American Idol 14 Top 8 Billboard Hits Week Song Suggestions

So… Who here is sad that Daniel left last week?

*crickets chirping

As I thought.

Wow, only 8 are left? We are really getting down to the home stretch! Hey guys, it’s your trusty Idol song suggestion writer Adam, here with another batch of suggestions for the top 8! Take a look and I hope you enjoy!

Before I get to the suggestions, I must say, this week is BROAD. Literally they are tons of songs that fit under this week’s theme of Billboard Hits. I hope with such a broad theme week that we at least get some unique and constructive song choices and arrangements. Steer clear of the overdone, contestants! Shoot for originality above all else!

Anyway, on to the suggestions!

Clark Beckham

Is it to early to get the confetti ready for Clark’s inevitable victory in the coming weeks? Personally, I think at this point, Clark has this in the bag, and nothing JAX, Joey or Nick could possibly do will stop his train. Clark would have to have a REALLY and I mean REALLLLY bad performance to be in danger, and at this point, I highly doubt seeing that happening. It is kind of a shame though that since the top 48, the predictable WGWG will be taking the crown just like most other seasons, but at this point, I can’t really deny that he doesn’t deserve it.

1- I’m Not The Only One, by Sam Smith. This song is right up Clark’s alley. I see him doing great things with this one.
2- Take Me To Church, by Hozier. I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess this will be the actual song Clark will be doing come Wednesday. Either way, he could slay it.
3- Say, by John Mayer. Please, Clark! I really want to hear him take on this song at some point.

JAX

What do we have to do to get a full performance for JAX behind the piano? With this week being Billboard week, I can see JAX being drawn to an up-tempo pop song, so if she is, I just hope she does something different with it. JAX, you can not afford another Blank Space Performance! Please bring back the piano! I’m begging you! Right now Clark is running away with this, and you need to start putting up a fight or he will easily take this all!

1- Love Me Like You Do, by Ellie Goulding. There are some pretty cool acoustic and piano driven versions of this song out there that I think would be perfect for JAX.
2- Try, by Colbie Caillet. One word: piano!!!!! I would love to see her take this song to the piano and do her thing.
3- Bring Me To Life, by Evanescence. JAX has a rocker side that she used to give in to a lot in her pre-Idol work. I really would love to see her bring it out for this song.
Update: JAX said in an interview she will be performing a dance song. Don’t You Worry Child is my guess, but who knows.

Joey Cook

Joey is back people! Now, all she needs to do at this point is keep the momentum with another stellar performance. This week, the song list is pretty broad, so I’m curious what song that will turn out from Joey. I am super excited to see!

1- Cool Kids, by Echosmith. I just love this song and I think Joey could do a great switch up with it! However, I would much rather prefer to hear her take on:
2- Elastic Heart, by Sia. She has to sing Sia at some point, so I’m going to guess this will be the week she will give in to all the feedback. If she does to this song, I highly suggest she steer clear of the original version, and instead put her own spin on it. Joey is no Sia, but by putting her own spin on one of her songs, she will make the connection, but also show she is her own original artist.
3- Cough Syrup, by Young The Giant. A slow down dramatic version of this song could do wonders for Joey.

Nick Fradiani

I’m worried for Nick this week. Performing first did not help his chances, and I think he might be a candidate to receive the Idol Twitter save. Nick is one of my favorites, so if he is possibly put into that situation, he will need to KILL it with his save me song. I think I picked out some good ones for Nick this week, so have a look.

1- Lips Of An Angel, by Hinder. This song is perfect for Nick! I would love if he showed his vulnerable side with it.
2- Stay With Me, by Sam Smith. I’m curious what he would do if he tried out this song.
3- Collide, by Howie Day. Please do this song at some point, Nick!

Qaasim Middleton

I wish Qaasim had followed my advice last week, because now he is in serious danger. Someone will be really robbed if Qaasim or Rayvon does not end up going home, which is unfortunate, but that is what happens at this stage of the game: someone has to go. As I have said before, the only piece of advice I can offer Qaasim, is that he keep it uptempo and ride it out as long as he can.

1- Latch, by Disclosure (with Sam Smith). This is my dream song to hear from Qaasim before he leaves. I can imagine him putting on quite the show with this one.
2- Sail, by Awolnation. Qaasim always puts on these angry faces when he performs. With this song, he could put on a dramatic show and really get fierce with it. I’m really liking the thought of him trying out this song.
3- Treasure, by Bruno Mars. I can totally see him doing his thing with this song.

Quentin Alexander

Quentin said in an interview that this week he will be doing a song that is more up-tempo, which for me, raises all the wrong flags. Quentin is best when he does himself, so personally, I would have steered clear from Harry’s advice, but since he is going with a song like that, my picks will reflect his hint.

1- Chandelier, by Sia. I would have loved to hear him slow this song down and just deliver with the vocals, but if he must pick up the tempo, I hope he can still push hard to deliver.
2- Bring Me To Life, by Evanescence. If JAX doesn’t take on this song, I really want to hear Quentin try it out.
3- Riptide, by Vance Joy. If not this week, at some point in the competition, I want to hear Quentin reprise this song.

Rayvon Owen

Hey, Rayvon made it another week! Good for him! Moving forward though, I still see him as being in huge danger along with Qaasim and Nick. What Rayvon should be picking his song for this week, is a save me performance. Assuming in advance that he will be in danger will allow him to choose a song that he could nail, because he will know how important that decision is. I think I picked some good suggestions for Rayvon, take a look!

1- Don’t You Worry Child, by Swedish House Mafia. There are some great slow versions of this song that would fit amazingly with Rayvon’s voice!
2- Beneath Your Beautiful, by Labrinth. Rayvon’s tone is perfect for this emotional song. He could nail it!
3- Let Me Love You, by Mario. This song is right up Rayvon’s alley. He could do just fine with this.

Tyanna Jones

Tyanna is coasting through these weeks comfortably. However, as we keep losing contestants, Tyanna is going to need a moment if she wants to crack the top 3. Start playing to win Tyanna! She is playing an okay game right now, but she needs to really start to compete if she wants to go the distance.

1- Fourfiveseconds, by Rihanna and Kanye West and Paul McCartney. The perfect song for Tyanna this week.
2- Nobody Love, by Tori Kelly. Anyone else find it funny and ironic that this week a top 8 contestant could be singing a song from an Idol contestant cut before the live shows? Anyway, this song could work wonder for Tyanna if she brings some extra swag.
3- Girl On Fire, by Alicia Keys. Overdone? Yes, but this is the kind of song you use to compete. Tyanna needs to learn how to compete in this competition, so this song could be the place to start.

So those are my thoughts, what are yours? How happy are you to see Daniel’s time finally come? Sound off in the comments!

Thanks for reading again, and if you liked what you read and you want to show your appreciation, you can always follow me on Twitter at @adamhsamuel.

Oh, I almost forgot! Before I sign off, I just want to give myself a pat on the back for totally calling Nick and Qaasim’s song choice last week!

*pats self on back