A paint salesman...
A high school student...
A glassblower...
A mother...
A father...
And a construction worker.
These six lives have been changed forever.
But only one can take the title.
This is American Idol.
Welcome to the show.
I'm Ryan Seacrest.
First off, a huge thank you for your generous support of
last week's "Idol Gives Back."
In total, we raised over $45 million.
Incredible, incredible.
That will help children here in America and around the world.
It's an amazing feat, especially during these tough times.
Tonight you are back in the driver's seat
once again with our panel.
Say hi to Randy Jackson.
Ellen Degeneres.
Kara Dioguardi.
And the fountain of youth, Simon Cowell.
Boo, boo, boo, boo, boo.
So we are just one month away from our finale
when we crown the winner.
But which of these contestants will it be?
Let me hear a name.
Who's it going to be?
Okay.
Get on your feet for your top six, ladies and gentlemen.
We are celebrating a very special songbook tonight,
the music of Shania Twain.
Here is a little bit more about this country pioneer.
Roll it!
Let's go, girls.
She's the one who made country pop.
15 years ago, Shania Twain showed the world the woman in her
by putting out an album that won her the first of five Grammys.
# let it all hang out #
With her pop sensibility,
Shania changed the face of country music
and has become the biggest crossover star ever.
But if that's not enough, her third release, "Come On Over",
is the best-selling album by a woman in any genre in history.
# I feel like a woman #
Earlier this season she added her own flair to our
judging panel in Chicago, and
she had so much fun, she came back for more,
helping the top six make her songs their own.
I want to see these songs come alive today.
I've lived them and I wrote them, but you really have to
interpret these songs as though you wrote them yourself.
I think that songs can lend themselves to pretty much any style,
because when I write these songs,
I write them bare bones just with a guitar.
Shania is the queen of country music.
She's an icon.
I'm a big fan.
She's a brilliant songwriter.
I think this week is going to be amazing for everyone.
I feel a little bit responsible.
You know, they're all singing my songs.
And I don't want them to hate me at the end
if they don't make it into the next round.
I think it's going to be a great show.
I'm going to be sitting on the edge of my seat.
And here she is in the front row.
Say hi to Shania Twain!
Nice to see you again.
Well, we did the auditions on the road
and now you're back as the mentor,
and it's unique because these are songs you've written.
You've performed.
And now they're going to do it.
What are we expecting from them tonight?
It's a challenge to... for so many diverse artists, singers,
to sing the songs of all one person.
So especially the four guys.
A girl's song.
Was it hard to get them to sort of fall into the right groove?
It wasn't hard at all.
I just didn't know what to expect from guys singing my songs.
We've all done it.
I was so disappointed that I didn't hear "Like A Woman".
Thank you so much for everything.
- Enjoy the show. - I'm sure.
Roll the tape.
Good to see you.
Great to see you.
Lee I first met in Chicago and I thought he was great then.
This week I'm singing "You're Still The One".
# you're still the one I run to #
I started playing.
We went through.
She went I really like it, but it seems like
you're rushing the guitar a little bit.
I said start the song just voice and piano.
# looks like we made it #
# I knew we'd get there some day #
He's just got this fantastic style that has to come out
and not be buried by his guitar.
That was beautiful.
- Thanks a lot. Appreciate it.
- Nice meeting you. - Nice meeting you.
# looks like we made it #
# look how far we've come my baby #
# might have took the long way #
# we knew we'd get there some day #
# they said I'll bet he'll never make it #
# but just look at us holding on #
# we're still together #
# still going strong #
# you're still the one I run to #
# the one that I belong to #
# you're still the one I want for life #
# yeah #
# you're still the one that I love #
# the only one I dream of #
# you're still the one I kiss good night #
# you're still the one #
# you're still the one I run to #
# the one that I belong to #
# you're still the one I want for life #
# looks like we made it #
# look how far we've come my baby #
Yo. Yo. all right. So yo.
Lee, check it out, baby, check it out, check it out.
Listen, this is one of my favorite songs of all time.
The great Shania Twain.
I mean, not just because she's here.
I love this song.
It's one of the greatest songs ever written.
Listen, I was a little worried about you doing this.
It started out a little pitchy. But you know what I love?
Midway through the song, you found a way to make it your own.
It was low in your register and you found your sweet spot.
