American Idol's Lauren Alaina Performs “Anyway” on the Top 4 Show

Lauren Alaina, American Idol Season 10's Sweet Southern Belle, performs “Anyway” by Martina McBride on the Top 4 Show. Tonight's celebrity guest mentor was the outre Lady Gaga, and the theme for the first round of songs is "Songs that Inspire". "Anyway" is an inspirational song based on a favorite poem of Mother Teresa's, written by Kent Keith, which he originally titled, "The Paradoxical Commandments". The meaning of the song is...no matter what puts you down in life, do not give up, do it anyway. At the 2007 Country Music Association Awards, "Anyway" was nominated for Single of the Year and Song of the Year awards.

Lauren looks gorgeous! She took the advice Sheryl Crow gave her last week (which she disregarded then), and stood at the mic and just sang. And drew the audience to her with her luminous singing! Amazing, beautiful performance. Her emotions shined through, and Lauren's leaving her past insecurities behind and breaking out of her shell! Perfection. The crowd and all three judges loved it! Steven Tyler, a Lauren groupie, raved, "Lauren, you did it again. You broke my heart. That was the most beautiful thing. Your voice is so pure and perfect, and right on pitch. You deliver a song like a blue plate special. And I'm in love with the buckles on your shoes. And I love that dress. You’re the whole package. I love you."

Jennifer Lopez praised, "That was very good, Baby. I’m so proud of you. I really do feel like you’re listening to what we are telling you. Everything we're telling you is to help you get into the final. That was exactly what we’re talking about. That was exactly what you have to do. It was a great, great vocal performance."

Randy Jackson added, "Last week I was a little worried. But what you just did right there...the Lauren that we all grew to love, the Lauren that we met the first time we met you...America, Lauren is BACK IN IT TO WIN IT! Yo, that was hot. That was everything! You know was was wrong with that? Absolutely nothing! That was amazing. And a great time to do it."

"That song means so much to me. Any person who's ever had anything bad in their life can relate to that song. It's so inspirational," Lauren told Ryan Seacrest.