Michael, the three Davids, Jason, Danny, Luke and Chikezie performed songs from the '80s.

"American Idol" took a journey back to the REAGAN era of the '80s on Tuesday night when the eight remaining male vocalists performed songs from that decade. Outstanding performances of the night included DAVID ARCHULETA, DAVID HERNANDEZ, MICHAEL JOHNS, DAVID COOK and JASON CASTRO.

It was also a night when the competitors revealed on their pre-performance films their most embarrassing moment in life.

LUKE MENARD kicked off the night's performances with WHAM's "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." RANDY JACKSON told the 29-year-old from Crawfordsville, IN: "It started out rough. You couldn't find the pitch, but you got it together in the end. It was a surprising song choice. A little bit corny." PAULA ABDUL, too, was surprised that Luke picked that song, but she was more complimentary, saying, "What I love about you is you have a great instrument. I love, love, love your interpretation." SIMON COWELL, however, didn't like it. "I thought it was weak and a bit girly. I don't think you will make it through to the Final 12," he predicted.

Next, David Archuleta took on PHIL COLLINS' "Another Day in Paradise." Randy felt it was like watching the 17-year-old perform in concert. "I thought it was good. It didn't show off your vocal prowess," he critiqued. Paula said, "I love that there were a couple of notes that were off because it proved you aren't this perfect person. In that imperfection, you are perfect for this competition." Simon kept it real, saying, "It wasn't as good as last week. You are 17 years old. It is getting a bit gloomy. I think you have to lighten up a little bit. There is no question you are going to make it to the finals. We just need to see a fun side occasionally."

SOFT CELL's "Tainted Love" was the choice of DANNY NORIEGA. Randy thought it was a little rough. "It was a little pitchy," he said, "But I like the way you did it at the end. Have that confidence. You can do it. You were a little shy. You aren't ever shy in attitude, but vocally." Paula called Danny a bright light, pointing out, "You have a sensitive side to you. You have a spicy side. You are the real deal. You have great vocals. You have to keep going." Simon thought the whole performance was horrible: "Absolutely useless," he labeled it. "Hated the arrangement. Hated the performance. Didn't like anything about it."

David Hernandez performed "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," made famous by MEATLOAF. Randy felt it was a nice song choice. "I thought it was really good except for some pitch problems. You've got the big old voice," he said. Paula agreed, adding, "I feel that you are really getting into your groove. You are becoming a good performer." Simon said it wasn't as good as last week, but he felt that David had 100 percent secured a place in the Final 12 with his performance.

The man from Down Under -- Michael Johns -- was up next with SIMPLE MINDS' "Don't You Forget About Me." Randy enthused, "What I love about that is the Aussie boy goes home for the '80s week. You remind me of MICHAEL HUTCHENCE. Good song choice." Paula applauded him, saying, "I am so glad that you are the type of artist who is defining who you are. You picked a perfect song. I loved hearing the strength in your low range, because it let you wail in the high. You have a presence." Simon liked it, but didn't love it. He added: "You are like one of the girls. You have a huge talent, but haven't quite connected with the right song and had your moment yet. I prefer you when you sing a soul song. I really, really like you. I think you are going to do well in this competition."

David Cook -- guitar in hand -- tackled his own arrangement of LIONEL RICHIE's "Hello." Randy told him, "You made a slightly Emo version out of a pop song. I think that could be a single and be a hit." Paula said, "I totally love when you come on that stage because I know I am in for a great surprise. You change things up and you make perfect choices." Simon agreed, saying, "That was a very brave thing to do and I loved it. I like people who take a few risks. I think Lionel Richie would be happy when he hears it. I hope we are going to see you next week."

JASON CASTRO left his guitar behind and simply sang "Hallelujah." Randy said, "A great degree of difficulty. You did a pretty good job of it, because it is a tall order. I give you props for it." Paula agreed, adding, "It is a level of difficulty and you made it sound effortless. I am glad you showed a beautiful vulnerability. You phrasing is what makes you great." And, again, Simon agreed, saying, "The JEFF BUCKLEY is one of my favorite versions of that song. I thought it was absolutely brilliant what you just did. [It was] arguably one of my favorite performances of the night -- and your best. Jason you are getting better and better."

Closing down the night was CHIKEZIE EZE with WHITNEY HOUSTON's "All the Man that I Need," changed to "All the Woman that I Need." Randy felt it was an interesting song choice. "You did a good job of it. Tough song choice. Chikeze definitely deserves a spot in the finals," he critiqued. Paula said, "I was waiting for this upbeat thing. You switched it up on me. Your vocals sounded really good tonight." But Chikeze's performance didn't work for Simon at all. "I thought you were okay in bits, but I thought it was more cabaret than last week. I don't think that [song choice] was a very smart move," he criticized.