When Michael J. Woodard kicked off the Top 5 solo performances on American Idol on Sunday evening (May 13), he took on one of Carrie Underwood's most spitfire tunes, 2007's "Flat on the Floor," an urgently sassy number co-written by one of country's edgiest women, Ashley Monroe.

Mother's Day saw Idol paying tribute to mothers, and it also marked Underwood's return to the show that made her famous. She performed with the contestants on her hit, "See You Again," and then each singer took on one of her songs with coaching from Underwood herself.

Underwood warned Woodard off the bat that "Flat on the Floor" song would require a specific approach: "This song is all attitude all the way through,” she cautioned.

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Woodard seemed unfazed, replying, "They better watch out because I’m coming for that country crowd.” Indeed, he tackled the song fearlessly, giving a bellowing but imperfect performance that nevertheless belied he felt any intimidation at taking it on.

The judges praised him mostly for his unique delivery, with Lionel Richie noting, "It’s your attitude, it’s all about your performing." Katy Perry declared, "There is no one like you on planet Earth," while Luke Bryan simply called attention to the fact that Woodard had the ability to deliver lyrics and make them believable.

Woodard, like the other contestants, was required to sing another (non-Underwood) song in the second half of the show. He tested his chops admirably on "Still I Rise" by Yolanda Adams, which had the judges' panel in a flurry of emotions. Alas, Woodard was eliminated at the end of the night and will not be coming back next week.

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