David Cook — “Billie Jean” — American Idol 7 Top 10 — Video MP3

Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 09:27 PM | American Idol 7, David Cook

David Cook American Idol Top 10

David Cook performs “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson on American Idol Top 10

The judges are saying that David Cook can win it all!

Comparison: “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

Listen to the audio of David Cook:

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David Cook – Top 10 – “Billie Jean”
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David Cook fan thread on Rickey Forums

110 Comments for David Cook — “Billie Jean” — American Idol 7 Top 10 — Video MP3

1

YOU GUYS HIS LITTLE FAAACE!

oh, and the singing wasn’t too bad, either.

trendy on March 25, 2008 at 9:53 pm
2

He was amazing. He has really grown on me! WOO HOO

JoviQueen on March 25, 2008 at 9:54 pm
3

Glad they credited Chris Cornell – if you haven’t heard his version check it out on itunes or youtube- it is amazing. This was his arrangement from his 2007 album Carry On

BB2 on March 25, 2008 at 9:58 pm
4

He is absolutely amazing!! That was recording contract worthy!!!

uktwirl on March 25, 2008 at 9:59 pm
5

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW is all I can say!

sweetangel1051 on March 25, 2008 at 10:01 pm
6

He sang really well.

The problem: he HIJACKED some elses arrangement AGAIN. This time Chris Cornell. On Hello it was Incubus. On Eleanor Rigby is was that Seattle band. He’s taking the credit for the original intrepretation.

I can’t imagine that the rock world is going to welcome him with open arms.

Chloe Pillow on March 25, 2008 at 10:01 pm
7

He never said he was taking the credit. He is singing a song. It isn’t as though he is some (already) famous celebrity and/or singer “hijacking” a song. American Idol gave the contestants song choices and this is what he chose.

JoviQueen on March 25, 2008 at 10:06 pm
8

I didn’t think he’d stay true to the Chris Cornell version, but you know what, dawg? He worked it OUT!

Seriously, I like David’s voice MUCH better than Cornell, and this was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen on Idol.

laff on March 25, 2008 at 10:07 pm
9

Chloe Pillow, have you actually stopped to LISTEN to the Incubus version of Hello? They are QUITE different.

laff on March 25, 2008 at 10:09 pm
10

Ryan did mention the arrangement was from Chris Cornell.

Bouffe on March 25, 2008 at 10:11 pm
11

yeah ryan introduced it as chris cornell’s version.

anyway he is really growing on me. i just can’t get past his seeming arrogance though.. arg. but i like him quite a bit more than chris daughtry–for me tonight he finally came out from chris’s shadow.

mmmdonuts on March 25, 2008 at 10:15 pm
12

Chloe: before you are so quick to make HIJACKING accusations, know that american idol did the respectable thing and credited Chris Cornell for his version of the song before Cook sang a note. Not to mention he never breathed a word about taking credit for the arrangement himself…

trendy on March 25, 2008 at 10:15 pm
13

Credit was given, Ryan said it.

sweetangel1051 on March 25, 2008 at 10:16 pm
14

AWESOME!

Twas great and noteworthy!

no1knew on March 25, 2008 at 10:17 pm
15

Whoa the tide has turned. I never thought that anyone can beat David Archuleta in terms of votes. Surprise, surprise…David Cook is now leading on dialidol.

silverfangs on March 25, 2008 at 10:17 pm
16

so… everyone’s voting though, right? lol

trendy on March 25, 2008 at 10:24 pm
17

Yes I did hear the credit to C Cornell. Randy did point out that he was the most original singer in the comp. I guess it was a miraculous coincidence that other rock bands have rearranged these particular pop songs. I stand corrected.

He is a very good singer. My problem is I don’t think he is authentic.

Blake Lewis doing You Give Love a Bad Name. That came across as original to me.

Chloe Pillow on March 25, 2008 at 10:28 pm
18

Well all I can say is that I sat in my seat and watched it until the end. Stolen or not.

Chicago-48 on March 25, 2008 at 10:29 pm
19

That. Was. Awesome.

GwendolynD on March 25, 2008 at 10:35 pm
20

Chloe: The reason Blake’s song came across as an original arrangement was because it was- and he took credit. As we mentioned, it wasn’t Cook’s arrangement tonight and he didn’t try to make it appear as such.

