11 Days to American Idol

“The difference between you and everybody else tonight is that you are the first person who’s come out tonight and actually sounded like someone in 2007.”

-- Simon Cowell, about Blake Lewis’ performance of “Somewhere Only We Know,” Season 6


Blake Lewis represented a departure of image, of sorts, during Season 6 of American Idol. He was the show’s first legitimate alternative musician, and one of the only with a truly original image – cute, charming, and insanely talented in every unconventional way possible.

Behind the beat-boxing stands a singer with self-confidence. He turned what could have been a gimmick into a distinct style advantage on a show that usually doesn’t reward “quirky.” Yet, his first semifinal performance was a straightforward vocal on “Somewhere Only We Know,” establishing his talent as a singer first and foremost. By choosing current songs, and making old songs sound current and hip, he connected with the audience in a way that few before, or since, have been able to.

Not all of his performances were home runs, however. With competition like LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle and Jordin Sparks, Blake was on the verge of elimination going into Idol Gives Back week. We’ll never know how he fared with the votes that week, when he performed John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The judges’ reception was less than enthusiastic, and had there been an elimination that week, he very well could have been cut.

But what followed was nothing short of sensational! In the same show, and in back to back performances, ON MY BIRTHDAY, I was treated to two of my favorite American Idol moments of all time. As with Lakisha, Jon Bon Jovi arrived on the scene to provide another contestant with a season-defining performance. In the intro video prior to Blake’s “You Give Love a Bad Name,” it was obvious that the week’s mentor was less than impressed with the liberties Blake took in changing up the song. I’d go so far as to say that Jon was downright pissed!

Then, Blake started with some shtick, dusting off an old LP and putting it on a record player. His arrangement, beat-boxing, interaction with the on-stage drummer, and very strong singing resulted in some quintessential American Idol MAGIC! The next morning, a local radio station had taken up playing the track, and the nationwide buzz was incredible. In 90 short seconds, Blake went from near elimination to major dark horse challenger. In my opinion, this performance carried him all the way into the finale.

Blake was a controversial and polarizing contestant, but clearly a deserving finalist.