AMERICAN IDOL Preview: Check Out Top-8's Song Choices for Tonight's '80's Week'

When last we left our Season XIII American Idol finalists, an uncomfortable amount of confetti was raining down on 17-year-old Sam Woolf, who had survived America's vote by garnering the season's only judge's save. As the show went off the air host Ryan Seacrest informed us that Top-8 Week Part 2 would focus on the songs of the 1980s. Again, first-year Executive Producer Per Blankens has opted to give the contestants an extremely open-ended theme. Thus far, the strategy has proved beneficial for audiences and Idols alike, as both have been exposed to songs outside the normally limited Reality Show set-list.

However, this week, there is extra reason for excitement as Season 7 champ David Cook is on hand as guest mentor. Along with Adam Lambert, Cook is by far the most creative Idol-alum when it comes to reimagining classic songs. Don't believe me? His "Billy Jean" is still one of the coolest performances in show history. With full-time (?) mentor Randy Jackson elbowed out of the way for the week, here's to hoping that Cook and the contestants can serve up a memorable slate of 80's nostalgia; especially since it is likely that two will go home tomorrow because of last week's save.

As first reported by TVLine.com, here are the songs that each contestant (in alphabetical order) will perform tonight. I've thrown in my two cents on each choice, now let me know what you expect from each in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. Also, remember to check back to BroadwayWorldTV tonight and tomorrow morning for all of your American Idol post-show needs.

C.J. Harris
"Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty
First Impression: This seems to fit C.J.'s voice, but those deceptively high notes on "Freeeeee" scare me a little bit for him.

Jena Irene
"I Love Rock N' Roll" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
First Impression: Yet another opportunity for Jena to show yet another side of her ever-expanding artistic repertoire. I would be shocked if this isn't one of the best two performances of the night.

Caleb Johnson
"Faithfully" by Journey
First Impression: Caleb promised Harry last week that he would slow it down and show his tender side, and this seems like the perfect opportunity for that.

Jessica Meuse
"Call Me" by Blondie
First Impression: All season I've felt that Jessica has been plagued by a lack of energy and emotion when she sings. This seems like the perfect song to either fix that problem, or to prove that there simply is no fix for Jessica.

Alex Preston
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
First Impression: I expect Alex to infuse this song with The Police's signature reggae feel. Last week I said that Alex was getting a little predictable, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he spins this haunting classic.

Dexter Roberts
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" by Georgia Satellites
First Impression: After breaking out of his Southern Anthem mold with impressive results last week, Dexter is back to picking his songs out of every karaoke book south of the Mason-Dixon Line. That being said, the voters seem to like the shtick.

Malaya Watson
"Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan
First Impression: Malaya's standing in the competition has risen in the last few weeks based on her intense emotional connection to her songs and her Broadway-style belting. I'm just afraid that she is becoming a bit of a one-trick pony.

Sam Woolf
"Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
First Impression: I applaud Sam for thinking out of his conventional box, but I'm afraid this is just more of the same low-key saccharine fluff that has had him in the Bottom Three nearly every week. This song doesn't seem to provide him an opportunity to give the stellar performance that he needs to avoid danger again this week.

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