Idol Introspective, Part 4

Hi there, and welcome to Part 4 of our look into iconic reality competition show American Idol! Season 4 was definitely better than Season 3 in my opinion, but there was plenty of drama to be had. One of the most iconic winners in Idol history came out of this season as well.

The fourth season of American Idol ran from January 18th, 2005 to May 25th, 2005 on Fox. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the judges panel included singer and entertainer Paula Abdul, TV personality and businessman Simon Cowell, and record executive and TV presenter Randy Jackson. After auditions in 7 US cities, 194 contestants received their "Golden Ticket" to Hollywood for a chance to be a Top 12 finalist and perform weekly on national television. The contestants were not only judged by Abdul, Cowell, and Jackson, along with some guest judges, but also voted on by the public via call-in votes. The winner of Season 4 received a million dollar record deal, a new convertible Ford Mustang, and access to a private jet.

As a reminder for this series, we'll take a look at each of the Top 10 or 12 (depending on the season) contestants and a song of theirs. The songs will be dependent on if they've put out any music that's streaming, or it will be a memorable performance from their time on the show. Let's get going!

12th Place - Lindsey Cardinale, Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Spotlight Song: Nothin Like a Dream (written by L. Ratliff, T. Mohr)

12th Place in Season 4 went to Louisiana's Lindsey Cardinale, who was 19 at the time of competition. She auditioned in New Orleans, Louisiana with the Karla Bonoff song Standing Right Next to Me. Cardinale was eliminated in Week 1 ('60s Week) after singing Knock On Wood by Eddie Floyd. Now 41, Cardinale is a singer focusing on country music. She hasn't released any studio albums, but does have a few singles streaming on Apple Music. Cardinale's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Knock On Wood. Her song Nothin Like a Dream was featured on the 2016 album Lonnie Ratliff Nashville Songwriter, Vol. 9. I remember not liking her much on the show, and listening to her now I'm still not incredibly impressed. She definitely has a country-style voice, but to me it's nothing to write home about.

It was Southern Louisiana, 1999/Two friends reaching for the brass ring, planning out their lives/You said you'd have white picket fences, lead the Cinderella life/I've heard that he's rock solid and you've made the perfect wife/I kept a picture of the Ryman on an old postcard/Marie, you always shared my dream, it didn't seem that far/But now it's one more song and a penny tossed into the wishing well/I pay my dues, keep on singing and believing in myself/But it ain't nothing like we talked about, Marie/Nothing like you and I thought that it would be/It seems like every step you take, there's a piper to be paid/And when the footlights from the stage blind your view, you can't always see their face/But you give your heart and soul on faith, when they give it back to you/There's nothing like a dream coming true

11th Place - Mikalah Gordon, Las Vegas, Nevada

Spotlight Song: Vita (written by M. Gordon, B. Rogers)

11th Place went to Nevada's Mikalah Gordon, who was 17 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Las Vegas, Nevada with the Ella Fitzgerald song Lullaby of Broadway and the Lauryn Hill song Killing Me Softly with His Song. Gordon was eliminated in Week 2 (Billboard #1's Week) after singing Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne. Now 38, Gordon is a singer and TV personality focusing on pop and rock music. She has one studio album streaming on Apple Music and was also a correspondent on The Tyra Banks Show. Gordon's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday. Her song Vita was featured on her 2022 album Vivian. I definitely did not like Mikalah much during this season, and I didn't like this song, either. Her voice and her musical style are just not for me. I wasn't able to find a good transcription of the lyrics, but give it a shot if you want.

10th Place - Jessica Sierra, Tampa, Florida

Spotlight Song: Unbroken (composer unknown)

10th Place went to Florida's Jessica Sierra, who was 19 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Orlando, Florida with the Etta James song At Last. Sierra was eliminated in Week 3 ('90s Week) after singing On the Side of Angels by LeAnn Rimes. Now 40, Sierra is a singer focusing on pop and country music. She's released one studio album and a couple of singles available on Apple Music. Sierra's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. Her song Unbroken was released as a single in 2007. Shockingly, I didn't like her much, either, and remain unimpressed today. This is a pretty stereotypical song for the '00s, but give it a try if that's your vibe.

I’m wrapped up in your mercy/I’m hanging on your thread/Baby, missing you just hurts me/I’m messed up in my head/And I, I want to be/Unbroken, unshattered/Just maybe put the pieces of my heart back together/I’m wide open, don’t know where I’m going/I’d give anything and everything just to be unbroken/Unbroken

9th Place - Nikko Smith, St. Louis, Missouri

Spotlight Song: Part-Time Lover (written by S. Morris)

9th Place went to Missouri's Osborne "Nikko" Smith, who was 22 at the time of competition. He auditioned in St. Louis, Missouri with the Stevie Wonder song All I Do. Smith was eliminated in Week 4 (Classic Broadway Week) after singing One Hand, One Heart from West Side Story. Now 43, Smith is a musician focusing on R&B and pop music. He currently has no music streaming on Apple Music. Smith's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Part-Time Lover by Stevie Wonder, which you can listen to on YouTube. I feel bad, but I just really don't remember him much from this season, and his vocals are pretty meh. Stevie Wonder is difficult to sing for the best musician, and this was a pretty bold choice.

