David Cook Singing “Billie Jean” (Watch)
March 26, 2008 by Kath Skerry
David Cook pulled out the big ones tonight when he took on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. A risky performance to say the least given that most of the audience has never heard this particular arrangement made somewhat famous by Chris Cornell. David was my personal fave going into tonight, but now I’m betting on him to win the whole thing (or place third which would be better for this guy in the long run).
Are we loving it or hating it?
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I’ve got a real problem with this performance. I realize that American Idol is a TV show above all else, but I really believe that the producers are showing favoritism towards David here.
In every case that I can think of where an Idol has sang a cover song, they always go by the year that the cover version was released, not by the original’s year. Even tonight, there were 2 instances of this: Syesha’s “If I Were Your Woman” was originally by Gladys Knight in the ’70’s, but covered by Stephanie Mills in 1987, the year Syesha was required to pick from. Chikezie’s “If Only For One Night” was originally by Brenda Russell in 1979, but was a hit for Luther Vandross in 1985, the year Chikezie was required to pick from. David was required to pick from 1983, which is obviously the year that the original Michael Jackson version of “Billie Jean” was released and yet he was allowed to perform the Chris Cornell version from last year. Of course David is going to be the favorite and seem the most relevant to today’s music industry, because he was the only Idol that didn’t have to sing a song that was 20+ years old! I just don’t see how that is fair to the other contestants and it’s the first time that I can remember seeing American Idol blatantly break precedent to nab votes for a favorite, especially at this point in the competition.
I think I understand the point you are trying to make here, but to play devil’s advocate, it’s not like David Cook was the only offender here. You said it yourself, Syesha and Chikeze both sang songs not originally released the year they were born. We don’t know for certain that there is any favoritism here. Favoritism would be if another contestant asked to bend the rules in the same way but was denied. We can’t assume that’s the case. If anything, David Cook was more legit than the others in his song choice – at least it was released the year he was born. It really doesn’t matter than the Cornell version came later. I don’t think it has any relevance.
Truthfully, David Cook could have picked another song and still would have rocked it, song choice isn’t as much of a factor for him. He is going to kick @$$ just like Chris Daughtry did, no matter how far he gets in this competition. I think Simon and 19 productions are just very aware of how well Daughtry has done and don’t want to let David get away from them! I love him though, he is a quintessential performer and deserves to win at this point.
I had the exact same reaction to David’s performance as Krista, and I think the point that she was trying to make was that even though Chikezie and Syesha technically sang “cover songs”, they performed the “cover versions” of the songs. Syesha performed the 1987 version of her song and Chikezie performed the 85 version of his song. So I agree, David probably should have been made to sing the 1983 version of his choice, not a remix from 2007. I don’t know if it’s really favoritisim (although I do believe the show does engage in that from time to time) but it does seem a little unfair.
Above all else, though, I feel bad for David Archuleta. 1990 isn’t really known for it’s magnificent song catalog, is it?
They have to sing songs that are popular in the 1980’s….that’s it!!! David should be commended for singing a song that was written in the 80’s…’82 if i’m not mistaken…regardless of whose version it was.
I understand how it could look like favoritism was being shown, but I don’t think that it was. The idols aren’t required to sing any particular version of a song. They had to choose a song from the year that they were born, but like always, they were all free to arrange it and sing it anyway that they wanted to. The judges often encourage the contestants to rearrange the song so that it is their own version, but he chose to sing an already rearranged version. So I simply think that he was being smart in choosing a version that was more unique.
I see where you guys are coming from as well. I agree with what Rebel said, the contestants are allowed to tinker with the arrangement and do with it what they please, and David didn’t do anything wrong by doing that. I think it just got under my skin that the judges were using terms like ‘brilliant’ and ‘original’ when it wasn’t really an original arrangement. Kind of like when Chris Daughtry did “Walk the Line” on country night, except he did the decidedly not-country version by Live and was praised for his originality when it was actually someone else’s. Except this instance is easier to swallow since David at least gave credit where credit was due by acknowledging that he was performing the Cornell version.
