David Cook Rocks the House on American Idol
Tuesday's American Idol featured the top 10 contestants performing songs from the year they were born. You'll be happy to know that not a single contestant â" they are all far too young â" sang anything by the Beatles, for a change!
It was a night of strong performances, but one stole the show.
Born in 1982, David Cook finished out the night with a stunning, brave performance of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." Cook slowed the dance track down, rocked it out and created an entirely new vibe for a very familiar song.
Randy Jackson described it as "original," "bold" and "molten hot." Paula Abdul was "blown away" while Simon Cowell, acknowledging the risk of changing the song so much, remarked on the singer's bravery and called David Cook "amazing."
David Cook might be the new frontrunner on American Idol after this.
Earlier, defying expectations, Kristy Lee Cook finally had a good night!
The cutie chose to perform "God Bless the U.S.A.," by Lee Greenwood from 1984, adding her familiar country twang. The judges liked it and praised Kristy Lee Cook for picking a both a "poignant" and "respectful" song.
Simon Cowell called it the "most clever" song choice he'd heard in years. We are pretty sure he was actually serious, as well.
The judges also seemed to like David Archuleta but only Cowell seemed to recognize his song (He sang "You're the Voice" by John Farnham).
They weren't quite feeling Carly Smithson, although she mastered "Total Eclipse of the Heart," but they loved Michael Johns, who combined two Queen songs, opening with "We Will Rock You" and finishing with "We Are the Champions."
But David Cook definitely owned the night.
Randy called him "the most original, the most bold contestant we've ever had" and suggested he "might be the one to win the whole lot."
Could Jackson be right? You tell us. Who do you think had the best - and the worst - performances from Tuesday's American Idol?
Here's David Cook doing "Billie Jean" from last night ...
March 26th, 2008 7:29 AM
I admit David Cook did a great job, but not original. Check out Chris Cornells version. Sound familiar? I think taking credit for someone else's vision is fraud!
March 26th, 2008 7:40 AM
He is walking talent. Who would you like to give credit to for his version of Hello to Other Kelly.
Wether he wins or not this guy will be going places
March 26th, 2008 7:57 AM
Ha.....and a smug Michael Johns thought he had put all rockers in his pocket last night with finally his first decent song.......but did you see the look on his face on stage after DAVID COOK performed?????!!!!! Go David C!
David Archuleta sounds good, but I can't imagine sitting through an entire concert of just him. Yawn!
Brooke and Jason are terrific, but are currently being underrated. The rest can get off the show anytime.
March 26th, 2008 8:10 AM
he didnt take credit ryan stated it was chris cornells version when he introduced the song
March 26th, 2008 8:40 AM
DAVID COOK IS AAAAAWSOME!!!!!!!!! Need I say more?
March 26th, 2008 9:01 AM
David a is the best. Time for Jason to go.
March 26th, 2008 9:20 AM
Davd cook was the best of the night by far!!!
He's amazingly talented!!
He deserves to win!
I <3 him!
Can't wait to buy his cd.
March 26th, 2008 10:12 AM
Acutally, Seacrest introduced David Cook's performance by saying it was Cornell's version of the song. HARDLY taking credit for it.
Point blank......that was the most amazing performance I have ever seen on Idol. Check the high note that he holds FOREVER and then goes HIGHER from there! DAAAANG!!!
March 26th, 2008 10:32 AM
Yep, Ryan did mention the version was from Chris Cornell. Right before he introduced David.
This performance was beyond the arrangement. The intensity with which David performed it, his voice that didn't falter, that high note that really took the song to another level... The arrangement was great, but what really made this performance so amazing was David.
March 26th, 2008 12:07 PM
his gamble was payoff.
March 26th, 2008 12:32 PM
Chris Cornells live rendition of this song can be seen on Chris's official site in the news section. It would probably be nice to properly reflect the song that was actually covered. It was Chris Cornells version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
March 26th, 2008 3:14 PM
He Never took credit. Plus it is a little different from Cornell's version. Plus he had to make it work in less than 1:40 mins. Great performer, terrific on camera, and handsome voice. Best of the night!
March 26th, 2008 3:21 PM
David Cook original? I don't think so. He does have a good rock voice. However, how would originality even be a factor when he's just taking already remade versions of songs and copying those? It might look original to the untrained eye/ear but he's just copying copies (Chris Cornell last night and Whitesnake last week) . He has talent and there's no doubt about that. He had a good week but he's going to need a lot more to win this thing and he's going to have to do something other than copying copies to keep people interested. David Archuleta will probably still win because he has a proven talent and track record. Plus, being 17, he "hits closer to home" with the mainstream demographic of Idol viewers and VOTERS - IE teenagers.
