it. Doesn’t matter what song it is. You’re having a moment every single week. You are peaking at the right time.”

Steven: “Beautiful thing, man.”

Ranking them: 1- Scotty; 2- Lauren; 3- James; 4- Haley