The Eagles’ ‘Desperado’ Covered by Melanie Amaro on ‘X Factor’

Melanie Amaro easily cleared the admittedly-low bar set by her 'X Factor' competitors Lakoda Rayne in terms of classic rock covers with a perfectly lovely version of 'Desperado' by the Eagles on tonight's episode of the (sorta) popular singing show.

Soon after the four overly plastic prom queens of Lakoda Rayne were done stripping any measure of personality from Fleetwood Mac's 'Landslide,' Amaro effortlessly outclassed them within the first 30 seconds of her performance simply by delivering the first verse of 'Desperado' without any musical accompaniment.

Some heavy-handed, poppish gospel music backed up the final two-thirds of her rendition, but Amaro's voice stayed strong and on point without resorting to the over-dramatic hysterics so common when 'X Factor' or 'American Idol' or 'The Voice' (jeez, there's a lot of these shows!) singers decide to take things "to church."

Her on-air mentor, and lead 'X Factor' judge Simon Cowell promptly declared, "I didn't realize how good you were...Right now, you are the one to beat, trust me."

Watch Melanie Amaro Perform 'Desperado' by the Eagles on 'X Factor'