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American Idol is finally ditching the Beatles-themed shows, and this week’s show will have each aspiring singer tackling tunes from their birth years–a span that runs from 1978 (Michael Johns) to 1990 (David Archuleta) that takes a long route through the mid-’80s. After the jump, a rundown of each Idol finalist’s birthday, and our picks for the songs that they should–and shouldn’t–give their patented spin to come tomorrow night.
David Archuleta
Born: Dec. 28, 1990
Likely choice: “Vision Of Love,” Mariah Carey.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinead O’Connor.
Shouldn’t sing: “Up All Night,” Slaughter.
Jason Castro
Born: March 25, 1987
Likely choice: “Sweet Child O’Mine,” Guns N’ Roses.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man,” Prince.
Shouldn’t sing: “Caught In A Mosh,” Anthrax.
Chikezie
Born: Sept. 11, 1985
Likely choice: “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Foreigner.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “She Sells Sanctuary,” The Cult.
Shouldn’t sing: “Take On Me,” a-ha.
David Cook
Born: Dec. 20, 1982
Likely choice: “Black Coffee In Bed,” Squeeze.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Steppin’ Out,” Joe Jackson. (Although it’s probably better for everyone that he leave this track alone.)
Shouldn’t sing: “I Love Rock And Roll,” Joan Jett.
Kristy Lee Cook
Born: Jan. 14, 1984
Likely choice: “Head Over Heels,” The Go-Gos.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Hot For Teacher,” Van Halen.
Shouldn’t sing: Ah, with Kristy it’s so hard to pick just one, don’t you think?
Michael Johns
Born: Oct. 20, 1978
Likely choice: “Wheel In The Sky,” Journey.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “You’re The One That I Want,” with Johns handling both Danny and Sandy’s parts.
Shouldn’t sing: “Miss You,” The Rolling Stones.
Ramiele Malubay
Born: Sept. 6, 1987
Likely choice: “Heaven Is A Place On Earth,” Belinda Carlisle.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Come Go With Me,” Expose.
Shouldn’t sing: “Wishing Well,” Terrence Trent D’Arby.
Syesha Mercado
Born: Jan. 2, 1987
Likely choice: “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” Whitney Houston.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Causing A Commotion,” Madonna.
Shouldn’t sing: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody Who Loves Me,” Whitney Houston. (We all know what happens when someone picks that song.)
Carly Smithson
Born: Sept. 12, 1983
Likely choice: “Flashdance … What A Feeling,” Irene Cara.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Burning Down The House,” Talking Heads.
Shouldn’t sing: “Cuts Like A Knife,” Bryan Adams.
Brooke White
Born: June 2, 1983
Likely choice: “Islands In The Stream,” Kenny Rogers.
Too awesome for Idol choice: “Sharp Dressed Man,” ZZ Top.
Shouldn’t sing: “Shout At The Devil,” Motley Crue.