Randy’s perception of original, however, has to do with a performer staying true to themselves. If the singer does a brilliant arrangement, then Randy will compliment on having an original arrangement, not being an original person. His exact quote was:’the most original, the most bold contestant’.

It’s your choice whether to like a contestant based on if they arrange their own music, but in my humble opinion it takes just as much of a risk to use a reworked version of the original as it does to rework the original yourself.

trendy on March 25, 2008 at 10:37 pm
21

I think he was definetly the best of the night =)

ArchAngels on March 25, 2008 at 10:38 pm
22

David Cook kicked booty!!

During some of the other performances, I was busily putzing around the house. I had read Rickeys’ song spoilers thread, so when Ryan announced that David C was finally up, I stayed put. And like Chicago-48, I was planted in my seat throughout & totally mesmerized by the BRILLIANT performance! Yeah, the judges definitely got that 1 right!

I loved the texture of Davids’ voice & believe that AI really saved the BEST for LAST tonight!

aprylette on March 25, 2008 at 10:40 pm
23

Just rewatched the video. First of all, David C looks like a some massive being next to Seacrest, and second, I think Seacrest has a crush on David. You heard it here first.

laff on March 25, 2008 at 10:42 pm
24

I thought he was good tonight. Probably the best tonight and the best I have heard him yet. My problem isn’t with him, but with the judges. They say he’s taking risks and worked it out, but it doesn’t seem as much of a risk if someone has already done it the same way. David isn’t misrepresenting himself, but I believe the judges are misrepresenting it in their critiques.

Pacomarj on March 25, 2008 at 10:43 pm
25

I LOVED THIS PERFORMANCE! Was my favorite of the night. I am doubting it’s ORIGINALITY, though. I bet someone did this version before, but that doesn’t make David’s performance any less fantastic.

DJJayito on March 25, 2008 at 10:46 pm
26

David Cook sang his way to the top with Billie Jean. David Archuleta’s supposed crown was slowly pounded to a pulp. Someone please get Mr. Cook to a gym to work on that pear shaped body and you have your new American Idol!!! Very impressive tonight!!!

socal09 on March 25, 2008 at 10:48 pm
27

ugh. take out either “a” or “some” in my last post.

Trendy, absolutely. It takes guts to do that kind of thing on Idol. Even I – someone madly in love with David – was worried that he couldn’t pull it off. In that sense, he is bold and original. He could have played if safe and done a John Cougar Mellencamp Davidesque performance, and that would have been expected.

It’s clear he values Simon’s opinion, and he wanted to bring the “element of surprise” that was missing for Simon last week. He’s a very smart player.

laff on March 25, 2008 at 10:50 pm
28

I do not like this guy. We had a chance for a rocker to win idol with Chris Daughtry. This guy is a poor substitute and does not deserve to get the title that Chris should have won.

idol08 on March 25, 2008 at 10:52 pm
29

Ok – never heard him before, but that was pretty damn incredible.

hesterprune on March 25, 2008 at 10:54 pm
30

The risk taking involves doing these heavier rock arraignments. AI doesn’t have a hugh following of hard rocker fans, as illustrated in Chris Daughtry’s not even making top 3. Like Chris, David may be the most viable commercially. But, like Chris he can’t win the whole thing. To many pop music AI voters to overcome.

chessguy99 on March 25, 2008 at 10:56 pm
31

Although I do agree Chris should have won season 5, I don’t think he did ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE to enough to win. Most of his performances were just “OK.” Don’t think so… Look them up on youtube. Week after week (give or take 3 or 4) he was just ok.

DJJayito on March 25, 2008 at 10:58 pm
32

I am reading about Chris Cornell… Sure – RYAN said it was Chris Cornell’s version, but the judges completely avoided that issue; calling David’s performance BRAVE and ORIGINAL.

DJJayito on March 25, 2008 at 11:00 pm
33

Is anyone getting through on David C.’s number?

imelda103 on March 25, 2008 at 11:01 pm
34

Just listened to Chris Cornell’s version on imeem.com. David did a better job.

