If this competition was actually based on the technicality of the performances of the contestants, David Archuleta would be crowned this year’s champion.
But American Idol is a popularity contest. This year’s winner will depend on who wowed the viewers more — Archuleta or David Cook.
With three songs each to sing last night, Round 1’s songs were chosen by Clive Davis.
Cook sang U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, and though he seemed very nervous at the start, once he started singing all that tension evaporated and he did shine like a star.
Archuleta sang Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me by Elton John, and stood his ground with another flawless number.
Round 2 had them sing one of two possibilities for the winner’s song. Cook’s rendition of Dream Big sounded like Harem Scarem or something like that from the ’80s or ’90s. As good as it was, it wasn’t very memorable.
Archuleta sang In This Moment — again, another ballad to get all the pre-pubescent girl’s hearts fluttering. There was nothing new, but it was a very strong performance.
The final round was competitor’s choice. Singing The World I Know by Collective Soul was Cook, but he mumbled most of the song and lost his edge.
Archuleta re-sung Imagine by John Lennon. It’s something we’ve seen before, but it was amazing.
It may have been the battle of the Davids but in the end it was Goliath — Ruben Studdard — who ended the show with Celebrate Me Home.
