Who needs to swing when you can sing?

The pop music critics’ take on “American Idol”:

DOES it mean a thing if an Idol can’t swing? Not likely. Tuesday’s Great American Songbook edition of “AI” proved that the guys couldn’t swing if they were in a tire dangling from a tree, although I confess to being charmed by Sanjaya Malakar’s cheeky and dapper everyguy take on “Cheek to Cheek.”

Contrary to what Simon said -- and Randy and Paula, as usual, gushed -- big-voiced LaKisha Jones smeared her way through an overwrought “Stormy Weather.” That left the night’s honors to Melinda Doolittle, with her utterly pro “I Got Rhythm,” and Jordin Sparks and her gossamer-like “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,” each mastering the art of hitting and missing beats with surgical precision, while still having fun.

What was that about a two-singer race again?

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-- Randy Lewis

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The Drama Club Kid took on the Teacher in a hot race Tuesday for Tony Bennett’s heart. Teen wonder Jordin Sparks made front-runner Melinda Doolittle sweat by turning a 1960s show tune into a winning tryout for “High School Musical.” (Likely finalist No. 3 LaKisha Jones blew a big raspberry at the great Benedetto: A pouty maverick as always, she rejected his advice and still sloppily slayed.)

Let’s compare Jordin and Melinda. Melinda’s much more skilled, but without “Idol” she’d be a commercial flop. She’s an anachronism; her gift for jazz rhythms and Broadway stylings are out of place now, when hip-hop’s cut-and-paste aesthetic and rock’s emotionalism define trends.

Jordin looks to the past too, but she’s unformed -- sic a stylist on her, and she’s Paula DeAnda. Melinda will likely win “Idol,” but her subsequent move matters more. She could be a revolutionary traditionalist or stumble into an ill-fitting contemporary mode. Let’s hope she remembers how well she wears a classic cut.

-- Ann Powers