The top 12 sing the music of The Beatles!

The pop music catalog begins, ends and is defined by the extensive and diverse songs of The Beatles. From 1964 to 1970 they had 20 #1 chart-topping smash hits and they had 51 songs reach the top 40. The top 12 finalists are being given the privilege to perform the music from this outstanding songbook tonight.

The incredible string of hits ended in 1970 when the Beatles broke up, but in 1976 Got To Get You Into My Life was re-discovered and got enough sales and airplay to get into the top 10. In 1978 Earth Wind and Fire covered it and it became a hit again. Syesha Mercado nervously got on stage to perform the 1978 R&B arrangement of this song, but couldn't quite get it right. She was clearly trying to be fun, but her vocal strengths suffered as a result. She seems to have a difficult time singing and entertaining at the same time.

Chikieze barely made it into the top 12 last week and tonight he completely stepped up to prove that America made the right choice. He did exactly what he had to do to save himself from inevitable elimination with his high energy rendition the 1964 top five hit She's A Woman. It was a surprising breath of fresh air.

In My Life was never a single from their 1965 album Rubber Soul, but it is an instantly recognizable classic. Ramiele Malubay delivered a very sweet and simple interpretation of this lovely ballad rather than offering any special twists. The result was good, but not really impressive.

Another beautiful album track from the 1964 album A Hard Day's Night is If I Fell. Jason Castro stayed true to his standard gimmicks as he sat center stage on a stool strumming his acoustic guitar. He vocal weaknesses show through very clearly when he tries to attempt any key changes or styling. If he didn't have the dreads you wouldn't notice him at all.

For one week in 1969 Come Together was the #1 song in the country. Carly Smithson admitted that this is a long time personal favorite of hers that she performs as often as possible. Her genuine love of singing came through with every powerful note whether she belted or gently serenaded.

In 1966 Eleanor Rigby just missed hitting the top 10. David Cook made it work once so it's a safe bet that he should try it again - take a ballad and make it ROCK. He knows how to elevate a song from safe all the way up to pop music chart topping dangerous. At this point he could release an album of oldies covers and introduce a whole new generation to rocking versions.

Let It Be spent two weeks at #1 in 1970. Brooke White stayed true to her standard gimmicks as she sat at a grand piano to give her heartfelt interpretation. She is much more a sincere and genuine personality that the audience is falling in love with than an exceptional vocalist. She has a limited range when it comes to the highs and lows on the scale, but emotionally she can show the entire spectrum.

In 1964 The Beatles were the new and improved ultra cool teen idols keeping the girls screaming with songs like the top 20 hit I Saw Her Standing There. David Hernandez has everything it takes to grace the pages of the glossy teen magazines of today so his performance should have left us feeling all dreamy. Unfortunately everything didn't fall into place like he had hoped. His voice is still great and his looks are still flawless, but he has to work on choosing the right arrangement to complete the package.

Another album track from the 1964 album A Hard Day's Night is You Can't Do That. Amanda Overmyer stayed true to her standard gimmicks as she recreated this with her southern rock style. We know exactly what to expect from her. We now know what it would sound like if Janis Joplin sang that song. She's not likely going to be capable of broadening her range, but she's entertaining nonetheless.

Across The Universe is a powerful album track from their 1970 release Let It Be. Michael Johns played it safe with this performance. Nothing's going to change his standing as a front-runner more than denying us the fire that we've come to expect from him. We know he's still got it, he's just got to show it more.

Kristy Lee Cook took a risk and rearranged the 1965 #1 smash Eight Days A Week into a country toe tapper. She looked great in her torn jeans and spangled tank and her voice was just as sweet as always. Purists may be upset with the revision, but I think it totally worked. She's got a very like able stage presence that allows her to get away with it.

ALERT THE MEDIA!!!!! The golden child has faltered. Sad but true, David Archuleta walked out on stage and forgot the lyrics to We Can Work It Out. It was a #1 song for three weeks in 1965 - a full 25 years before he was born. We all agree that he's a darling young man, but he had better work harder to learn the music if he wants to remain untouchable. Good , but kinda sloppy.

All of our expectations were turned inside out and upside down tonight while front-runners failed to follow through and dark horses pulled ahead. This season is ruled by strong and distinctive personalities much more than impressive voices. If you can't be quickly defined as the one who "fill in the blank" then you will be going home. I predict that Syesha Mercado will be joined by Ramiele Malubay and Jason Castro in the bottom three. Even though she is probably one of the best girl singers this year, I predict that Syesha will be going home. She'll be a victim of performing first and being forgotten.