Music Blogs

Every once in a while, an American Idol runner-up outshines the winner. No, they can't all be Kelly Clarksons and Carrie Underwoods. For instance, Clay Aiken lost to Ruben Studdard in season 2, but he was the one who landed Rolling Stone's coveted cover. And platinum-haired Taylor Hicks was the season 5 Idol champ, but it was fourth-place contender Chris Daughtry who went multiplatinum. So sometimes, even after all the Idol finale votes are tallied, there's a recount--in the form of record sales.

Much ado has been made about season 6 champ Jordin Sparks having the worst debut in Idol winner history (her album shifted about as many units as Katharine McPhee's did in its first week, and almost one-third of what Taylor Hicks sold out of the gate). Apparently Sparks ain't flying. So now it's time for last season's runner-up, the man who got away: the Sir MixALot-endorsed, blonde-streaked beatboxer, Blake Lewis.

Blake's debut disc, Audio Day Dream, comes out this week, and surely he's hoping to not only outsell his former opponent (which, given her sluggish sales, may not be super-difficult), but also that he won't wind up in the Second-Place Hall Of Shame alongside also-rans Justin Guarini and Diana DeGarmo.

Below are the debut videos by Jordin and Blake. Watch 'em both, then decide once and for all if the best man (or woman) won.

Oh, and by the way, not to sway your opinion or anything...but I'm totally Team Blake on this issue.