American Idol Can’t Leave “Hallelujah” Alone

Is Crystal Bowersox a man? Maybe.

We’re referring, of course, to her brassy rendition of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” which Bowersox performed last night at the behest of judge Ellen DeGeneres. The song’s lyrics caused Bowersox to sing the line “maybe I’m a man” a few too many times not to be noticeable.

We thought her performance felt a little forced, but maybe that’s why nobody’s asked American Songwriter to judge one of these things. The four idol judges seemed to be pretty excited about it.

But that paled in comparison to their enthusiasm for Lee’s rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which was set up to be the show-closing moment.

Lee seemed a little bit queasy when he announced he’d be performing the song, a Simon Cowell pick. Why’d he pick it? “I like him as a person,” said Cowell.

Everybody now: “Well, I heard there was a secret chord, that David played….”

It’s actually the third time the song’s been on show this year — even though Leonard Cohen himself has specifically asked people to leave it alone. Tim Urban warbled it earlier in the season, and 16-year-old Maddy Curtis auditioned with it.

As for Lee’s version, it was over before it started, and ended on a timpani roll. The audience lost their minds. Randy, Ellen and Kara all loved it. We’re not so sure.

What do you think, readers? Lee’s “Hallelujah”: big deal? Or big freakin’ deal?