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Posted on Jan 8, 2016

17 Of The Most Iconic "American Idol" Performances Of All Time

In honor of the 15th and final season of American Idol, let's revisit some of the best and most memorable performances throughout the show's history.

by Daniel Pfister

Community Contributor

Fantasia Barrino will always be remembered for her rendition of "Summertime" and for giving one of the first truly great performances in the show's history. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Fantasia Barrino will always be remembered for her rendition of "Summertime" and for giving one of the first truly great performances in the show's history.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Fantasia Barrino will always be remembered for her rendition of "Summertime" and for giving one of the first truly great performances in the show's history.

While not the most powerful voice of the bunch, Didi sang a song by one of her season's judges, Kara DioGuardi, and gave one of the most refreshing and organic performances the show has seen. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

While not the most powerful voice of the bunch, Didi sang a song by one of her season's judges, Kara DioGuardi, and gave one of the most refreshing and organic performances the show has seen.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

While not the most powerful voice of the bunch, Didi sang a song by one of her season's judges, Kara DioGuardi, and gave one of the most refreshing and organic performances the show has seen.

Chris Daughtry deserved to go much further than he did in the competition but proved that you don't have to win American Idol to be successful after the show. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Chris Daughtry deserved to go much further than he did in the competition but proved that you don't have to win American Idol to be successful after the show.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Chris Daughtry deserved to go much further than he did in the competition but proved that you don't have to win American Idol to be successful after the show.

Gone far too soon, but look who had the last laugh, am I right, Jennifer? Probably the biggest voice to come out of the show, we are blessed Idol gave us this gift. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Gone far too soon, but look who had the last laugh, am I right, Jennifer? Probably the biggest voice to come out of the show, we are blessed Idol gave us this gift.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Gone far too soon, but look who had the last laugh, am I right, Jennifer? Probably the biggest voice to come out of the show, we are blessed Idol gave us this gift.

I'll admit it, at first it was hard for me to take Phillip Phillips seriously with the name "Phillip Phillips" but the man has true talent, which can be seen here in his raw and vulnerable performance of Damien Rice's "Volcano." — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

I'll admit it, at first it was hard for me to take Phillip Phillips seriously with the name "Phillip Phillips" but the man has true talent, which can be seen here in his raw and vulnerable performance of Damien Rice's "Volcano."

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

I'll admit it, at first it was hard for me to take Phillip Phillips seriously with the name "Phillip Phillips" but the man has true talent, which can be seen here in his raw and vulnerable performance of Damien Rice's "Volcano."

Beatboxing king Blake Lewis always brought originality and creativity to his performances and he brought a breath of fresh air to a classic song. — youtube.com

Beatboxing king Blake Lewis always brought originality and creativity to his performances and he brought a breath of fresh air to a classic song.

youtube.com

Beatboxing king Blake Lewis always brought originality and creativity to his performances and he brought a breath of fresh air to a classic song.

After almost not even making the top 13, Jena gave a show-stopping performance of an original song during the wild card round, showcasing her singing and lyrical chops, which ultimately led her to the top three of her season. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

After almost not even making the top 13, Jena gave a show-stopping performance of an original song during the wild card round, showcasing her singing and lyrical chops, which ultimately led her to the top three of her season.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

After almost not even making the top 13, Jena gave a show-stopping performance of an original song during the wild card round, showcasing her singing and lyrical chops, which ultimately led her to the top three of her season.

With a shocking choice, Kris Allen took on Kanye West's "Heartless" and put a completely unique spin on it that definitely paid off and made this one of the most memorable American Idol performances of all time. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

With a shocking choice, Kris Allen took on Kanye West's "Heartless" and put a completely unique spin on it that definitely paid off and made this one of the most memorable American Idol performances of all time.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

With a shocking choice, Kris Allen took on Kanye West's "Heartless" and put a completely unique spin on it that definitely paid off and made this one of the most memorable American Idol performances of all time.

