James Durbin picks 30 Seconds to Mars’ Closer to the Edge as his first song, and the judges were quick to show their love. Steven Tyler declared that Durbin "kicked that song’s ass."

Jacob Lusk wasn’t so lucky with Jordin Sparks’ and Chris Brown’s No Air, in which he made the fatal mistake of tackling both parts of the duet. Randy Jackson thought his choice was heavy on the corn starch not his thing.

Keeping up with the former Idol winners theme, Lauren Alaina sang Carrie Underwood’s Flat on the Floor, but this time the judges had more favorable words. "That is the direction for you,” Randy Jackson cheered. Jennifer Lopez agreed, saying, “You ate that up…That's what you have to do every time."

Scotty McCreery belts out Montgomery Gentry's Gone, delivering yet another powerhouse performance from the country boy. Lopez said she got so excited that she "got lost for a minute." Jackson exclaims he felt like he was "sitting with concert Scotty," and Tyler said he was "dancing with the devil." One can only assume that’s a good thing when Steven Tyler says that.

Haley Reinhart sings an unreleased Lady Gaga song titled You and I, drawing mixed reviews from the judges. However, Tyler assures Reinhart that her ability to take on a song nobody knew is "a beautiful thing."

For round two, Durin chose Harry Nilsson's Without You, moving himself and the judges to tears. Lopez loved that he had "the heart and soul to back it up."

Lusk redeems himself with Roy Orbison’s Love Hurts, showing off his range once again for the judges. Tyler said he hopes America felt his performance, and Jackson added, "That might have been the highest note sung on this stage."

Alaina delivers the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody, which also happens to be her parents’ "song." Lopez said, "Nothing to judge there… you sang beautifully." The other judges also had no critiques to offer.

McCreery sang Brenda Lee’s Always on My Mind, and once again, he blew the judges and the audience away. Lopez said, “You show us you can do anything.” Yes, he can.

When he's up again, Reinhart repents for her earlier performance, this time singing the Animals’ House of the Rising Sun. Not only did she command a standing ovation from both the audience and the judges, but Jackson declared, “Award tonight for the best performance of the night goes to Haley." Let’s hope the voters at home agree.

Karen Malmquist is a sophomore at La Salle University, and the head writer and star of In Other News, a comedy series airing in Philadelphia.