"American Idol" Coronation Songs: How Does Lambert or Allen's "No Boundaries" Rank?

When Adam Lambert and Kris Allen sang "No Boundaries" — the Kara DioGuardi co-written Season Eight American Idol coronation song — last night, the judges came dangerously close to calling the track utter crap (since when has Simon Cowell restrained himself from judging the song?). But has Idol ever given its victor a decent tune at the finale? The tracks are universally schmaltzy ballads that try to capture the awesomeness of the show's rags-to-riches premise: a no-name plucked from obscurity earns his or her shot at superstardom.

Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This" may be the best of the bunch — it features a memorable hook, hit Number One and even became the soundtrack to a series of Sandals resorts commercials. Taylor Hicks' Season Five stinker "Do I Make Your Proud" could be the worst (hint: never title a song with a rhetorical question when the answer is almost always "no"). Jordin Sparks got off relatively unscathed with the timely "This Is My Now," though few were convinced that Ruben Studdard could pull off "Flying Without Wings." So where does "No Boundaries" rank among Idol's eight attempts? We'll take your reviews in the comments (watch all the songs after the jump). And don't forget to check back later for Rob Sheffield's finale live blog.

Season One: Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This"

Season Two: Ruben Studdard's "Flying Without Wings"

Season Three: Fantasia's "I Believe"

Season Four: Carrie Underwood's "Inside Your Heaven"

Season Five: Taylor Hicks' "Do I Make You Proud"

Season Six: Jordin Sparks' "This Is My Now"

Season 7: David Cook's "Time of My Life"

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter