BWW Recap - Top 13 Perform on THE X FACTOR - Episode 13

This week, it's Motown Night on The X Factor!

Motown classics strike a personal chord because some of my favorite songs and artists in the world came from Motown. As Kelly says, Motown gave us "classic, magical music." It is legendary. Let's see if the final contestants do it justice!

Simon announces that the judges agreed that an eliminated contestant deserves another shot and that he's coming back tonight as a wild card... and he's up first! Welcome back Josh Levi!

Josh sings Who's Loving You by the Jackson 5. He brings passion and soul to a classic, and the judges love it. Demi says, "What a way to make a comeback!" Simon says the performance took him "from zero to hero."

Rachel Potter sings the Isley Brothers' This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You). She country-fies it, speeding up the ballad. I don't think the tempo she went with matches the heart of the lyrics, and Simon agrees with me, saying that the track she used was "horrible." The rest of the judges loved it though.

Carlos Guevara sings Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. It's uncomfortable and not very good. Kelly says that he "could've done better." Simon says that in order to succeed, he needs to be "incredible" next week.

Restless Road sings Lionel Richie's Easy. Their harmonies win over screaming girls in the audience and probably all over the country, although I feel like their vocals could've been smoother. Paulina agrees, saying that the leads need to be careful because they were "pitchy." Simon is very proud of his super-marketable boys and their "hardwork, charisma, star power," etc.

Ellona Santiago sings a favorite of mine, Baby Love by the legendary Supremes. I find her flashy costumes, dancers, and overall production super-distracting, but maybe I'm just longing for the sweet simplicity of the original song. Kelly calls her a "little powerhouse" and Demi "couldn't be prouder."

Jeff Gutt sings Lionel Richie's Say You Say Me, and hopes not to let his hometown of Detroit down with his tribute to Motown. He puts his signature rock spin on it, but he absolutely pulls it off. The judges are completely wowed. Simon says it was "outstanding," and "by a mile, the best vocal of the night."

Alex & Sierra take on Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through the Grapevine. As usual, they're über lovable and also super talented. Demi says it was "sexy and hot" and Paulina asks them to kiss after they perform because she finds them that cute.

Khaya Cohen sings another personal favorite, My Girl by The Temptations. Her style is unique and definitely interesting, but for some reason I don't find her likeable. Her vocals are solid though, and Kelly loves her "sass" and Simon says "it was like listening to Amy Winehouse."

Carlito Olivero sings the 2nd Supremes song of the night, Stop in the Name of Love. He turns it into a ballad that's emotional and sensitive and honestly, a little too intense for my taste. But again, I might just be too accustomed to the sweet easiness of the original. Simon agrees with me, saying "it was a little bit over-theatrical."

Lillie McCloud sings Stevie Wonder's All in Love is Fair. She's completely in her element, and the performance is moving and absolutely stunning. Demi says her "stage presence is incredible," although she does wish that she would update her style to be more contemporary. This is similar to Simon's criticisms of Lillie last week, which Kelly hated because apparently the comments really rattled Lillie's confidence. So when it's Simon's turn to speak, Kelly stands up and says, "I dare you. I dare you! Say something! Say something!" I love Kelly so much. Simon does say something, and that something is that tonight's performance was "absolutely fantastic," which earns him a kiss from Kelly.

Sweet Suspense sings The Supremes' You Keep Me Hangin' On. I have way too high a standard for female groups, and I just think that their vocals could be better. The super upbeat performance does win the judges over though. Demi says "they killed it." Kelly says that "there hasn't been a girl group that has tapped into the marketplace for a long time" and encourages them to take that shot and be that group. I love you, Kelly, but you're wrong. I have such a thing for girl groups and there are several rising in the industry right now. What about Fifth Harmony, from last season? What about Little Mix, who won The X Factor UK? Sweet Suspense has nothing on those groups. Simon comes through for me and brings up Fifth Harmony, who are, according to him "top 10 now in 25 countries," and Demi chimes in too, because the girls are opening up for her on tour next year!

Rion Paige sings Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's classic, Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Her voice is strong, but The Arrangement throws me off once again. Honestly, I'm way too attached to the original versions of these. Kelly agrees with me, saying she didn't love the rendition. But Simon liked it, saying she pulled off one of his favorite songs.

Tim Olstad sings the Jackson 5's I'll Be There. I think the song choice, with its built-in backing choir, is way too obvious for him, but his voice is strong. Demi agrees with me, saying that he has a "phenomenal voice," but that it came off as just a "really, really, really" good karaoke performance to her. Kelly agrees with Demi, commenting that she "expected way more" from him. Simon "really liked it" though. So, that's good.

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