Never is “American Idol” better than when seemingly second-rate contestants emerge from the shadows to blow the annointed frontrunners out of the water.
Rocker David Cook has managed to pull that off a few times this season already, most memorably with his rock take on Lionel Richie’s “Hello” before he even made it into the Top 12. Still, the 25-year-old hasn’t garnered anywhere near the attention seen by babyfaced teen David Archuleta or Irish diva Carly Smithson.
But on Tuesday night, Cook may have shed the “dark horse” mantle once and for all. His gutsy transformation of “Billie Jean” into a rock ballad prompted judge Randy Jackson to call him “the most original, the most bold contestant we’ve ever had… dude, you might be the one to win the whole lot.”
Archuleta, on the other hand, got mixed reviews for his performance of “You’re the Voice,” with Simon Cowell telling him it reminded him of a theme park performance.
Still, on the “Idol” forums, Cook lags Archuleta in the number of posts viewers have written about him. After Tuesday’s show, hoever, at least one die-hard “Archie” came out to give Cook a hand:
“He’s showing that my second favorite (him) isn’t too far behind my first (David Archuleta, obviously)”
Keep going, David (Cook). One more week and you just might take over that other David once and for all.
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I too loved the Billie Jean version that David did, but I think credit needs to be given where it is due…Chris Cornell (former lead of Sound Garden) is the one that covered that version and it was on his solo album. It appears that the credit is going to David. Don’t get me wrong…LOVED IT…but he didn’t arrange it.
- Posted by KarenCarly Simon is not a contestant, I think you mean Carly Smithson.
- Posted by Rene LaLondeHow can you compare David A with David C? Two different styles. That will be comparing Michael Jackson’s pop music with Whitney Houston’s vocals…For those of you who think David Archuleta is not marketable as a teenager, who are crazy…Michael Jackson started out as a child and became a huge success…David A you are my favorite..you still have the best vocals (can work on the showmanship, but the vocals are there…I say David A for AI and David Cook as runner up.
- Posted by ValThere was nothing original about David Cook’s performance. Chris Cornell (Audioslave) already did a great job in covering Billie Jean back in 2006. Thats the problem with a lot of these Idol performers…they rip off actual musicians on national t.v and try to pass it for their own creative interpretations.. Remember Chris Daugherty’s rippoff live version of Walk the Line..? Bunch of frauds and shame on the judges for overhyping his (Cooks) originality. Cook can sing and has some presence. Original rock star he is not. Not even close. The other kids on the show have more talented voices than this rippoff artist.
- Posted by DanielDavid Cook is the best performer ever on American Idol. Anyone who can ROCK OUT a Michael Jackson song (Billy Jean) is amazing! Who would have known? What an amazing performance. Whether or not he wins (but I’m sure he will), he’s going straight to the top anyway. And I’m sure he’ll be much bigger than Chris Daughtry. HE’S AWESOME!
- Posted by Becky MooreSo Daivd A. will sell no record and probably be dropped just like Taylor Hicks was. Yes he has a good voice. but hes not going to give us our type of music. People really need to start voting on voice not if the person is too cute, or whatever. This is a TALENT COMPETITION!! And to see whos the BEST!! David Cook on the hand will sell millions! And tons of people will buy his music.
- Posted by SharonDavid Cook didn’t have anything to do with the version of Billie Jean last night. That was a copy of the version of that song done by Chris Cornell, the old Soundgarden front man. You can find it on YouTube. Let’s give credit where credit is due.
Jan the Fanarchuleta
- Posted by Jan the FanarchuletaDavid Cook was not my choice in the beginning - but he has won me over in a BIG way! After his remix of Hello I look forward to his performance every week!! He is so talented!
- Posted by Barbara MThis is looking more like the finale might be “The Battle of the Davids”. David Cook is definitely a very talented and seasoned frontrunner. Little Archuleta has a lot of potential and the popularity of the screeching young girls. Whatever the outcome I can forsee the same kind of success for David Cook that Daughtry achieved after Idol.
- Posted by nacyflFor people to say Cook has the best vocals & originality & showmanship of all the contestants is totally laughable & a joke!!
Michael Johns is a million times the singer Cook is & has far more stage presence & by the way Johns is hot & sexy on stage while Cook looks like some freakin half man half woman, I can’t tell the difference!
- Posted by LisaPLEASE give me a break, David Cook original? HAHAHA
That version of BJ was COPIED from another singer who was the one who created that version so there was nothing gutsy or original about that performance so it would be appreciated if before people start going on about how great & “original” Cook is they would do their homework because didn’t Ryan say when he introduced him that it was a version by another artist!! Ridiculous!
- Posted by LisaDavid Cook is an amazing musician and singer. His ability to connect with his audience and interpret a song are his strong points. Love love love him, He rocks!!!
- Posted by Ann JonesI’m loving David Cook! But his ability to make an original(and great) sounding cover version and his performing experience might be better served if he LOSES (Ala Daughtry). Young Archuleta could benefit morefrom the “package” he’d get by winning Idol. Cook will be offered a contract no matter where he places.
- Posted by PAMMYDavid Cook clearly eclipses the others with exceptional vocals, originality, and showmanship.
- Posted by DMorganKCarly Smithson is the BEST.
- Posted by Patadavid archuletta is hott but his song choices suck! david cook picks better songs but he reminds me of chris daughtry..which is not always a bad thing but he might be copying him to much
- Posted by HallieThe race for the American Idol winner has certainly tightened. David Cook is very much in the running for top prize after his awesome song and performance the last few weeks. David Archuleta to me is still at the top but things are a lot closer then they were early. I still am enjoying Carly as well. Brooke did a much better song for herself this week.
- Posted by Julie A.David Cook is totally comfortable and natural on stage. He seems to be an original — the real deal — somewhat reminiscent of Chris Daughtry, with his own style. Love him !
- Posted by Samanthadavid arhuleta is still my favorite, but i think david cook could easily make the top 5
- Posted by aarikaDavid Archuletta is a very vanilla singer. He has a pretty voice but no pizzaz. I can’t see him having a future as a pop singer - mixing with the stars out there now. He sings night club music.
David Cook and Carly Simon fit in very nicely with today’s music and I believe there is a future for them in the music world. They may not win first place, but they will be in the scene.
- Posted by Boca Jan