But I definitely agree with you guys, definitely best of the night and this performance will probably go down as one of Idol’s most memorable. I just had some behind-the-scenes issues. I wasn’t trying to hate. 😉
I don’t really care about the logistics of it all…..David Cook rocked last night!!!!!He had me at Hello (literally!). He has an Eddie Vedder-ness about him that I FLOVE and is by far one of the better “performers” this year.
First of all David kicked ASS last night!! Someone was talking about favoritism which I do believe sometimes..but in this case the contestants are the ones choosing the songs and they choose what versions they want to do..not the producers… I hope he gets as big or even bigger than Daughtry.. He deserves it!!!!
I totally agree with Rebel – the singers are free to chose whatever song they like within the theme they are given. They aren’t really restricted to how they sing the song, though. I actually had not realized that David’s arrangement of Billie Jean was originally by someone else, but in any case, it was smart of him to pick something that suited his style. He’s incredibly talented – after seeing him sing “Hello”, he became the main reason I actually am watching Idol on a regular basis this season. It doesn’t matter at this point if he wins or not – he can start making records now – I’m sure there are producers out there already who would want to work with him.
There’s NO favoritism hear just pure talent with David’s own passion behind it. David IS an entertainer and he knows what’s required of him and anyone else for that matter to win this thing.
He WILL be a ROCK STAR!!!!
This was the best ever! Micheal Jackson himself should let him record this song…. Excellent, wonderful, super……
this song went over so well that i actually heard it on the radio this morning on the way to work
David Cook is way too good of a talent to be on this show. I don’t think people understand how hard it was for him to change a song like hello, with only a week to do it, and make it sound up-to-date and fresh. Billie Jean was already rearanged, and was perfect for him. There is no way, with only a week to prepare, could he have made that version of Billie Jean on his own, but he did an amazing performance with it! By far and away the best contestant that show has ever seen, and they know it – he should be favored!
David Cook really likes his Ditzy Blondes with BIG BOOBS at Risque Agency at Digital FunTown
I think it was a good performance with Billy Jean, and not to mention he is suuuuuper sexy!!!! But he is not the “most talented preformer that the show has ever had”. He IS the most talented in the bunch this year 4sure! The only other preformer that has nature ability to sing is The black haired, tatooed chick. David and her do not have to work at it, they just have IT!
Oh, and that Archaleto or whatever boy that looks all of 12yrs old, better not beat either of them, because of all the little teenage girls out there with a “CRUSH” on him. Then we would know for sure the show had became strictly a “popularity contest” instead of a talent show!!
David Cook rocked the friggin house with that version regardless of who’s version or what time period it was from. Like someone else said, it doesn’t matter which version they sing…they can mix it up however they want so no favoritism exists! David will be a rock star no matter whether he wins Idol or not, just like Chris Daughtry. He was my fav that season and Davis is mine fav this season. He is hands down the best performer on the show and deserves to win. And he is not just a singer, he is a musician which makes him by far ready to be a star! *
I am impressed. He is no Chris Daughtry, but this guy ROCKS!
David Cook rocked the friggin house with that version regardless of who’s version or what time period it was from. Like someone else said, it doesn’t matter which version they sing…they can mix it up however they want so no favoritism exists! David will be a rock star no matter whether he wins Idol or not, just like Chris Daughtry. He was my fav that season and David is my fav this season. He is hands down the best performer on the show and deserves to win. And he is not just a singer, he is a musician which makes him by far ready to be a star! *
The version he sang was from Chris Cornell, and David Cook sang it better. I think he has a much stronger voice than Daughtry, but Daughtry has a hit album and Cook is just starting, so he could just end up being a bust (but I don’t think so). As far as conestants on this show this year and past years, he makes Claydaughtryrubenclarkson Archuleta look like a bad carnival act after throwing up on the kiddie rides while eating too much cotten candy!
By far the best performance. Who cares that it is not sung like the origional version, i think it keeps it exciting and different when they put a different twist on a popular song. When the songs are sung like the origional artist it feels like im watching karoke. Hands down this guy rocks!!!!
