American Idol 2025 Top 14 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Song Suggestions
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame week returns to American Idol this Sunday, with mentor James Taylor guiding the Top 14. Each contestant will pick a song tied to a Hall of Fame inductee — some choices lean rock, others stretch into soul, pop or gospel — giving singers a range of directions to showcase their strengths. Below are three thoughtful song options for each contestant, chosen to suit their voices and stage personalities while giving viewers a sense of variety and risk-taking.
Which songs do you think would suit the Top 14 best? The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode airs coast-to-coast live on ABC Sunday, April 27 at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
Amanda Barise
“Baby It’s You” (The Shirelles) | “Hot Stuff” (Donna Summer) | “I Got You (I Feel Good)” (James Brown)
Amanda’s performances often include funk and strong, soulful phrasing. A tender take on “Baby It’s You” would let her deliver grit and emotion, while “I Got You” could showcase her playful funk energy — a modern mash-up or updated arrangement would suit her. If she wants a high-energy moment, a disco-infused “Hot Stuff” reinvention could lift the stage and highlight her range.
Breanna Nix
“Angel From Montgomery” (John Prine) | “Blue Bayou” (Linda Ronstadt) | “What About Love” (Heart)
Breanna has described herself as a country and Christian artist, so songs with country or roots influences feel natural. A stripped-down “Angel From Montgomery” could let her storytelling and tone shine. “Blue Bayou” offers an emotional, melodic moment, while Heart’s “What About Love” would let Breanna push into powerful rock territory and demonstrate her vocal strength.
Canaan James Hill
“How I Got Over” (Mahalia Jackson) | “Lonely Avenue” (Ray Charles) | “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (Otis Redding)
Canaan’s background in gospel makes him ideal for spiritually rooted songs. Tackling Mahalia Jackson’s “How I Got Over” would highlight his gospel roots, while soul classics like “Lonely Avenue” or Otis Redding’s “That’s How Strong My Love Is” would allow him to bring grit and heartfelt expression to the Hall of Fame stage.
CHÉ Chesterman
“I Look to You” (Whitney Houston) | “One More Try” (George Michael) | “Tracks of My Tears” (Smokey Robinson)
CHÉ’s vocal control and tone suit grand ballads. Whitney’s “I Look to You” is an underrated powerhouse that could spotlight his emotional delivery. George Michael’s “One More Try” offers room for soulful restraint, while “Tracks of My Tears” would be a chance to use falsetto and nuanced phrasing for a classic-soul moment.
Desmond Roberts
“Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” (Michael Jackson) | “Tears in Heaven” (Eric Clapton) | “Lights” (Journey)
Desmond can either lean into showmanship or strip back to vulnerability. A high-energy Michael Jackson number would let him play and entertain, while “Tears in Heaven” would showcase a tender, piano-led side. “Lights” sits between those options — melodic and emotional, yet vocally demanding.
Gabby Samone
“One” (U2) featuring a soulful arrangement | “Through the Fire” (Chaka Khan) | “Sweet Dreams” (Eurythmics)
Gabby’s voice suits both soulful ballads and bold reinventions. U2’s “One,” reinterpreted with R&B sensibilities or a duet feel, could reveal a new side of her artistry. She’s already proven she can handle Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire,” and an inventive take on “Sweet Dreams” — reworked to highlight her tone — could be a striking choice.
Filo
“Everybody Hurts” (R.E.M.) | “Oh! Darling” (The Beatles) | “The Winner Takes It All” (ABBA)
Filo’s dynamic voice can carry both tenderness and theatrical moments. “Everybody Hurts” would allow for a heartfelt, intimate performance. “Oh! Darling” suits his big-voiced delivery, while “The Winner Takes It All” could let him explore dramatic storytelling with strong emotional peaks.
Jamal Roberts
“How Deep Is Your Love” (Bee Gees) | “Like a Prayer” (Madonna) | “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin)
Jamal is a powerhouse who can take calculated risks. He could deliver a smooth, vocal-focused rendition of “How Deep Is Your Love,” or transform “Like a Prayer” with gospel-infused intensity. For a bold move, tackling Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” would test his rock edge and dramatic adlibs.
John Foster
“Carolina in My Mind” (James Taylor) | “Say You, Say Me” (Lionel Richie) | “Weatherman” (Hank Williams)
John’s acoustic-leaning, classic tone fits singer-songwriter material. “Carolina in My Mind” would be a natural fit with mentor James Taylor’s catalog. Lionel Richie’s “Say You, Say Me” could be adapted with a country-pop flavor, and “Weatherman” aligns with John’s blend of roots and rock, especially if he leans into a slightly grittier arrangement.
Josh King
“Beggin’” (The Four Seasons) | “She’s Always a Woman” (Billy Joel) | “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (The Righteous Brothers)
Josh’s playful, occasionally theatrical approach can work in different directions. An upbeat “Beggin’” could lean into campy charm, while a tender “She’s Always a Woman” would highlight his softer side. For a soulful, classic finish, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” would let him flex emotive phrasing and romantic dynamics.
Kolbi Jordan
“A Sunday Kind of Love” (Etta James) | “Midnight Train to Georgia” (Gladys Knight) | “Walk On By” (Dionne Warwick)
Ballads have created Kolbi’s standout moments. “A Sunday Kind of Love” would let her add jazz and soul flair while delivering power. “Midnight Train to Georgia” is a natural fit for her warmth and phrasing, and “Walk On By” would let her interpret a classic with sensitivity and sophistication.
Mattie Pruitt
“Bad” (Michael Jackson, acoustic interpretation) | “The Thrill Is Gone” (B.B. King) | “The First Cut Is the Deepest” (Sheryl Crow version)
Mattie’s raspy, soulful voice was strongest early in the season; this week is a chance to return to that sound. An intimate acoustic take on Michael Jackson’s “Bad” could spotlight her edge. “The Thrill Is Gone” offers bluesy depth with minimal accompaniment, and Sheryl Crow’s rendition of “The First Cut Is the Deepest” fits her raspy pop-rock sensibility.
Slater Nalley
“For What It’s Worth” (Buffalo Springfield) | “Run to You” (Bryan Adams) | “Something to Talk About” (Bonnie Raitt)
Slater’s raspy tone suits folk, blues and soft rock. “For What It’s Worth” would match his conversational delivery, while “Run to You” is a riskier rock choice that could pay off if he channels its urgency. Bonnie Raitt’s “Something to Talk About” sits comfortably between blues and pop and would suit his style well.
Thunderstorm Artis
“Crash Into Me” (Dave Matthews Band) | “Free Fallin’” (Tom Petty) | “In Your Eyes” (Peter Gabriel)
Thunderstorm’s distinctive tone and artistry suit songs that demand character. Dave Matthews’ “Crash Into Me” plays to his unique sound and could create an atmospheric moment. “Free Fallin’” would let him lean into a storytelling, gravelly delivery, and a tasteful acoustic “In Your Eyes” could be emotionally resonant and intimate.