American Idols Live! 2009 Tour: Song List Recap

With Season 8's American Idols Live Tour having debuted yesterday in Portland, Oregon, we finally know what the Top Ten Idol contestants have been working hard on to perform for us this summer. Like many other bloggers, Brian Mansfield recapped the Idols' first summer concert and revealed each contestant's choices of songs as well as what was sung for the group numbers.

Appearing in the order of being eliminated from the show, here's the Top Ten with what they each performed for the opening night of the American Idols Live 2009 Summer Tour.

Michael Sarver

Sticking true to the vibe we've previously seen from Michael Sarver on the Idol stage, Michael chose to sing Gavin DeGraw's "I Just Want a Girl" and Ne-Yo's "Closer." You'll recall that Sarver performed a different Gavin DeGraw song ("I Don't Want to Be") during his semifinals solo and Group 3 performed Ne-Yo's "Closer" as a group performance also during the semifinals.

Megan Joy

Megan decided to reprise her take on Corrine Bailey Rae's classic "Put Your Records On," and-perhaps unexpectedly-tackled "Tears Dry on Their Own" by Amy Whinehouse. You'll have to be the judge on if Megan Joy's tour set was successful or not. I can see that last number, in particular, going either way.

Scott MacIntyre

True to form, Scott chose to cover piano hits: "Bend and Break" from Keane and "A Thousand Miles" from Vanessa Carlton. I wonder if David Archuleta fans will be able to accept another "A Thousand Miles" cover from someone other than their beloved Archie. Sounds like a tall order to me, but devout Scott fans will probably be delighted regardless.

Lil Rounds

Lil Rounds got her dance on with some diva classics: a Mary J. Blige medley of "Be Without You" and "Just Fine," Alicia Keys' "No One," and Beyonce's "Single Ladies." Covering Beyonce is risky anyway, let alone "Single Ladies." For you, for me, that was brave! The risk may have well been worth it: successful or not, it will certainly have people talking.

Anoop Desai

It won't surprise many that Anoop Desai opened his set with Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind" and closed it with Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative." Both were big hits for him during the season. But, Anoop's middle song choice was unexpected: "Mad" by Ne-Yo. Honestly, I've never even heard that song.

Matt Giraud

Oh my beloved Matt Giraud! Opening his set with Otis Redding's "Hard to Handle," Matt got the tone started right. He followed it up with two reprises: his big song from Hollywood Week "Georgia on My Mind" and his version of "You Found Me" by the Fray. The latter song will probably be chalked up as a big mistake, but I don't care. I still love him!

Allison Iraheta

Choosing to reprise a song jointly sung by the Idols during the finale, Allison Iraheta chose "So What" by Pink. And true to the spoilers that have been circulating for a month, she followed up her first number with Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby" and Heart's "Barracuda."

Danny Gokey

Singing four songs, Danny Gokey reprised his takes on both Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" and Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most." He partnered those performances with Santana's "Maria Maria" and another hit from Rascal Flatts "My Wish." Why did he choose two Rascal Flatts' songs? I don't know. I really, really don't know. But, power to him anyway.

Adam Lambert

In a set that will surely please his hardcore fans, Adam Lambert didn't seem to hold anything back for the Idols summer tour. Reprising his "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin, adding in "Starlight" by Muse, and repeating "Mad World" by Tears for Fears got things started off well for him. Allison joined in for their lauded duet from Rock Week: "Slow Ride" by Foghat. Adam finished his set with a David Bowie Medley including "Life on Mars," "Fame," and "Let's Dance."

Kris Allen

Kris Allen opened his set choosing to revisit Kanye West's "Heartless"--much to the pleasure, I imagine, of most of America. Singing "No Boundaries" because he had to, Kris followed it up with a reprise of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine." Two (unpredictable) song choices ensued: "Hey Jude" by the Beatles and "Bright Lights" by Matchbox Twenty. He probably nailed both just the same.

Group Performances

With various contestant combinations, the Idols sang "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Tell Her About It," "Suspicious Minds," and "Beggin'" during the middle of the show and "Don't Stop Believing" at the end.

Sources:

Brian Mansfield, "American Idols Live" The Set List." USA Today Idol Chatter.

Brian Mansfield, "Brian_mansfield (brian_mansfield)." Twitter.