'American Idol' Lennon and McCartney night highlights are jealous guy Casey James and a bagpiper

Paul McCartney couldn’t be there because he was on tour, so the"American Idol" top nine went without a mentor this week and made their picks from the McCartney-John Lennon songbook.

For me the first hour was pretty much a snoozer. The seemingly invincible teen wonder Aaron Kelly finally took a bashing for his performance. “The Long and Winding Road” was a long and winding song, judge Ellen DeGeneres said. True that. Big Mike Lynche in a Sgt. Pepper-ish jacket reworked “Eleanor Rigby.” It was just all right for me.

Standouts continue to be Crystal Bowersox (“Come Together”), Lee Dewyze and a bagpiper (“Hey Jude” -- It was an absolute riot when DeGeneres commented the piper who marched down the steps during the song’s crescendo “got separated from his parade.”) and a stunning version of “Jealous Guy,” by Casey James. Simon called it the best performance of the night. I would call it the best performance of the season. Below are James’ and Lennon’s versions of the song.

If Google trends are any indicator, fans are searching for the lyrics to “Across the Universe,” which Siobhan Magnus chose, “Jealous Guy” and “Come Together.” Here are a few snippets to help you out:

“Across the Universe”: “Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world" (the first line of the chorus is a mantra)

“Come Together”: “Here come old flattop.
He come grooving up slowly
He got ju-ju eyeballs. He’s one holy roller
He got hair down to his knee
Got to be a joker he just do what he please”

“Jealous Guy”: “I didn't mean to hurt you,
I'm sorry that I made you cry,
I didn't want to hurt you,
I'm just a jealous guy.”