By hook or by Cook


David Cook performs after being named the new American Idol during the season finale on Wednesday. Mark Mainz / Associated Press



By CARY ASPINWALL World Scene Writer
5/25/2008
Last Modified: 5/25/2008 3:31 AM

Best of the best: Cook's crowning 'Idol' hits


Anyone who watched David Cook's interview Thursday on the "Tonight Show With Jay Leno" knows that by now, all he really wants is some sleep.

The "American Idol" Season 7 winner embarked on a whirlwind of media interviews immediately after winning Wednesday night, and hasn't slowed down since. He jokingly collapsed on Leno's couch after coming out on stage, and told the host he'd had about an hour of sleep that day.

But Cook's die-hard fans will have to wait until Sept. 13 to see him perform in Tulsa at the BOK Center, and maybe even longer to buy his future album.

So for those who can't get enough of their favorite rocker-turned- "American Idol," we've compiled a list of Cook's eight best performances from this season. Here's hoping a few of these covers end up on Cook's album.


1. "Billie Jean"


Yeah, it was based on Chris Cornell's version of the Michael Jackson classic. But Cook's ended up even better, and he sang his lungs out on this version. This will go down as one of the best "Idol" performances of any season. At Fox's post-finale party this week, everyone in the bustling tent stopped and gushed
when the DJ started playing Cook's cover juxtaposed with the original version from Jackson's "Thriller."


2. "Always Be My Baby"


This will go down as the performance that turned "karaoke hell into a breath of fresh air," as Simon Cowell put it. Cook's original arrangement of Mariah Carey's 1996 hit "Always Be My Baby" was brilliant and fun (even Carey has said she wants him to release his version as a single). Another reason the performance was so memorable? David's older brother, Adam, who is battling brain cancer, was in the audience that night, and David got a little teary-eyed as the emotion behind the evening settled in.


3. "Sharp Dressed Man"


For anyone who plays guitar, getting to rock out with legends ZZ Top is a dream come true. And Cook rocked the heck out of "Sharp Dressed Man," playing some wicked guitar, singing fantastically and even busting out some funny dance moves. This was a great moment on the finale when fans could tell Cook didn't care whether he won or not — he was just having a good time.


4. "My Hero"


Pop quiz: What song should Cook have sang on "Idol Gives Back" night instead of Our Lady Peace's "Innocent?" Anyone who saw the footage from his hometown visit to Blue Springs, Mo., knows the answer: the Foo Fighters' "My Hero." His beautiful version on acoustic guitar would have been a huge hit on "Idol," so we're not sure why it never made it on the show. If you missed it, check it out at www.tulsaworld.com/cookhero.


5. "Hello"


Cook got rave reviews for his edgy take on Lionel Richie's ballad, in a performance that marked the start of some serious momentum for Tulsa's bartender-turned "American Idol." It established his status as the contestant willing to take big risks (and even impressed Richie).


6. "Eleanor Rigby"


Considered one of the toughest Beatles' hits to cover (because it marked the start of a more experimental phase for the band's music), Cook took on a beast and won the audience over with his version. Even though little-known band Doxology later came out of the woodwork to try to snag credit for it, Cook's is the better version.


7. "Little Sparrow"


Cook didn't get enough credit for his take on Dolly Parton's bluegrass song, which had a nice alt-country feel to it. His performance was overshadowed by his rush to the emergency room for high blood pressure that turned out not to be such a big deal, and the debut of his new, slicker hairstyle that was a big hit with the ladies (especially the cougars).


8. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"


Simon Cowell apologized to Cook for calling Tuesday's final performances in favor of Archuleta. But fans shouldn't doubt that Cowell was always kind of rooting for Cook, because he said so in multiple interviews and chose Roberta Flack's classic love song for Cook to sing the previous week. Whatever you think of Simon's snarky ways, there's no denying he has good taste. The Flack pick with David's spin on the arrangement and gravelly vocals was a home run for Cowell and Cook (and much smarter than Randy Jackson's choice of Alicia Keys for Syesha Mercado).

http://www.tulsaworld.com/entertainment/sp...H1_hBesto801223

Agree with the "My Hero", he should have sung it because it's an awesome song and the way he sung it during his homecoming was a "breath of the freshest air there is"! But I liked Innocent. I loved Innocent!

