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Tonight is the night when the acoustic rocker, Kris Allen battles it out against the glam rocker, Adam Lambert for the title of Season’s 8 American Idol.

The two will be singing three songs each. The first is a personal choice from their previous songs. Next is a song chosen by the show’s producer and creator, Simon Fuller, for each of them. Lastly, they will be doing their version of the coronation song penned by judge Kara DioGuardi titled No Boundaries.

Let’s get on the performances shall we?

1. Adam Lambert – Mad World by Tears for Fears

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Smart choice with Mad World being one of his most successful performances in the competition. I think it’s one his most downloaded tracks also.

He’s dressed in a trenchcoat as he walks down the stairs at the center of the stage. He didn’t change anything at all I think, same as his studio recording. Fog all over the stage was a nice touch.

Randy loved the coat and the fog and gave him an A+ for his performance. Kara was happy that he chose that song. Simon says it’s his best performance yet but thinks that the coat and fog is a bit over-theatrical. Basically, judges can’t say anything much about Adam that we haven’t heard before.

2. Kris Allen – Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers

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I was thinking that he would choose Heartless or Falling Slowly but he chose this song instead. Just like during the Top 9, he’s playing it in the piano.

Man, the phrasing was unbelievable and you can see the emotion as he sings it. I think he cut it a bit short though. Or maybe I was just wanting to hear more. The audience really loved it and I’m glad he chose that instead of Heartless.

Randy says they already know what kind of artist he’s going to be. Kara agrees and felt his song saying something about being moved every time he performs. Paula loves the way he is “Allenizing” every song that he sings. Simon loved it. He admitted that America got it wrong when Kris’ name was announced last week but he was proven wrong after his performance.

When Ryan asked Simon who wins round 1, he calls it for Kris.

3. Adam Lambert – A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

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I’m not familiar with the song but it sounded like Rat Pack week all over again with Adam dressed in gray suit. Just when I thought he won’t go over the top this time, he lets out that famous scream/wail of his.

Randy says he can sing his face off and it was unbelievable. Kara says it was his best performance and interpretation this whole competition. Paula who’s clearly ecstatic shouted that it was the best she ever heard him sing. Simon simply said that Adam’s 100% back into the game.

4. Kris Allen – What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

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He’s sitting down with a guitar this time accompanied by guys on a congo, cajon and a bass guitar. What can I say, it sounded like Kris but it was just ok for me. Love the ending though.

Randy says the song was a little bit light for this point in the competition. Kara loves him for not trying to change himself. Paula says Kris tore that song up and made Marvin Gaye proud. Simon thinks it was just like three friends in a bedroom strumming to Marvin Gaye. Hahaha.

Ryan told Simon to leave his bedtime stories out of the competition. Hahaha.

Simon says this round belongs to Adam, a million percent.

5. Adam Lambert – No Boundaries

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The song kinda suck and it looked like he didn’t get too much practice with it. Maybe it will grow on you after the final studio version. It always does.

Randy says he could sing everything, even a phonebook (‘cause the song really sucked), but it wasn’t his favorite Adam performance. Kara, being one of the writer, obviously was proud and amazed at Adam. Paula is forever a fan. Simon made fun of the lyrics but said that Adam is one of the best and most original contestant that they ever had on the show. Simon is pimping Adam!

6. Kris Allen – No Boundaries

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It was a bit off right from the start for Kris and I think he missed some lyrics. It doesn’t sound like a performance worthy of a finale. Wish he didn’t try to reach those high notes.

Uh-oh, this is bad for Kris.

Randy consoled Kris when he missed those big notes but said that the song fits him better than Adam. Kara doesn’t want him to be judged based on that song and hopes people vote for his performances throughout the season. Well, the judges knew that he bummed out on that one and just told him how proud they are at him.

Prediction:

If we’re gonna decide based on tonight’s finale then clearly it’s Adam who will win. But both contestants are consistently good with their performances all throughout the season and it’s going to be a really close one.

It will all boil down to where the Gokey fans will waste their vote on. I’m still thinking that Kris is the more likeable and mainstream artist between the two so I’m predicting that Kris Allen will win this thing.

What’s going to happen tomorrow?

Aside from announcing who’s going to be this season’s American Idol, what else is going to happen on tomorrow‘s 2-hour show?

There will be tons of celebrities performing; Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Keith Urban and David Cook who will be singing “Permanent” in honor of his late brother Adam!

More performances from the Top 13 once again.

Duets will also be performed. Kris Allen and Keith Urban. Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper. Danny Gokey and Lionel Ritchie. Adam Lambert and Eminem… hehe just kidding about this one.

I’ll see you again tomorrow. As usual, audio clips are courtesy of Rickey and the video clips are from MJ. Got the confirmed performances for tomorrow from MJ as well. That site really rocks!

Related: Kris Allen got Gokey’s votes to be the next American Idol

You might also be interested in:

• American Idol 9 Finale Recap and Prediction
• American Idol 10 Finale Recap and Results
• American Idol 8 Top 3 Recap and Prediction
• American Idol 8 Top 36 – Group 2 Recap and Predictions

Filed under: American Idol