Tyanna Jones was eliminated, Clark Beckham feuded with Scott Borchetta behind the scenes and the Top 4 were announced on American Idol.

American Idol: Top 5 Perform

Each of the Top 5 contestants on Idol performed two songs for the judges: one ‘Soul Song’ and one song for one of the judges’ hometowns, New York City for Jennifer Lopez, New Orleans for Harry Connick Jr., and Nashville for Keith Urban.

Clark Beckham

The first artist declared safe, Clark Beckham, kicked off the show with a performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City” in honor of J Lo’s hometown, NYC. Clark’s performance started out a bit wobbly, and he struggled with the higher pitch, but he got into it by the time that first hook came around. The judges noted that he seemed a bit uncomfortable without an instrument in front of him – he seemed much more at ease behind the piano than behind the mic.

For his soul song, Clark chose to put a jazzy spin on “Your Man” by Josh Turner. In rehearsals, mentor and label exec Scott Borchetta told Clark he shouldn’t do the song, telling him he was “on a fast-track to a Holiday Inn with this kind of music” before saying his song choices could lose him the competition. Clark stuck to his guns, telling Scott, “If this loses me the competition, then I don’t want to win it.” The judges tended to agree with Scott, and even questioned Clark’s fire to win.

“To be clear, I’ve got to say this: I desperately want to win this show. But I’m never going to forsake the music. This is my music. And I really believe people like this music I’m playing. Just deep down, I believe it. And that’s why I’ve got to stay true. America votes and decides. It’s my job to paint the truest picture I can, as a musician, and that’s what I am doing here, best I can,” Clark told Ryan Seacrest.

Jax Cole

Jax Cole also honored J Lo’s hometown, singing Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” in honor of her father. Jax performed the track with her signature rasp from behind a piano. Jax’s vocals weren’t her best, but she certainly didn’t fail to impress. Her measured performance really allowed the song to build to a big finish, and, as J Lo said in her critique, Jax’s smart song choices and charming performances have put her in a great spot to win the entire competition.

For her Soul Song, Jax chose to sing Christina Perri’s “Human,” another ballad. Though the song didn’t offer audiences very much in terms of variety, Jax was able to set the performance apart form her first by stepping out from behind a piano. Jax commanded the stage, standing alone on stage, belting out the vulnerable song as if her life depended on it. The judges noticed some faults in her vocals, but the emotional breaks in her voice trumped any technical issues. “This was a perfect example of the technical vs. the emotional. There were pitch issues all over the place, but I really felt what you were doing… And ultimately, that trumps everything,” Harry told her.

Nick Fradiani

Nick Fradiani was the next artist ushered through to the Top 4, and he did his best Rob Thomas, giving an energetic performance of Matchbox Twenty’s “Bright Lights.” The song was very well suited to Nick’s voice, and his pitch was right in the sweet spot the entire time. The judges all loved it, with Keith complimenting his “killer instinct” and Harry and J Lo noting that he was really starting to hit his stride.

For his second performance, Nick took on Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most.” Nick ditched the guitar for this more emotional song, and the crowd loved it. J Lo agreed and even said his vulnerable performance made him “the star of the night.”

Tyanna Jones Eliminated

It’s down to the final two: Tyanna Jones and Rayvon Owen. No Twitter save this week, it’s all up to America’s votes from the week. Tyana, unfortunately, is out, with Rayvon making it into the Top 4. After a quick and tearful hug, Tyana was tasked with performing one final time on the Idol stage.

Singing “Run the World” with tears still in her eyes, Tyana pulled it together and delivered her usual charming energy. She had Jax laughing in the crowd when she sassed the judges with this lyric: “I work my 9 to 5, better cut my check.”

Rayvon Owen

The last man standing, Rayvon Owen, has consistently beat the odds and escaped eliminations for the past four weeks, and he came back with a vengeance. For his first song, Rayvon decided to go Country with Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now.” Of course, the country ballad had less country and a bit more piano in it for Rayvon’s performance – sounding a bit more like a Sam Smith cover of the song than the country hit, but that didn’t matter. Rayvon killed it vocally, but the judges felt he was overdoing it with the dramatics. Rayvon sells a ballad well, but J Lo said she felt like he was missing a real connection with the audience – all smoke, no substance.

Rayvon dipped into his endless reservoir of emotional ballads again for his second performance, Justin Bieber’s “Believe.” Rayvon dedicated the performance to his mother, who was in tears dancing in the audience. Clark looked like he was crying in the stands, and Rayvon, too, had tears in his eyes at the end of the song. The judges loved it, and felt he was truly able to connect emotionally. This may be best performance yet.

American Idol continues Wed. at 8 p.m. on FOX.