Tim Urban Sings "Better Days" by the Goo Goo Dolls

On American Idol's theme for the April 20^th, 2010 show was "Songs of Inspiration". Tim Urban chose to sing "Better Days" by the Goo Goo Dolls. Tim didn't say what was inspiring about "Better Days" but after his performance the American Idol fans can only guess,

American Idol Mentor: Advice from Alicia Keys to Tim Urban

Alicia Keys was the mentor this week on American Idol. Since this week is Idol Gives Back week Alicia was the perfect fit for the "Songs of Inspiration Theme". Alicia Keys has been a champion for HIV/AIDS victims in Africa.

Alicia told Tim that he had a couple of lines that she wanted to see him show that he "really meant the words". She also added that the song feels really good.

Tim Urban's "Better Days" Performance

Tim was on stage with his guitar and a string orchestra. He had his eyes closed for most of his performance and I assume that's because of Alicia Keys' advice about him really meaning the words. He was trying to force the emotion that should come easily with this song.

Tim kept a decent tempo while performing "Better Days" but the performance was very similar to the original.

What the Judges said about Tim Urban's "Better Days" Performance

Randy Jackson: Said that Tim's performance was just okay. It was good karaoke.

Ellen DeGeneres: Compared Tim to the soup of the day. She said sometimes she likes it and sometimes she doesn't. Today Ellen didn't like the soup.

Kara DioGuardi: Kara is happy to see a "new Tim" and this is where he belongs but it wasn't the best execution of the song. Sometimes he sounds very commercial but it wasn't his best performance.

Simon Cowell: Simon said that if this was the very first time he was seeing Tim perform then he would be quite impressed. The performance was difficult to believe and a little bit of a letdown.

Tim Urban did not put any emotion into "Better Days". The song fell flat and he should have kept it a Goo Goo Dolls' hit. There was no connection to the song and it was forced.

Hopefully Tim will still have some "Better Days" ahead because I'm not sure if that performance was strong enough to keep him in the American Idol competition. He might be spared for one more week but he will need to show a tremendous improvement to continue.