With promos and promises of Idol Gives Back clouding every available moment of American Idol this week, it was only fitting that Tuesday night’s performance theme was songs of inspiration. Singing about peace, hope, joy, dreams and love, the Top 8 contestants took to the stage to win over our hearts. But which of them failed to inspire votes?

Michael Johns was first up to sing “Dream On.” I thought this was an excellent song choice for him, and his voice sounded totally on point from beginning to end. Johns got big in the chorus, impressed with his falsetto and showed off a ton of vocal range. Still, I can’t help harping on these weird things he’s wearing around his neck lately. Can we please ditch the Thurston Howell look? Judge Randy Jackson called it a “pretty good song choice,” but pointed to “pitch problems” and said he didn’t really buy it. Paula “couldn’t disagree more,” and told Johns “you sound as good as you look,” calling the performance “unbelievable.” Simon also found it a “very good performance,” but thought it was a “little bit wanna-be-ish.”

Syesha Mercado, who has mysteriously been appearing in the bottom three though her vocals are beautiful, stepped up to sing Fantasia’s “I Believe.” It was hard for me to look away from her captivating performance, and her vocals were stunning. Randy said Syesha “took on another tiger” but found that “it was okay.” Paula Abdul told Syesha “not many people can take on songs like that,” and called it “one of your most shining nights.” Cowell admitted “I thought you sang it very well,” but wasn’t pleased with her lack of emotion. “I actually want to find out who you are all about,” he told her.

Jason Castro strummed a ukulele while he sang one of my all-time favorite songs: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Back in his usual heartthrob mien, Castro was very convincing, displaying a nice falsetto and soft vocals. He ended with a strong finish. I wasn’t the only one who was impressed. “Jason Castro is back in the hunt!” Randy Jackson announced, calling the performance “blazing, molten hot.” Paula decided it was a “perfect song” and told him, “you did a great job.” Simon Cowell declared it was “fantastic.”

Kristy Lee Cook stepped up to sing “Anyway,” a country joint I’d never heard before in my life. Cook displayed better range and control than she has in the entire competition, delivering what I’m totally shocked to say was a very strong, very good performance. Damn it! This girl just won’t go away. I’d be surprised if Kristy is the one to go home this week. Randy begrudgingly admitted “I loved it, actually.” Paula told her “I think you outdid yourself,” and said “this was your best.” That’s probably true. “I thought you were very, very good indeed,” Simon Cowell told her. “Tonight, you looked like a star,” he smiled, adding, “good on you.”

David Cook appeared next wearing an odd, Michael Jackson-esque white jacket. He chose to sing “Innocent” by Our Lady Peace, a song choice which could easily put him in the bottom three. Okay, I love Our Lady Peace - but then I’m a fan of somewhat obscure music. This is not the band to choose if your aim is wowing the Idol demographic. The song is even a strange one, and if Cook was going to sing Our Lady Peace he should have at least picked “Life.” This song would have at once been more recognizable and I think he might’ve performed it better, because I did not dig on his “Innocent” rendition. Cook started off with more mumbling and the vocals weren’t at all impressive, but I will say this for him: he’s got a lot of stage presence. Randy Jackson admitted, “I’m not sure this was one of your strongest.” Paula called Cook the “whole package” and said “you are it.” Simon stated that he “didn’t like this performance very much a’tall,” calling it “pompous” and admitting he didn’t like the jacket, either. And the style problems on American Idol’s seventh season persist.

Carly Smithson chose to sang Queen’s “The Show Must Go On,” another really weird choice for the inspirational evening. Carly’s vocals were incredible as always. She delivered another very professional, wonderful performance. Randy, however, said it was “just okay,” and felt a little “disconnected.” Paula thinks Carly’s voice is “pretty perfect,” but said she “didn’t feel engaged.” Simon told her “you look good,” because he bashed her fashion choices last week, and told her she “over-sang it.” Overall, Cowell found it a weird song choice and thought she delivered an “angry performance.”

David Archuleta sat behind the piano to croon “Angels.” His vocals started out a bit off and he had noticeable trouble with the low notes, but all was forgiven once David sang the chorus so beautifully. He gave the song a big, big ending to leave it on a high note. Randy Jackson said “that was your hottest moment of the whole season,” no it wasn’t, while Paula simply said it was “fantastic.” Simon Cowell found it to be the “best song choice of the night,” but thought it wasn’t David’s best vocal. Cowell called it “a bit nasaly,” but said “you are gonna sail through to the next round.” And the one after that, and the one after that…honestly, I think Archuleta’s sitting pretty until at least the 4 spot.

Brooke White closed the show with “You’ve Got a Friend,” a song so sugary-sweet I’m sure it appealed to Brooke right away. She played no instruments for a change, but managed once again to take a very fun, very poppy song and turn it into a funeral dirge. Her slow-paced performance was at once boring and stale, with no impressive vocal styling to pull it back up. I really think this might be Brooke’s week to hit the road, though she’ll have to compete with David Cook and potentially Syesha Mercado (who, again, mysteriously has trouble nabbing votes). Randy decreed “it was just okay,” while Paula naturally gushed. “Perfect way to close the evening,” she said, telling Brooke “I love you.” Simon likened the performance to a “pleasant walk in the park,” saying “it was nice,” even though it wasn’t original.

There will be no elimination tonight, as FOX is loathe to kick off a contestant the same night they treat us to a charitable extravaganza. Instead, we’ll wait for Thursday to see who will stay and who will not. American Idol’s special begins at 7:30 tonight, so set your DVR to record and make sure you’ve got snacks on hand - there’s more than four hours of Idol-watching this week.