Meredith Munoz of Pash
@ Fort Reno
Q:What's your song for summer?
A:"'Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before' by the Smiths, hands down."
Davids at Dusk: Archuleta, Cook to Face Off
THEY'VE GOT THE SAME first name, a high level of fan support and unquestionably well-honed pipes.
Beyond that, "American Idol" finalists David Archuleta and David Cook couldn't be more different.
Take their all-important song choices. The 17-year-old Archuleta has carved out a niche as a pint-sized balladeer. He wowed fans and critics with John Lennon's "Imagine" and "Angels" by Robbie Williams but fell flat with preachy fare like Phil Collins' "Another Day in Paradise."
His most disastrous moment: forgetting the words to The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out."
Cook, 25, is best known for using tweaks in arrangement to put new spins on popular songs. His versions of Lionel Richie's "Hello," Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" were particular crowd-pleasers.
His Achilles' heel? When he doesn't live up to his own hype. His bungled version of Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" and his flatline take on "Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot were low-water marks -- the most recent of which took place just last week.
Their backgrounds are different, too. Cook released an indie album, but had recently been working as a bartender. Archuleta's a high schooler -- who also happened to win Star Search at the tender age of 12.
Both Davids are treated to high-pitched screams when they amble onstage. And neither has officially wound up at the back of the pack in the "Idol" weekly voting tally.
One decision-making factor tonight will be the song both Davids will have to sing: the winner of the fan-submitted songwriting contest. Last year's tune -- the godawful "This Is My Now" -- sounded better coming from finalist Jordin Sparks than her cohort Blake Lewis. Sparks emerged the victor.
The judges can also play a role. If Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul or Simon Cowell heaps compliments or criticism on either David, that could motivate fans to vote in greater numbers. Obviously, the Davids' overall performances will also weigh heavily. So, no flubbing lyrics, guys.
Will the victor be the creative rocker or the angelic-voiced crooner? In just a few hours, that choice will be in America's hands.
» COMING UP: The very last performance show of the season is tonight. I'll have a recap Wednesday morning, then an Idol Chatter Live discussion at 11 a.m. Wednesday to engage in much David-themed speculation. Wednesday night brings the two-hour season finale. I'll have the season's final recap on Thursday.
In the meantime, which David are you rooting for? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Photo courtesy FOX
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Did you know that the song that David/David will sing tomorrow night will be from a contest that american idol said was writen by an "amateur"?.....They said.... "All top 20 2008 songwriting finalist are "AMATEUR's". So please...please....find 1 in this bunch, ok? How many will it take till someone does something?
1. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Andy Zulla) is an engineer on Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo CD's. 2. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Windy Wagner) is a backup singer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD. 3. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Ryan Gillmor) wrote the theme song for the Fox television show "Unhitched". 4. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Dan Yessian) wrote jingles for Ford Motors. 5. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Luke Ebbin) is a producer on Austalian Idol 1st place runner-up Shannon Noll's CD. 6. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Regie Hamm) is a co-writer on the New Clay Aiken CD and he's also a co-writer of the winner of 2007's American Idol Songwriting Contest Scott Krippayne......Anybody see a pattern yet?
3 of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest Top 20 songwriters get credit on Clay Aiken CD's. Out of thousands and thousands of entries (At $10.00 each) 3 out of 20 work with Mr. Aiken. And nobody has a problem with this? For all the facts please visit....... http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com
By SimonSays , Posted May 19, 2008 8:25 PMi am rooting for david archuleta, after all this IS A SINGING competition!! and david cook shined on those weeks because he found someone else arrangements. we all know that. and the songs he didnt shine on was because he couldnt find a new arrangement for it. david cook is smart in doing this and peaking later. he even mentioned it himself. and as for archuleta and his dad the actual performances go differently than to what was rehearsed. his fans all know this. he just has music running through his vains. he sings what he feels at that moment.
By lauren , Posted May 20, 2008 12:21 AMCook FTW.
By EOC , Posted May 20, 2008 8:25 AMI am rooting for David C, but I understand that it can go either way. I also understand that the outcome could be rigged. All and all, it is just an entertaining show that I enjoy watching year after year. I think I will be a bit disappointed if David C does not win, however I know he will be the bigger winner in the end no matter the outcome of American Idol.
By Virginia , Posted May 20, 2008 9:38 AMInteresting stuff submitted by SimonSays, although I am not sure I care what the winning song is.
Rooting for Mr. 'C'
By Sheriff , Posted May 20, 2008 11:48 AMIf David A wins then will David C be like Chris Daughtry?
By Elisabeth , Posted May 20, 2008 2:35 PMI like both Davids. My gut says David A but I hope its David C in the end.
If the finalists in the songwriting contest are not really amateurs, that's a good thing. The coronation song will launch a career, and should not be written by an amateur. The winner deserves a good song written by one or more professional songwriters or other industry professionals, even if it was voted on by "America". I am really hoping for a good song this season. Did you hear the song Josh Groban sang on Leno last night? That's what the Idol winner's song should sound like.
By Barnsinger , Posted May 20, 2008 3:41 PMIs it just me or does Cook look like he could be Archuleta's dad in this photo?
By Kris Coronado , Posted May 20, 2008 6:03 PM