OK, it’s time for a bold prediction.
There have been some truly gifted competitors in the race this year, but in order to win, a contestant needs a clear identity and consistent performances. David Cook has both. He caught the attention of the judges and the Idol audience with a rocked-out version of “Hello” Top 16 week. Subsequently, he’s built a reputation as the clever rocker, navigating this year’s narrow themes without sacrificing his identity. The smart move–singing “Music of the Night” in a straight-up musical theater style surely netted some votes from the non-rock contingent. Way to expand the fan base, Cookie! At this point, I think he’s garnered a broad appeal that will ensure he remains the last idol standing.
OK, I’m prepared for my arse-kicking! Heh.
Meanwhile–we’re still tracking the Final Three spoilers. Check it out. If you know something we don’t, tell us in comments.
Song choices? Can I say I hate “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with a liquid white-hot intensity? But I won’t rule out the possibility that David Cook can change my mind. It’s Simon Cowell’s choice, picked out of the very short list of songs he’s ever even heard of. I’ve got no problems with the Collective Soul tune “The World I Know” for Cookie. He chose it, and I expect he’ll do a fine job.
Randy Jackson picked Alicia Keys “If I Ain’t Got You” for Syesha Mercado. She could impress if she’ doesn’t over sing it, but I’m not holding my breath. She’s already competed with this song–on the failed ABC TV show, “The One”.
David Archuleta was given Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes” by Paula Abdul. Seriously, a person needs to have experienced a substantial amount of heartbreak to sell this song. I don’t think anyone under 30 should even attempt it. I don’t have high hopes for this one. Dan Fogelberg’s drippy “Longer” chosen by the Idol producers, is right up his alley. More intriguing is David’s personal choice, “With You”. He’ll either sink or swim with this ultra-current hit from the ultra hot Chris Brown. It could be the surprise of the night…
ETA: Update on Syesha Mercado. Her personal choice is “Fever” by Peggy Lee. No screaming or extraneous runs required! And I hope she doesn’t add any. This could go really well for her. Her producer’s choice is “Hit Me Up” by Gia Farrell, from the Happy Feet soundtrack. This is Syesha’s chance to prove that she’s got the potential to be a viable commercial artist. Can she do it? We’ll see…
ETAA: David Cook isn’t singing “Collective Soul”. Instead, he’s performing “Dare You to Move” by Switchfoot. Being that I’m not up on the God rock, I don’t have an opinion ready on this one. His Producer’s choice is “I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing” by Aerosmith, written by that well-known supplier of Idol crud, Diane Warren. SOB. I have nothing more to say.
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hey mj..i was just on t m z and they have the songs for david cook completely different. the roberta flack song is correct, but they have “Dare You To Move” by Switchfoot and “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. PLEASE tell me that Collective Soul is right!! i was so looking forward to this..:(
I am going to be at The Police concert tonight
but will not be able to vote…..so I am counting on my many blog friends to throw some extra cookie votes in for me. I will miss you guys in chat but will be here tomorrow night.
I will be hoping and praying the DC does his thing and blows the judges and us away with his songs.
Guess I will be dvr-ing AI and watching later. I sure hope this week is better than last 2 have been.
Cheese you will love Switchfoot and whats more a song by them will connect with the voters Cook needs. The message in it and everything is perfect for him
Is this gonna be another one of those “that’s not a love song so change it” at the last minute things?
ETA: Have fun dante! I saw the Police at Giants Stadium last summer, they were awesome. Stewart Copeland is a god!
Cook, you’re so tricky. That Switchfoot song is good for him. I like the Aerosmith song too although I know some don’t.
Everyone is talking David vs. David and I also think that’s what it’ll be, but I’m still a little nervous Syesha might slip in one of the top 2 places. She’s made it this far so really she could keep going. I’m a Jason fan and I think about how she made it past him, and Michael Johns and Carly (I was a MJ fan, too) and it just makes me wonder. I guess I shouldn’t say I’m nervous about it because I’m really not, but it just makes me wonder if she’ll keep going like she has all season.
Aerosmith will be good, but only if he ownes it, ie changes it completely so it’s hardly recognizable. It’s too much of a hit song, it’s been overplayed forever, so he’ll need to make it fresh somehow to not get “kareoke”. Do we know which song was his choice?
Switchfoot - didn’t recognize it by name, but I know it well, and I think it’s much more of a “moment” song than Collective Soul ever was.
I think DCook was faking us out, y’all.
Natasha,
I love the Aerosmith song as well and so if that is indeed the producer’s choice, I think Cookie can make it work.
I’m familiar with Switchfoot but I’ve never heard that song.
I hope tonight is a great show. While I’m no fan of Syesha, if she kills it tonight and either David sucks, I hope she makes it to the finals. I doubt that will happen but she’s been the giantkiller all season.
I prefer David A’s voice to Cook but they’d both be decent winners.
Didn’t Antonella murder that song last year? I suppose like most Diane Warren songs, it can’t be killed.
That was the theme song from that Armegeddon movie. The one where they land on the asteroid and blow it up. Hmmm….
