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I loved David Cook's performance but if you have ever heard Chris Cornell's (Soundgarden, Audioslave) version of "Billie Jean" from 'Unplugged in Sweden 2006' then David's version is not terribly original.

I loved David Cook's performance but if you have ever heard Chris Cornell's (Soundgarden, Audioslave) version of "Billie Jean" from 'Unplugged in Sweden 2006' then David's version is not terribly original.

Hi Verne,
Guess I'm in the minority but I didn't like David Cook as much this week. But he's definitely the big risk-taker.
Actually, I thought several contestants came alive this week -- notably Michael Johns, Carly and Kristy Lee. Michael seems to connect best with Queen songs. Maybe he should try Meat Loaf too. Now that Kristy has found a song that works for her,
for me, Chikezie seems destined to go this week.
I still see David Archuleta as the frontrunner...
Cheers,
Jim

Please are you serious, do your homework pal, Cook's version was a total copy of Chris Cornells version on his CD out last year so NOT VERY ORIGINAL right????

Also Cook is your average wanna be rocker who will fade away after a year or so of being in everyones face once the show ends & mark my words next year at this time we will be hearing "who is David Cook, it was David Archuleta who won AI" LMAO!

His vocals are average & he is ugly so that is always a big no no if you want to become a superstar in music!

Michael Johns & David Archuleta are the best this year & should be the Final 2!!

David Cook you rock...I would go out and buy that song in a heart beat!!!Excellent performance

It is Chris Cornell's version - Ryan Seacrest said so in the song intro. Still, David did an amazing job on the performance and deserves all the credit in the world for 1) knowing how to pick a kickass song/arrangement and 2) selling the hell out of it.

Clue please. Seacrest introduced it on the show saying it was Cornell's version. Listen on YouTube, it's based on it, but not carbon copy.

David Cook didn't steal the Chris Cornell version people. If you had watched the show you would see Ryan introduce the song as "Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean"
Do your homework Lisa...
and p.s. David Cook rocked it so much more than Chris Cornell.... that makes it original.

said perfectly:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1584150/20080326/id_0.jhtml

David Cook was never my first choice, yet he has slowly won me over and is my bet to take the whole lot. Sure it was Chris Cornell's version, but that was acknowledged before he started singing, so to all you haters, credit WAS given. And ANYWAY, every single contestant is singing a cover or version of an artist's original, even Cornell's was a version of a cover. That's what is done on this show. No originals are sung on this show. AND as much as I love Syesha, she only sticks to songs that can be sung soulfully whereas DC finds a version or way to sing any song - c'mon a rocker singing Michael J and Lionel Richie - that's pretty hot and ORIGINAL!! DC knows how to find what suits his style best and make every performance believable!!!! What a treat to see someone with his style surprise us every week with a great version of something you'd never expect him to sing and in a way we'd never expect that song to be sung!! Chris Cornell should be happy for the publicity!! And DC is a very sexy performer!! YEOWWWW David - go on with your bad self!! I will buy your covers when your CD's go on sale!!!!!

David Cook is my favorite guy in AI this year. This entire thing about him not giving credit is being blown completely out of proportion. Ryan said that it was Chris Cornell's version, therefore credit was given to Cornell. End of story. Cook based his version on Cornell's version. There were obviously similarities, but they were not exactly the same. And Ryan even said that Cornell called to say that he liked Cook's version. There. If Cornell doesn't have a problem with Cook using his version of the song, why should anyone else?

I think Randy may be right also. And Simon. He said Cook could win the whole thing two weeks ago. Paula? I'm never sure what she's saying but she seems to like him.

As for this latest allegation of "stealing" Idol introduced the song as Cornell's version. Cornell posted on his site that he was pleased that Cook used it. But still people don't get it. It's getting to the point that I think Idol should caption this performance with "YES, THIS IS CORNELL'S VERSION. CHRIS CORNELL WAS FINE WITH COOK USING THIS ARRANGEMENT. IN FACT, HE LIKED IT."

So shut up. (My editorial comment).

David Cook IS THE NEXT IDOL he rocks
Great stuff David ...keep on singing
Awaiting your CD

keep on rockin David

David Archuleta is a very young high school latino kid who has absolutely NO CLUE how to be a winner...David Cook is the solid best of the season,,,with Johns close.

am so tired of hearing about David Cook and his supposed originality. I liked his performance, but he is not unique, original or bold. Ever since "Hello" was a hit, he does the same thing week after week. He takes a pure pop song and looks for a rock arrangement of that song (sometimes giving credit to the arranger and sometimes not). The arrangements he picks are less well known so it makes him look as if he is original and interesting. But he is doing the same as all of the other contestants - covering an arrangement put together by another person or group. His version of "Hello" was Incubus' version, "Day Tripper" was a Whitesnake arrangement, "Eleanor Rigby" was the Doxology version, and "Billie Jean" was the Chris Cornell arrangement. The judges should know this and it is ridiculous that they continue to portray him as original and innovative. He is a good performer, but far from original.

I listened to the Chris Cornell version and yeah, while Cook has obviously heard it, would you say that when Pavarotti sang a Verdi aria he was "not being original" because Caruso had done it? Big deal.
I think Cook took the acoustic Billie Jean to a whole new level and more important, took a risk on AI with it - I mean, who knows what audiences with cell phones are going to do? He delivered the song with real art and maturity and I agree wholeheartedly with Randy. Cook has an ear for what works for him, the savvy to find it in less likely places and the talent to make it his own.
Go, David!
SWM

This guy has SHOCK ELIMINATION stamped under his combover. Beware, it's coming!

Train's version of "Ordinary" will put this Idol over the top. He IS no Ordinary Idol.

If you were watching Idol you would have heard Ryan say it was a version of Chris Cornell's .I think he did an amazing job and deserve all the credit he gets. He had the guts to do it.
No one can be Chris Cornell...

This is just my opinion, but I have a feeling that those who keep bringing "cheater" allegations are either fans of other contestants who fear that David C can take this whole competition or music snobs who think that they know music and their opinion only matters.

Ok all I have a News flash. In case you all dont know all the singers are singing cover tunes on American Idol. "Gasp, Shock no way !!" Yes it is true you can breath now. Instead of taking a already famous song and singing it poorly or the same way. David Cook goes out finds the most obscure version that fits his style and brings it to American Idol. That is why he is "original and brave " They are not saying original for his arangements. I think some of you need to think outside the box for a bit. I have never heard that version of Billie Jean and I am a audio slave and sound garden fan. I also enjoyed when he sang Elenor Ribsy I have only heard the beatle version and Richies Hello which I have heard and like but never heard the rocked up version before. so I am glad david did it, The wife and I enjoyed the music very much. Instead of the same old song and dance. I admit I was not a David Cook fan at first but am now and believe he is the front runner. And remeber Idol is a game show and David Cook is playing it very well.

Ok all I have a News flash. In case you all dont know all the singers are singing cover tunes on American Idol. "Gasp, Shock no way !!" Yes it is true you can breath now. Instead of taking a already famous song and singing it poorly or the same way. David Cook goes out finds the most obscure version that fits his style and brings it to American Idol. That is why he is "original and brave " They are not saying original for his arangements. I think some of you need to think outside the box for a bit. I have never heard that version of Billie Jean and I am a audio slave and sound garden fan. I also enjoyed when he sang Elenor Ribsy I have only heard the beatle version and Richies Hello which I have heard and like but never heard the rocked up version before. so I am glad david did it, The wife and I enjoyed the music very much. Instead of the same old song and dance. I admit I was not a David Cook fan at first but am now and believe he is the front runner. And remeber Idol is a game show and David Cook is playing it very well.

So well said SWM and Tom!!!! DC is playing the game amazingly well, whether so many of you out there fear it or not. He will make top 3 and even if he doesn't win AI, he WILL have a rockin career in music!!!!!!
Cheers David Cook!!

It's funny that nearly eveeryone has posted in honor of David Cook's performance and all the while, I believe there are only 3 negative postings. Well said, SWM and Tom. DC will make the top 3 and even if he doesn't win the entire lot, he obviously will have a rockin music career - he obviously has tons of fans, whether some of you out there fear it or not. The night the top 3 are announced, I hope he wears a mohawk so we can all clearly see the stamp on his forehead that reads 'ROCKSTAR.'