The weirdest thing about David Cook's
sudden smash success after his "American Idol" win isn't that he landed three songs in the iTunes Top 10 -- the coronation song "The Time of My Life" at No. 1, his pick of the original songs "Dream Big" at No. 7 and his cover of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" at No. 10 -- it's the ones that America has chosen to embrace.
Most would say his take on Collective Soul's "The World I Know" was his best performance, but it is the weakest chart performer of his songs, currently at No. 18. Is that because people realized that they don't really like that song, even if he did do a good job with it?
And can anyone explain the strong showing of "Dream Big," which was an also-ran in the songwriting competition and pretty much as bland as they come as a power-pop anthem? Many of Cook's own pre-"Idol" songs are way better than that.
In related "Idol" news, cast-off Josiah Leming, who really could have given Cook a run for his money, has signed with Warner Bros. and is currently working on his major-label debut. He also calls the show "glorified karaoke."
Comments (9)
I must admit that I am a little surprised that both of the 2 idol orginal songs are both doing better than the U-2 and Collective Soul's songs....
But I am thrilled that Cook's fans are still putting their money where their mouth is.... or that they are continuing to vote with their wallets!
Congratulations David Cook!
"Dream Big" may not be the cleverest of songs, but it is still now David Cook's song, NOT a cover from another band! That is why it is doing so well.
I completely don't understand the order of the songs either. The coronation song is the only studio version of the four, so that makes sense. "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," even though his version was rather respectable, is quintessentially U2, so many might not want a copy. But to choose "Dream Big" over "The World I Know" is incredibly odd.
Couldn't agree more. Goes to show that exposure trumps quality. Hypermarketed, poor Cook is going to be the golden goose that lays more of these mediocre tuneless eggs for 10 Entertainment.
The thing with "Dream Big" is that it is just really catchy! I love and have downloaded them all. But I have to admit, I often replay "Dream Big" because it's fun to sing along with. Not to mention, it was a very twangy country tune in it's original state. Don't get me wrong, I love country music, as well. But, part of this song's charm may be the unique twist David Cook put on it, at least for the ones who heard it in it's original context.
Don't look at me I bought all 4. And gifted all 4. Twice :P
David Cook is WAY more talented than that loser Josiah Lemming. Different leagues all together. The fact that Lemming couldn't even make it onto American Idol is an indicator of this. Also, Lemming is such a sore loser, deprecating the show after he wasn't selected. He just seemed like a kid with bad attitude and emotional problems. If people like that are getting signed with major labels, it doesn't bode to well for the direction the music industry is headed in.
Did you know that the Coronation song that David Cook sang was from a songwriting contest that american idol said was writen by an "amateur"? They said.... "All of the top 20 2008 songwriting finalist are "AMATEURS". So would someone please, please find one amateur in this bunch, ok? How many will it take till someone admits this is fraud? 1. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Andy Zulla) is an engineer on Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo CD's. 2. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Windy Wagner) is a backup singer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD. 3. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Ryan Gillmor) wrote the theme song for the Fox television show "Unhitched". 4. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Dan Yessian) wrote jingles for Ford Motors. 5. Top 20 American Idol Songwriting Finalist (Luke Ebbin) is a producer on Austalian Idol 1st place runner-up Shannon Noll's CD. 6. Top 20 2008 American Idol Songwriting WINNER (Regie Hamm) is a co-writer on the NEW Clay Aiken CD and he's also a co-writer of the WINNER of 2007's American Idol Songwriting Contest Scott Krippayne......Anybody see a pattern yet? 3 of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest Top 20 songwriters get credit on Clay Aiken CD's. Out of thousands and thousands of entries (At $10.00 each) 3 out of 20 work with Mr. Aiken. And nobody has a problem with this? For all the facts please visit....... http://americanidolexposed.weebly.com
Josiah Lemming had a chance to give Cook a run for his money, and he blew it. Completely, utterly blew it. Kind of interesting and character-revealing that he bashes a show that he begged to get onto and without which he would still be living in his car begging for food. If he really thought it was glorified karaoke, he wouldn't have insulted the hell out of the band and told them to leave the stage so that he could do that amazingly abysmal a capella rendition of "Stand By Me." My wife and I were really pulling for him until he showed that he lacked basic professional intelligence.