'American Idol' top 5: who is out next?

Tyanna is promising young singer but she peaked early and was unable to find her "artistry" at the tender age of 16. She tended to pick songs haphazardly and wasn't as consistent as the other four. So going home was not a surprise.  She finished the night with Rihanna's "Run the World" after being nixed.  Despite moments of maturity, she still feels very very young and that ultimately worked against her.

This time, Rayvon Owen didn't even need a Twitter save to survive. For five weeks in a row, he was in the bottom two. Five weeks in a row, he is still around. He's taken down Daniel Seavey, Qaasim Middleton, Joey Cook, Quentin Alexander and now Tyanna!

For the record, I predicted the bottom two and this week also correctly picked the eliminated contestant.

Next week the top four will sing three songs each: one a judges' pick, one Scott Borchetta's pick and the third is the contestant's own pick to sing as a tribute to his or her hometown.

Mentor Borchetta takes the top 5 to Nashville although none of the top 5 are country singers to any degree.

They visited Big Machine Label Group offices (where the winner will be signed) and off the cuff sang a bit of "Style" very badly. Martina McBride mentored the two remaining women Jax and Tyanna Jones (we never see the latter) while Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts tackled Rayvon Owen, Nick Fradiani and Clark Beckham.

McBride crooned  "Over the Rainbow" while Harry Connick Jr. went old school with his 20-year-old "City Beneath the Sea."

The themes for tonight included songs from the judges' hometowns and then songs from their soul - or whatever they felt represented them in a "soulful" way. And this is when Clark got in trouble. He picked "Your Man" by Josh Turner and turned a very country-sounding song that was season 10 winner Scotty McCreery's "gravy" song and turned it into a soft jazz snoozer. The judges were baffled. Yet he said that is him.

You can see Clark's chances of winning "Idol" slip away in just a matter of minutes.

I think he might even go home next week because his three rivals were on the whole better - even Rayvon Owen, thanks to a surprisingly heartfelt "Believe."

So who did the best tonight? Close call for me between Jax and Nick but I will take Jax only because I liked her songs much better. I'm not a Matchbox 20 or Rascal Flatts fan so Nick gets points off for me.

Rankings: 1. Jax 2. Nick 3. Rayvon 4. Clark

Interesting theory off Twitter about season 5's contestants:

First up: City songs

Clark Beckham ("Living For the City" Stevie Wonder) - He starts a bit weak but gets stronger over time. The piano interlude felt rushed and he lacked purpose at that moment. He ends strong. He tries the song participation per JLo's advice. JLo: "A really good start to the show." HCJ: "This is the big league's now. We can now get to the nitty gritty. You have to sink into that groove more."

Grade: B-plus/A-minus

Jax ("Empire State of Mind" Alicia Keys) - She gives the song a more pop-rock feel than Alicia. It still works. Very radio friendly feel. JLo: "I felt like you understand you can win this competition. I feel like you really mean business. I need to be looked at as a serious artist... Was this the best song? I don't know. I wasn't feeling it that much... You need to be careful with the songs you choose from here on." HCJ: "It's a mini showcase of what you can do. You have a unique tone to your voice." He said she sang through hoarseness. Keith: "I loved the song for you. Your voice was in a beautiful register."

Grade: A-minus

Bitter much? Check out former "Idol" contestant Savion Wright's Tweet:

Nick Fradiani ("Bright Lights" Matchbox 20) - He was in his pocket. And he picked the right song and does sound like Rob Thomas. It was a spirited version. I was impressed. HCJ: "You sang it great. I really enjoyed it, man." Keith lauded him for his "killer instinct." JLo: "You're peaking at the right time."

Grade: A-minus/A

Then "Idol" proceeds to cut Tyanna Jones at 8:45 p.m. She sings a so-so "Run the World," with pitch problems probably related to the fact she just got cut. HCJ told her she has a lot of natural talent. JLo: "You have such a long journey ahead of you."

Rayvon Owen ("Need You Now" Lady A) - He takes a somewhat sad and gritty love song and turns up the drama. It works more or less for Rayvon. Keith: "It's one of those personal preferences. I'd rather have less of the dramatics and a little bit more of the heart. You managed to blend those two that's unique to you. I wish it could be more carefree." JLo: "It has to be real for you especially if you hang on every note. If we feel you are really singing about something from your heart, it doesn't carry the weight, no matter how pretty." HCJ: "There is something to be said about restraint. I thought it was really strong."

Grade: B-plus/A-minus

While HCJ was fine, Martina McBride's "Over the Rainbow" tonight was even better. Then we see a Ford ad using a science YouTube guy.

Clark  ("Your Man" Josh Turner) - Jay and Scott are highly skeptical about this song choice. "You're on the fast track to the Holiday Inn," Scott warns him. But Clark sticks with his choice. He has soft jazzed this song big time and yes, Scott hit it on the mark. It's pleasant but so snoozy as to fit comfortable in an elevator. The mentors were right. Bad idea. JLo: "I thought you sang it well. That's not the point. Is this the type of musician you want to be? But you're on the show 'American Idol.' Do you really want to win? Is this  your gravy song?" HCJ: "What it boils down to hyper -specific song choice... You have to think about the people watching the show. It was kind of tepid." Keith: "You don't need album tracks. You need hit singles."

He had no regrets. His defense: "I desperately want to win this show. I will never forsake the music. Just to be clear, I really believe people really like this music. That's what I have to stay true."

Grade: B

Jax ("Human" Christina Perri) - A wonderful song choice for Jax to show her vulnerable side and she does that in spades. She is truly feeling the lyrics even at the expense of perfect notes. As Melinda Doolittle noted on Twitter, what was up with that distracting rogue background singer at one point? HCJ: "Here is the perfect example of the technical vs. emotions. There were pitch issues but I felt what you were doing. That's a result of you being so comfortable with this process and letting yourself go. That trumped everything." JLo: "I love the way you look in the people's eyes in the audience."

Grade: A-minus

Mediocre former "Idol" judge Steven Tyler pops up in Nashville working on a solo album and says nothing in particular to the top 5. Jax does get to sing with him and they will sing during the finale.

Rayvon ("Believe" Justin Bieber) - He found a place in his heart and dedicated this to his very emotional mom. For once, his voice quavered and wasn't quite perfect but he brought out some much needed depth that made this his best performance in ages. JLo: "You have to do that every single time. Everybody is crying. It's crazy! That's the connection." Mom gives her boy a hug.

Grade: A-minus/A

Nick ("What Hurts the Most" Rascal Flatts) - I hate this song. I hate all Rascal Flatts songs. That clouded my judgment. But the judges loved him. And he sang it just fine. So there ya go. People on this blog thought he really sounded like Daughtry this time.

Grade: B-plus