Cook took a somewhat different approach than Daughtry. While the arrangements Daughtry chose were fairly well known, especially to rock fans, Cook went for obscurities. For the Beatles-themed weeks he chose cover versions of "Eleanor Rigby" from an almost completely unknown band called Doxology and "Daytripper" based on a version done by Whitesnake in the '70s (who even knew Whitesnake was a band in the '70s?). There were a few grumblings of “stealing” amongst bloggers, but Cook’s popularity was on the rise amongst fans of the show. The next week Cook turned in an outstanding vocal performance of "Billie Jean" with an arrangement based on a less obscure cover, done a few years ago, by Chris Cornell. Despite show host Ryan Seacrest’s mention of Cornell before Cook’s performance, judge Randy Jackson proclaimed Cook to be the most original contestant the show had ever seen, and Simon Cowell said his performance was “brave.”
While Jackson may have been just referring to Cook’s method of choosing songs as original, the grumblings grew louder that he was ripping off other people’s work. Here is where Cook really got smart. He quickly addressed the situation in a pre-Idol interview, saying he knew very well that arrangements were based on existing versions, and that he was simply looking for songs that suited his style. He then abandoned the "cover of a cover" strategy and started doing his own thing.
Most notably he turned the Mariah Carey pop song “Always Be My Baby” into a contemporary sounding hard rocker. He also showed off his vocal capability and kept the viewing audience guessing by doing a straight version of “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera. Simon didn’t like that Cook strayed from his usual style, but it was probably the smartest move he could make. No one could accuse him of being a one-trick pony after that.
That brings us to Cook's ability as a performer and singer. Cook has a powerful voice with a lot of range, perfect for the kind of music he wants to perform, and he has the ability to be versatile if he wants to. This is, after all, a singing competition. Of course, the other front runner, David Archuleta, has a powerful voice too, but he seems more limited in his style. This is where Cook has the most advantage. Cook takes a lot more risks with his songs, and is simply a more exciting and dynamic performer than Archuleta.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jordan Richardson
If American Idol was about talent and not "voting for your favourite," I'd agree with you. I actually think Syesha should win.
2 - Sam
Let’s wait and see, anything can happen, never underestimate massive votes!!!!
3 - anne
I don't know what show you're watching, but Cook has no chance.
4 - Sophie
Anne, I don't know what show you're watching, but Cook has every chance in the world.
He is the complete package, the most talented of the bunch. He built his momentum on his own accord. That, to me, spells winner - whether he actually gets crowned or not.
5 - Toni
Jordan is right. Teenage girls (arguably the largest voting constituent) don't vote for the best singer; they vote for the cutest, the one with the dreamy eyes and adorable smile.
I have a sinking feeling that Cook will get Tamyra'd/Daughtry'd, if not tonight then next week.
6 - Rebecca
I think that I officially LOVE you and I have to THANK YOU for printing the truth about David Cook!
This is the best article I have read about him and it's nice to know that there are others out there that see that HE IS THE ONE TO BEAT, no matter how much Randy and Co. try to shove little david down our throats.. I'm just sayin'...
NICE JOB!
I HOPE DAVID READS THIS AND KNOWS THAT HE HAS MANY MANY FANS BEHIND HIM..
DAVID COOK -- FTMTW!!!!
7 - ariadne
A nice assessment of David Cook. As much as Paula annoys me at times, she also assesses him correctly as being the whole package. Smart, charming (good to his mama and respectful of others) and oh yes, dropdead dishy and talented. Archuleta may be a nice kid and technically good, but there has been no growth; every performance sounds the same, and he has no stage personality other than being terrified of his father. I'm with you--David Cook FTW!
8 - Sam Lim
I beg to disagree I don't think David Cook will win. I will just leave it like that. The best way is to just wait and see on the FINALE.
9 - hmm
paula abdul is the only total package superstar involved with american idol.. thats why she always gets all of the attention.
10 - Jan Simpson
As a Brit watching your show I am hoping David Cook wins. I was changing TV channels a few weeks ago and he was singing Billie Jean, I thought he was fantastic. I watch each week and all of them are very talented but David Cook is outstanding because he is in a league of his own in that he has a contemporary innovative style and each week I just want to hear more from him. Come on America don't let this talent get away make him your American Idol 2008 winner and let the best person winxx
11 - sfbb
Yes, if the most talented singer AND performer wins..it WILL be David Cook. Great analysis of his journey so far. I think this season might be the year the most deserved contestant wins.
12 - Becca
David Archuleta will win he has talent good looks and high votes
13 - Sharon
Becca - I think David Cook also has all of those things. Look at the homecoming footage. David Cook has tons of fan support.
14 - clarisse
The assesment is pretty good. May I say that David Cook is my favorite since day 1. I like DA before, but right now I don't really get excited hearing him sing. I don't think he have done anything different. He haven't took any risk. Unlike David Cook who manage to rock it, to give his take doing musicals, arranging ABMB, doing Neil Diamond. David Archuleta has a good voice I won't deny that as I liked him before. Though he needs to really perform well. He needs to own the stage, to own the song. For who deserves to win, I'll choose David Cook.
15 - mary simoneau
i think that nobody can beat david cook ,i mean who would you really want to see in concert?a rocker that has great talent? or a little boy who sings boring, one dimensional songs,maybe you would like david a. if you went to a piano bar. i would rather rock
16 - Shirley (Paiton)
David Cook will win. He has broader fan base than David A. But why worries. Both will make record deals and be superstars anyway ...
17 - Pricilla
David Cook is the Whole package..very talented and when he sings, you want more..he can sing anything and he is very affectionate to his mom and to his brother who has cancer; you can tell he is a very caring person and he gets better every time he sings...He is a Super American Idol and deserves to win.
18 - Julia
What are you thinking!!!!
David Cook sucks!!
Davis Archuleta should so win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
19 - Alejandra
I admit that I was an Archuleta fan before. But week after week his performance become more vanilla. He has the singing chops, I'm not gonna lie but David Cook has it all: charm, ability, and just something that seems very human. David Archuleta needs to get a grip and stop forgetting the words if he wants a real, honest-to-goodness chance.
20 - NOOO ONEEE
ARCHULETA ALLL THE WAYY HE IS FOR SURE GOING TO WIN HIS HAS THE BETTER SINGING ABILITY, SOOO DAVID COOKE TAKE YOUR CHRIS DAUGHTRY COPY AND PASTE SINGING ANTICS AND SHOVE EM WHERE THE SUN DONT SHINE :D
21 - Mehhhhh
I want David Archuleta to win because the winner of american idol usually makes a pop album...Imagine David Cooke Making A Pop Album :S
22 - Jordan Richardson
@ NOOO ONEEE
This is a serious question: wouldn't you consider "copy and paste antics" to be better than no personality or "antics" at all? Archuleta's stand-and-squint style is incredibly bland.
23 - rachel
anyone who thinks that david a is going to win,is seriously tone death.the only way he will win is if american idol is fixed. i mean what kind of modern music would he be able to sing? he has never sang anything with a beat,well maybe all the grandmas out there will like it hopefully they know how to vote................
24 - traci
theres only been a very few winners of american idol that has ever even made it big!if david cook wins ;HE WILL BE ANOTHER TO ADD TO THAT SHORT LIST.HE IS SOOOOO AWESOME...if david archuleta wins he'll be another ruben or taylor hicks and sell no records
25 - ashley
come on david archuleta fans,its alright i understand,i know you really want david cook to win so join the rocker side and be cool,vote for david cook i wont tell promise...