DJJayito on March 25, 2008 at 11:04 pm
35

DJJ: I agree about Chris D., I much like David C better than Chris D. In fact, I liked Bo better than Chris D., but Bo didn’t have the “fire” in him to be a star.

Chicago-48 on March 25, 2008 at 11:06 pm
36

DJJayito: you’d be correct! this version was Chris Cornell’s, and was credited by Seacrest before the song.

Laff: for David…i hesitantly draw a few comparisons to Chris Daughtry- in the sense that this show will give them both the kick-start they need to launch very successful careers. i think the show came along at the correct moment in each of their lives, and i think both have similar fan bases that will follow them outside the show and buy their records.

At the same time, i am reminded of Blake Lewis from last season- they both are so confident in who they are musically that they are perfectly willing to change things up a little in order to stay true to their own personal style.

trendy on March 25, 2008 at 11:11 pm
37

“The problem: he HIJACKED some elses arrangement AGAIN.”

As far as i know, American Idol contestants pick a song, sing it and that’s it. All contestants in the show sing OTHER SINGERS’ arrangement, it just so happen that Cook’s choices of arrangement are from revivals.

Cook NEVER mentioned the arrangement was his.

niche on March 25, 2008 at 11:12 pm
38

Good performance by David Cook. More mellow than before…just don’t think I would buy his CD because it would all sound the same. And he would do better for himself if he didn’t win Idol anyway.

-ewgs
http://www.xanga.com/ewgs
idol judging

ewgs on March 25, 2008 at 11:15 pm
39

Re: chessguy99

I’ve hated pop for the last 5 seasons!!! =D

I voted for Daughtry who turned out to be the best non Idol by-product, besides maybe Clay Aiken. This may be premature, but the way David Cook has been rolling the last few weeks, I’d go so far to say that he might have more potential than Chris. He’s definitely a stronger vocalist.

Sing Bon Jovi!!!!

DJ Ryce on March 25, 2008 at 11:16 pm
40

David gives the best performances week after week. He should be the next idol

KOZ on March 25, 2008 at 11:22 pm
41

I think David Cook got the better attitude this week, he stops showing smug acts. Good job, this guy’s a real deal.

Issk on March 25, 2008 at 11:26 pm
42

Trendy, just wondering why you responded to me about Daughtry. I didn’t compare david to Daughtry.

But now that it’s been brought up … they’re really only similar because they did rock on Idol. If you ask me, though, David C is MILES ahead of Daughtry. I didn’t really like Chris that much on the show, and, yeah, I like him okay now, but he’s just your garden variety radio-friendly rock guy. I think David Cook is probably more challenging as an artist. But we’ll see what happens.

laff on March 25, 2008 at 11:28 pm
43

i mean every song is a cover song of somthing basicly nothing is ever accually orignal unless blakes give love a bad name was probally the only orignal preformance on idol. david cook should be the winner this year , he probally won’t win , but he’ll be sellling more copies then any one else this year.

abercrombieco2 on March 25, 2008 at 11:29 pm
44

That was freakin amazing!!!!!!!!! Completely original OR NOT, HE CHOSE to be brave enough to sing it in that version and deserves the “koodos” for doing so.

Definately the performance of the night!
I want to download that one on Itunes!

krazijen on March 25, 2008 at 11:38 pm
45

Be serious! I like David Cook, but better than Cornell? Cornell is one of the the best male rock vocalists ever…Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave, plus his solo albums…it isn’t even a fair to teh good job David Cook did to make that comparison.

BB2 on March 25, 2008 at 11:42 pm
46

Be serious! I like David Cook, but better than Cornell? Cornell is one of the the best male rock vocalists ever…Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave, plus his solo albums…it isn’t even fair to the good job David Cook did to make that comparison.
(Spelling edit- sorry)

BB2 on March 25, 2008 at 11:44 pm
47

Music opinion is just that “subjective opinion”… I listened to Chris Cornell’s version and it didn’t seen as in tune and emotionally entertaining as David Cook’s performance.

DJJayito on March 25, 2008 at 11:45 pm
48

Cook did have the best performance of the night, but I wouldn’t give him quite as much praise as the judges heaped on.

