American Idol as a TV show is about as successful as you can get, but people might not realize just how big the empire is. Okay, some of its former contestants probably realized after it was too late that conquering movies was maybe not their thing (From Justin to Kelly to … nowhere). But if you consider their musical track record, it’s pretty impressive. Since the show started in 2002, there have been more than 200 songs by Idol alums to hit the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. David Cook even had 11 songs from his self-titled debut hit the chart in 2008 in the same week.
We took into account album sales and chart-toppers and threw in a dose of personal favorites to bring you our list of The Top 25 Greatest American Idol Alumni Videos. Some artists show up a few times (Kelly Clarkson bookends the list) and a certain someone only shows up once because his baby face is just too sweet to stare at for too long (David Archuleta, we’re looking at you…). Our methods aren’t scientific, but they do take things like over-cuteness into account.
25. Kelly Clarkson – “My Life Would Suck Without You”
The latest of Clarkson’s singles, it made our list because while it’s a great song, the video sticks to the Clarkson formula that all other Clarkson videos adhere to – shots of Kelly performing with the band, spliced with shots of Kelly freaking out on/about a guy in a series of dramatic reenactments.
24. Bo Bice – “Witness”
Bice’s hair blows so freely — in the wind, in his convertible, by the sheer power of song — throughout the video, we couldn’t turn away. Viewers loved it too, the song spent three weeks at #1 on the VH1 Top 20 in December 2007.
23. Daughtry – “Over You”
“Hi, my name is Sara. Only it’s not, it’s Jessica Szohr, of TV’s Gossip Girl. I’m sorry I just cried throughout this whole video while wrapped in a towel. Actually nevermind – that was probably pretty hot. You’re welcome.”
22. Ace Young – “Addicted”
“Addicted” is Ace Young’s first video and it has touches of Justin Timberlake all over it, not to mention some naughty moments that has us clutching our pearls.
21. Clay Aiken – “The Way”
The first Clay song on our countdown is also co-written by season 8 judge Kara DioGuardi. The video is delightfully awkward and full of young love and romantic angst.
20. Fantasia – “When I See You”
Fantasia on rooftops! In the bathtub! Walking through New York! It’s not as fun as “Hood Boy,” which we put at #6 on our list, but this song sure shows off the girl’s voice.
19. Elliott Yamin – “Wait For You”
“Wait For You” was certified gold and has been Elliot Yamin’s only hit single since Idol. We can expect his next album in May 2009.
18. Ruben Studdard – “Change Me”
It’s a reality show crossover! Studdard’s video features America’s Next Top Model contestant Bre Scullark as his girlfriend. We wish we could place the video higher in our list but unfortunately, Bre is about the only interesting thing about the video.
17. Carrie Underwood – “Last Name”
Underwood is all country-girl here, and the key elements to any good country song – liquor, cars getting keyed, bad decisions – all appear in abundance.
16. Kimberley Locke – “8th World Wonder”
It’s not easy to compete with the likes of Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken, but Locke, who came in third in season 2, holds the title of having one of the longest-running “Idol” songs on the Billboard charts, staying there for 20 weeks.
15. Jordin Sparks – “No Air”
Sparks’ duet with Chris Brown is one of the biggest hits either artist has had. Of course those were more innocent times. Let’s watch the video to try and remember a time before the felony assault charges, shall we?
14. David Archuleta – “Crush”
We put Archuleta at #14 because the video feels more like an American Eagle Outfitters commercial than a music video to us.
13. Daughtry -”It’s Not Over”
Daughtry trades a dilapidated, abandoned house (the location for all their other video perofmances) for what appears to be Lex Luthor’s Grand Central Station mansion in this sweeping video full of police, intrigue and marriage proposals.
12. Jordin Sparks – “Tattoo” (Version 2)
Awesome special effects make Sparks’ video so cool – watch as Jordan and Friends get magically inked through the wonders of CG.
11. Katharine McPhee – “Love Story”
McPhee does her best Beyonce impression and looks super-hot in this video for “Love Story”. We think she should take a break from making movies like The House Bunny and get back to recording.
10. Daughtry – “Home”
Grammy-nominated Chris Daughtry hails from North Carolina, so it was only appropriate that he and his band shot the video for “Home” in his native state.
9. Kelly Clarkson – “Because of You”
Not the first or last Kelly song on our list because the girl keeps coming out with so many singles that we love.
8. Jennifer Hudson – “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
“And I Am Telling You,” from Hudson’s Oscar-winning turn as Effie in Dreamgirls, has become a personal anthem as much as anything – the star has proven that despite personal tragedy, she’s not going anywhere.
7. David Cook – “Light On”
Co-written by Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, “Light On” was a huge digital hit in 2008 for Cook.
6. Fantasia – “Hood Boy”
Fantasia goes full-diva in the video for Hood Boy that features Big Boi, who co-wrote the song.
5. Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”
Enough with the “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Living’ on a Prayer,” this is our new standard at karaoke and our favorite song by Miss Underwood.
4. Kelly Clarkson – “Miss Independent”
Clarkson’s second single (it followed “A Moment Like This”) is less formulaic and more fun than her videos even though it has the same relationship-y theme they all have. It’s fun to see her partying with her friends in this one instead of crying into a pillow.
3. Clay Aiken – “Invisible”
The best that cheesy pop has to offer, “Invisible” was the first single off of Aiken’s debut album “Measure of a Man” which hit #1.
2. Daughtry – “Feels Like Tonight”
“Feels Like Tonight” is Daughtry’s fourth song to hit #1 on the VH1 Top 20 Countdown and marks the return of the power ballad.
1. Kelly Clarkson – “Since U Been Gone”
Clarkson looks amazing in the video for her Grammy-winning single, we think this was a definite career high for her (so far,at least!). The song is everything in one - an anthem, a dance track and pure rock n’ roll.