Call up, ring once, hang up the phone/To let me know you made it home/Don’t want nothing to be wrong/With part-time lover/If she’s with me, I’ll blink the lights/To let you know tonight’s the night/For me and you/My part-time lover/We are undercover, passion on the run/Chasing love up against the sun/We are strangers by day, lovers by night/Knowing it’s so wrong, but feeling so right

8th Place - Nadia Turner, Miami, Florida

Spotlight Song: Missing You (Live) (written by N. Turner)

8th Place went to Florida's Nadia Turner, who was 28 at the time of competition. She auditioned in San Francisco, California with the Aretha Franklin song Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do). Turner was eliminated in Week 5 (Birth Year Week) after singing When I Dream by Crystal Gayle. Now 49, Turner is an actress, singer, songwriter, and TV personality focusing on rock and funk music. She currently has a few singles streaming on Apple Music. Turner's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Dusty Springfield. Her song Missing You (Live) was released as a single in 2022. I remember liking Nadia alright and thinking it was pretty unfair she was voted off so early. This song is pretty good, and so are her vocals.

Yesterday, all alone in my room/Feeling all the pain in the gloom of you/Fam and friends telling me that it’s life/That don’t mean that it’s right to you/This eternal pain that I’m feeling/Please, dear God, don’t stop my healing from you/Missing you like I do, hugging and caressing/Just me and you, I do miss you/Missing you like I do, hugging and caressing/Just me and you, I do miss you

7th Place - Anwar Robinson, East Orange, New Jersey

Spotlight Song: Chosen (composer unknown)

7th Place went to New Jersey's Anwar Robinson, who was 25 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Washington, D.C. with the Stevie Wonder song You Are the Sunshine of My Life. Robinson was eliminated in Week 6 ('70s Dance Week) after singing September by Earth, Wind & Fire. Now 46, Robinson is a singer, music teacher, actor, songwriter, pianist, and producer. He released his only studio album in 2011. Robinson's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was A House is Not a Home by Luther Vandross. His song Chosen was released as a single in 2009. I thought Anwar was okay, but I never expected him to win. This song isn't the best portrayal of his musical ability from what I remember, but it was alright. I couldn't find a good transcription of the lyrics, but you can stream it on Apple Music.

6th Place - Constantine Maroulis, New York City, New York

Spotlight Song: Pieces (written by C. Maroulis, N. Walker)

6th Place went to New York's Constantine Maroulis, who was 29 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Washington, D.C. with the Aerosmith song Cryin'. Maroulis was eliminated in Week 7 (21st Century Week) after singing How You Remind Me by Nickelback. Now 50, Maroulis is a musician and actor focusing on rock music. He has released three studio albums since 2005 and also originated the role of Drew Boley in the Broadway show Rock of Ages. Maroulis's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was My Funny Valentine from Babes in Arms. His song Pieces was released as a single in 2025. Thirteen-year-old me was IN LOVE with Constantine and mourned literally the rest of the season when he was (UNJUSTLY) voted off so early. I still think he has a phenomenal voice.

Let go of all this automatic drama/Static clinging to my karma/Clean it daily through the social fabric laundry/Oh no, another part of me’s gone/I need another rain check/So I can check out of this roundabout/Pulling down, all the claws are coming out/Tomorrow isn’t coming now/Just hold a little longer, bound to be a second later/I can take a breath and scream it out loud/Not gonna wait til someday/Been waiting all my life to just let go/Never wanted half of something/Gonna place the pieces til I’m whole

5th Place - Scott Savol, Shaker Heights, Ohio

Spotlight Song: Song for You (Live) (written by L. Russell)

5th Place went to Ohio's Scott Savol, who was 28 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Cleveland, Ohio with the Carpenters song Superstar. Savol was eliminated in Week 8 (Leiber & Stroller/Current Billboard Week) after singing On Broadway by The Drifters and Everytime You Go Away by Brian McKnight. Now 49, Savol is a musician focusing on gospel, soft rock, pop, and R&B music. He released his only studio album in 2011. Savol's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) by Phil Collins. His cover of Song for You (Live) was featured on the Greatest R&B Legends Music Awards album from 2021. Oh, I was FURIOUS that Scott beat out Constantine and I'm still bitter. His voice also just isn't for me, and I don't think he has the best tone for R&B.

I've been so many places in my life and time/I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhymes/I've acted out m y life in stages with ten thousand people watching/But we're alone now, I'm just singing this song for you/I know your image of me is what I hope to be, baby/I treated you unkindly, but girl, can't you see/There's no one more important to me/So darling, can't you please see through me/'Cause we're alone now, and I'm singing my song for you

4th Place - Anthony Fedorov, Trevose, Pennsylvania

Spotlight Song: Breaking Free (composer unknown)

4th Place went to Pennsylvania's Anthony Fedorov, who was 19 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Cleveland, Ohio with the Jon Secada song Angel. Fedorov was eliminated in Week 9 (Country/Gamble & Huff Week) after singing I'm Already There by Lonestar and If You Don't Know Me By Now by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Now 40, Fedorov is a musician, singer, and actor. He has no solo studio albums streaming on Apple Music. Fedorov's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Everytime You Go Away by Paul Young. His song Breaking Free was released as a single in 2016. I liked Anthony alright, but was admittedly shocked he made it as far as he did. He has an alright tenor voice, but it doesn't really compare with a lot of the other talent this season. I couldn't find a good transcription of these lyrics, but try it out, you might like it.