To call him the most “original” or whatever is crap. He has yet to perform an arrangement that wasn’t already recorded/created note-for-note by another artist.

Still, that said, he did sing it well.

baka77 on March 25, 2008 at 11:45 pm
49

Oh good heavens at all the annoying comparisons between David C and Chris D. I am a huge fan of BOTH – gasp – and I really wish people would stop comparing them. Like someone said, the comparisons stop at the fact that they are both guys who sing/sang rock on American Idol. End of story.

I am not going to say that one or the other is a “better” vocalists because I believe they are both immensely talented. I could listen to both of them for hours upon hours. I just love their voices and styles so much.

But I have to say one thing regarding Chris, due to all the “he was just OK” type comments: over on Idolforums, during season 5, some girl kept up with the contestant vocal ranges based on their performances and guess who actually used the widest range of all of them? Yep. Chris Daughtry. How’s that bit of news for “he’s just an OK vocalist”?

dreamr on March 25, 2008 at 11:46 pm
50

To defend myself. I didn’t say Chris D was an ok vocalist. Not saying you implied I did – was probably someone else, but this is what I said… “he gave OK performances most of season 5. He had only a few stand out performances.” No one in season 5 had more than a few stand out performances. It was a lack luster year in terms of amazing performances, but a great year in terms of quality performances.

DJJayito on March 25, 2008 at 11:49 pm
51

Back to form. Smugness is gone again.

So smart this guy is. Performance and vocal, fantastic.

heavyblow on March 25, 2008 at 11:59 pm
52

I thought he did a great job tonight. And yeah.. that’s all I have to say about that heh

Pallaton on March 26, 2008 at 12:05 am
53

Loved it – I could care less whose “original arrangement it was”… he was awesome… I had never heard Cornell’s version, so it was all new to me…

David has some real talent… and when he gets his contract, he can do his own arrangements of his own songs…

MindyLCK on March 26, 2008 at 12:06 am
54

Best of the night by far. He very well could take this!

mahrikka on March 26, 2008 at 12:27 am
55

I think I picked the wrong person to win the competition in the polls. He is winning me over week after week. TWO DAVID FINALE, WOOT! =)

oboeadam on March 26, 2008 at 12:28 am
56

Wow! Awesome! Great! even if it is not an original arrangement, if he didn’t sing it good, the performance would have sucked. it just shows’s he’s talented.

vegasbabe on March 26, 2008 at 12:29 am
57

omg guess what!! DAVID COOK IS GONNA BEAT ACHULETA =) cook you rock! hope you make it to the top two along with michael =)

lainey on March 26, 2008 at 12:41 am
58

flat out brilliance. this guy can SING.

And what a freakin’ star!

insanitic on March 26, 2008 at 12:45 am
59

David Cook totally ROCKED IT OUT…again!!! Go, David Cook, GO!! I agree with someone here who said it is bold to use someone else’s [lesser known] arrangement of a song. Everyone is very familiar with Michael Jackson’s orginal, so in order to make the lesser known arrangement work, you gotta sing it good. And David amazed us, yet again.

This performance reminded me of Bo Bice’s a capella song he did on AI. It was really quite different from other songs David’s sung. Paula was right, he was SMART to pick a slower, more ballad-y song this week. It showed us a more vulnerable, softer side. And still, it was smokin’ hot, with a rocker edge! I LOVED the looooooonnnnggg note he hits towards the end. Very Clay Aiken-esque in his vocal stamina there!

claymedmyheart on March 26, 2008 at 12:51 am
60

Nice little interview with Cornell about how to come up with a good cover of a song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROpEIFML8Pw&feature=related

BB2 on March 26, 2008 at 12:54 am
61

Cook was amazing tonight and deserves all the praises.

But I just wish they would stop using the word “original”.

This happens year after year. The judges are ignorant to these lesser known versions and then brand the performances original.

heavyblow on March 26, 2008 at 12:56 am
62

It’s not arrangements he hijacks – he’s hijacking American Idol! For me, David Cook is now a mountain above the other competitors.

Syzygy on March 26, 2008 at 1:15 am
63

AMAZING!!!! the whole thing was perfect. i now have to get an itunes account to get the song! LOL!!! i’m so blown away. I’M SO EXCITED!!!