Also, I've observed that the last one to sing for the night usually gets more praise if they do well because it's the last thing people remember. If he had sang that 2nd, for example, I don't think there would be so much fuss about it. Lastly, the last few Idol seasons have shown that sometimes a frontrunner who doesn't win can do MUCH better than the actual winner and have more musical freedom after the exposure on Idol. Just look at Taylor Hicks vs. Chris Daughtry or even Jordin Sparks vs. Blake Lewis. Also, American Idol came from a show called Pop Idol and has never really been about rock music. It's about pop and maybe R&B and David Archuleta also fits that mold better.
Good luck to both Davids!
March 26th, 2008 3:46 PM
When I saw the David Cook's Billy Jean again on Video at http://idol-mania.com/american-idol-fan I was impressed. Some are sparking a controversy that David C ripped off musician Chris Cornell's version.
Regardless David Cook was entertaining while David Archuleta's suck up to David Foster was just plain cheesy.
March 26th, 2008 10:41 PM
Just wanted to pop in and say that while David Cook's performance of the song was absolutely brilliant, credit for the arrangement of the song goes to and was credited to Chris Cornell. David simply added a phenomenal glory note that got even higher near the end of it, which I might add was mind blowing. But the arrangement most definitely belongs to Chris Cornell. Ryan credited the version before David's performance but I don't know that everyone picked up on it. After tonight's elimination they most certainly will though considering he made sure to give the him credit again today and apparently spoke with Chris Cornell who said he loved David's performance of it as well. Also saw that in an interview that EW did with Simon Cowell that the judges were also well aware of who's version he was singing and stated that regardless of the version, David performed it brilliantly and said something about making the other contestants look rather foolish. Ouch Simon, that was harsh! In any case, not sure if you can or would want to, but you should definitely credit Chris Cornell for the arrangement, man deserves mad props for that masterpiece.
March 27th, 2008 8:32 AM
David Cook was the best last nights and the last few weeks... he's my fave since the auditions and this things about takin credit... he didnt and besides isnt that what all the contestants do? resing ppl's song? he just chooses the lesser known versions and he DOES credit the ppl
what should be noted is that he did rocked last nite more than Chris's version and the judges said he's brave because he is ..for choosing the version that was lesser known to a remarkable popular POP song so that was huge to an audience that has no idea of a varyin version that was BRAVE and BOLD ...and he probably helped Chris get more downloads..
March 27th, 2008 3:26 PM
He had me at "hello" ;-)
March 28th, 2008 1:57 AM
David Cook is amazing! He has an amazing voice and is also a great performer. i love how he gets so into every song he performs. And he did credit Chris Cornell and Whitesnake with the versions he did. I found some other songs by him from his solo album he made prior to Idol. The album was called Analog Heart and from what i have heard of it....its very good.
April 1st, 2008 4:27 PM
The author of the arrangement was credited, as has been stated previously. So I don't see the issue. The judges were talking about the performance, they were aware who did the arrangement. I agree that what made the song so awesome was David--his passion, boldness, powerful voice...wow. I enjoy watching and listening to him soooo much! Hello, All Right Now...they're all great.
April 11th, 2008 11:29 AM
I think people are jealous of David Cook because his cover over cover sounds ten times better and their afraid that if he makes it big they will lose to him!That's why they keep ambushing him ! leave him alone ! he doesn't have choice but to sing other artist music! I know that if he could sings his own music I know he will win idols fan over!! He already won my heart!!
April 12th, 2008 8:34 PM
i really hoped it is gonna be John Bon Jovi (David Cook) against Michael Hutchins (Micheal Johns), but instead i'm gonna get the Miss America Pageant. And the crown goes to David Archuleta!
April 18th, 2008 5:06 PM
i loved this performance so much, i thought it was the best of the night and the best he has ever done. but he wasnt as original as all the judges thought. when ryan introduced him, he said he would be singing chris cornells verison. ive heard the chris cornell version and i didnt like it at all. davids voice just makes the song amazing. i dont care what song he does, he always does it good. he deserves to win.
April 23rd, 2008 10:10 AM
David Cook is star quality today, now! He is in a league far superior to the other contestants. Will he win? Doesn't matter. I'll buy his songs.
April 30th, 2008 9:48 PM
David, I hope you get a chance to read this! You are absolutey pure rock and soulful at anything you sing. I've never seen anyone come alive the way you do or put so much of himself into his creations. I'm probably not the typical age of an American Idol viewer but I see genuiness and sincerity and a deep soulful commiment to what you love most. Youre devotion to your family and your music will carry you anywhere. Lots of Love...Amina XOXOXOXO
May 4th, 2008 2:35 AM
david cook is just amazing...i am not actually familiar with chris cornell's version until david sang his version of the song...i downloaded chris' version and i think david's version was much better...it is more appealing to my ears...people shouldn't make a big deal out of it...and in fairness, david's version was not an exact copy of chris'...these people should be thankful to david because if it wasn't for him we wouldn't know that their versions even existed...
GO DAVID COOK!Don't mind the people who make these controversies they just don't appreciate your thing but I do and some people do and that's what matters...