When David Cook's Coronation song Time Of My Life was heard for the first time, it assured David Cook a bestselling and chart topping single. His other song was Dream Big. We've heard that Dream Big was allegedly intended for Brooke White, that it was a country song by a girl.

Both Time Of My Life and Dream Big were entries in the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Competition, where thousands of new songs were submitted until it was trimmed down to 20 by the Idol creator Simon Fuller and his team. From this set, Time Of My Life was voted by more than a half a million people to be the Coronation Song. The two Davids were then given the other Top 9 semifinalists to listen to so that they can choose their respective new song for the Finals Night. David Cook chose Dream Big while David Archuleta opted for In This Moment.

Thanks to the thread original Time of My Life.

I created this topic so that it would be easier for those who are curious how the original Time Of My Life and Dream Big sounded. The 20 semifinalists are in this site with corresponding audio clips. You can listen to them.

American Idol Songwriter 2008 — Review

You Believed in Me
Overcome
Here I Am
Stronger
You Can Do Anything
Fly Me Away
When You Come From Nothing
Faith
Believe
All You Will Need
Thank You Whatever Comes
In This Moment - David Archuleta's Choice
Dream Big - David Cook's Choice
Something Like Heaven
You Believe In Me
Align
We’re Gonna Make It
The Time of My Life - AI7 Winning Coronation Song
Only Love
No Turning Back

Was there another thread like this already? If there is, Mods, please delete this.

Smallville:
Thank you for the write up and the explaination.

I am enjoying bolth TOML and also Dream Big. I think those two songs really talk to the wonderful experience that our David is having right now.

You're most welcome, Annette. You're definitely right in saying that those two songs were like written for him. With regards to choosing songs, David Cook always say that he always picks songs that he feels a "vibe" with. Many were surprised when he chose Dream Big. The original was by a girl and in a country style. David said that he listened to the first 30 seconds of each song (the other 9 entries), and he felt something with Dream Big. So he just pushed for his arrangement. And voila! An instant hit for David Cook.

With the Time Of My Life, like what one post said in the the other thread, maybe because it was the winning song that the arrangement stayed as it is. But since David Cook has the so-called Midas musical touch. Every song he sings sound good and may turn a song into a gold record.

Hopefully you saw the notice this past week that TOML already turned gold - next stop platinum.

Actually I love and I think others also have embraced the songs he did prior to the voting; The World I know, Dream Big, there was a third one (the name escapes me right now) and of course the Coronation Song: TOML. I love the 3 versions:what is playing on the radio, the acoustic guitar version and the Rock version that he did on Leno. He has said that the management company has given him free rain to make the song his own.
Funny, there was an interview this past week I believe for a Radio station in Fresno, CA - the two DJ's had a great interview with David and the one female DJ asked about ToML and David was very positive. She said that her girlfrend is I think getting married and I forget what song she picked, but the DJ said to the friend, you should give this to David so he can rearrange for you. He offered to do it (said give him a week) not sure if they went ahead with that - He really has a wonderful talent to think out of the box.

Better sign off,
Annette

Aside from TOML and Dream Big, I also liked Something Like Heaven. David Cook could've pulled that song off too. Where can i download the songs? Those in rickey.org aren't downloadable.

Very sorry, overcooked. Can't help you with that. I, too, would like to download those songs myself.

Thanks for posting this! I haven't listened to all of them, but I fully intend to.

Wow...this is really interesting! Thanks!

There was a thread similar to this with the link to rickey.org, but it has long been buried by more recent topics. I cannot go back and listen to these supposed top 20 songs from the songwriters contest... just hurt my ears and sensibilities too much! I am so appreciative that David has the talent to take such cr*p and make it golden. It's a good thing he is also such a gifted songwriter himself and won't have to rely on the so-called talents of these songwriters. If these were the top 20 songs, then the music industry is in BIG TROUBLE!

Shackelton's version of "Dream Big" sounds like a soundtrack of a Disney chick flick