Top 5 Artists ‘American Idol’ Finalists Should Avoid Covering

On Wednesday night’s “American Idol,” the Top 13 took on songs from Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston, as the competition to find America’s next reality singing superstar rolls along.

And while the performance will prove to be the swan song for this week’s eliminated contestant – they shouldn’t feel too bad. As it turns out, singing songs by Stevie and Whitney have sent more “Idol” hopefuls home than any other artists over the show’s previous 10 seasons!

Contestants spend a considerable amount of time picking the pitch-perfect song to display their vocal abilities to the judges and the audience – but which artists would they be wise to steer clear of if they hope to advance? AccessHollywood.com has uncovered the artists whose songs have led to instant elimination (excluding mandatory theme weeks) more than any other over the years.

In order to hit the right note with America, here are the Top 5 Artists “American Idol” Finalists Should Avoid!

5. Artist: Michael Jackson

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4

Breakdown: Season 2 Contestant Chip Days –“Rock With You”; Season 2 Contestant Charles Grigsby — “You Can’t Win”; Season 8 Contestant Stephen Fowler — “Rock With You”; Season 9 Contestant Michael Lynche — “Will You Be There”

It’s Not Always Bad News: Season 1 contestant Justin Guarini took on Jackson’s “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” early on in the competition – and made it work. Guarini successfully advanced and later on became season two’s runner-up to eventual winner Kelly Clarkson.

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4. Artist: Aretha Franklin

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 5

Breakdown: Season 1 Contestant Tanesha Ross — “Until You Come Back To Me”; Season 2 Contestant Samantha Elizabeth Cohen — “Something He Can Feel”; Season 3 Contestant Charly Lowry — “Chain of Fools”; Season 4 Contestant Vonzell Soloman — “Chain of Fools”; Season 8 Contestant Ann Marie Boskovich — “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”

It’s Not Always Bad News: “Chain of Fools” may have knocked out two “Idol” contestants, but it was a step towards victory for Season 2’s eventual winner Fantasia Barrino.

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3. Artist: Alicia Keys

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 6

Breakdown: Season 2 Contestant Kristin Holt — “Fallin”; Season 4 Contestant Aloha Mischeaux — “You Don’t Know My Name”; Season 5 Contestant Kinnik Sky — “If I Ain’t Got You”; Season 7 Contestant Syesha Mercado — “If I Ain’t Got You”; Season 8 Contestant Taylor Vaifanua — “If I Ain’t Got You”; Season 8 Contestant Felicia Barton – “No One”

It’s Not Always Bad News: Three contestants may have been knocked out after singing ‘If I Ain’t Got You,” but Season 4’s Vonzell Solomon successfully advanced after singing her rendition. Solomon made it to the top three before being eliminated.

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2. Artist: Whitney Houston

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 7

Breakdown: Season 2 Contestant Jennifer Fuentes — “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”; Season 2 Contestant Sylvia Chilbilti — “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”; Season 3 Contestant Tiara Purifoy — “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”; Season 3 Contestant Katie Webber — “So Emotional”; Season 3 Contestant Jasmine Trias — “Saving All My Love for You”; Season 6 Contestant Melinda Doolittle — “I Believe in You and Me”; Season 7 Contestant Asia’h Epperson — “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”

It’s Not Always Bad News: Season three contestant Jennifer Hudson sang Houston’s “I Have Nothing” during her run on “American Idol.” Even though Hudson was eliminated later, she went on to have one of the most successful post-“Idol” careers, winning both an Oscar and Grammy. And of course, performed Whitney & Dolly Parton’s classic “I Will Always Love You” as a tribute to Whitney at the 2012 Grammys.

1. Artist: Stevie Wonder

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 8

Breakdown: Season 1 Contestant Gil Sinuet — “Ribbon in the Sky”; Season 1 Contestant Khaleef Chiles — “My Cherie Amour”; Season 2 Contestant J.D. Adams — “All in Love is Fair”; Season 2 Contestant Jordan Segundo — “For Your Love”; Season 4 Contestant David Brown — “All in Love is Fair”; Season 6 Contestant Jared Cotter — “If You Really Love Me”; Season 8 Contestant Ricky Braddy — “Superstition”; Season 10 Contestant Clint Jun Gamboa – “Superstition”

It’s Not Always Bad News: Taylor Hicks was pronounced the winner of “American Idol’s” Season 5 right after singing a rendition of Wonder’s “Living for the City.”

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Honorable Mention

Artist: Temptations

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4

Breakdown: Season 1 Contestant Mark Scott — “My Girl”; Season 1 Contestant Ejay Day –“My Girl”; Season 4 Contestant Sarah Mather — “Get Ready”; Season 8 Contestant Michael Sarver — “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”

It’s Not Always Bad News: All songs by the Temptations do not mean doom for “American Idol” contestants. After singing “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” very early in the competition, Scott Savol of Season 4 was able to advance to the top five.

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Honorable Mention

Artist: Donna Summer

Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4

Breakdown: Season 1 Contestant Ryan Starr — “Last Dance”; Season 4 Contestant Vonzell Solomon — “On the Radio”; Season 5 Contestant Brenna Gethers — “Last Dance”; Season 8 Contestant Anoop Desai – “Dim All the Lights”

It’s Not Always Bad News: Rumor has it, for those lucky enough, Donna Summer can help you advance in the competition. Just ask Kris Allen of Season 8. Allen solidified his spot in the Top 5 by singing “She Works Hard for the Money” on his way to becoming the Season 8 champ.

— Josanta Gray