IDOL: Carrie Underwood Hears “The Holy Spirit” In Jordan McCullough’s Bonnie Raitt Cover
on Apr 28, 2026
American Idol Star Jordan McCullough Honors California With Soul-Stirring Bonnie Raitt Cover
On Monday (April 27), the Top 7 contestants on American Idol delivered two performances. Each contestant performed a Taylor Swift song and another song honoring the state of California.
Jordan McCullough, the 27-year-old worship leader from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been a fan-favorite since the start of the season. He had a breakout moment last week with his “Disney Night” cover of “Colors of the Wind,” which left the judges at a loss for words.
During the April 27th episode, McCullough sang Swift’s “Tim McGraw” and Bonnie Raitt‘s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” He chose the latter track as his California-themed piece, since Raitt was born in Burbank, California.
Raitt released “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in 1991. The song has appeared on multiple “Best Of” lists and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Notable acts such as George Michael and Boyz II Men also covered “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” furthering its legacy. Now, Jordan McCullough is following in their footsteps.
His soul-stirring cover moved several of the Idol judges to tears. Carrie Underwood appeared visibly emotional as she listened to him soar through the performance.
It was almost unbelievable at times, listening to McCullough, because his cover was that dynamic and captivating. It came as no surprise when all four judges (Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and guest Nikki Glasser) gave him a standing ovation.
Did Jordan McCullough Make It Into The Top 5 On American Idol?
When it came time for the judges to comment on Jordan McCullough’s performance, Lionel Richie spoke first. He said:
“I want you to understand something. I have heard that song a long time. You got me crying on that song I’ve heard a long time. And I want to let you know your delivery was right on point. Let the congregation say ‘Amen!'”
Carrie Underwood spoke next, and she offered McCullough one of the greatest compliments imaginable:
“I don’t care what you sing; every time you open your mouth, I hear The Holy Spirit. It doesn’t matter what genre or what it is.”
Underwood went on to say that McCullough has “one of the best voices” she has ever heard. She highlighted “the maturity” in his delivery, and how he finds the perfect balance between being powerful in certain moments and more subdued in others.
Then, Luke Bryan cracked a joke about McCullough’s range, saying, “Beautiful…there were notes that you hit that corrected my spine curvature…“
But was McCullough’s beautiful Bonnie Raitt cover enough to help him secure a spot in Idol‘s Top 5? The answer is…yes!!
Tune in to the next episode of American Idol on May 4 to see Jordan McCullough sing again. In the meantime, enjoy his phenomenal cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” in the video below.