Taking a risk by singing an original song during Hollywood week, Angie Miller blew the judges away and immediately became a fan favorite. One of the most memorable performances of recent times, Angie proved there's still undiscovered talent out there waiting to be found. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Taking a risk by singing an original song during Hollywood week, Angie Miller blew the judges away and immediately became a fan favorite. One of the most memorable performances of recent times, Angie proved there's still undiscovered talent out there waiting to be found.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Taking a risk by singing an original song during Hollywood week, Angie Miller blew the judges away and immediately became a fan favorite. One of the most memorable performances of recent times, Angie proved there's still undiscovered talent out there waiting to be found.

Sounding incredible as ever, David Archuleta delivered a tender performance that showed maturity beyond his years. While it's hard to pick just one, this is the performance that comes to most people's minds when they think of his time on Idol. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Sounding incredible as ever, David Archuleta delivered a tender performance that showed maturity beyond his years. While it's hard to pick just one, this is the performance that comes to most people's minds when they think of his time on Idol.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Sounding incredible as ever, David Archuleta delivered a tender performance that showed maturity beyond his years. While it's hard to pick just one, this is the performance that comes to most people's minds when they think of his time on Idol.

All the proof you need that this is one of the best performances on Idol ever right here. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

All the proof you need that this is one of the best performances on Idol ever right here.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

All the proof you need that this is one of the best performances on Idol ever right here.

Katharine McPhee delivered a smash hit with her beautiful cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and proved that she deserves to be our star. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Katharine McPhee delivered a smash hit with her beautiful cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and proved that she deserves to be our star.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Katharine McPhee delivered a smash hit with her beautiful cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and proved that she deserves to be our star.

A friendly reminder that Jordin Sparks has some serious powerhouse vocals and needs to be shown the respect that she deserves! Covering this Shirley Bassey classic was no easy feat but Jordin belted it out brilliantly. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

A friendly reminder that Jordin Sparks has some serious powerhouse vocals and needs to be shown the respect that she deserves! Covering this Shirley Bassey classic was no easy feat but Jordin belted it out brilliantly.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

A friendly reminder that Jordin Sparks has some serious powerhouse vocals and needs to be shown the respect that she deserves! Covering this Shirley Bassey classic was no easy feat but Jordin belted it out brilliantly.

The original American Idol sure knows how to sing. We can always count on Kelly to deliver those soulful vocals. She won her way into our hearts this very moment. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

The original American Idol sure knows how to sing. We can always count on Kelly to deliver those soulful vocals. She won her way into our hearts this very moment.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

The original American Idol sure knows how to sing. We can always count on Kelly to deliver those soulful vocals. She won her way into our hearts this very moment.

A rocker covering Mariah Carey? Sounds crazy, but this stripped down version of "Always Be My Baby" is gorgeous and shows off the beauty of the lyrics while showcasing David's raw talent. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

A rocker covering Mariah Carey? Sounds crazy, but this stripped down version of "Always Be My Baby" is gorgeous and shows off the beauty of the lyrics while showcasing David's raw talent.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

A rocker covering Mariah Carey? Sounds crazy, but this stripped down version of "Always Be My Baby" is gorgeous and shows off the beauty of the lyrics while showcasing David's raw talent.

Let's be honest, a lot of Carrie Underwood's performances could've made this list but the one that cemented her place as a star was her performance of Heart's "Alone." — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Let's be honest, a lot of Carrie Underwood's performances could've made this list but the one that cemented her place as a star was her performance of Heart's "Alone."

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Let's be honest, a lot of Carrie Underwood's performances could've made this list but the one that cemented her place as a star was her performance of Heart's "Alone."

Haley Reinhart was robbed of the American Idol crown (I'm looking at you, Scotty and Lauren) and truly had the most iconic performance on Idol OF ALL TIME. Just listen to her effortlessly belt out those notes and tell me you don't get chills. — youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Haley Reinhart was robbed of the American Idol crown (I'm looking at you, Scotty and Lauren) and truly had the most iconic performance on Idol OF ALL TIME. Just listen to her effortlessly belt out those notes and tell me you don't get chills.

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

Haley Reinhart was robbed of the American Idol crown (I'm looking at you, Scotty and Lauren) and truly had the most iconic performance on Idol OF ALL TIME. Just listen to her effortlessly belt out those notes and tell me you don't get chills.

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