I was hoping that Diane Warren’s influence would have waned with Clive’s, but no such luck. I guess she has incriminating photos of lots Idol related bigwigs. She got shut out from the Idol albums last year. Will she make her big comeback this year? Dun-da-dun!
Well, this Jason fan will be voting DCFTMFW! tonight~
I like the Switchfoot song — he’ll nail it.
Don’t worry DC fans….he isn’t going anywhere but straight to the top.
I think the personal choices this year are smart by all 3 contestants.
DC’s will be more subdued than the normal RAWKER! persona.
Syesha will be able to prove that she can sing beautifully without belting.
DA will prove that he can HAVE!SO!MUCH!FUN! without singing a sappy ballad.
I’ll still miss my Jason though….. :(
I am in complete agreement of your prediction, MJ. :)
I agree. He really needs to change it up or he’ll get called out with the K word. Even my 11-year-old brother knows DWMAT…
Have fun, dante! I’ll vote extra hard tonight to get in the votes you would have gotten in otherwise!. :D
I think overall Cook has better songs. The only decent song Archie has is the one he picked himself. Longer is just completely horrible. And the Billy Joel song won’t work that well for him either. Hopefully, Syesha will just be mediocre and David A makes it to the finale.
I have an extreme headache thinking about these new choices for Cook. I keep on thinking “acoustic” for Aerosmith. Please, please, acoustic. No violins, backup singers, and too loud band. Just him and his guitar.
I’m really disappointed with the non-Collective Soul song, but it’s understandable, since there should be a more modern song. Cook probably thought Nigel was going to give him a more modern song and switched after he found out it was Aerosmith. But what happened to all the rumors of “American Woman?” That would have been hot. Sigh.
Anyway, on the original topic, MJ, I love you for your prediction, but I just hope you didn’t jinx it.
Also, in response to some concerns from others, don’t underestimate the teens/tweens. I have 5th graders for an afternoon class once a week, and they hate Archuleta and love David Cook. (However, I may have brainwashed them.) I strongly persuaded them to vote. :)
I just listened to “Dare you to Move” and it’s pretty good. I just wonder if it’s a smart pick because it’s not well known. Probably a better song for him than the Collective Soul song. I’m not sure if an Aerosmith song is a good choice. Look what happened to Michael.
Why can’t MJ pick who she thinks wins? She has a great blog but it doesn’t mean we all blindly vote for someone because she’s picking them. I am voting for DC but not blindly, lol.
I read that Leona Lewis covered the song “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” -don’t know anything about her so I don’t know if that’s true…but if it is, Simon sure is sneaky..bet he’s hoping that David C will help drive up Leona’s song as well tomorrow on Itunes.. Its all about the cash. If so, DONT download Leona Lewis’s song - Simon has enough money! Okay, so I’m still upset with how Simon treated Jason..boo hoo.
I hope David Cook does win, he’s really grown on me ever since he sang so well on ALW. What a surprise that was!
So far I’ve asked three afro-american males who they are voting for. Syesha, no matter how well she performs. One even said his Mom called family to remind them that it is another Syesha night and she will text everyone the number to call. That’s not surprising or interesting, but they all said if Sy goes home this week, they will vote for lil David in the finale.
I’m still Castro-tarded, so I doubt if I’ll get out of this funk long enough to pick up the phone or choose anyone on Dial Idol.
Who, for me, is the most talented and articulate? David Cook should win American Idol… but I think he may go home this week.
I wasn’t even looking forward to tonight’s music until I saw “Dare You To Move”.
I love that song.
About the “bad” album comment I made, that was based on comments I’ve read on the internet over the last two years about how the first place winner’s album that 19E puts out is horrible watered-down pablum that doesn’t allow the artists true talent to shine. I’ve never heard them myself, so I wouldn’t know. It was so prevalent especially last year, it was almost cliche. Guess I’m surprised nobody’s worried about it this year.
On the other hand, I think Carrie Underwood’s first album was pretty good, right?
Yay, Caro!!
That’s what I’m talkin bout, girl!
This Jason fan bought a 2 week pass to Cooktardistan.
DCFTW!!
Dashing 4 - that is true about Leona Lewis. I heard a song of hers on someones profile and went and looked her up on Youtube and saw the British Idol for the first time. They all sing songs that they are familiar with and or popular - unlike the dum themes here
Jason fans - his interview on Idolatry is up (well, part 1 for now) here: http://www.ew.com/ew/video/idolatry
From this Cooktard, thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to vote.
May the best David Cook win. Bwah!
Hope you are right MJ - he deserves it for sure. DCFTMFW! LOL
I have enjoyed his journey on Idol and truly believe he should take the crown. I’ll buy his CD, and Jason’s for sure and maybe even a few of the others. I still can’t believe the transformation in his look. It’s amazing. His version of Music of the Night brought me to tears when I listened to the studio version - stunning.
Go Cookie GO!
go cookie!
Just did 100 texts for both Syesha & Cookie…
Will be doing more shortly, as my fingers got tired…
I do not care who wins between Syesha & Cookie, just as long as it is NOT Robot-Boy!!!