- I think you did a pretty good job with it, dude. - Thanks.
I think you did better than a pretty good job.
I think every song you take, you make it your own.
It always sounds like your version, instead of you just
singing someone else's song exactly like it's been sung before.
And you couldn't look cuter.
And I say all aboard the Shania Twain.
Lee, the sound of your voice on every song makes it sound
so relevant and all I can think of is look how far we've come.
Look how far you've come, really, since the beginning 'til now.
And that's a love song.
And I don't know if you're related to it in the love
portion of it, but you cracked a smile a few times.
That's when I was like maybe he's feeling the song.
- But I thought it was a good job. - Thanks.
I agree with everything everybody said.
I thought that was absolutely
the perfect song out of Shania's collection.
Started off a little bit hesitant.
When you watch it back, you'll realize you were pulling some
- kind of weird faces, however. - Smiling.
You were.
You were a little bit....
No, he... he had a nice smile. Look at that.
That's a great face.
Keep that face. Keep that face.
Can I just finish talking?
I guess so.
Congratulations.
Great feedback.
Shania's grinning from ear to ear.
Every contestant will have two phone numbers tonight.
Lee's are...
You don't have to call both.
Just making it easier to get through.
You have at least two hours to vote at the end of the show.
Let's hear it for Dewyze. Happy?
A little happy? That's you happy.
On the other side, find out what Shania track
big Mike is going to tackle live next.
Welcome back to the show.
Here's some fun news.
The top 10 will be coming to a city near you
as part of the summer tour.
Tickets for American Idol live
will go on sale the weekend of May 14.
Head to americanidol.com for all the details.
Big Mike is going to be on the tour.
Here's his time with Shania.
This week I'm singing "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing".
I'm very moved to hear his voice to my lyrics and to my melody.
The song really shows the strength and amazing amount of
vulnerability at the same time.
You're one of these guys who could sing a songbook
and everybody would still melt.
But don't take that for granted.
The only ones who really make it in the end
are the ones who are feeling it the most.
It is one of my favorite songs.
It's one of those songs that fills me up emotionally
and he just took it to a whole other place.
I think he'll be able to make that connection
and not just be another great voice.
# oh, hope life's been good to you since you've been gone #
# I'm doin' fine now #
# I've finally moved on #
# it's not so bad #
# I'm not that sad #
# I'm not surprised just how well I survived #
# I'm over the worst #
# and I feel so alive #
# I can't complain #
# I'm free again #
# and it only hurts when I'm breathing #
# my heart only breaks when it's beating #
# my dreams only die when I'm dreaming #
# so I hold my breath #
# to forget #
# oh, when I'm breathing #
# oh, oh, don't wanna lose you baby #
# oh, when I'm dreaming #
# so I hold my breath #
# to forget #
Yo, yo, big Mike. Yo, man.
So here's what I love, man.
I think you really found your zone on this show.
You definitely, the balladeer.
you kind of love R&B, what I love about this great song is you can say that
it can be a country song, rock song, R&B song, whatever
You did a great job.
And you're really in the zone of who you are.
I hope you keep that in the future, man.
Cause there's a big wide open space for you.
- Very good. - Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah, I've got to say I was a tiny bit nervous you
taking a song like that one, but it felt like Luther Vandross.
It felt like Luther singing that song.
I felt your emotion.
I felt you get into it.
I think you really needed to follow that advice,
and show us that emotion.
- I thought it was beautiful. - Thank you.
One of Shania's greatest gifts other than being
an incredible songwriter is how connected she is when she sings.
And I always feel that from you.
I always feel that you go to that place that relates to you,
And that's what I appreciate most.
And, you know, the melody is so beautiful, and I just thought
it was great that you didn't change it too much,
But you changed it enough that you put your mark on it.
- So great job. - Thank you.
Simon?
Yeah, I know what Ellen meant
when using the comparison with Luther.
Until you mentioned it, I didn't recognize that,
but it was spot on.
It was a good analogy.
I thought the performance, however, was a little bit wet.
- Huh? - As if you were in a musical acting out the words.
- What do you mean wet? - Wet.
What does wet mean?
- The opposite of dry. - What are we talking about?
In other words, it was a little bit girlie for you.
It is a girlie song.
It's a song written by a girl.
Well, that's probably why.
Wet. Wet.
