This season has flown by. At least it feels like it has until I think about how "Pants on the Ground" was this season. It felt like ages ago that we were first introduced to General Larry Platt.

The live finale performances began with clips of a single mom and a paint salesman and their rise to the top. Why do these packages always give me chills? It's nothing I didn't know or haven't seen, yet it is still touching. The American Idol intro played, and it's crazy to think either Crystal Bowersox's or Lee DeWyze's face will be on that marquee after tomorrow.

There are 7,000 fans in the Nokia Theatre audience cheering on two 24 year olds who started their American Idol journey in Chicago nearly a year ago. Time to assess the judges' finale attire: Randy is in a funky red blazer with a paisley shirt, Ellen is wearing a more sensible blazer, Kara's in a black dress, and Simon is wearing the only "dressy" outfit he owns, but that didn't keep him from flashing some chest hair.

Ryan Seacrest introduced Crystal Bowersox and Lee DeWyze, who were standing in the audience and then worked their way down the aisles. Crystal dropped her microphone as she high fived people, and the camera cut to Lee, then back to Crystal who stopped and then walked forward and then back again. I love live TV! She hugged her dad and eventually made her way to the stage. I guess with all of the songs and choreography being rehearsed this week, walking up and down the aisles wasn't something they had time to practice.

The way the finale performance show works is that first the Top 2 will perform a song they did earlier this season, then a song that Creator and Executive Producer Simon Fuller selected for them, and finally their coronation song. Crystal won the coin toss and chose to perform in the number two spot.

Lee didn't always have rockstar aspirations; he was on his way to becoming a baseball player (cue the adorable photos from Little League). He decided to reprise "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel from Inspirational Songs Week. I wondered if he'd hold it together, since he broke down during this song at his hometown celebration. His emotional parents were in the audience, and Lee was alone on stage with his guitar. He seemed to have some saliva issues as he sang, but he pulled it off without any tears. The judges thought he sounded good, but they wanted more energy from him. Ellen said, "I couldn't be prouder if I birthed you myself," and Simon said, "That was a kiss on the cheek when I wanted a kiss on the lips." Oh Simon, you will be missed.

Crystal Bowersox found a guitar when she was a ten year old snooping around for her Christmas presents. Her first gig was at a coffee shop in a local mall. The surprise of the night for me was seeing that she had braces! She brought back her hit from Billboard #1s week, "Me & Bobby McGee." Although she didn't roll her rug out on the large Nokia stage, she had her lamp microphone stand and guitar. Oh great, I'm probably going to have this song stuck in my head for a week again. Ellen commented on how compelling Crystal is, and how her ability to fill up such a large theatre is impressive. Kara noticed the fire in her belly, and Randy and Simon were glad to see the Crystal they fell in love with return. In the words of Simon, "We've got a competition tonight."

Simon Fuller selected R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" for Lee DeWyze to sing. That's a perfect song choice, Fuller! The choir came out to back-up Lee; that's two weeks in a row. Randy and Kara liked the passion and emotion Lee gave, but Simon could tell that Lee was nervous and told him he needs to bring it. "You have to understand what this night can do for you," Simon said. I don't think that helped ease Lee's nerves.

Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet" is the song choice that Simon Fuller selected for Crystal. She started at the top of the staircase on stage, and then traveled down it in her black satin dress and very high heels. She looked nervous about walking down the stairs while teetering on her vertiginous heels, but she didn't miss a step or a beat. Since Crystal was free of all instruments during "Black Velvet," she greeted her fans in the audience and moved around the stage. Randy said, "Mamasox is in it to win it." After comparing the night's wardrobe changes to a Cher concert, Ellen gave Crystal a standing ovation.

Lee's last song of the night would become his single if he's the next American Idol. I thought Ryan announced that this would be an original song, but it was U2's "Beautiful Day." This is an interesting change up after eight seasons of coronation songs about catching rainbows and moving mountains. Kara commented on Lee's growth and commercial voice, and Simon said that this competition was designed for someone like Lee - did you know he was a paint salesman? - who needs a break. Lee replied, "This whole thing has been amazing from the beginning to now. I want to be doing this for a long time. I will be doing this for the rest of my life."

Closing the night was Crystal Bowersox with Patty Griffin's "Up To The Mountain." She had the choir backing her up this time, and she remained on a stool with her guitar and gave an honest performance. Crystal started to break down emotionally at the end, and it was a tender moment. Even Randy Jackson looked emotional! Ellen said, "If you make an album, I buy it. If you go on tour, I'll watch it. If you make a salad, I'll eat it." Before we got to Simon, Crystal thanked him for everything he's done on the show. Simon added to the love fest and said, "This is the final critique I'm ever gonna give: I'd just like to say, that was outstanding." Crystal attempted a joke and then said, "The comedy tour starts next summer."

The night ended with a live performance of Season 9's goodbye song, "Leave Right Now," by the original Pop Idol winner, Will Young, set to clips from the whole season. The Season 9 Top 12 came on stage for a group hug. Crystal, Siobhan, Paige, and of course Didi were crying.

Congrats Lee and Crystal! You did it! Now it's out of your hands...and in ours. Did you like the change from original coronation song to existing hit? Who did you vote for?