Ten Best Top 10 Performances of All Time

Yes, it's that time again. In anticipation of this week's Top 10, here is my list of the Ten Best Top 10 Performances of all time.

Click here to read Ten Best Semifinal Performances, Ten Best First Finals Performances, and Ten Best Top 11 Performances.

Please note, due to the fact that Kelly Clarkson's "You're All I Need" and Tamyra Gray's "Touch Me in the Morning" were included on the Ten Best First Finals Performance list even though they were Top 10 Performances, this list has only 8 entries. Had they been included, Kelly would have been #1 on this list, with Tamyra clocking in at #5.

1. Ruben Studdard, "Sweet Home Alabama"
"Superstar" may be his signature song, but this is the performance that really sealed the deal on what Ruben had to offer the competition -- a great big voice with a ridiculously infectious smile to match. Joyfully singing about his homestate with a huge 205 t-shirt on, Ruben was about as lovable a contestant as there has been on American Idol, and this performance personifies why.

2. Taylor Hicks, "Trouble"
To some, even at this point in the competition, Taylor was simply a novelty act, but this performance of the little known Ray Lamontaigne song showed that Taylor had a real voice to go with his quirky personality.


3. Bo Bice, "Remedy"

4. Constantine Maroulis, "I Can't Make You Love Me"

This was the round when it became clear what the differences between the two Season 4 rockers were. Both Bo and Constantine gave great performances this week, Bo rockin' out on "Remedy" and Constantine sounding better than he had the whole competition on a surprisingly understated take on "I Can't Make You Love Me." Had Constantine left the rockin' to Bo, instead of making the ill-advised choice of trying to prove his credibility by singing Nickelback in the Top 6, he might have gone further in the competition.

5. Carrie Underwood, "Independence Day"
Carrie sang the hell out of this Martina McBride song two years ago -- now she is outselling her idol and beating her at award shows. This kind of country pop is Carrie's bread and butter, and has helped her sell over 5 million albums.

6. Kimberley Locke, "I Can't Make You Love Me"
Kimberley's smoky vocal tone and quality is the perfect match for this Bonnie Raitt song, and she shows off her control to excellent effect. I am convinced that had she been dressed better (her jeans and top made her look a bit too casual) this performance would have been much more better-received. As is, it egregiously landed her in the Bottom 3.

7. Vonzell Solomon, "I Have Nothing"
Yes, this song has been sung ad nauseum on the show, but Baby V managed to give it her own twist in Season 4, easily scaling the Whitney high-notes. Until this point in the competition, Vonzell wasn't taken very seriously as a contender. After this performance, though, even Simon had to admit he was impressed.

8. Elliott Yamin, "I Don't Wanna Be"
Elliott knew he was taking a risk singing a song Bo Bice had gotten great acclaim for during the previous season, but he took it on anyways, infusing it with a soul and texture that had been missing from Bice's more straight-up rock version. This performance closed the Top 10 in Season 5, and was the first time Elliott looked truly relaxed and like he was having fun on stage. He nailed it.