‘American Idol’ Winner Trent Harmon Earns High Praise For Soaring Cover Of ‘Simple Man’

American Idol YouTube Channel

From the start of the final season of American Idol, one contestant stood out. His name is Trent Harmon, and we’re sure you know him well by now, since he was crowned the champion of the long-running competition show’s last season.

Harmon has decided to pursue a career in country music, but while he was on Idol he put his spin on a Southern rock classic. The song he selected was Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s “Simple Man,” and the performance he put on proved exactly why he deserved to be the next Idol.

It’s one thing to sing a song, and it’s another thing to be able to connect to it. Harmon was clearly able to connect to the words he sang, pouring all of his passion and energy into the perfect parts.

Harmon also demonstrated his many abilities throughout the performance, as he sang softly, growled through notes, and experimented with a higher register. The result was a beautiful performance that left the audience and judges spellbound.

Judge Jennifer Lopez was so moved in fact, that she spoke through tears while offering her comments to Harmon. Judge and country star Keith Urban also had tears glistening in his eyes as he lavished praise on Harmon for singing “Simple Man” so stunningly:

“That is absolutely my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song, always has been…it’s so lyrically perfect for you. I love how you took the soul aspect of it, the gospel of it, the Southern aspect, and twisted it all in there.”

Clearly, Harmon’s “Simple Man” performance paid off, because he is now our final American Idol. Tune in below to see him in action, and prepare to be blown away.