AZIdolFan on March 26, 2008 at 1:52 am
64

he should win American Idol!
the best

nona on March 26, 2008 at 2:07 am
65

In response to him “stealing” others arrangements, if this were true, wouldn’t EVERYONE be guilty of this? Everyone is covering songs, done by another artist, in some form of a previously used arrangements. Yes, they may change a note or two, but everyone is copying everyone else. Never once have I heard David claim he made an arrangement, it is the judges who praise him for that.

Whatever the case, he blows me away, and is making a HUGE Archuleta fan convert to the cook fan base, and I don’t usually even like “rock”. He could be a heart throb too with a little work =P.

oboeadam on March 26, 2008 at 2:50 am
66

I love Chris Cornell!!

vege on March 26, 2008 at 7:30 am
67

for me, the problem here is not with the “stealing” other arrangements. I agree with oboeadm’s post above.

the problem i have here is that he gains truckloads of cool points by doing rock versions of songs that you can’t typically consider as rock and introducing these to the mainstream. Even if the cover he is doing was introduced as it was in this case, most people have not heard it. As such, the wow factor he will generate with the first few lines doesn’t really come from his own voice or talent but from the fact that people are hearing something new and cool for the first time and on some level crediting it to him, even if he didn’t take the credit for him (if that makes sense).

i mean it’s not like he’s doing a popular rock arrangement, like Cake’s “I will survive”. Could he do a better version of it than Cake? Probably. But would he be as cool or unique-looking or authentic-looking if most people have heard the arrangement he was doing? Probably not.

Of course, all credit to David for knowing what will get him votes and make him popular. I personally would like to see him do a song in the way that people know it and see how that goes. Or to come up with own arrangement.

xtn on March 26, 2008 at 7:39 am
68

Wow…David Cook…that was amazing and ….who was that other kind of rocker dude that sang tonight…yeah…the one that had the AMAZING light show and smoke etc…umm, uhhh…hmmmm…can’t seem to remember his name…he sang earlier and Simon said something like…”best performance of the night so far”…geez…just can’t seem to recall the guys name…

Anyways…David C…you ROCKED it!!!

feaqs on March 26, 2008 at 7:52 am
69

David was amazing.That was his Bo Bice “in a Dream” moment.I think he will just keep getting better each week.I think his style is current and is recordable.

cherie on March 26, 2008 at 8:18 am
70

Wow

jbeeeb on March 26, 2008 at 8:32 am
71

He is so hot. I’m beginning to regret choosing the other David as my ultimate winner.

hildegarde on March 26, 2008 at 8:49 am
72

Wow!!! He is so so good. I really like his husky voice. Go David Cook!!!!!! I hope you will be in the finals.

aoi-bara on March 26, 2008 at 8:57 am
73

Another blatant copy..Chris Cornell – Billie Jean…damn..he’s good, but own up to borrowing these versions…3 weeks in a row.

bloom2708 on March 26, 2008 at 9:18 am
74

Loved it. Vocals were amazing. No way anyone could say that was predictable. I struggle to hear what others do when they say he sounds the same every week (just like when people said all the tracks on Daughtry sound the same). I mean, he is singing with his same voice every week, but how on earth was “Billie Jean” like “All Right Now”?

And let’s keep it real – a rock-dude singing a classic Michael Jackson song accoustically on American Idol is a risk no matter who may have arranged it previously.

Daisy on March 26, 2008 at 9:23 am
75

bloom ~ clean out your ears – they “owned up” by saying it was Whitesnake’s version last week and Cornell’s version this week. What more do you want?

