American Idol Season Seven: The Top Eight

On tonight's episode of American Idol, we will watch the top eight contestants perform inspirational songs, and the competition is really heating up! In a season as full of talented singers as this one, the remaining idols will have to really step up in order to stay in the game.

I have no doubt most of the remaining singers will walk away from the show with a record deal, but here is my ranking of the season seven American Idol top eight contestants from best to worst. These rankings are based on my view of their talent and potential to have a singing career, not on how I think America will vote. Sadly, America votes with their emotions rather than on who is really the best singer.

#1 Brooke White
If you'd asked me weeks ago, I never would have guessed Brooke White would be my number one choice for American Idol. However, she has really grown on me and I've enjoyed almost all of her performances. She puts her own style on every song she sings. I think she falls in nicely with the piano-playing girl singer crowd, such as Nora Jones and Sara Bareilles. I don't know if she'll win the whole competition, because I think America tends to forget about her and she doesn't have the cute kid factor of David Archuleta, but I think she's going to be around for a few more weeks at least.

#2 Carly Smithson
I really, really, really like Carly Smithson. She has a great voice and can sing rock, which, in my opinion, not a lot of women can. I think she can sing just about anything. She has the attitude and stage presence of a rock star, not a karaoke or theme park performer like some of them. I'm not wild about the tattoos, but they don't particularly offend me and I don't have to look at them if I'm listening to her on the radio! I also love her speaking voice. As long as she's careful about her song choices from here on out, Carly Smithson could well be the next American Idol.