I really do think "inspirational song" week should include songs that are ... you know, inspiring. I don't know why so many "American Idol" contestants disagree.
Tonight's show started at the low point -- Casey James' "Can' Stop" was simple, sing-song and dispassionate -- and ended with a high point: Crystal Bowersox was even more sensational that usual, with her stirring "People Get Ready."
Really, this shouldn't be that hard. The world is filled with inspirational songs from gospel ... and the civil rights movement ... and the peace movement ... and Broadway and more. The songs can be as huge as "Walk On" or as simple as David Archuleta stirring crowds with "Imagine."
Still, people keep ducking them. One year, three of the top four finalists had gospel roots, yet religion was avoided like a naughty concept. Here are a few of my comments; please add yours:
1) Even if tonight was disappointing, Wednesday's "Idol Gives Back" should be sensational. Please check my previous blog.
2) Yes, Lee Dewyze did a good job on "The Boxer." Still, on inspiration night he devoted about half his time to singing "la la la la." Maybe it's just me, but that phrase has never particularly been inspiring.
3) Two of the peoplle (Aaron Kelly and Siobhan Magnus) sang songs that had "believe" in the title. Still, there didn't seem to be much specifically that they believed, except for the rather iffy notion that they could fly.
4) I did think that Siobhan was wonderful, though. Her amazing high note -- propelled in primal screams in the early weeks -- was tamed into beautiful subtlety. Alicia Keys was right when she said, "That's your money spot." No matter what the judges say, she should keep going to it.
5) Kara DioGuardia, incidentally, is now banned from the statement: "I still don't know who you are as an artist." Not everyone has to fit some convenient category. I'm quite sure the author of "Imagine" also sang "Roll Over Beethoven," "Norwegian Wood" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand."
6) By comparison, it's always good to have Ellen Degeneres there -- partly for her humor and partly because she's the only person capable of sitting next to Randy Jackson without repeating him.
7) I really don't know what Michael Lynche was thinking. With all those powerhouse tunes he's capable of, he points out that "Hero" is "kind of out of my comfort zone" and then proves it.
8) Crystal, by comparison, was right on the money. Strong song, strong sentiment, perfect performance. It was ... well, inspiring.
9) My prediction for the bottom three? I'll say Casey, Michael and Tim Urban. For Casey and Michael, it's that hills-and-valleys rule: If you're often great and this time you're merely OK, people forget to vote for you.
10) And heading home? Alas, Casey. He was great previously with "Jealous Man," but tonight delivered what would be an OK, middle-of-the-evening, barroom song. He's near the top in talent, but rarely harnesses it.