Lee DeWyze Tackles “The Boxer” On American Idol

Last night was “Inspirational Songs” week on American Idol, which meant America had to suffer through stereotypical fare like “I Believe I Can Fly,” Whitney Houston’s “When You Believe”, and songs by (shudder) The Goo Goo Dolls.

But gravelly-voiced Lee DeWyze plugged into a different source of inspiration — Paul Simon’s evergreen classic “The Boxer,” the song first that made him want to pick up a guitar. Taking guest mentor Alicia Keys’ advice to be the boxer (“people have to feel like you are that boxer” she said sagely), DeWyze let loose with a thoroughly enjoyable update on the original, altering the melody slightly, and employing strings and harmonies that managed to lay off the schmaltz.

Stuffy Simon Cowell gushed that it was “sincere, emotional and inspirational” and “absolutely brilliant.” “You made it sound as if it was written a week ago.” It’s hard to say which was better — DeWyze’s performance, or Crystal Bowersox’s emotional reading of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” which found her crying by the song’s end.

What do you think, readers? Were you watching last night? Who would you vote off at this point? Who deserves to stay?