3rd Place - Vonzell Solomon, Fort Myers, Florida

Spotlight Song: Carry You (written by V. Solomon, C. Lewis, L. Colley)

3rd Place went to Florida's Vonzell Solomon, who was 20 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Orlando, Florida with the Aretha Franklin song Chain of Fools. Solomon was eliminated in Week 10 (Top 3 Week) after singing I'll Never Love This Way Again by Dionne Warwick, Franklin's Chain of Fools, and On the Radio by Donna Summer. Now 42, Solomon is a singer focusing on pop and R&B music. She has released two EPs since 2004. Solomon's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Best of My Love by The Emotions. Her song Carry You was released as a single in 2024. I genuinely don't remember my opinions on Vonzell, except being shocked she made the Top 3. Her voice has matured nicely to be sure, but it's still crazy to think about her being up there with Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice.

Desperately holding on, facing a fate unknown/Wait for the day to come/Stuck between mud and stone, finding the way back home/Even when all seems lost/Please don’t give up on me/I’m just beginning to find the light/If you could give me one thing/Please, just give me a little time/Time to carry you, carry you/Carry you through these waters/I will carry you, carry you through the dark/Till the light falls on us, I will carry you

2nd Place - Bo Bice, Helena, Alabama

Spotlight Song: The Real Thing (written by K. DioGuardi, M. Frederiksen)

Season 4's Runner-Up was Alabama's Harold "Bo" Bice, who was 29 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Orlando, Florida with the Allman Brothers' Band song Whipping Post. Bice was declared Runner-Up in Week 11 (Finale Week) after singing Long, Long Road by Appleton, Vehicle by Ides of March, and Idol original Inside Your Heaven. Now 50, Bice is a singer and musician focusing on southern rock, hard rock, and country rock music. He has released three solo studio albums since 2005 and also was lead singer for the band Blood, Sweat and Tears. Bice's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was I Don't Wanna Be by Gavin DeGraw. His song The Real Thing was featured on his 2005 album of the same name. After losing Constantine, I was hardcore Team Bo, who had been my second favorite from the beginning anyway. I wasn't as devastated when he got 2nd as I was with Clay, but I bought his album and honestly still enjoy listening to it today.

Every word I say, I mean it/Every single day, I feel it/But sometimes, when you talk, it’s obvious you want/To show it, so don’t blow it/Tell me what we got, tell me it’s a lot, tell me it’s the real thing/Tell me not to change and always be the same, tell me that’s a good thing, it’s a good thing/Tell me not to lie, tell me not to wait, tell me that you want the same things as me/Tell me that it’s fate driving me insane, tell me it’s the real thing that keeps me hanging on

1st Place - Carrie Underwood, Checotah, Oklahoma

Spotlight Song: Before He Cheats (written by C. Tompkins, J. Kear)

Our fourth American Idol was Oklahoma's Carrie Underwood, who was 21 at the time of competition. She auditioned in St. Louis, Missouri with the Bonnie Raitt song I Can't Make You Love Me. Underwood was crowned Winner in Week 11 (Finale Week) after singing Idol original Inside Your Heaven, Independence Day by Martina McBride, and Angels Brought Me Here by Guy Sebastian. Now 43, Underwood is essentially an American household name in country and gospel music and definitely one of Idol's most famous alumni alongside Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson. She has released nine studio albums since 2005 and is the most awarded country music artist of all time, having received eight Grammys, 12 Billboards, 16 ACMs, 17 AMAs, 9 CMAs, and multiple other awards. Underwood's contribution to the Season 4 The Showstoppers soundtrack was Independence Day by Martina McBride. Her song Before He Cheats was featured on her 2005 album Some Hearts, peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #8, has been certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA, and won Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Look, I like Carrie fine, and I listen to all of the new music she puts out. However, there's always been something about her that rubs me the wrong way somehow, but I can't quite put my finger on it. What cannot be denied, however, is her vocal talent and also how kick ass this song still is 21 years later.

Right now, he’s probably slow dancing with a bleach blonde tramp and she’s probably getting frisky/Right now, he’s probably buying her some fruity little drink ‘cause she can’t shoot whiskey/Right now, he’s probably up behind her with a pool stick showing her how to shoot a combo/And he don’t know/I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel-drive/Carved my name into his leather seats/I took a Louisville Slugger to both headlights, slashed a hole in all four tires/Maybe next time, he’ll think before he cheats

I hope this was another fun journey down memory lane for you fellow Idol fans, and maybe you learned something new - it shocks me how many people actually don't realize Carrie Underwood came from this show. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!