Melanie Amaro Takes ‘X Factor’ Judges ‘to Church’ with R.E.M’s ‘Everybody Hurts’

Melanie Amaro's performance of R.E.M.'s 'Everybody Hurts' left the 'X Factor' judges arguing about the definition of "rock" during Rock Night on Wednesday. It's been a continuing conversation, led by Simon Cowell who's been deliberate about letting other judges know their contestants didn't choose rock songs.

The 19 year old's patient performance of the classic rock ballad was definitely not the type of performance one thinks of when they think "rock," but R.E.M. is undoubtedly a rock band. She sat alongside a piano for most of the subdued performance before standing up and belting out the last minute's worth of lyrics.

"That was so not a rock [performance]," L.A. Reid said as his only comments. Cowell crowed about his contestant, laughing off Reid's questioning of if it was truly "rock." "Melanie you took us to church," Paula Abdul said.

Nicole Scherzinger didn't engage in the petty "rock" argument, but said she wasn't as impressed with Amaro as she had been in the past. "This is one of my favorite songs, and every time I hear it I cry, and I don't know why I didn't cry," she said.

On Thursday night, judges and viewers will learn which of the final 10 won't be returning next week to fight for the $5 million grand prize.

Watch Melanie Amaro Perform R.E.M.'s 'Everybody Hurts' on 'X Factor'