Some ‘Idol’ performances still reverberate today

Time will tell how this season’s “American Idol” finalists rank with past seasons. Is Anthony Federov really in Clay Aiken’s league? Was Mikalah Gordon as bad as Camile Velasco?

That depends on viewers' lingering memories of their performances. Sometimes one can watch a contestant and literally feel them turn into a real star (or an impostor). A bad performance doesn’t always doom a strong contender, and a great one can also go unnoticed. And guess what — you don’t have to be the best singer to turn in the best performance, either.

What’s the difference between a good performance and a memorable one? A good performance takes on a likeable, popular song that won’t alienate voters. A memorable performance squeezes something great out of a risky choice, introducing that tune to a wider, younger audience than its original. A good one is technically proficient; a great one makes Paula cry.

Here are my picks for the 10 best performances (well, 11 — there was one tie) over all four seasons I've limited each contestant to one song, with one honorable mention. Remember, this is not a 10 best singers list. (Scott Savol: Rest easy, you wouldn’t be on that list either. Sorry. buddy.)

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10. (tie) Constantine Maroulis, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” season four

Maroulis’ Steven Tyler-esque manner of hair-stroking and seducing his microphone had a polarizing effect on viewers and judges alike. Even Simon told him, “If this were Smoldering Idol, you’d win hands down.” Yet Maroulis’ peak was the gutsiest song choice of any competition: Queen’s rock-operatic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which — come on — might be a classic, but also is the kind of song you never try to take seriously. Maroulis, 29, pulled off an electric performance — tongue-wagging and all, inching toward the head of the pack by showing that showmanship really does go a long way.

His close second: “My Funny Valentine”

10.  (tie) George Huff, “Take Me to the Pilot,” season three

Huff, a last-minute replacement for booted finalist Donnie Williams, was best known for looking a decade older than his 22 years. But on an Elton John-themed night, Huff leapt from his role as an also-ran to a serious contender by singing the lesser-known “Take Me to the Pilot.” Showing a gospel flair and what would become his trademark calf-exercising bounce, Huff’s husky-voiced rendition not only revealed an old-school soul, but a guy whose joy of singing was so infectious you couldn’t help but smile.

His close second: “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”

9. Bo Bice, “Spinning Wheel,” season four

“American Idol” hadn’t seen a finalist like 29-year-old Bice, whose early comparisons to fellow “rocker” Maroulis turned out to be premature when he slunk onstage for Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “Spinning Wheel.” With confidence, charisma and his ubiquitous leather pants, Bice raced across the stage, barely gasping for breath and swinging his microphone stand like a baseball bat. His funky rasp brought a “fearless” from Randy and a standing ovation from Paula.

His close second: “Whipping Post”

8. Jennifer Hudson, “Circle of Life,” season three

In the battle between ground-swelling orchestral power ballads, it was hard to pick between season 2 finalist Kimberley Locke’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Hudson’s “Circle of Life.” The edge, however, goes to Hudson for finally walking the diva talk she’d been splaying in the weeks prior. Blowing the roof with a goosebump-inducing rendition of Elton John’s Disney hit, 22-year-old Hudson set out to prove she deserved to be named with the likes of fellow “divas” Fantasia Barrino & LaToya London. She succeeded.

Her close second: “I Have Nothing”

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