American Idol has been a staple for reality TV and singing competition shows since its inauguration in June 2002. It has launched the careers of many singers and has impacted television history for its amount of Billboard chart-toppers and ability to find superstars from anywhere in the United States.
Even when a contestant doesn't win the show, they still have a chance of making it big in the music industry. As for many Idol alum, some of their after-show releases, even if they are one-hit-wonders, are some of the highest-selling singles in the show's history.
Ruben Studdard, Sorry 2004
As one of the only Idol finalists to go the R&B/gospel route after his win, Studdard owned the charts with "Sorry 2004."
The song spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at #2 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying for 28 weeks. To date, this is considered one of Studdard's best-selling singles, even as he has gone on to become a Broadway star.
Phillip Phillips: Home
One of the more recent winners of the show, Phillips's coronation song was so popular that it was nominated for a World Music Award for World's Best Song.
The folk-rock anthem was released in 2012 on the night he took the crown for Season 11, and to this day is the best-selling song for any Idol alum in the United States selling 5 million copies. "Home" can be heard in various films, television programs, and commercials, and was used in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Elliott Yamin: Wait For You
Season 5's third-place winner may be overshadowed by the surprise win from Idol winner Taylor Hicks, but "Wait For You" made waves in the same year.
The song is popular for its slow-tempo and ballad musicality, similar to an old-school R&B classic. Although it took some time to climb the iTunes and Billboard charts, the tune was able to hit Platinum status and nominated as the 6th most played song in 2007.
David Cook: Time Of My Life
Cook's coronation single from winning Season 7 was the best-selling Idol single between 2009 and 2012 before being dethroned by Phillip Phillips's "Home."
The song was chosen from the show's Songwriter's Competition and was used after the show on several other occasions, such as the ESPYs and the 2008 Summer Olympics. "Time Of My Life" debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100.
Jordin Sparks: Tattoo
Sparks had young adults everywhere singing this song when it was released in 2007. After being the show's youngest winner at 17 years old, she went on to reach #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #5 on the Pop Songs airplay chart.
It has been compared to other chart-topping hits, such as Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's "Umbrella" for its pretty melody and powerful vocals.
Carrie Underwood: Before He Cheats
Underwood rose to superstar status after winning Season 4 of American Idol. "Before He Cheats" has become an iconic breakup anthem for women everywhere, even winning a Grammy in 2008 for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
The song was able to reach major crossover success, charting high on the Billboard Hot Country chart, Mainstream Top 40, and Adult Contemporary chart. Underwood is still topping the country charts today, with 8 consecutive albums reaching #1 in her career.
Jennifer Hudson: Spotlight
Hudson came in 7th place in the third season of the original run, but her powerhouse voice has been mesmerizing fans for years after her elimination from the show. The song received 2 Grammy nominations in 2009 for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and reached the top 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Hudson has since become a bona-fide actress and Broadway performer, while still releasing music as a recording artist and coaching other hopeful singers.
Daughtry: Home
Chris Daughtry's incredible vocals on this track made this song an iconic rock ballad when it came out in 2007. The Platinum-certified hit not only topped the Billboard Adult Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts but it unexpectedly reached the Hot Christian Songs chart.
Even though the band has not seen as much success as it did with "Home," their impact on the music industry and the rock genre was impeccable.
David Archuleta: Crush
Archuleta was stealing teen girls' hearts at 17-years old with this song since the day it was released in 2008. As the runner-up of Season 7, he managed to reach #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the Canadian Hot 100. "Crush" defined the early 2000s pop scene, even though it led to the fall-off of Archuleta's music career.
Many people will still hear this song played at special events, especially on multiple throwback/classic song playlists.
Kelly Clarkson: Since U Been Gone
As the show's first-ever American Idol winner, Clarkson went on to become a major pop star. Her career has ranged from a massive list of hit songs, with "Since U Been Gone" being only one of her top-charting hits since its original release in 2004.
It stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks and spent 7 consecutive weeks at #1 on the US Pop Songs chart. Clarkson is still known as one of the best performers to have won the show, even with her other endeavors as a talk show host and coach on The Voice.