David Cook Singing “Billie Jean”
My good friend Ken (who’s b-day is tomorrow BTW) tells me that musicians are not supposed to watch American Idol. Probably not, but my family is into it and has somehow pulled me in. I’m not a huge fan of any contenders this season, but every once in a while a performance blows me away. When David Cook started singing Michael Jackson’s classic “Billie Jean” in this slowed-down acoustic format, I was sure that it was going to be a train wreck. I was wrong… even though the audience’s clapping at the beginning kind of ruins the effect, this was a pretty stunning arrangement (I’m told it was inspired by a Chris Cornell version of the song) and David Cook pulled this off really well. A “wow moment” for sure…
Chris Cornell arranged this on his solo album in 2007. It was mediocre karoake of Cornell’s version. The judges were completely oblivious of this fact, so heaped many a praise, undeserved.
“I’m told it was inspired by a Chris Cornell version of the song”
How about it is exactly like Chris Cornell’s version.
Seacrest introduced it as ‘Chris Cornell’s version’. No idea why the judges couldn’t hear that — maybe the audience screaming.
Considering that Chris Cornell is the greatest male vocalist in the history of rock, I think David Cook did an excellent job. If you listen to Ryan Seacrest in the intro for David, he says “singing Chris Cornell’s version of Billie Jean”. David was attempting to sidestep the Chris Daughtry/”Live” controversy over “Ring of Fire” by making it clear who’s version of the song he was singing. The judges should have heard that, and were probably praising David for taking the risk of being compared to the incomparable Chris Cornell.
David Cook acknowledged before he started that it
was the Chris Cornell version… no surprise or mystery
It is not exactly like Chris Cornell’s version–I’ve listen to it just a few minutes ago! David’s version is much, much better! I don’t think the Judges were confused (or oblivious) about the fact that Chris Cornell had done the slower, acoustical version of Billie Jean first. Let’s give credit when it is due, David Cook blew every one away.
[...] New Blogging Record! Okay, trying not to boast… I’m just overwhelmed by the amount of traffic coming to the blog lately. I had another record day today with 1,119 unique blog visitors! Whoa — that’s crazy! 1,063 of them were to see the David Cook YouTube post. [...]
Why is everyone making an assumption that the judges think he’s original and brave BECAUSE of the arrangement/version? All the judges know Cris Cornell did this exact version and that’s irrelevant anyhow- what is relevant is: He chose an excellent song and version that is right for him, he belted it out- every note to perfection and it was amazing! He’s brave in that he would sing a song by Cornell who is apparently some kind of legend (I’ve never heard him before) David’s extrememly talented. The other things he is are: resourceful, smart and creative – he shows that by the songs he chooses and the version of those songs he chooses to sing.
I’ve been watching it on my PVR since Wed- I’m completely obsessed with it! THhnk goodness there’s actually talent this year- I haven’t watched Idol since Carrie Underwood…
Good Luck to David!
WHO CARES who did it first? This guy did a great job and THANK GOD he didn’t do the Jackson version!
Here’s my problem with David this week: The reason the contestants were assigned songs from their year of birth was so that we could see how they make these older songs modern and current. Instead of doing that, David let Chris Cornell do the work for him. It was an easy way out of showing what kind of artist he would be.
I AGREE WITH THE COMMENT BELOW 100%. My sister and mother said using someone’s updated cover of a cover was pointless. Like David did with his beatles cover.
Quote:”
Here’s my problem with David this week: The reason the contestants were assigned songs from their year of birth was so that we could see how they make these older songs modern and current. Instead of doing that, David let Chris Cornell do the work for him. It was an easy way out of showing what kind of artist he would be.
AVI K said this on March 29, 2008 at 8:35 am”
Blah Blah Blah…
Yes it was a Chris Cornell arrangement, and Cornell should – and did – get credit for that. But when it comes to the singing of that arrangement, here’s the bottom line (IMHO): David Cook sang the Chris Cornell version better than Chris Cornell. I just listened to both of them. It’s not even close. Cook was brilliant!
And he should – and did – get credit for that.
End of story.
I agree Blah, Blah, Blah,
David Cooks version of Billie Jean was better than any other version out there. He blew Chris Cornell’s version out of the park. He did an excellent job and should have gotten the credit for it, it was nothing like Chris’s version at all.
who freakin’ cares, the point is that he gave credit to Chris Cornell, and he sang the he** out of that song. so if you got a problem, get over it ’cause David Cook does the best of all the contestants and he deserves every word of praise that he gets. also david doesn’t take the easy way out, he uses what is available to him to make his performances better.