“God Bless the U.S.A.”
Performed by Kristy Lee Cook

Recorded by Lee Greenwood in 1984, the song did not hit its pay dirt until the first Iraq war. The song was performed by every musician with a microphone in order to drum up support for that conflict. In many ways it was the first song to combine country music and love of, well…country.

Watch Kristy Lee Cook’s Top 10 performance of God Bless the USA on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s Lee Greenwood performing his song live on a USO tour.

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“You’re the Voice”
Performed by David Archuleta

The song is a mystery to the judges and equally so to us at SheKnows. Performed by Australian John Farnham, “You’re the Voice” was given a new voice by Archuleta with his performance.

Watch David Archuleta’s Top 10 performance of “You’re the Voice” on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s the original video by John Farnham (you can find anything on the Internet!)

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“Total Eclipse of the Heart”
Performed by Carly Smithson

Bonnie Tyler, a fellow Irishwomen to Carly, made this her anthem in 1983. The song has been played (and karaoked) incessantly ever since. The video arrived to a MTV network desperate for content and became a staple in no time in its romance novel meets musical nature.

Watch Carly Smithson’s Top 10 performance of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s the iconic Bonnie Tyler video from the 80s:

Here’s something different: Irish boys Westlife also covered this song recently. Watch their live performance:

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“We Will Rock You” / “We Are The Champions”
Performed by Michael Johns

“We Will Rock You” is so Queen that the group named its Broadway musical after it. The track that is always played along with it, “We are the Champions” is Queen’s seminal classic. Both songs have been taken over by sports teams and become iconic in the process. Watch Michael Johns’ Top 10 performance of both “We Will Rock You” and “We are the Champions” on American Idol: Season 7.

Now check out Queen’s LiveAid ‘85 peformance!

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“Every Breath You Take”
Performed by Brooke White

The song was The Police’s first single off what would prove to be their last album. The song surged to the top of the charts and brought its album, Synchronicity, with it to dominate the summer charts. Later the song swept the Grammy’s and was re-recorded by P. Diddy in tribute to Biggie Smalls. Interesting note: Sting joined Diddy onstage at the MTV Video Awards to perform the track with a gospel choir. Watch Brooke White’s Top 10 performance of “Every Breath You Take” on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s the original video of “Every Breath You Take” by the Police

Here’s the video of P. Diddy’s tribute (with Faith Evans)

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“If Only for One Night”
Performed by Chikezie

The Brenda Russell song was made famous by the smoothest R&B singer of them all…Luther Vandross. His 1985 version is considered the standard. Watch Chikezie’s Top 10 performance of “If Only for One Night” on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s a 1985 performance of “If Only for One Night” sung as a duet by Luther Vandross and Patti LaBelle.

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“If I Were Your Woman”
Performed by Syesha Mercado

Stephanie Mills recorded this track, proving she was for real. The 1987 smash is the defining track of her career. Watch Syesha Mercado’s Top 10 peformance of “If I Were Your Woman” on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s the 1970s version performed live by Gladys Knight and the Pips…

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“Fragile” by Sting
Performed by Jason Castro

From Sting’s second solo album, The Soul Cages, “Fragile” is the impassioned song that brought a Middle Eastern sound to the leader of The Police. “Fragile” also is one of a dozen Sting songs that features multilingual lyrics. Watch Jason Castro’s Top 10 performance of “Fragile” on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s a live performance of Sting singing Fragile. In the Fall of 2001, Sting dedicated this song to those who suffered from the September 11 World Trade Center attacks.

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