I agree totally with Little Sparrow. I love all the others - but lyrically I love Little Sparrow and David's take on the song.

To do this song the way he did it - must have had his heart ripped out and then haphazardly stuffed back in.

It's deep.

"Billie Jean" and "Eleanor Rigby" were my two favourite performances. Those sealed the deal for me as a fan...what more can you want from a man who sings your favourite songs? I felt like he was singing them to me

Thanks for posting that.

Your welcome

My faves would have to be MOTN & FTEISYF. Those were just magical performances for me but all of his performances were special.

First of all, I just want to say thanks to you hon for always keeping us updated. It's much appreciated!
And secondly, I have to agree with you on favourites. Those two were definitely magical moments. I can safely say this now.. that if it weren't for that stellar performance of FTEISYF, I wouldn't be here, as that was the moment that captured me. And I'm forever thankful FOR that moment. Because it brought me here, to all of you lovely people.

xxM

Wow. That's a great list. And a great article. David had me at "Hello" so I was happy to see that on there, and Eleanor Rigby and Bille Jean were probably 2 of my favorite all time David performances. Along with Music of the Night and First Time I ever saw your face.

Thanks as always, for sharing!

awww I really appreciate that. *hugs*

It is interesting how "you had me at hello" has taken on new meaning for us DC fans. I thought he was interesting before then, but that version so impressed me that he immediately became my favorite. In his little homecoming bio clip David said something about his AI success being a part of something bigger (spiritual), and perhaps Hello was part of that too. Even though he didn't plan it that way. Not only does it fit into the line from Jerry McGuire, but for me and many other fans, that hello was really the first time we met the real David. The show business gods are smiling on him, and they couldn't have picked a better guy.

i can't even read that article... there is no way that any of dc's idol performances should or will be included on his album... it just doesn't make sense. but that's just my opinion

Thanks for posting this article. Love the hometown take on DC's journey.

For me, MOTN was a huge highlight that is missing from this list, because, as he said (paraphrasing), "Yeah, I can do that, too." It showed his enormous versatility vocally.

Would absolutely love it if "Hero" had actually been performed on the show, although I'm grateful for the good mp3 files we were able to get our hands on from his homecoming. I'd disagree with the idea that "Hero" should have been performed during "Inspirational" week over "Innocent." But I'm biased - "Innocent" is near and dear to my heart. Phenomenal song, and DC's studio version is, I think, actually better than OLP's. (Please don't hate me for saying that, OLP fans!)

I also agree that we won't see covers on his CD. Not his style. If he didn't want to do a reprise in the finale, because he didn't want to do something he'd already done -- and wanted to show a progression, there is no way he'd put his name on a CD of covers. JMO. While I would dearly love it, especially to get my hands on some of the songs that weren't released as studio singles, it's just not DC's style, imo.

But I can't wait for the tour -- and his actual first post-AI disc (can't call it his first CD, because Analog Heart is pure perfection, in my opinion).

thx again for posting.

That's very true. 'Hello' was a very important song for him on AI, because that was when he stood out and got lots of fans, myself included.

That is a great article, It's nice to see how his performances were so meaningful. To me, the best was MOTN. I get chills whenever I see that performance. Also ABMB and Billy Jean were by far the most brilliant things I've heard.

You're very welcome hon

x

I can see "Hello" ending up on there because there was never a studio version of that song recorded. "Always Be My Baby" was, and as much as Mariah liked the idea, it would be too redundant.

I most def agree with Billie Jean.
Even if it was Chris Cornells version...
David made it into his own.

I agree with this list for the most part...but for some reason I still have "I'm Alive" stuck in my head ALL THE TIME. I don't know why exactly, I mean, it didn't stand out that much, but what I liked was that it was a Neil Diamond song and...had I heard Neil sing it I wouldn't have thought anything of it, but David made it really amazing for me.

I doubt he'll be rereleasing any of these songs. I would like some longer versions of the songs that didn't make it to iTunes....but that's just me.

you know what I absolutely agree that he's just having fun when he's singing with ZZ top! My friend and I who is a big cookie fan as well could very much tell, that he knows that this is the last time they will be on AI stage and he just decided to make the most out of it.. and true enough he said it in one of his interviews that he already resigned himself to 2nd place and just wanted to have fun wednesday night

i like seeing him happy and that moment totally made it for me! thanks for sharing



Shae