With only five contestants left and an hour and a half time slot to fill, each "X Factor" performer sang two songs Wednesday night: one of their own choosing and the second a hit transformed into a dance track.

In true "X Factor" fashion, the show was more about the judges than the contestants. It began as the four sauntered onstage to LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" and continued while Simon spent the entire episode being bitter over Drew's elimination last week. Plus Nicole took time out of judging just to sing the "Grinch" theme song to "X Factor's" own Mr. Grinch.

'X Factor' Double Hit: Rough Night For Simon & L.A.

The first hit-turned-dance number was Melanie Amaro, singing Adele's "Someone Like You" -- although "dance" meant nothing more than a beat behind Melanie's beautiful but standard version of the song. Another week where there was really no point to the theme, as the judges worked their hardest to get around it. The judges were full of compliments when Melanie finished. L.A. Reid told her, "The only thing that bothered me about it is that it was really good," because we all know he hates to give Simon any credit, and Nicole's only complaint was that "it was too short."

Video: Melanie Amaro, "Someone Like You"

Paula, Nicole and L.A. all chose to save Marcus Canty last week, and his latest performance of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" blew them away. Even Simon had good things to say, although he voted to send Marcus home at the last elimination. "I have to to be fair and judge you within the competition," said Simon -- a not-so-subtle jab at Paula's decision to send Drew home last week, a move that many thought was more about Simon and less about the 14-year-old performer. "And I have to say that was a very, very good performance."

Video: Marcus Canty, "Ain't Nobody"

Continuing his refusal to move on, Simon brought up Drew's elimination again as he introduced his next contestant, Rachel Crow, who performed Bruno Mars' "Nothin' On You." Adorable and bubbly as always, the judges all agreed that the pop hit was perfect for Rachel and exactly the type of music she should be singing. Nicole talked about how she can't wait for the Rachel Crow doll to come out, to which Simon (of course) responded that he can't wait for the Nicole voodoo doll. It's strange when the 13-year-old contestant is more mature than the judges, isn't it?

Video: Rachel Crow, "Nothin' On You"

The next performer struggled to step out of his rock and soul genre. Final over-30 contestant Josh Krajick took a stab at Rihanna's "We Found Love" -- a move that didn't really work out. L.A. Reid told Josh, "You always sing good, we know you can sing. In the recording world, I could never see you really doing that song. So I just didn't believe it, I didn't buy it." Simon agreed, saying the song was "completely inappropriate."

Video: Josh Krajcik, "We Found Love"

Chris Rene sang T.I.'s "Live Your Life," with original verses he had written. Nicole loved the performance (because let's be honest, she never dislikes anything unless Simon creates it) and Paula followed suit. Simon told Chris, "I'm not going to say you're the best singer, because you're not." Harsh… but he continued to say that "as an overall recording artist with charisma," Chris is "brilliant."

Video: Chris Rene, "Live Your Life"

Between song rounds, host Steve Jones announced that there had been an "error in communication," and rather than singing the fan-voted Pepsi challenge songs, the contestants were given 24 hours notice that they would sing songs of their own choosing -- the "save me" songs they had selected for elimination night.

NEXT: Melanie Sings Whitney, Chris Has a "Stroke Of Genius"