Once all hell broke loose about Billie Jean//CC…and it wouldn’t die….David Cook had to prove that he didn’t need to do anyone’s cover of a cover again, even when his version was so much better. While everyone else was just preparing to sing songs (mostly karaoke), and I might add–they bored me to tears…David Cook, the artist, emerged. David Cook started to do his own arrangements. It became quite obvious to people in TV land that this guy was in a totally different league than anyone else on that show. He no longer was a contestant–he was a guest performer. What emerged were original arrangements such as ABMB, Little Sparrow, All I Really Need is You (he gave Neil Diamond goosebumps!!!), First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Dream Big and my favorite–The World I Know.

The rest is history.

You Are the Voice

I could tell David loves this song.

This was the 1st time I had heard You Are The Voice. Since then I have listened to it so many times.

This song was unknown to so many when David sang it. Now many know it and love it because of the risk David took performing You Are The Voice that night on AI.

Anywhoo, for some reason Billie Jean on the original night didn’t evoke the emotion that it did for some/most and I’ve had to process why this is. My conclusion: 1) I was already rooting for and pretty much sold on DC. 2) I just didn’t understand music and what constitutes greatness at this point, and I still have a long, long ways to go. That’s what is so awesome about this site AND following someone who fits this mold.

So that night DC started singing and I started to say something and was shushed by my hubby who went up to the TV and knelt down by it as if he was watching Ohio State in the last seconds of playing Texas in the Fiesta Bowl (often seen sight in my home when his fav college or Pro team is playing, AND btw, hubby DOES know music). To say the least, he was stunned and shouted, “He nailed it!”, or something to that effect.

So fast forward to present time and watching this show again online I’ve upped my capacity for music because yeah, DC was head and shoulders above all others that night.

In light of this, MJ really did a great job with Queen, but I now see how karaoke-y he was in past weeks.

Jason and Brooke were my two other favorites on the show and I do believe the band drowned out Jason that night. I did like Brooke the second time around and heh, thought she made a stalker song sound kinda like a love song, maybe?

KLC, love this song! I thought she did a fine job with it, but it didn’t cause me to vote for her.

Archie, I have mixed feelings on this because while I liked his energy in this song, I think the few times I’ve seen him do Crush, he’s much better on that.

Syesha, I was never a big fan, but listening with my ‘new ears’ for music, that girl can sang! Still not my cuppa, but great voice.

Chikezie did blow it this week, poor guy.

RM, never a huge fan and her pouty lips did bug me.

Carely, I love this song and so wanted to love her singing it…

I really truly gasped when he sang Angels at the last AI show in Tulsa.

More than a little jealous that you saw him in Tulsa – that Angels was amazing … the only one I’ve actually kept on my iPod.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I just didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t catch the Archie obsessiveness though. I guess there was no room for it after I was totally sucked in by Mr. Cook.

Ditto in reverse. :happy_tb:

Canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t wait for tonight! Dolly Parton night, right?

My favorite of all nights. My brother is in town with his family and I’m making them all watch it with me, like it or not. Nearly everyone was awesome for Dolly!

Hmmmmmmmmmmm…I just didn’t catch the Archie obsessiveness though. I guess there was no room for it after I was totally sucked in by Mr. Cook.

Can’t wait for tonight! Dolly Parton night, right?

I think Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d like to see him LIVE, although I havenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t bought his album.

I’m a huge fan and do have his album, which I love, but I think nothing sounds as good as Archie live. For me, there was not a single studio recording of his during AI that topped his live performances – even when he flubbed lyrics. He just seems to thrive on the energy of the audience.

he was so HONEST and earnest

I agree, and it made the performance very endearing! Too bad it turned so many people off as well.

Donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t fret kathrynTX, we could start a Betty Ford Clinic, only call it the David Cook Clinic and preclude treatment for any addiction unrelated to the Man himself. On day one, thereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢d be no vacancy and a mile long waiting list. Maybe in these down economic times, I should seriously consider creating such a place. Only potential problem would be no one would be interested in being cured, but familial interventions could still work.

(No offense or intent to trivialize addiction, btw. Just self-deprecating admission of personal obsessions here.)

No offense taken! Yeah, it wouldn’t fly, your business model. I don’t think anyone with DCOCD really wants to get over it. That would be David Cook Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. And is it REALLY a disorder? OH sorry, getting WAY OT here!

As for the continuing discussion of originality, bravery, boldness, etc on AI – I take all that to mean “within the confines of the show and its confines.” So far, AI does not allow ORIGINAL SONG night. Until they do, everyone is singing a cover, possibly a cover of a cover. And apparently they are free to do some re-arranging. Or not. All I have to go on is THE PERFORMANCE. I don’t think anyone prior to Season 7 or any contestant on Season 7 could’ve done pretty much ANY of the songs that Cook did and succeeded like he did. I like that Paula called him SMART too because that was a big part of his performances – knowing where to find the versions HE could do best, knowing what he was capable of in the first place, and knowing what he honestly could relate to. Ya gotta THINK about those things. And well I think he also has admirable instincts.

Also, I actually liked Archie 2nd best that night! I liked his You Are the Voice and I didn’t know the song. But he was so HONEST and earnest. I think I’d like to see him LIVE, although I haven’t bought his album.

1. It’s beyond irritating that they put down season 7…I am not an AI lifer, in fact this is my first full season of watching, but who cares if there wasn’t a lot of weird personalities to contend with. The talent of this season makes us all want to watch and discuss these episodes a year later for the second time, that doesn’t sound so bad to me.
2. Michael Johns may sing note for note on WWRY/WATC, but the performance he puts on, the passion and the beautiful voice (ok and the looks)…sorry just not karaoke to me. And, if it is I want to know that karaoke bar some of you are frequenting because that must be some pretty great entertainment :lol_ee:
3. David Cook sounded amazing with Billy Jean, and until they all start performing original material on the show they are all copying so really I am ok with him covering Chris Cornell’s version (and CC was probably just wanting to boost his poor sales a little which is why he complained about DCook so I am not going to give him too hard a time).
4. I don’t think Brooke White is meant to sing dark/stalker songs–sad will work, just don’t try to turn a dark song cheerful!
5. KLC that was some impressive exploitation of people’s patriotism–she definitely was working to stay in the game.

(No offense or intent to trivialize addiction, btw. Just self-deprecating admission of personal obsessions here.)

Hey I didn’t think that there might be folks who wanted to see it who didn’t get to back then though. So this is pretty cool, really, the reruns AND the re-commenting. Fun fun. Thanks, mj.

May I just say, and I have not read all of these comments, that Mr. Cook totally blew me away with Billie Jean this week. Again. And I saw it that night, live on AI. And I saw him do the entire song 3X live on the AI tour. And watched countless videos. And have at least 4 versions of the song on my iPod and 2 different video versions. And he blows me away every time I listen or watch. Still.

Oh drat, am I still in love with David Cook? Sigh. Yep, still addicted…no cure in sight….
:wub_tb:

I meant those who persisted on getting worked up over the whole BJ-cover issue even after they found out the show covered that base

Ok, gotcha. :cool1_tb: Yeah, there are just people on all sides who are so determined to be critical of the competition that they won’t pay attention to the truth. Too bad for them because it makes their whole experience angry and frustrating. And you’re right, it’s supposed to be fun. :happy_tb:

Of course it’s all for fun, which is why I hate when it turns into so much drama which seems to live forever

Thanks. Now back on topic…