Last week on American Idol, the contestants sang selections from the Dolly Parton songbook. Michael and the Davids were great, Syesha was predictable, Carly was ok, and Jason was better than he had been since the Top 12 began. Not so lucky were Brooke, Kristy, and Ramiele, all of whom fell into the bottom three. Brooke was sent to safety and though Kristy was in the bottom two for the third time, Ramiele Malubay was voted out. This week, the contestants will all sing inspirational songs, lending to the week's "Idol Gives Back" charity theme. Who will inspire votes and who will move people to hit their mute buttons? Let's find out.

Michael Johns is the first person to perform and he is singing Aerosmith's, "Dream On." It's a solid vocal performance, with Michael sounding as strong and confident as ever. He powers through the chorus, sounding great and commanding the stage. Then, he does some kind of weird banshee wailing at the end and it kind of musses up the whole thing for me. What the heck was that? Everything up until that point was great and then it went kersplat, but it was still a strong performance.

Randy: says it was pitchy and he doesn't buy Michael as an Aerosmith kind of guy.
Paula: says it was a perfect song choice and he sounded as good as he looks.
Simon: thought it was a good, but it was a wanna-be rocker performance.

Syesha Mercado is the second person to perform and she is singing Fantasia's "I Believe." Once again, Syesha's taking on a big diva and not only that, but a past Idol's victory single. Is she begging for a backlash? Then I hear her start to sing and it's weird, but I'm drawn to Syesha. I believe her, I find her believable, and I love her take on this song. This may be the first time I really like Syesha Mercado and it's easily my favorite of all her performances.

Randy: says Syesha took on Fantasia, but didn't connect with the song like Fantasia.
Paula: says Syesha made the song her own and it was a shining moment for her.
Simon: says Syesha was good on a technical level, but he didn't feel any emotion from her.

Jason Castro is the third person to perform and he is singing, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Not the version we've heard Kimberly Locke or Katharine McPhee sing, but one by a Hawaiian artist named Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. The arrangement is simple and Jason is plucking at a ukelele onstage and it's all wonderful. Jason is completely in his element, connecting on that subtle level that has made him so unique this season. He gives a few flourishes with his vocals and the choir joins him at one point, but nothing is overdone and it's easily his best performance of the competition. At least, it's his best in my opinion. It was just sublime.

Randy: says the performance was blazing hot.
Paula: says Jason has a definitive sound and he did a great job.
Simon: says the first time he heard this version of the song, he wasn't sure, the second time he heard it he loved it, and the third time, referring to Jason, thought it was fantastic.