Daisy on March 26, 2008 at 9:24 am
76

Eh, he sang it well but I was disappointed. I wanted to hear the Michael Jackson version! Plus, David reminded me way too much of Chris Daughtry last night.

dvls on March 26, 2008 at 9:36 am
77

XTN, #67. Spot on!!!!

heavyblow on March 26, 2008 at 9:59 am
78

xtn, the “wow factor” does not come from novelty of the song. I promise you, if he sucked, he’d gain no “cool points” for taking on a rock arrangement of a pop tune. I am not even a huge fan of Chris Cornell’s version, but honestly? David killed it, and that’s where the “wow” is.

laff on March 26, 2008 at 10:23 am
79

Daisy:
Exactly! That’s why all the comparisons to Chris D are driving me crazy. They are two different singers with two different voices who just happen to sing the same genre of music. That’s it. When people say he’s “too much like Daughtry” or whatever, it bugs me because they’re no more alike than all the gazillions of “diva” singers on Idol are identical. No one ever seems to complain about that, though. But lord help there be two talented rock singers on Idol! They must be clones! lol

And I also agree with you (Daisy) about “owning up” to the arrangements. I suppose people would like him to go out on stage, grab the mic, and start out by saying “Before I begin, I would just like to point out that the arrangement that I will be performing tonight is not my own! It was originally done by _____, so if you like it, please don’t say that I’ve done a great job. Just go buy that other person’s album instead.”

Some people will just find any little thing to complain about. lol

—

Xtn:
I do see your point, however…I’m pretty sure that ALL the contestants have the option to do what David is doing. So to rag him out for it is just unfair (not saying you were, but other people are). It isn’t like the other contestants couldn’t earn their own “cool points” by doing unique arrangements of songs.

dreamr on March 26, 2008 at 10:26 am
80

I agree with post #78

aoi-bara on March 26, 2008 at 10:28 am
81

I agree that he executes these covers VERY WELL.

I just don’t like it that he be branded “brave, bold, original”. He’s none of that by doing these covers.

heavyblow on March 26, 2008 at 10:37 am
82

i’m not saying that the wow factor comes solely from the novelty of the song. i’m saying that it plays a larger factor than people think.

dreamr, i certainly agree with you that the other contestants could look for their own cool arrangements and perform those. and that’s essentially why i credited him for it as well. having knowledge of all these different covers that suit his voice and style is certainly an ace up his sleeve.

laff, he did kill the song and i agree that he was arguably the best that night. the reason why i want to hear him sing something more familiar is to see whether he will be equally impressive doing a more familiar rendition of a song. i still can’t be certain how much of the amazement to his performance is due to hearing “billie jean” sung that way and how much comes from his delivery. but if he performs something familiar, then I will know (at least for myself) that if I am wowed by him, then I know it’s all him.

xtn on March 26, 2008 at 10:42 am
83

I think David Cook is one of the most exciting contestants I’ve ever seen on AI. I think like Daughtry he’ll do well whatever place he lands in. As an earlier poster mentioned, he might do better if he DOESN’T win. Clive has a way of ruining people’s first albums.

JadoreAce on March 26, 2008 at 10:50 am
84

I guess I’m odd, because it wasn’t the arrangement that “wow’ed” me as much as the sound of his voice singing the song. I don’t think I could be wow’ed just by arrangement (or song choice) alone. If I were, then I’d be much more inclined to like some of the other contestants. lol

dreamr on March 26, 2008 at 10:54 am
85

heavyblow, did you not think it was brave, bold and original to do a relatively obscure and *out there* cover of one of the most familiar pop songs of all time? On American Idol? Was it not bold and brave to be asking the public to VOTE for him doing THIS cover, which, as Simon pointed out, could have been insane? He could have tanked so magnificently with this, but chose to walk that edge anyway. It worked, what can I say.

I don’t think any of the judges were telling him he was bold and original for creating some new interpretation of Billie Jean. They were telling him that they appreciated his decision to take a huge risk, which is something not many contestants have the balls to do.

laff on March 26, 2008 at 11:06 am
86

Laff, no. As we know, Chris Cornell did it. And it was already proven to be successful.

So no, not risk taking at all.

But David was sensational though. His vocals were just amazing. They should just stick to that sort of compliments alone. But alas, our judges are pretty ignorant and they should homework before each show.

heavyblow on March 26, 2008 at 11:19 am
87

Successful to whom? Because I’m sure there are lots of people who have never heard of Chris Cornell or haven’t heard of this version of this song (like me lol). People who could possibly have reacted with “Ewww! What has he done to this song? He ruined it! He should’ve sang it like the original!”

There was no automatic guarantee that people would like this version.

dreamr on March 26, 2008 at 11:24 am
88

An artist shouldn’t care what people really like. He should only care what sounds good to himself.

