RAMIELE MALUBAY came into the world in 1987, so she kicked the night off with "Alone," by HEART. The song's powerful chorus allowed her to finally break out vocally. Randy thought the tune was too big for her and thought CARLY SMITHSON had done it more justice a few weeks before. Paula said Ramiele was a big talent, and Simon assured her she'd be around next week.

JASON CASTRO was celebrating his 21st birthday last night, and he played guitar while performing STING's "Fragile," from 1987. It was his strongest vocal performance so far, and Randy loved the song choice. Paula applauded Jason for staying true to who he was, but Simon thought he was too laid back and said he needed to take the competition more seriously.

SYESHA MERCADO was also born in 1987 and sang GLADYS KNIGHT's "If I Were Your Woman," which was a single for STEPHANIE MILLS that year. The R&B tune really allowed her to show off her vocal ability, and Randy said it was the best she'd ever sounded on the show. Paula called it "brilliant," but Simon thought she had reached her vocal limit on the tune.

CHIKEZIE chose to sing LUTHER VANDROSS' "If Only For One Night" from 1985. The ballad was pretty but also a little boring. Randy thought he should have updated the arrangement, but Paula loved the throwback vibe. Simon called it "cheesy" and unoriginal.

BROOKE WHITE's started singing THE POLICE's 1983 smash "Every Breath You Take" in the wrong key last night, but quickly recovered to deliver a very safe version of the tune. Randy thought it was just OK, and Paula called her "consistent." Simon thought it was good enough to keep her another week.

MICHAEL JOHNS sang a medley of QUEEN's "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" from 1978, and he did a good job of cramming the iconic tunes into just one and half minutes. Randy said it was Michael's strongest performance so far, and Paula called it his "shining moment." Simon said Michael could be a star based on this performance.

CARLY SMITHSON really rocked out with BONNIE TYLER's 1983 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Randy didn't like the song choice, but Paula thought she was really showing a lot of range with this one. Simon thought she was a little nervous singing the tune and thought it didn't work well.

DAVID ARCHULETA sang "You're the Voice," which appeared on a DAVID FOSTER album in 1990. He sounded great, but David could've benefited from singing a more well-known tune. Randy thought it was very nice, but Simon said it was along the lines of a theme park performance.

KRISTY LEE COOK turned in the cheesiest performance of the night with 1984's "God Bless the U.S.A." by LEE GREENWOOD, but it was well-received nevertheless. Randy liked the song choice, and Paula thought her voice was getting stronger. Simon thought it was her best performance so far and said it was very "clever" to choose that song.

DAVID COOK made the brave choice to turn MICHAEL JACKSON's 1982 smash "Billie Jean" into a power ballad, borrowing from a cover version by former SOUNDGARDEN and AUDIOSLAVE frontman CHRIS CORNELL. It was easily the most interesting performance of the night. Randy said David was the most bold contestant they've ever had, and Paula said he was on his way to winning the contest. Even Simon said it was "brilliant."