The Top 10 Performances from X Factor USA

By: Jacob Elyachar

If I was going to countdown the best performances from The Voice, I had to be fair and countdown to the 10 Best Performances from The X Factor USA. 

Despite all of the drama and surprise eliminations, the first season of The X Factor delivered strong performances from some of the contestants.     These performances are from the final two stages of the competition: the judges’ houses and the live shows.  After watching and listening to a majority of the videos from season one…. here are the Top 10!

10. Josh Krajcik & Alanis Morissette, “Uninvited” (Live Shows Final, Night One)

The Columbus, Ohio rocker was given the opportunity to duet with Grammy winner Alanis Morissette on her hit from the 1998-film City of Angels.   Josh was able to hold his own against the Canadian rock goddess and they had incredible vocal chemistry.    While L.A. and Paula praised his performance, Simon gave it an eight-out-of-ten because he thought Alanis intimidated Josh during the performance.   Who do you agree with: Simon or L.A. and Paula? You can be the judge by clicking here and watching the performance: http://youtu.be/69mZc8R7Vt8

9. Rachel Crow, “I Believe” (Live Shows, Top Nine)

Rachel Crow was one of the youngest performers in the competition that continued to charm the crowd through her personality and her constantly impressive vocal performances.  One of Rachel’s best performances on the show was her cover of the 2003 Yolanda Adams song “I Believe.”  This performance had impressive vocals from the Mead, Colorado native and a powerful backing choir to help her move forward in the competition.  Did you become a believer after this performance? Click here to watch it: http://youtu.be/t0bs5sdOSP8

8. Drew, “Must Have Been Love” (Judges House-Simon Cowell)

14-year-old Drew’s cover of “Must Have Been Love” was brilliant due to her ability to connect with the song and her unique vocals.  After she performed her solo, Simon and team of producers stated that it was an amazing performance.   To watch Drew’s performance again, click here: http://youtu.be/3MqSXmVcEi4

7. Melanie Amaro, “Listen” (Live Shows Final, Night One)

Of all the contestants, Melanie Amaro had one of the longest journeys to get to the top of X Factor USA Mountain.   She made it all the way to Simon’s house and then was eliminated prior to Simon coming to her house and reinstating her in the competition.   “Listen” was not only a full circle moment for her but a star making moment as well because it will give listeners chills and goose bumps at the same time.  Melanie received a standing ovation from all four judges for her cover and received strong feedback from the judges: http://youtu.be/UB1AkrF2B3E

 

6. LeRoy Bell, “Angel” (Live Shows, Top Nine)

59-year-old LeRoy Bell was the oldest contestant in the competition.  Throughout his time on the FOX singing competition, he delivered stellar performances that won fans over every single time.   However, he continued to receive constructive criticism from L.A. and Simon for his performances.  During “Giving Thanks” week, LeRoy beautifully performed Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” and finally received praise from the show’s creator.   To watch the performance LeRoy dedicated to his mom, click here: http://youtu.be/rSdRCEhiG-c

5. Melanie Amaro & R. Kelly, “I Believe I Can Fly” (Live Shows Final, Night One)

The best duet of the Live Finals was Melanie’s duet with the Grammy-winning R&B superstar R. Kelly.  This performance showed off the first winner’s lower register, which blended well with R. Kelly’s voice and also showed off both performers’ respective showmanship.   It is rare to see R. Kelly perform with another artist and even on a singing competition show, so click here to watch this video: http://youtu.be/YFwO0_KOv-8

4. LeRoy Bell, “Don’t Let Me Down” (Live Show Results, Top Nine)

Attention over 30 performers! If you are somehow in the Bottom Two in America’s votes and need to sing for your life, you need to watch LeRoy Bell’s superb save me song as a guide for what to do in that situation.   LeRoy delivered spot-on vocals and his charisma was fantastic all throughout the song.  This performance brought both Nicole and Paula to their feet and wowed the crowd: http://youtu.be/Z0D7TWUDYqE

3. Josh Krajcik, “Jar of Hearts” (Live Shows, Top 12)

Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts” has been covered on a lot of different forms of media.  What makes Josh’s cover stand out is that he brought emotion into this song, which is something that people do not normally see from contestants on other shows (i.e.: American Idol).  Josh’s performance received strong remarks from both L.A. and Simon also made his mentor, Nicole, weep: http://youtu.be/Lo_6_2BthEg

 

2. Rachel Crow, “I’d Rather Go Blind” (Live Show Results, Top Five)

Rachel Crow may have been in the Bottom Two singers in this week of the competition but she was not going down without a fight.   She made the smart decision of using the late Etta James hit as her save-me song.    This was a brilliant vocal performance and cemented Rachel as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.   Not only did this performance received a standing ovation from Paula and Nicole but if you look closely, you might see Simon weep: http://youtu.be/JGeHiTsQaD0

1. Stacy Francis, “Purple Rain” (Judges House-Nicole Scherzinger)

From the Judges Auditions to the Live Shows, Stacy Francis’s booming and powerful voice won over countless fans with her renditions of classics such as “Natural Woman” and “Summertime.”   This performance is at the top of the countdown because of Stacy’s master class vocals that not only gave audience members chills but also brought Nicole to tears and astonished her guest: Latin crooner Enrique Iglesias.   To watch this performance again, click here: http://youtu.be/vkdSTq_qlLo

 

The X Factor returns for its second season tomorrow with new judges Britney Spears and Demi Lovato plus lots of new talent on FOX.