Lifehouse "You and Me"

We already covered American Idol's influence on Adult Contemporary music and to further illustrate that point, let's take a look at the AC Top 20 this week in 2006. Three of the Top 20 songs came from Idol alum (Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Hicks and Bo Bice). Coincidentally, Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" topped the chart and, while he wasn't an Idol contestant, the show used the song to play off the week's losing contestant. Another ballad, "You and Me" from Lifehouse, also remained in the Top 5 despite having been released a year earlier.

Phillip Phillips - "Gone Gone Gone"

Aside from Daniel Powter's "Bad Day", American Idol utilized another former contestant for music to "play 'em off" the stage.  Phillip Phillips' "Gone Gone Gone" was the song that played during the elimination round of the twelfth season of the reality series.

Daniel Powter - "Bad Day"

You had to put forth an incredible effort to hide from Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" in 2004-2005.  Aside from the radio, the song found life on television commercials and even as the "you've been eliminated" song on American Idol.