Better than dry, though.
But, you know, in London he wakes up every day
and in England it's always wet.
Shania, we saw a shot of you when he was performing.
What were you feeling?
Because I saw a tear in your eye. I know.
I was feeling very... I was like... I'm still teary.
I need makeup.
I need someone to come dry my eyes.
It was very emotional.
And even in the... when we were doing the mentoring,
I got a little bit teary, but I
really... you really did get me.
He really got me. So...
All right, buddy.
If you want to vote for Michael, the numbers are...
Calls are 866 numbers.
Not 800 numbers, so please dial carefully.
Thank you very much for that storm.
After this, Casey taps into his inner country crooner live next.
Welcome back to "American Idol."
We are live in Hollywood.
The top six take on Shania Twain songs.
Casey James. So, Casey, let's rehash for a second.
Last week Kara was frustrated with your performance,
and I think Simon called it a little lazy.
How did that affect the way you prepared this week?
Um, you know, I went back and watched all my performances,
and realized that I really didn't give anybody
anything new in that last performance.
So this week I'm doing that, you know.
I'm singing... I'm singing a lot more.
I'm doing... essentially, I'm just playing rhythm guitar,
So I'm really not doing anything there.
So it's a little bit different than anything I've done before.
Girls, stand by to scream.
I know you're ready to do it. Hang on.
Let's see what happened with Casey and Shania.
Watch.
Tonight I'm singing "Don't" because it's amazingly beautiful.
It might sound strange, but I
sensed he's missing a little bit of inner confidence.
You're a handsome guy.
You have everything going for you.
But your true confidence is going to come out
in the way you tell the story,
so bring it inside and let it come out through your voice.
I think I'm more excited about this performance
than I've been about any performance.
# wanna be near you #
It gives a chance to show a part of me I haven't really showed.
It's a singing song.
I don't think I've sang yet.
# don't #
# don't you wish we tried #
# do you feel what I feel inside #
# you know our love is stronger than pride #
# 'cause I wanna hear you #
# wanna be near you #
# don't fight #
# don't argue #
# give me the chance to say that I'm sorry #
# just let me love you #
# turn me away #
# don't tell me to go #
# don't pretend that it's okay #
# things won't get better that way #
# don't do something you might regret #
# someday #
# yeah, yeah, yeah #
# don't fight #
# don't argue #
# give me the chance to say that I'm sorry #
# let me love you #
# turn me away #
# don't tell me to go #
# ooh #
# don't tell me to go #
Wow! All right.
So, yo, dude, let me tell you something, for me,
this is one of the best Casey James performances ever!
And you know what? You know what else?
I hope that you really... you really learned something here.
Because as you guys are thinking about going forward as an
artist, dude, this could be a great thing in your wheel house
with what you already do with the guitar.
- So nice job, man. - Thank you.
I was going to say the same exact thing.
What a great...
you sang that like that's really where you belong.
And I'm not saying you shouldn't be.
Because you've got that Bob Seeger sound about you.
That's great Rock.
But beautiful and just... I actually think it was your best
- performance that you've done to date. - Thank you.
Casey, artists, do not hide, the good, the bad, the ugly.
They show it all.
That's what you did in that performance.
You didn't hide.
You didn't cover it up with guitar.
You were vulnerable.
You were raw.
That's what you need to keep doing.
If you keep doing it,
you'll be at the front of this competition for sure.
Look, Casey, I think last week
was a much, much needed wake-up call for you,
because you weren't, for me, taking part in the competition.
I actually agree with Randy.
I think this is probably your best performance so far.
I actually felt that you were singing the song.
It didn't feel like somebody else's song.
And I suggest you come down here
and give this one a kiss on the lips.
Good job, buddy. You were so comfortable.
Casey's numbers are...
Calls are toll-free from landlines.
Casey, well done, my friend.
Thank you very much.
We've got ourselves a competition.
Next up, Crystal takes on a Shania anthem live for your votes.
Don't move.
Welcome back to "American Idol" live.
Six contestants left and it is country music tonight.
Shania Twain is with us.
Crystal Bowersox, ladies and gentlemen.
So I know you met Shania obviously in Chicago.
She signed your martin guitar there.
Yes, yes.
You've been a fan since you were a kid.
When you really had a chance to spend some quality time with her
as a mentor, what did you notice about Shania?
