American Idol's Elton John Week: Let's Make a Songlist

Grab your Donald Duck suit, because American Idol's Top 11 is dealing with a songbook so varied and dynamic that you'll require padded stagewear to survive: the work of Elton John. Let's pick the best possible songs, keep up the energy from last week's Motown theme, and establish a tumbleweed connection with the contestants' spirits.

Jacob Lusk: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

Inevitably he'll oversing the leonine lovin' outta this Oscar-winner, but the torchy starpower of this tune is right in Jacob's wheelhouse. Will he get pitchy? Yes. But this is the only Elton song that can help to confirm his brand of soulful bleating.

Stefano Langone: "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore"

Elton's most fabulous ballad of the last ten years deserves the star treatment from a singer who operates on pangs of despair. Stefano's crying-clown theatricality should serve him well here.

Haley Reinhart: "I'm Still Standing"

Haley needs to own her dark horse status and taunt America for keeping her in the competition. She's a cloying performer, but if her rendition of "I'm Your Baby Tonight" was any indication, she's also tenacious.

Naima Adedapo: "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"

Naima approaches the competition like a warrior, so this garrulous anthem should solidify her as season ten's bluebird in brass knuckles.

Casey Abrams: "Your Song"

Since Casey was so unconvincing as a smeller of teen spirits, I hope he can salvage his integrity by relying on sincere, singer-songwriter stylings.

Thia Megia: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

I want Thia gone by, oh, yesterday. But the girl has great pitch control, and an impressively melodic tune like "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" could remind America of her sheer vocal and emotive abilities.

Pia Toscano: "The Bitch is Back"

This is the only Elton song that can make up for Pia's last three weeks of belt-y nonchalance. Give me "bitch," Pia!

James Durbin: "Crocodile Rock"

James is a powerful singer who can always stand up to lighten up a little, at least onstage. Howling through "Crocodile Rock's" silly chorus would be a real start.

Lauren Alaina: "Philadelphia Freedom"

"You Keep Me Hangin' On" was Lauren's best song to date, and I think it's because it forced her to imbue some urgency into her vocals. "Philadelphia Freedom" is a fist-pumping pop jam -- a perfect fit for her optimistic call.

Scotty McCreery: "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"

Yep, Paul already performed this, but the song's "c'est la vie" nature could serve to liven up Scotty's voice, which always sounds like it's singing dead man dirges. Join the 21st century, sir! Or hell, the second half of the 20th!

Paul McDonald: "Little Jeannie"

You can't break Paul's lite-jam shtick, and "Little Jeannie" ranks among the best of Elton's gentle rockers.