“You’ve Got a Friend”
Performer: Brooke White

The 1971 album “Tapestry” is where this classic comes from and no, it’s not James Taylor. Carole King issued the simplest of songs in “You’ve Got a Friend” and it became her biggest hit. The song was recorded by James Taylor and a slew of artists ever since. “You’ve got a Friend” is just one of many on “Tapestry” that defined King’s brilliance including “I Feel the Earth Move,” So Far Away,” (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman” and “It’s Too Late.” Yes, all that on one album!

King is releasing “Tapestry” on April 15 in a “Legacy” edition and she will be sitting down with SheKnows for an exclusive interview in the coming weeks to talk “American Idol,” songwriting and the tapestry she has weaved through her life.

Watch Brooke White’s Top 8 performance of You’ve Got a Friend on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s a live Carole King performance.

And here’s the iconic James Taylor performing the hit live in 1971 WITH songwriter Carole King’s piano accompaniment.

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“Angels”
Performer: David Archuleta

What is an inspirational song night without a song about angels? As Simon said, “the song has never been a hit here,” and David Archuleta could easily have one with this track. UK superstar Robbie Williams had an enormous hit with the song in every other country but the U.S. That song’s lack of success in America mirrors Williams’ problems with every song of his. The British former boy bander has never been able to crack the U.S. market although he is in many ways the Justin Timberlake of Britain.

Watch David Archuleta’s Top 8 performance of Angels on American Idol: Season 7.

And here’s the Robbie Williams video of Angels.

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“The Show Must Go On” by Queen
Performer: Carly Smithson

Considering Freddy Mercury was singing about his battles with AIDS – this track does certainly achieve inspirational status. The song was the first single of the band’s final record in 1991, released just six weeks before Mercury died.

Watch Carly Smithson’s Top 8 performance of Queen’s The Show Must Go On on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s Queen’s music video of the song (weird! but still the amazing Freddie Mercury…)

Baz Lehrman’s awesome interpretation in Moulin Rouge!

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“Innocent” by Our Lady Peace
Perfromer: David Cook

“Everyone has a good heart,” so said David Cook of the soul of this song. Our Lady Peace took this rocking song of faith in humanity to the top of the Alternative charts. The 2002 song, from their album “Gravity,” introduced Our Lady Peace to a wider audience and still remains one of their signature songs.

Watch David Cook’s Top 8 performance of Innocent by Our Lady Peace on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s a live performance of Our Lady Peace doing Innocent.

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“Anyway” by Martina McBride
Performer: Kristy Lee Cook

“Anyway” is from the country music school of inspirational song. The track hit number one for Martina McBride and has itself a little “American Idol” history. McBride was a past mentor and performed “Anyway” on the same Idol stage as Kristy Lee Cook, bringing down the house.

A gospel-tinged song, if country music is your thing, the track is a chill creating moment.

Watch Kristy Lee Cook’s Top 8 performance of Martina McBride’s Anyway on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s Martina McBride singing Anyway on the American Idol stage last season on the Top 7 results show.

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“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Performer: Jason Castro

The inspirational song done by Hawaiian music icon Israel  Kamakawiwo’ole has become an instant classic as much as the Judy Garland original from “The Wizard of Oz.” Israel’s version strips the song down to its core – melancholy, yet hopeful – and created a world-wide hit.

Iz’s version has also become a favorite for weddings whether for a bride walking down the aisle or for the first dance.

Iz paired it with “What a Wonderful World” and is the perfect song. It’s opening chords on a ukulele and the opening vocals always provide a chorus of “ahhhs!” regardless of where the song is played. Interesting note: Used in the Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore film “50 First Dates.”

Watch Jason Castro’s Top 8 performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow on American Idol: Season 7.

Here’s a tribute video including Israel Kamakawiwo performing his hit combo of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World.

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“I Believe”
Performer: Syesha Mercado

Fantasia sang this track, written by American Idol: Season 1 alum, Tamyra Gray, that speaks volumes about the road traveled by the American Idol: Season 3 winner. On a night saluting inspirational songs, Fantasia’s song of hope amongst despair, knowing how her story ends, brings tears to any eyes.

Watch Syesha Mercado’s Top 8 performance of Fantasia Berrino’s I Believe on American Idol: Season 7.

I know this verges on AI blasphemy to say so, but am I the only one who preferred Syesha’s rendition?? I love the tone of her vocals. Listening to Fantasia sing this in the finals… is it just me? Doesn’t she sound screechy in comparison?

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“Dream On”
Performer: Michael Johns

Aerosmith’s seminal classic was written on a napkin by Steve Tyler late one night as his band slept around him. “Dream On,” after 35 years is still a power house.

Arriving in the summer of 1973, this was the year’s hottest track. And it persists: “Dream On” is one of the most well known songs of all time.

Every music fan that appreciates this song should catch the now-sober Aerosmith perform this track live (see below for a live performance video). It is a moment not soon forgotten.

Watch Michael Johns’ Top 8 performance of Dream On by Aerosmith on American Idol: Season 7.

 
Now check out this mesmerizing live performance of Dream On by Aerosmith and Steve Tyler. Brilliant! Amazing! I watched it TWICE in prepping this entry.

PS: However much it rocks, this is not an inspirational song.

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