American Idol Top 8!!

Okay blog friends,

it is that time again!!

I'm slacking a little by starting this

with the top 8 instead of the top 10,

but what a fun week to start with.

My favorite night to blog about

last year was the

"year they were born" night

so it seems appropriate that I start here!

First of all,

it does not make me very happy

that I could have babysat

for every single one of these youngin's

except for Danny and maybe Adam.

I loved seeing all the baby photos

and home videos of these kids.

*

Okay.....off we go.....

Danny sang 1980's Stand By Me.

Let's see, in 1980 I was the tender age of 10.

Not too much I remember about being 10.

I wasn't allowed to watch the movies

that were out like

Caddyshack or Blue Lagoon.

I just remember watching alot

of Little House on the Prairie and

The Muppets.

Oh, yeah, back to Danny.

Unlike the judges,

I really liked the arrangement.

I thought it had a nice build to it

which is something that Danny does well.

His delivery was great too!

He remains in my final two

and I really hope he wins it all.

*

Kris sang 1985's All She Wants to Do is Dance!

hmmmmmm...... All I want to do is turn the TV down.

I was 15 in 1985,

Back to the Future, The Breakfast Club and

St. Elmo's Fire all came out in 1985.

I watched all of these

on big thick VHS tapes

in my BFF Deedra Dean's den

while snuggled up in a sleeping bag

and snacking on popcorn

and rootbeer floats!

Good times.

I was the same age as my son, Michael.

I was practicing driving

just like he is,

and most likely giving my mom

a heart attack when she

rode shot gun...

just like Michael does!

Paybacks are heck!!

Now back to Kris...

Dang Kris, you were doing so good!

I don't know why he picked this song

when there was "Cool it Now" by New Edition

or "Sussudio" by Phil Collins

out there for him to choose from!

(kidding)

I agree that the arrangement took

control over the vocals

and we lost the ladder climbing

Kris tonight.

Can we also lose the deer in the headlights

off beat clapping pack of girls surrounding him

tonight.

Thank you.

*

Lil (I'm so glad that's not a stage name) Rounds sang

1984's "What's Love Got To Do With It?"

In 1984, I was 14 years old.

One hit wonder Corey Hart

was on my radio

and Ralph Macchio posters

plastered my bedroom walls.

It was a good year for movies too

with Footloose and Sixteen Candles

hitting the big screen.

Now back to Lil.....

Ohhhhhh, Come on girl!!!!!

What the heck are you thinking!!!!??

I'm so not digging on my

power vocal star

channeling Tina Turner tonight!!

We've not seen the best of Lil,

and I'm afraid she's intent on

hiding it from us!

*

Anoop sang 1986's True Colors.

I was 16 and in the 10th grade.

I had my driver's license

and was a cheerleader

for the PCS Warriors.

Woot!

Ferris Bueller was on the big screen

and we were all walking like Egyptians!

I cannot listen to True Colors

and not think of Cyndi Lauper's

video which features her

baby cute voice,

hot pink hair, squinty eyes and

punk rock make-up!

That girl had a style all her own

and a very distinctive voice.

Anoop....not so much.

I did like him tonight,

but I just don't see a solid star in him.

I do see an all around nice guy

who was the only one to wear an

actual color tonight.

I guess if you are singing a song

about a rainbow,

you should be wearing a little color, huh?

*

Scott sang 1985's The Search is Over".

Ohhhhh, Scotty, Scotty, Scotty.

We'll get to your review in a minute,

but first I have to say that I really do like this song!

I can still remember

opening my locker in the 9th grade

and finding a piece of notebook paper

with the lyrics of this song

written out for me by a boy named Chip.

Chip is now a very talented

photographer in LA

and frankly could probably have written

lyrical circles around

Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan

(who wrote this song)

if he had chosen to go that route,

but in the 9th grade he was my first crush

and so hearing that song again

made me wish that someone with a stronger voice

had sung it!

It was completely out of his range

and he sreeched through most of it.

Bummer because the boy is likeable,

he's just not a power ballad singer

and he looked awkward trying to be.

*

Allison sang 1992's I Can't Make You Love Me.

Allison, I think with that voice, you can!

In April of 1992, when Allison was born,

I was a 22 yr old single mom living in Maryland

dropping my baby off at daycare

every morning

and putting in a full day's work.

It wouldn't be until July of 1992 that

I would marry Zach's dad.

I don't remember what was playing

on the radio

or what movies were out

or what day it was half the time.

I was full on work and baby

and work and baby

24/7,

no time for pop culture in my world at the time.

Allison did a great job with this song

and I'm amazed at her poise at 16.

Her stage presence is really good

and I enjoy her every week.

I did REALLY hate her outfit

this week though!

Yuk!!

*

Matthew sang 1985's Part Time Lover.

Again with the 1985!

I'm running out of memories here.

Fifteen wasn't necessarily a banner year for me.

First crush, first driving experience,

lots of fun movies,

it was freshman year

full of all the appropriate angst

and awkwardness,

what more can I say?

What I can say is Matt's Back!!!!

He rocked his JT vibe tonight

and I'm so happy he did.

I love him in this style

and he needed this boost.

I hope America thinks so too.

*

Adam sang 1982's "Mad World".

In 1982, I was 12.

The same age as my daughter

but we are only the same in

two ways.

I had two brothers and

I was also adjusting

to a new State and

a new group of friends.

Today's 12 year olds are nothing

like the unplugged 12 year olds of 1982!

With texting and myspace

and the more media heavy, in your face

culture of today,

12 year olds are much more grown up,

more technically savvy

and able to multi-task in creative ways!

Now back to Adam.

This boy is in a league all his own.

Whether you like him personally or not,

you cannot deny this boy's talent!

He was flawless tonight

and deserved the standing ovation

he received from the judges.

I don't want him to win

because Danny has my heart,

but it will be hard to justify

2nd place for our boy Adam.

Does anyone else think that he

is a dead ringer for a young Elvis?

*

So there you have it,

my Idol Blog for the top 8!!

My predictions for tonight:

Bottom three:

Kris

Lil

Scott

First safe: Kris

Going Home: Scott