American Idol Top 8 women recap: Lacey Brown rebounds with 'The Story'

Playing the electric guitar in a solid rendition of Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason," Crystal Bowersox secured her spot as the female front-runner on Tuesday's episode of "American Idol."

Many of the other singers in the top eight might not have received judge Simon Cowell's memo that this is the worst week to be eliminated -- you know, because you're so close to the top 12, yet so far.

Paige Miles offered a nervous, vocally shaky rendition of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile." Katie Stevens suggested she hasn't quite escaped the limits of pageant world with her performance of Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway."

Despite earning the coveted last-singer spot, quirky Lilly Scott offered a forgettable spin on Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces." Even worse, curly-haired Katelyn Epperly entered the dreaded lounge singer realm with her take on Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move."

There were high notes, however. Didi Benami and Lacey Brown rebounded from recent criticism to deliver their most memorable performances of semifinals.

And that crazy Siobhan Magnus offered a nice take on The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun." Unless, of course, you ask Simon. He called it weird.

Here are my rankings:

1. Crystal Bowersox, "Give Me One Reason"

2. Didi Benami, "Rhiannon"

3. Siobhan Magnus, "The House of the Rising Sun"

4. Lacey Brown, "The Story"

5. Katie Stevens, "Breakaway"

6. Lilly Scott, "I Fall to Pieces"

7. Katelyn Epperly, "I Feel the Earth Move"

8. Paige Miles, "Smile"

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