Adam Lambert earns a standing ovation from Simon with his soccer-free "Mad World"

Good song choice and very good performance

To be honest, the song wasn't familiar to me - which I guess it should have been.  And that worried me because the rest of the performers dragged out major hits for their numbers.  But like Simon, I was just stunned at the delivery.  The kid's a star.

I actually was checking my Facebook page for the first time in a week, and a friend in FL who's in a band was complaining about Adam being a "ringer" and that he shouldn't be on the show at all, because it wasn't fair.  He said the entire show had been turned into a marketing showcase for Adam.  I don't know if I'd go that far, but it does seem that Idol has started to recognize that maybe they have 7 contestants who need groomed and built as performers, then they've got a guest star performance each week by Adam.

If the show follows tradition, Adam will be voted off around when they have 3-4 people left.  He'll sit in development hell while the winner of the show releases a mediocre album, maybe star in the new Footloose in the meantime and win a Golden Globe. 

One thing's for sure, he and his parents came as close to saying "I'm a proud drama/choir homo and always have been" as Idol has ever allowed.  Bravo for him being him. 

Originally recorded by Tears For Fears, released on the first album, The Hurting. It was a #3 hit on the UK pop charts in 1982. Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRib_aAQFQ

 

It was amazing. Though I was hoping beyond hope for Culture Club. Could there have been anything camper than Time (clock of the heart)?

I too thought Adam pulled off a great song. Just a quick fact check to the person above. They can only save someone up to 5th place. After that its the peoples choice that will stick. Adam will certainly have a career in show biz no matter if he wins or not. Someone on broadway I'm sure is paying attention and he'll certainly see his name in lights at some point in the future.

Of course, he's the best performer this season and the ONLY one I'd ever buy an album or single of -- BUT winning AI can be a pain in the ass. The winner gets more "professional" handling and managing and grooming. Things Adam really only needs in limited quantities.

Getting second or third can give a performer more leeway to pursue his/her own thing. Take a bit more time researching, rehearsing, and producing an album.

Bottom line: Adam is going to be just fine whatever happens with the lame karoke show he's currently rockin' on a weekly basis.

I liked this performance of Adam. It shows he can change it up from time to time.

As for the fact that he's last, well that's he choose. The contestants this season get to pick which order they want to go in. So I think it's always funny to see that Adam is either last or second to last every week. He has yet to ever gone frist or anywhere in the first half of the show. And as for the "get out of going home card" I think they're waiting for David Gokey to have a bad week and save him...which should be coming up pretty soon.

Like others, I loved his performance.

Mad World has been one of my go-to songs for years now (the Gary Jules version) and wow...for me this version owns the Gary Jules one. I really liked how he used his voice towards the middle to end. Nice work :)

Say what you will about Madonna and her talent but...I don't think we should keep looking for the next Madonna in terms of 'having that something' from girls - just give the title to Adam :) 

I loved this.  Actually, the original Tears For Fears song was one of my favorites when I was in utero (this show made me feel old).  I loved the Donnie Darko version and I loved that Adam's  version, though based on that arrangement, was still his own.  He did a wonderful job.

I think Adam took Gary Jules version and really improved upon it. Similar to what he did with Ring of fire (based upon Dilana's version from Rock Star if I'm not mistaken). And I loved the staging. Always something different with this guy.

I though everybody was familiar with the song. It was played to death in Iceland 6-7 years ago - and Britain as well - and probably several other European countires. Never occured to me that such a wildly popular American song could be unknown in America.

Not in spain (spain is different) but it was a smash in the UK (i remember that dethroned Will Young's Leave right now from the number one).

Adam was very smart, choose a very good version, and made the right changes to make his own

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqv8UJc72SU

“He totally understood the vibe of it and the power of it and delivered it in a unique and beautiful way. I think Adam is straight-up the most interesting, for my personal taste, of anyone I’ve ever seen on the show.”

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090408-ENTERTAIN-90408042

 

I have never watched one episode of American Idol, but when I heard that the performer Adam Lambert sang my favorite 'Tears For Fears' song 'Mad World' I had to see the clip...

Lambert did a spectacular job. He hit every not without a quiver. It was a beautifully performed verson. I think he has a superb voice and wager to say he will be crowned the next Idol, barring some dramatic misfortune.

that Alex Parks, the incredible out Lesbian winner of the British Fame Academy realilty show, chose this song for one of her performances during that competition a few yeers ago.  That version became very popular and was used in a couple of sound tracks.  Here's hoping it brings Adam similar luck.

Nous Sommes Tous Sauvages.

I thought this was pretty funny - check it out (and check out the Chuck Norris Facts, too, if you've never seen those)!

Adam Lambert Facts, a la Chuck Norris Facts:

"Adam Lambert does not put on make up. Make up puts on Adam Lambert."

"Adam Lambert knows who the Gossip Girl is."

"Adam Lambert's eyeliner is darker than darkness."

"Adam Lambert created a new musical note for his high notes called 'win'."