Chris Cornell did it. And it obviously sounded good to David Cook. And so he did the same.

There’s no risk-taking of any sorts as far as originality goes.

Dang it! Why can’t ppl just accept an obvious logic?

heavyblow on March 26, 2008 at 11:50 am
89

I was scared when I read David was doing “Billie Jean” – no matter what version. I think it was brave (1) to sing a Michael Jackson song, (2) to sing a completely revamped version of a cult classic, (3) to sing like a true rocker on AI. **shrugs** But that’s just me.

Daisy on March 26, 2008 at 12:05 pm
90

I’m with you, heavy.

This was hardly a risky performance. Coming up with something new ON YOUR OWN that NOT A PERSON ON THIS EARTH has ever done or heard…now that’s risky. For example, if Cook had created his own arrangement of Billie Jean in a hybrid Polka / Death Metal style, then it’d be risky.

baka77 on March 26, 2008 at 12:06 pm
91

Right. Because, obviously, whether or not the public likes a rendition of the song has no affect whatsoever on the votes that could keep them in the competition. lol

dreamr on March 26, 2008 at 12:06 pm
92

Hey..wait a min. re stealing/hijacking. They “All” are doing covers, or covers of covers and that includes covers of arrangements. period.
All contestants from AI 1 to now, sound somewhat like someone else in style, voice or looks..each genre has it’s style/look it seems. Doesn’t mean copying or stealing.

what the judges say or imply is da’judges choice.

hapi on March 26, 2008 at 12:17 pm
93

Right Baka. Blake was A LOT RISKIER last year w/ his “YGLABN”. Totally his own signature on it.

He got praised and bashed in almost equal measure and he wasn’t scared to do it beforehand.

Until Cook does something similar, would I call him brave. So for Randy to say that he’s the bravest in AI’s history, it was amnesia taking over Randy again.

heavyblow on March 26, 2008 at 12:20 pm
94

I would never quibble with someone saying Blake is/was the ultimate risk-taker. Definitely. That said, David is still a risk-taker: Hello and Billie Jean were definitely risky, imo. We obviously aren’t all going to agree, though!

Daisy on March 26, 2008 at 2:29 pm
95

And here I thought I would never love a contestant as much as — or more than — I loved Bo. But oh my GOD.

This guy is beyond sexy. I don’t even care if he is “pear-shaped” (which I’m not seeing) or doesn’t look like a movie star. His voice kills me, and he is the hottest contestant ever to grace the AI stage.

Jodi on March 26, 2008 at 2:38 pm
96

but we love johnny cougar!

amber on March 26, 2008 at 2:41 pm
97

The “risk” when in perspective to American Idol contestants singing a “re-arrangement” of a song..is having the ability to pull it off successfully…regardless of WHO did the arrangement.

The risk is the arrangement and/or performance being rejected and panned by the listening audience (ala KLC’s horrid rendition of “8 Days A Week”…y’all remember that horrid rendition, right?).

A popular song that has a high recognition factor…comes with a high RISK factor when “tampered” with. If you pull it off well…then you get accolades and applause…if you DON’T pull off well…you get panned…thus the “risk”.

David rolled the dice with an “under-the-radar” arrangement of a VERY well known song and pulled it off…better than expected. He deserves all the kudos that he’s receiving. It doesn’t matter if someone else arranged the song…his performance stands on its own with his personal inflictions and interpretation of the song. If it hadn’t worked out…he would be getting pulvarized today instead of praised.

feaqs on March 26, 2008 at 3:23 pm
98

There’s a post on Chris Cornell’s site about David Cook’s performance last night:

http://www.chriscornell.com/news/default.aspx?nid=9997

GwendolynD on March 26, 2008 at 3:27 pm
99

OMG OMG OMG

HA HA

wiser1 on March 26, 2008 at 5:22 pm
100

I’m curious. There’s been alot of discussion about updating standard versions of songs on AI starting with Chris Daughtry singing, not Johnnie Cash’s version of Walk the Line, but someone’s. When Amanda sang You Can’t Do That by the Beatles, it sure didn’t sound like the Beatles version of that song. I was just wondering where she got her version of that song. Would anybody have any ideas?

loveselvis46122 on March 26, 2008 at 6:32 pm
101

David is HAWT HAWT HAWT! He need to change NOTHING! I look forward each week to listening to his performances. He is different and make a song his own. As far as people saying it’s not his arrangement.. I hate to tell you this but none of these songs that ANY of the contestants sing are original songs. It’s fantabulous that he’s mixing it up on AI and singing versions of songs that you don’t normally hear. He deserves nothing but appalause for brining something new to this show! <3 DC!!!

