Did you know that Lionel Richie once chose a song for a contestant that completely changed his path on the show? Brooks was the lucky singer who got to perform a classic hit from 1993.
It was 90s Night on American Idol, and the pressure was high. Everyone wanted to see if he could handle a song that was famous long before he was born.
The track was “Linger” by The Cranberries, which originally featured a very unique female vocal. Brooks had to make it his own while keeping the story’s soft, sad feeling. He stood on stage and let his voice flow naturally through each word.
The judges were very impressed by how he remained calm and demonstrated his quiet strength throughout the performance.
Brooks Lets Every Note “Linger” Covering The Cranberries On ’90s Night – American Idol 2026
People watching at home couldn’t stop talking about how good he sounded. One fan said that his voice felt like a warm hug on a cold day. Another viewer mentioned that they did not think a man could sing that song so well. People really loved how he didn’t try too hard yet still hit all the right notes for the audience.
That great night in the 90s round gave him the confidence to try something even more difficult later on. He moved from a sad rock song to a message of hope for Faith Night. This was a big moment for him to show his spiritual side. He decided to take a very famous song by John Lennon and turn it into a prayer for everyone.
Idol Dreamer Brooks Reinvents “Imagine” – Songs Of Faith | American Idol 2026
When he sang Imagine the whole room went silent because it felt so peaceful. He changed the music to fit his own style, and it worked perfectly. The judges said that he is a true dreamer who knows how to connect with people. Fans felt a lot of joy seeing him look so happy and confident while he sang.
Brooks is an artist who knows how to be himself, no matter what genre he is singing in. His journey on the show has been full of surprises and great music. You should follow Brooks and American Idol on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to see what happens next on the show.