I notice that she's constantly glowing,
like there's this aura of positive energy around you.
There really is.
You're a super sweet lady and it was fun to take a hang out.
And she has really white teeth also.
She does.
She glows all over.
Let's see what happened with Shania and Crystal.
Tonight I'm singing "No One Needs To Know".
It's a sweet love story.
I can relate to that.
She needs to let that song remind her of how it really
applies to her real life right now.
Be a bit happier in your tone of singing.
- It's a cheerful song and you said it applies to you. - Yeah.
Really, really, this song is a message to my boyfriend,
- so, you know, let the love flow. - Thank you.
I'm just dropping hints here and there.
He'll man up one of these days.
# am I just dreamin' or stupid #
# I know that I've been hit by cupid #
# but no one needs to know right now #
# I want bells to ring #
# a choir to sing #
# the white dress, the guests, the cake, the car, #
# the whole darn thing #
# no one needs to know right now #
# I'll tell him some day #
# some way #
# somehow #
# but I'm gonna keep it a secret for now #
# we'll have a little girl, a little boy #
# a little benji we call leroy #
# but no one needs to know right now #
# he don't know #
# only he can make it right #
# I'm just dreamin' or stupid #
# but boy have I been hit by cupid #
# but no one needs to know right now #
# no one #
# no one needs to know right now #
# no one, no one #
# no one needs to know #
# right now #
Yo, yo. So listen.
I love... I kind of love the whole kind of like version
with the acoustic bass and the steel drum.
I thought it wasn't my favorite performance,
But still I love you and I love seeing you try
different things to mix it up and I'm happy somebody tonight
is doing more of a country version of one of Shania's songs.
It's country week.
- This was country - Exactly.
- I like that - Thank you.
It is country week.
You know, it's... I say it every week.
There's just nothing you can't do.
You have a great voice.
It was... It was not my favorite performance of yours either.
But that's like saying what's your least
favorite color of the rainbow.
You're just brilliant and you're always going to be good,
- But it wasn't my favorite performance. - Thank you.
I agree with the guys.
I mean, it's kind of impossible for you not to be good
Because you're always coming from a place of truth
and it always feels honest.
You know, it was believable.
And that's why I always respond to you.
Was it your best? No.
But you're still amazing!
It's not as big as the other performances.
Bigger isn't always better, you know.
Simon cowell, please, please, Simon.
Oh, I could be in so much trouble.
Okay.
Shocker, we don't like Crystal this week.
I think that's really the story.
I thought it was limp.
It was very much something you would expect...
And I've seen this happen before when you're in a coffee shop
and they hire a band to sing to you when you
don't particularly want them to.
That's kind of what it reminded me of.
I didn't feel any conviction from you,
and I thought the song... Sorry, Shania... was a
little bit forgettable compared to some of the other songs.
So this is the only week where I haven't actually
really liked your performance, I'm afraid.
That's okay.
About lack of conviction. What do you make of that?
I still love you, simon.
And I still love you, by the way.
Lack of conviction, I don't think so.
Because he's right there.
I grew up listening to country music and classic rock and,
I mean, this is... I don't know.
Bigger isn't always better, and I really enjoyed this.
I had a great time with this performance
and I'm glad the band was here with me.
You know what it means?
Crystal's numbers are...
Please don't vote until the end of the show.
I'm blushing.
I'm trying to help you out.
Good luck. Thank you.
After this, Aaron is live next.
Hang on.
Welcome back to "American Idol."
Here's the advice Shania had for 17-year-old Aaron Kelly.
Ready, break.
Aaron's going to be singing "You've Got A Way."
It suits him beautifully.
- I was debating on going... - That's right, okay.
You don't want to be debating.
It's almost as preoccupied with hitting the note.
Shania always had said don't... be insecure about what you're doing. I am 100% agree with her.
and where you know you'll feel safe and good and then they're going to feel safe and good.
I wanted him to know that he's here already.
We already love him.
Now just give us what you love.
# you've got a way it seems #
# you gave me faith to find my dreams #
# you'll never know just what that means #
# can't you see you got a way with me #
# it's in the way you know me #
# it's in the way you hold me #
# the way you show me just what love's made of #
# it's in the way you show love #
# oh, how I adore you #
# like no one before you #
# I love you just the way you are #
# it's in the way you know me #
# it's in the way you hold me #
# just the way you are #
Yo... Aarron, dude,
This is definitely your wheelhouse. This is your land.
