Aaron Kelly Doesn't Do "Blue Suede Shoes" Any Favors on American Idol

It was Elvis night on American Idol. Contestants got to pick a song from more than 800 Elvis songs, and Aaron Kelly picked "Blue Suede Shoes." American Idol chose last year's runner-up, Adam Lambert, to mentor the contestants for Elvis night. This is the first time that a former contestant has been asked to be a mentor.

Adam Lambert's Advice to Aaron Kelly

Adam Lambert's goal as a mentor to the American Idol contestants was to be honest but constructive. He said that he just didn't want to tell them they were good or bad. He wanted to let them know how they could improve. Overall, he told all the contestants they need to "wake up" and get some energy.

Adam said that he underestimated Aaron's voice. He saw an energy part way through Aaron's performance and advised him to use that energy from the get-go.

Part of Aaron's problem is that he doesn't believe in himself. I think that has more to do with age than his voice. But Aaron was nervous about performing "Blue Suede Shoes" because he said that the song doesn't fit him, but he still wants to have fun with it.

Aaron Kelly's "Blue Suede Shoes" performance

Everyone knows Elvis' songs, and it is a daunting task to make them new and current without changing the song too much. Aaron Kelly's "Blue Suede Shoes" performance was weak and imitative.

Aaron started his song on the steps walked out in a jacket with the collar up. He used the stage as he sang, but he also mimicked Elvis with the foot slides and hip twists.

Aaron's rendition of "Blue Suede Shoes" was just so-so. His vocals were weak in parts and stronger in other parts. He put a bluesy spin on the song about half way through it so the ending was better than the beginning. "Blue Suede Shoes" is an iconic song, and it may just have been too big for Aaron Kelly.

Will Aaron Kelly be in the Bottom Three?

It was no surprise that Aaron Kelly was in the bottom three last week after his performance of "The Long and Winding Road." This week Aaron sang "Blue Suede Shoes," and it was good and bad. Certain parts were okay, but the song started out weak.

I agree with Simon Cowell when he said it seemed like a high school concert. Aaron does have a strong American Idol fan base, but it is questionable whether or not he will be in the bottom three again this week.