Ryan Seacrest: (Introduction) Moving on. It's a test for our soul singer. Elliott is up next...
Kenny: (To camera) Elliott's an interesting guy because his tendency is to oversing, 'cause he has great skill.
Kenny: (To Elliott during his rehearsals) I'll give you a great piece of advice. If the lyric is important don't do a lot of licks. Sing it simply. I have a feeling that's your comfort zone... that as long as you're doing those you know people are impressed.
Elliott: Right, right.
Kenny: But you're not trying to impress them, you're trying to make 'em cry.
Kenny: (To camera) I think Elliott will do great with this song.
Elliott sings...
¯ Sometimes late at night ¯ I lie awake and watch her sleeping ¯ She's lost in peaceful dreams ¯ So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark ¯ If tomorrow never comes ¯ Will she know how much I love her ¯ Did I try in every way ¯ To show her every day ¯ She's my only one ¯ If my time on earth were through ¯ She must face the world without me ¯ Is the love I gave her in the past ¯ Gonna be enough to last ¯ If tomorrow never comes ¯ So tell that someone that you love ¯ Just what you're thinking of ¯ If tomorrow never comes ¯
(Cheers and applause)
Randy Jackson: Yo dawg, you know what? Right now I'm sitting here thinking I love the song, great Garth Brooks choice... I had the pleasure of producing this song... (Paula snores loudly) ...with Barry Manilow years ago. I did. I love the song! I love the song. (Paula continues to snore!) But dude, finally tonight the competition has started 'cause you brought it down. That was hot! (Cheers) You put your own flavor on! A little Stevie vibe. I love that!
Paula Abdul: There are so many things that I adore about you Elliott an'... an' one of 'em is that you are such a breath of fresh air to this business because you are humble, you are understated and you know you're great but you just have that... (searches for the word) ...ki... you know... careless reckless abandon about you and you... you know how to pick the right songs for your voice and you stayed true to who you are. I think you're fantastic and you keep growing. (Cheers and applause)
Simon Cowell: (Sarcastic) Funny thing is Paula, I've used those very same words about you. (Laughter)
Randy Jackson: Uh!
Paula Abdul: I... you know what? (Shrugs) I know!
Simon Cowell: Um, Elliott I thought it was a good song choice. I didn't think was a great vocal. Um, it was safe, it was... I thought it was a bit hesitant actually, like you were nervous. Um...
Elliott: I was a little bit.
Simon Cowell: Yeah. It... it came over, funny enough tonight. You know... I didn't... I didn't hear that same confidence I'm used to. It was the best so far but it... I think you're gonna have to do better than that in the future to be honest with you.
Paula Abdul: It's a tough song to sing though.
Randy Jackson: Hard song.
Simon Cowell: No it's not.
Ryan Seacrest: (Joins Elliott on stage) Elliott Yamin... I saw your rehearsal, you were pretty comfortable with it. Why do you think you were nervous doing it live tonight?
Elliott: Oh, you know, it's just ah, you get out here in front of all the cameras and the ah... the ah, the judges and you kind of walk the line and you know... it's a lot of pressure, but er, I should be used to that by now. (Smiles)
Ryan Seacrest: All right... (Gives out the voting numbers) ...Good luck Elliott.
Elliott: Thank you.
Ryan Seacrest: Thanks brother.
Elliott: Take care.