Skylar Laine Takes on Gaga & Marvin Gaye on American Idol

American Idol began with a tribute to the late Dick Clark. Then the Top 7 performed two songs, a #1 hit from 2000 to now and a classic from the Motown era. Who stood out? Who fell flat?

Skylar Laine
Skylar Laine stuck to her country roots with Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' and I'm sure of a number of country fans are glad she was. The judges loved her performance and her energy. For her Motown tune, she went with 'Heard it Through the Grapevine,' but it didn't sound like any version I've ever heard. Who knew you could 'countrify' a soul song like that. Skylar should sail through to next week

Skylar Laine 'Born This Way'

Skylar Laine 'Heard it Through the Grapevine'

Colton Dixon
Skylar's rumored boyfriend Colton Dixon, also went with a Lady Gaga song. He put his unique spin on 'Bad Romance' and had the judges smiling. But his Motown tune, 'September' was lackluster. He'll have to rely on his fan base and his first performance to stay out of the bottom three this week.

Colton Dixon 'Bad Romance'

Hollie Cavanagh
Hollie Cavanagh opened the show and finally figured out how to relax. She went with Adele's big hit 'Rolling in the Deep' to put her back in contention. Her Motown song, 'Son of a Preacher Man' was just as good, if not better. Hollie should have no problems this week.

Hollie Cavanagh 'Rolling in the Deep'

Phillip Phillips
Phillip Phillips continues to do his own thing. He wears what he wants. He sings what he wants. And he has the female votes in his back pocket. Phillip may have even gained some new fans with both his songs. Someone he managed to take Usher's 'You Got it Bad' and make it his own. So weird but so cool. Then he topped himself with Wilson Pickett's 'In the Midnight Hour.' Jennifer Lopez even made him blush when she told him how sexy it was.

Phillip Phillips 'In the Midnight Hour'

Jessica Sanchez
Jessica Sanchez had a lot to prove after the judges used their only save of the season last week on her. If her version of Alicia Keys 'Fallin' didn't push viewers to vote, her soulful rendition of Otis Reddin's 'Try a Little Tenderness' definitely did. I'd be shocked if she was at the bottom again this week. Jessica is so good vocally. She just needs to learn how to connect to the song and the audience. But keep in mind, Jessica is only 16 years old.

Jessica Sanchez 'Fallin'

Joshua Ledet
Joshua Ledet received not one but two standing ovations. He found his inner diva for 'I Believe,' the song from previous Idol winner Fantasia. He closed the show with an amazing rendition of Sam Cooke's 'A Change is Gonna Come.' His only concern would be if America is sick of the over the top, church sound.

Joshua Ledet 'A Change is Gonna Come'

Elise Testone
Elise Testone could be in trouble again this week. She's been in the bottom two several times, and tonight may be her last night. She needed a moment on the show to stick around and she just didn't have it. Elise went with 'No One' by Alicia Keys, which was good but good doesn't cut it anymore. Her version of Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get it On' was little over the top for me.

Elise Testone 'No One'