[Sorry, but I’m not approving this comment. Try less ignorance next time.]
its funny, i never liked the original Billie Jean, but i LOVED his version.
I also don’t think they’re giving David any special treatment. How many times have we seen american idol singers sing a song and change the arrangement? It just happended to be the arrangement he chose was realease by someone else. No biggie, I’m missing the controversy…
All idols get to rearrange their songs the way they like. I don’t think it’s favoritism when producers decide not to point out there’s a better song arrangement available to contestants who haven’t done their own research, or who just aren’t up to speed with their own specific genre, or haven’t checked to see if their song has been recently covered. Kudos to David Cook, who is showing that he IS interested in music, and he IS well versed in the music scene & is smart enough to do some research, and he IS concerned with credit being given to the original artist and arranger. I imagine Chris Cornell is loving the publicity this is giving his latest album, and we all know that Lionel is doing back flips over the potential $$ he could get from re-releasing Hello. I just hope and hope that David does not win Idol, but comes a fabulous 3rd. I CANNOT imagine him going up against David Archumunchkin in the final singing what will probably be a pop ballad about how thankful and happy is to be living in this moment… Gag!! He could never be taken seriously once the producers get hold of him and reign in his creative talent to fit within the idol box…
I just want to add that when I watch Idol all the other contestants are just that.. Contestants… David comes off as though he owns the show. I loved his performances and if judged on his performances, he should win…
For anyone that liked David’s version of Billie Jean, definitely download the FULL song over at iTunes – it’s incredible and even better than what we got during the live show.
I think that David Cook blew away both Michael Jacksons and Chris Cornells Billie Jean. Chris Cornell rocks with this version but David Cook makes even him look bad. David needs to go all the way. Great, great voice and stage presence.
David cooks version of billie jean is the very best ever. He makes chris cornells version pale by comparision. it blew me away. how can i get the full song by david?
For all the people who think David was wrong to cover a cover – please go see Chris Cornell’s website. They posted a video of David singing it, and say good job. Chris Cornell then made Billie Jean his “song of the week” due to the overwhelming interest in it after that performance.
American Idol is all about covers. The contestants are singing covers, covers of covers, covers of covers of covers. David Cook is quite brilliant for actually having the sense to find versions of the songs that suit his style and show his voice off. Loving him.
As for Archuleta – kid can sing, but he won’t last a day after American Idol. I would buy a David Cook album right now.
I think David Cook is a true musician. I would buy his music too. He is so much better than all the others. I have been playing this song over and over because that is what I do with good music. His voice is ready to be shared with the world. If he wins the whole show though, he will have to do American Idol commitments for a year so hopefully he will come in second so he can go ahead and make music for us like Chris Daughtery.
I was absolutely speakless while he sang this week – totalally AWESOME. Had to show my husband and 20 yr old son – who both said David Cook is a very talented individual.
Even though Chris Daughtry is very talented, I much prefer David Cook over Chris Daughtry. I prefer his musical style and the way he delivers songs is very sexy. I also think he is very cerebral which I find very attractive. To each his own.
It is so funny that he gets so nervous on results night. I feel like saying, “dear, you have nothing to worry about”. Even if he doesn’t win (which is very possible with all the crazy prepubescent teens voting for archuleta) he has received all of the exposure he needs and he’ll be snapped up quickly by a major record label. Go David Cook!
David is the first contestant to make me want to buy his CD when it comes out….and it will…because he is fantastic!
David is the first contestant to make me want to buy his CD when it comes out….and it will…because he is fantastic! (Daughtry was good too, but too hard rock for me.)
And to top it all, David loves crossword puzzles! How dare Simon act like the fans are too stupid to actually admire someone with a brain! Smart men are sexy, Simon! Not smart ass men like you…just smart, like David!
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That performance was absolutely amazing.
Personally I love David Cook he is an awesome singer!!!!!!!!!! idc wat u all say either
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