You are our country artist on the show this year and
Dude, I think you did a really good job.
Thank you.
This is going to be tough.
This is going to be tough
because, you know, everybody is doing well.
And I just still can't get over
the fact that you're 16 years old and you...
17 now.
Oh, whoa, oh, whoa. Then I'm not as impressed
I thought you were 16.
The amount of emotion and depth that you showed
when you sang that song just now,
the maturity that you have to embrace those lyrics, good job.
Tomorrow's going to be real tough.
That was great.
Ellen, I completely agree with you.
It was like you really felt those words.
You were really loving them.
And you changed one of the lines, which is "when we make
love", which is very smart, because it's not something...
Well, I don't know.
But you know what I mean?
- Kara, easy, Kara. - You know what I'm saying and I appreciated about the...
I was singing the song to my mom.
To your mom.
Go mom, go mom. Aw.
It's sweet, Simon. It is sweet.
Aaron, I'm going to be honest with you.
I know you're only 17.
I think the last two or three weeks you've really struggled,
particularly last week.
Just didn't get it at all.
However, tonight, you were like a different artist.
You know why?
Because this was the kind of record,
if you're going to make records, you should make.
For the first time in weeks, it actually felt sincere.
It felt believable.
And once again, it didn't feel like
you were singing somebody else's song.
I think you did really well tonight.
Well done.
What's going to happen tomorrow night?
This is a real... This is a hot competition tonight.
For Aaron, dial...
Aaron, congratulations.
That little girl loves you. Go say hi.
When we come back, Siobhan takes on the song
that was Shania's first number one country hit actually.
Hang on.
One more Shania song coming at you tonight
and it's courtesy of Siobhan Magnus, ladies and gentlemen.
Watch this.
You look so beautiful.
- Tonight I'm singing "Any Man Of Mine." - Great.
# any man of mine better be proud of me #
The song's all about attitude.
It's about a woman who knows what she wants.
She has to know she's playing a role in this song.
She has to get into the character.
You have to let your character come out through those words
To make them come alive.
She needs to do that.
# any man of mine better be proud of me #
# even when I'm ugly he still better love me #
# I can be late for a date that's fine #
# but he better be on time #
# and if I change my mind #
# a million times #
# I wanna hear him say #
# yeah, yeah, yeah #
# I like it that way #
# any man of mine #
# better walk the line #
# show me a teasin', squeezin', pleasin' kinda time #
# I need a man who knows #
# how the story goes #
# he's gotta be a heartbeatin',
Fine treatin', breathtakin',
Earthquakin' kind #
# any man of mine #
# better walk the line #
# better show me a teasin',
Squeezin', pleasin' kinda time #
# yeah #
# any man who knows #
# how the story goes #
# he's gotta be a heartbeatin',
Fine treatin', breathtakin',
Earthquakin' kind #
# kind #
# I need a man of mine #
Yo, yo, listen, listen, I loved it.
I loved the whole kind of punk country look with the boots,
the whole nine, the big notes, I loved it, I loved it.
Thank you.
Yeah, way to pull the Shania Twain into the station.
Good one, yes.
Good way to end the show.
- Fantastic - All right.
Guess who's back? Siobhan!
- Me? -Yes.
You know what?
I really, really like that song
and I'm not normally a fan of country music.
I thought the song was perfect.
I think the screaming at the end may have gone a little bit...
No, it was good, it was good, it was good, it was good.
The audience isn't with me on this one.
It was like you were giving birth up there again
if you'd heard that note in isolation,
you'd think something else was happening.
But it was fun. It was good.
When were you ever at a birth?
Siobhan's two numbers...
Don't vote until we end this thing in just a second.
Siobhan, ladies and gentlemen.
The recap one more time.
Then you can vote.
Take a look at this.
They'll stay open for at least two hours.
Vote, vote, vote for your favorite.
Thank you to our judges.
Thank you, Rickey Minor and the band.
And to our mentor, Shania twain, thank you so much.
Tomorrow night, we've got a big lineup.
We've got performances from Rascal Flatts , we've got Sons
of Sylvia, Lady Antebellum and shakira, plus results.
"Glee" starts now.
Good night.