American Idol 2026: What Should the Top 12 Sing?
Next week (April 6), the Top 12 contestants on American Idol will perform songs from the 1990s for Judges’ Song Contest week. Each singer will select a song from a judge — Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood or Luke Bryan — and the judge with the most picks wins the contest. This format pushes contestants to align song choices with both their own strengths and a judge’s vision.
Below are curated 1990s song suggestions for the remaining 14 singers, focusing on originals and notable covers from that decade. I aimed to combine familiar classics with fresh, creative options that suit each artist’s voice and style. Share your favorite ’90s ideas in the comments.
Although the episode begins with 14 performers, two contestants will be eliminated at the top of the show due to last week’s vote-counting delay, and one more will go home at the end of the night.
Braden Rumfelt
“I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain
“Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star
“To Be With You” by Mr. Big
Braden’s mix of country-pop and soulful phrasing makes “I’ll Be” an obvious fit, especially given his affinity for emotional ballads. “Fade Into You” could be reworked from its mellow original into a more expansive arrangement, while “To Be With You” offers a mid-tempo opportunity for big adlibs and a climactic vocal moment.
Brooks Rosser
“Torn” by Ednaswap
“Linger” by The Cranberries (Royel Otis version)
“Who Will Save Your Soul” by Jewel
Brooks thrives in intimate, acoustic moments. “Torn” works either as the familiar Natalie Imbruglia arrangement or closer to the raw Ednaswap original. Royel Otis’s folky take on “Linger” would suit Brooks’s higher register, and any Jewel tune — especially the conversational, folksy “Who Will Save Your Soul” — would complement his artistic, country-folk vibe.
Chris Tungseth
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley
“Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden
“Walking In Memphis” by Marc Cohn
Chris’s slightly raspy tone and strength with stripped-back arrangements make Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” a compelling option, especially after its recent viral resurgence. A tender reinterpretation of “Truly Madly Deeply” could highlight his intimacy, while “Walking In Memphis” offers a chance to push into a more energetic, soulful-rock moment.
Daniel Stallworth
“Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart
“You’ve Been So Faithful” by Eddie James
“Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell
Daniel can convincingly move between soulful ballads and contemporary R&B. A gospel-tinged version of “Have I Told You Lately” or his own take on Eddie James’s “You’ve Been So Faithful” would play to his strengths. If he wanted to surprise the audience, “Can We Talk” would let him showcase smooth R&B stylings.
Hannah Harper
“Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” by Alison Krauss
“Let Him Fly” by Patty Griffin
“The Dance” by Garth Brooks
Hannah’s country and folk sensibilities make Alison Krauss an easy match, and “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You” would let her demonstrate restraint and soulful phrasing. “Let Him Fly” is a powerful storytelling piece that could show her range, while “The Dance” — an underused classic for TV performances — could become a viral moment with her emotional delivery.
Jake Thistle
“Babylon” by David Gray
“Can’t Stop This Thing We Started” by Bryan Adams
“Crash Into Me” by Dave Matthews Band
Jake’s singer-songwriter aesthetic pairs naturally with “Babylon,” a song that has worked well for other Idol alumni. A less predictable Bryan Adams pick could avoid karaoke territory, and a thoughtful rendition of “Crash Into Me” would suit his raspy, intimate delivery.
Jesse Findling
“Believe” by Cher
“You Are Not Alone” by Michael Jackson
“You’re Still The One” by Shania Twain
Jesse’s dramatic tone would suit a ballad version of “Believe,” especially interpretations that emphasize vocal theater. “You Are Not Alone” is an underrated MJ ballad that could highlight his warmth, and his acoustic cover of “You’re Still The One” already demonstrates how well he handles tender arrangements.
Jordan McCullough
“How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes
“Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton
“Have You Ever?” by Brandy
Jordan’s powerful voice is well suited to reimagining iconic female ballads. Both “How Do I Live” and “Un-Break My Heart” are demanding pieces that would showcase his range, while “Have You Ever?” — a song he has already covered on social media — could offer a more intimate, soaring moment.
Julian Kalel
“More Than Words” by Extreme
“One” by U2
“Wonderwall” by Oasis
Julian’s acoustic sensibility aligns perfectly with “More Than Words.” “One” offers space for both subtlety and power, and “Wonderwall” could be adapted into the midtempo, emotionally direct style he favors, similar to his original work.
Keyla Richardson
“Angel of Mine” by Monica
“Open My Heart” by Yolanda Adams
“Will You Be There” by Michael Jackson
Keyla’s versatility and gospel-rooted approach let her make nearly any song her own. “Angel of Mine” would allow for a controlled, soulful delivery with room for tasteful adlibs. “Open My Heart” bridges gospel and mainstream appeal, and a gospel-infused “Will You Be There” — complete with choir textures — could highlight her signature grit and growl.
Kyndal Inskeep
“One of Us” by Joan Osborne
“Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter
“Thank You” by Dido
Kyndal’s unique timbre and vocal breaks would give “One of Us” strong character. Though not a traditional country singer, she could make “Strawberry Wine” feel intimate and narrative-driven. Dido’s “Thank You,” with its memorable hook and understated tone, would suit Kyndal’s melodic and atmospheric style.
Lucas Leon
“Amazed” by Lonestar
“There’s Your Trouble” by The Chicks
“Wildflowers” by Tom Petty
Lucas’s gentle, acoustic approach could bring a piano-led tenderness to “Amazed.” A male reinterpretation of “There’s Your Trouble” could create a fresh uptempo moment, and “Wildflowers” is an effortless match for his laid-back, rootsy style.
Philmon Lee
“Angels” by Robbie Williams
“Get Here” by Oleta Adams
“Said I Loved You, But I Lied” by Michael Bolton
Philmon’s warm, soft-rock timbre would suit the gentle sweep of “Angels.” A soulful take on “Get Here” or Michael Bolton’s emotive ballad “Said I Loved You, But I Lied” would highlight his expressive delivery and slightly raspy tones.
Rae
“Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion
“I Turn To You” by All-4-One
“Say You’ll Be There” by Spice Girls
Rae has the vocal power for big ballads like Celine’s “Because You Loved Me,” and she could turn it into a heartfelt, show-stopping tribute. The All-4-One ballad “I Turn To You” (popularized in 2000 by Christina Aguilera but originally from the ’90s era) would suit her tender moments, while a reimagined “Say You’ll Be There” could let her blend pop energy with dynamic control.