Top 10 Greatest American Idol Performances

These "American Idol" live performances unearthed superstars. For this list, we’ll be looking at the greatest performances the “Idol” stage has ever seen. Our countdown includes Clay Aiken, Jena Irene, Adam Lambert, and more! Does our list hit all the right notes? Sound off in the comments!

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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#AmericanIdol #Singing #Songs #Music #Performances

[jonathanfalkowsky]

I've always loved watching Kelly's journey from the first audition to 20+ years later to now - a talk show host, grammy winner, mom of 2, millions of albums sold worldwide, and 9 studio albums

[PiscesMoonYou]

I love how Simon kept criticizing Jennifer Hudson and didn't think she'd make it then went on to win an Oscar. She's awesome.

[hayleydouglas]

You missed out David Cook's Billie Jean or Always Be My Baby performances - he was absolutely phenomenal in both of these songs

[mdturnerinoz]

Adam's version of "Tracks of My Tears" brought tears my and my wife's eyes" Oh, and I'd say fronting Queen sort of shows how REALLY GREAT HE IS! Really like Haley's Led Zeplen image.

[annalissac]

Happy to see Melinda Doolittle represented in the Honorable Mentions. I don't recall the performance receiving much buzz at the time but I love that it's still remembered after all these years

[blugreen]

Fantasia's "Summertime, " Adam Lambert's "Mad World, " Joshua Ledet's "It's a Man's World, " LaPorsha's "Diamonds, " there are so many!

[dybruce]

So glad to see Candice on here! Truly one do the finest singers this show has ever seen. Her performance of Lovesong was world-class.
I feel like Tamyra Gray ‘House is not a Home’ should be on this list- that was a real game-changing moment in the very first season. David Cooks ‘Billie Jean’ was out of this world too.

[LisaLove-]

David Archuleta's Imagine should be on the list. He has the voice of an angel and poured so much into that performance and took a classic and truly made it his own. I can't believe it's not even an honorable mention

[aroldojunior]

Adam Lambert is so underrated! He's so talented! He deserves way more!

[AmandasBooktopia]

I think Kelly Clarkson should have been number 1. I mean, everything she sang was killer. And Daughtry should have been on the list for his Wanted Dead or Alive performance. And Jordin Sparks should have been on this list somewhere. I mean, she was 16 when she was on American Idol and her voice was just outstanding.

[taralucas]

“Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” by Chris Daughtry was the most memorable to me. His performance took this competition to a whole new level!!!

[stellagal]

All I know is that when Jennifer Hudson sang Circle of Life, I literally had chill bumps running all up and down my arms. It was fantastic.

[JOHNNYSGIRL]

To Love Somebody, Solitaire, and This is the Night, Mack the Knife, and every other song he did on that show was perfection! Clay Aiken was and is still so amazing!

[wendybrown]

Haley Reinhart was always underrated. Her talent is continuously overlooked.

[sassykaren]

I can’t believe that you didn’t mention Chris Daughtry 😢

[kriscynical]

I think Solitaire was more THE performance by Clay Aiken. You know you've nailed a song when the original artist says "This isn't my song anymore; it's yours."

[_Julaine]

I wish you would have spoken less and let us listen to the songs.

[briansherrod]

Fantasia, La’Porsha, Candice Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Haley Reinhart, Adam Lambert, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet the list goes on. Powerhouses on this show!

[lonellfletcher]

Interesting to see Katharine McPhee’s Somewhere Over the Rainbow NOWHERE on this list

[henrywilloughby]

LaToya London - All By Myself. She got almost no screen time in the auditions or Hollywood week and then delivered that performance and said "I will NOT be edited out of the running" and claimed her well-deserved spot.

Also glad to see Melinda Doolittle on the list. She was a powerhouse.