Adam Lambert, Artist

Videos of Adam's American Idol Performances 

'Cause you can't watch just once

"Whole Lotta Love" Performance

I thought Adam's vocals were great, as usual, but I thought it seemed like he was reigning himself in somewhat. I mean, for Rock Week, I was expecting him to be jumping around the stage like when he did "Born to Be Wild," but instead he stayed mainly in one spot. It made me wonder if he thought last weeks "bottom 3" thing WAS because he was too showy, like the judges said. What I've seen from fans is that we felt the Bottom 3 thing was due to us dropping the ball on voting (and I am guilty, since I didn't vote at all last week. Making up for it tonight.) Am I right in thinking that most Adam fans love the "show" he puts on as much as the way he sounds? I know I do.

Anyway, his was still by far the best performance of the night, and Simon did a great job of disheartening the other contestants by saying no one could top him. Poor Kris, especially! He looked so depressed after both of his performances. Maybe he thinks his time is up?

"Feeling Good" Performance

The Top 5 performed Rat Pack standards this week. Adam chose to pull from Muse's cover of this tune, made famous by Nina Simone. I think this was appropriate, as he sometimes sounds like Muse's lead singer, to me. His entrance was amazing, which made up for the middle of the song sounding a little muddy, tune-wise.

"If I Can't Have You" Performance

This was Disco week for the Top 6. Adam sang this song written by the Bee Gees and made popular by Yvonne Elliman.

"Born to Be Wild" Performance

The Top 7 had Movie Week, and Adam chose this song, and performed it in an energetic, hard rock style.

"Mad World" Performance

My favorite performance of Adam's so far--and Simon Cowell's as well, I think! For the Top 8 performances (songs from the years of the contestant's birth), Adam chose to cover Gary Jules' more balladic version of this Tears for Fears song. If Adam wasn't personally connecting with the lyrics--about feeling like an outsider--then he sure made it seem like he was. Vocally, he was able to convey intensity without singing "big" or losing control of his voice.

"Play that Funky Music" Performance

For the top 9 (Most Popular Downloads), Adam went with this hit from Wild Cherry.

"Tracks of My Tears" Performance

The Top 10 week had a Motown theme.

"Ring of Fire" Performance

For Country Week (Top 11), Adam took the "make it your own" card to the extreme, singing "Ring of Fire" (a Johnny Cash hit) with a Middle Eastern sounding accompaniment. Adam's smoldering performance suggested that he knows exactly what it's like to be in love's "ring of fire"--and made me think that, in comparison, Johnny Cash had no idea.

"Black or White" Performance

For the Top 13 week (Michael Jackson theme), Adam performed "Black or White." Perhaps it was an indication of his admiration for Michael Jackson that he didn't substantially alter the song to "make it his own" as the judges often say. Still, it was well received by the judges and audience. As a side note, he wore a leather jacket from Diesel for this performance. My sister works for Diesel. So that was nice to see.

"I Can't Get No Satisfaction" Performance

In the Top 36 round (Billboard Top 100 hits theme), Adam impressed the audience and judges with this sexy, high-energy rendition of the Rolling Stones hit.