Miapaigesib on March 26, 2008 at 6:58 pm
102

I think David Cook did the best of the night. BUT it was not original. Chris Cornell did it first RANDY!. As for Ramiele, I’m scared for her, but I hope she makes it.

shadow25 on March 26, 2008 at 7:01 pm
103

The shock that I had was the same shock face I had on when Blake Lewis did “You Give Love A Bad Name”.I mean no way would I have ever thought of this song sounding this way and I’m an old skool Michael Jackson fan way back.Maybe Mike is proud I don’t know but whatever the case he’s not going home next week.

beesure on March 26, 2008 at 7:24 pm
104

waw!!! i really don’t lyk him.. but because of this song… i think he deserves to be in the top 2!!!!! together with david archuleta!!!
i hope ramiele will still make it up to the top3!! goodluck kiddos!!!!

david_archuleta on March 26, 2008 at 10:38 pm
105

I’ve been watching this guy since the beginning. He has a FANTASTIC voice!!!! He is an amazing talent. Okay Daughtry did not win and Bo Bice did not win but I would LOVE to see this guy win or the other David. But this guy is my favorite

bd9598 on March 27, 2008 at 2:43 am
106

My problem with David Cook is not primarily with him really but with how the judges are treating him. Although it was acknowledged that this was Chris Cornell’s version, their comments were still in the lines of ORIGINAL and BRAVE. It’s totally misleading to the viewers. No matter what people say about forming their own opinions, the judge’s comments, i think, plays a really big role in if the viewers are going to like it or not. I think that most viewers, like me, have never heard the chris cornell version so when the judges speak about ORIGINALITY, it just sends out the message that he did something unique to the version. This is absolutely not the case (just like with Eleanor Rigby). I’m not saying that he should do this but I would respect him more if he emphasized more to the judges that it’s not his. I understand it would be kind of stupid of him to do that since what’s happening is going in HIS favor but they (the judges) are totally giving the wrong message and David knows it.

To further present my point, whenever a contestant sings a well-loved song of say.. Whitney Houston, that contestant would end up being compared to THE Whitney Houston. David here is compared with the “non rock” version of the song by the judges and not, in this case, with Chris Cornell’s which in my humble opinion, was way better than David’s. A “rocked” version of a song, by the sheer nature of rock, is ALMOST ALWAYS more “impressive” than if its mellow.

That said, I’m not saying David is doing anything wrong here. He’s just really really really SNEAKY which really turns me off on all his performances.

leslie7622 on March 27, 2008 at 3:19 am
107

well said Leslie7622. David C has a knack of picking unknown versions of great songs to do covers on. When you have judges like Paula, who’s half drunk most the time, and who couldn’t even tell that Michael Johns was NOT wearing an earpiece last week and thought he did, I mean, how can you trust her when she stood up and thought his performance was so “original”.

daisawesome on March 27, 2008 at 1:09 pm
108

Love him! And as for the comparisons to Chris D – he is a MUCH better singer and also tons more likeable. Chris has got the perpetual stuck up his a@#!! Cook seems much more down to earth, approachable, & less pouty than Chris D. But then, I was never a Chris D fan.

szjodic on March 27, 2008 at 4:55 pm
109

Chris Daughtry is WAY better than David C.

Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean gave me the chills. David C’s version was frankly, quite bland. I think it’s popular because not many people heard of Chris Cornell’s version so the average viewer might have thought David C’s version was an original, when clearly it’s not.

daisawesome on March 27, 2008 at 6:35 pm
110

Voice wise I think D. Cook is better than Daughtry. Sorry……….

aoi-bara on March 27, 2008 at 7:09 pm