OHMYGOD HALEY GETS A STANDING OVATION FOR THE FIRST TIME! (Actually it’s the second time but this was the first time she earned it solo.)

And deservedly so as this was a HOT performance! I remember when Siobhan Magnus sang House of the Rising Sun last season, it seemed like an odd choice despite her mad vocals. But Haley took this folk song and made it contemporary. The arrangement was perfect and the song totally suited her blues-y vocals. Brilliant, just brilliant. Haley is in it to win it!

I have yet to see the complete episode but I read that Randy said this was “the best performance of the night.” The top five contestants sang two songs, by the way, and Haley’s first choice was You and I, an unreleased Lady Gaga song. I thought she did a great job but the judges were lukewarm, as they have been with Haley (compared with the other contestants) the entire season.