American Idol 2014 Recap: Top 8 Goes Back to the Start

She knew she was going to sing an original for her audition. This was an important moment for her.

Review: It's nice to hear an original composition on the show, though I worry that unfamiliarity might cost her some votes tonight. The song doesn't sound like a hit but it does show her artistry.

Keith Urban: That was a great start to the show. Your voice sounds like Grace Slick, that's a real compliment. Get the rest of you to move.

Jennifer Lopez: There's just something that happened with that song even more than the first time. I can hear your album. I loved the whole thing.

Harry Connick Jr: It reminded me of Cher from the 70s or Nancy Sinatra. I like it even more now.

During his audition he said that there was a lot of emotion that's why he was off-key.

Review: This was just OK. He wasn't terribly out of tune. It just didn't go anywhere for me. CJ is a nice guy but he is a mediocre performer and he won't make it in the industry after he is eliminated.

Keith Urban: That's the reason you got here. It was that song.

Jennifer Lopez: You know it was better than the first time that you did it. There's something that comes from you the touches my heart. You have an amazing voice.

Harry Connick Jr: You are special enough to be here. And your voice is special enough to be here. I'm really proud of you.

Sam's grandpa has been waiting for this moment for him for a long time. His Boston audition was the scariest moment in his whole Idol journey. He's doing a slower of "Lego House" tonight.

Review: This was amazing! Go Sam! Vote! Vote! Vote! Sam needs to win! Please vote! Perfect song choice! Go Sam!

Keith Urban: You're getting better every week.

Jennifer Lopez: Just a glimpse of the magic of Sam Woolf that is what we saw the first day, that is was we saw now.

Harry Connick Jr: The wrong word is being thrown around with you. The exact word is: connection. When you hear all these people scream all you have to do is acknowledge them.

She says if she didn't do "Ain't No Way" she wouldn't be on the show today.

Review: This was OK, but the stank face from beginning to end needs to be reined in. She needs to work on her stage appearance more. I hope she gets some tips.

Keith Urban: You needed to just be with it. You were in such control.

Jennifer Lopez: You are blossoming into a star. You are going to be such a huge star.

Harry Connick Jr: You are doing everything right. You are entertaining.

He told himself not to be nervous during his audition.

Review: This was amazing. Best performance of the night so far in my opinion. His fans will love love love this. I hope this is a hit on iTunes!

Keith Urban: That's a great song by Brett Eldrege. Pay less attention to the sound of your voice. Think about the lyric.

Jennifer Lopez: But I guess you showed us. I got to hear so many nuances in your voice. That was a beautiful thing that you did. Shoutout to backup singer Allison Iraheta.

She says that she has a "different" voice, not weird.

Review: This was a nice sultry arrangement of "Rolling in the Deep". Very nice. Jena Irene is the dark horse. I want her in the finals!

Keith Urban: You did a great job.

Jennifer Lopez: My advice and come out there every week and blow everyone away and win this thing.

He felt very confident when he auditioned in Atlanta.

Review: Mini-Meatloaf delivers again. He's your American Idol ladies and gentlemen. He's going to be one of the most successful winners ever.

Keith Urban: You deliver every week. You are a blues warrior. You are a rock and roll viking.

Jennifer Lopez: You've been waiting all your life to do this. You deliver it.

Harry Connick Jr: Your stakes are so firmly planted in this competition. But I would love to hear you something not too loud.

He wanted to sing an original in his audition so the judges can see who he really is. He wrote the song years ago in his basement.

Review: Alex is such an artist. This was a very good performance and the song is very good. I hope people download it on iTunes. This is an original? Wow, what a talent. "This is a fairytale and you are a damsel in distress."

Keith Urban: Half the guys here were singing with you. That's a good sign.

Jennifer Lopez: You stayed true to yourself from the very beginning. I even noticed the new move that you do... the Alex.

Harry Connick Jr: You were shaking the vibrato out.