Round 1 singers choice

Scotty McCreery: Lonestar, "Amazed."
I think it's a matter of time before he can belt out the big notes. He didn't here but he knows himself well enough not to do what he can't do

Lauren Alaina: Faith Hill, "Wild One."
Se rushed the song and was distracted the whole time. She didn't actually sing the song at all. She was barely connected to it. She clipped her words until I could barely understand her. It might have been here worst performance ever and I don't think she knew it any more than she knows it when she is brilliant.

Haley Reinhart: Led Zeppelin, "What Is and What Should Never Be."
The old man got to play with his daughter in front of millions of people. How cool is that? She was rocking and very comfortable. OK she fell down but that's OK. I didn't even notice. This is Haley at her best. Because her dad was playing so well with her, it was the most entertaining song in weeks.

Round 2 Producer's choice

Scotty: Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not?"
I hate this song. It represents everything I dislike about the present pop country. but I don't blame Scotty. He did everything that could be done with it. He's actually a very good actor. He could make it on stage.

Lauren: Band Perry, "If I Die Young
She sang it like she didn't understand it. At one point, Lauren decided to put in the obligatory "run" and it sounded stupid. It is a beautiful delicate subtle song. It has to breath to live and she smothered it.

Haley: Stevie Nicks, "Rihannon."

I liked the original much better. Adequate. After her first song, I was surprised she didn't try to put a little more "Haley" on it. At least it was respectful of the original. She wins the award for being the most beautiful object in the win blown set.

Round 3 Judges choice

Scotty: Kenny Rogers, "She Believes in Me."
He sang well. He didn't struggle. He felt it. Good choice and delivery. I think the judges forced him to do a big chorus. They must have know he could have blown it. But he didn't.

Lauren: Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance."
Finally she sounded like I expected her to. Beautiful song and her natural gifts were sparkling like the sun on the water. Had she blown this song, she would be gone next week. She still might be but this song was beautiful.

Haley Alanis Morissette, "You Oughta Know."
No comment because I don't know the song at all and I didn't much care for it.

Summary. Anyone could lose and anyone could win. If the merit of this nights performance were the deciding factor, Haley wins.

If you take the whole season into account, Lauren wins.

If you consider the howling masses voting their fingers numb, anyone can win but Scotty might have an edge.

If I get to choose who I want to win place and show it would be Lauren, Scotty and Haley.

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein