AMERICAN IDOL top 2 - David Archuleta - IMAGINE

NEW YORK (Reuters) - "American Idol"'s dueling Davids faced off on Tuesday as the two remaining finalists each performed three songs in their bid to take the crown in the talent show's seventh season.


Despite rocker David Cook's surge in recent weeks, the judges were uncharacteristically united in proclaiming early fan favorite teen David Archuleta had outperformed his rival.

"You came out here tonight to win, and what we have witnessed is a knockout," said prickly judge Simon Cowell.

Judge Randy Jackson concurred, proclaiming "the best singer of season 7 is right there," following Archuleta's rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine," a song that earlier in the competition had brought him some of his best feedback.

Cook, 25, and Archuleta, 17, each performed three times in the live telecast before some 7,000 people at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre.

One song was chosen for each by Sony BMG executive Clive Davis, who assigned U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" to Cook, and the Elton John ballad "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to Archuleta.

Cowell, who had earlier predicted Cook would triumph, firmly stated "Round 1 goes to David Archuleta."

The next set was chosen from the "American Idol" songwriting contest's top 20 submissions, with Cook doing "Dream Big" by Emily Shackelton, while Archuleta went for Ryan Gillmor's "In This Moment."

Cowell said Archuleta had definitely made the better choice, calling Cook's "a bit of a lightweight."

In the third selection, the singers were free to sing anything they wanted.

Cook, the black-clad Kansas City-area bartender, opted for "The World I Know" by Collective Soul, which Cowell pronounced "completely and utterly the wrong song choice for you."

Cook's response was that the experience for him had been "a progression," so "why do something I've already done" -- which was precisely what Archuleta did with "Imagine." He wowed the judges, who all but termed it a clean sweep for the baby-faced crooner from Utah.

Fans had four hours after the broadcast to vote for their favorite, with the winner to be announced at the end of Wednesday's live finale.

"American Idol" pits singers against one another in a months-long competition that awards a recording contract to the winner. Past winners including Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have gone on to music stardom.

Several of the losers have gone on to stardom as well. Jennifer Hudson, who finished seventh in 2004, went on to win an Oscar for her performance in movie musical "Dreamgirls."

This is the second straight season of declining ratings for the show, which airs on News Corp's Fox network.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• american
• idol
• david
• archuleta
• cook
• top
• finale
• season
• john
• lenon
• imagine

[LTDJA]

David Archuleta did win the finale night. Judges gave all three rounds to David A

Simon only gave the finale rounds to Archuleta because Cook gave okay performances that night.

Unlike your insults, I think both singers are good. It's matter of taste.

2008 was for a rocker and controversy is the power behind it wanted to make sure and did rigging.

There is room for both Davids. Different genre. Different audience. Votes would be closer without the rigging and rocker still win.

[samrlim]

One of the best interpretation and rendition of IMAGINE ever done what an amazing talent who could ever think for a 17 years old kid can ever deliver such a song so beautifully with feeling and emotion. He resuscitated this song back to life and make people get interested again with the song IMAGINE. All I can say this boy is really gifted and you never get tired listening to him - John Lenon and David Archuleta will always be remembered with this song.

[cherbear54321]

He should have WON!!!!!!

[caser1210]

This video does not complete, the circle keeps turning and turning. So what is YT doing? This is David's stunning finale.

21,482v4/10/10

[bumiputri]

Undoubtedly a knockout win in everyone's mind who watched this finale but unfortunately the best singer does not always triump in the end.

Look at how Archuleta is doing right now compared to the winner and can't wait to watch the best male singer ever on AI sing Imagine on this Wednesday.

[abeleejames]

I really believe the judges thought David Archuleta was the best vocalist and talent in the season 7. On the night, Archuleta showed all he got and as usual he always delivered perfect pitch and emotional connection under the tremendous pressure. That's gift.

[aghpzac]

john lennon :)

[caser1210]

I marble at how each finale contestants are to prepare three songs in one week. It's tough pressure. What struck me about David Archuleta's finale performance is how he performed each song full of spirit, pure emotions coming straight from his heart.. A hallmark of a great singer, that magical moment when we can feel his heart and the spirit of the song. David was stunning finale night.

[triplehardy99]

To bad he didn't start the song at the first he started at like the end

[mandymandytee]

he looks like he jz wanted to cry out ...

too touched prolly =')

[dramionefanatic]

OMG!!! DAVID YOU ROCK!!! That was amazin!

[baloti]

wow!!!! what an amazing voice and his very humble..... go man u can make history in music industry!!!! GOD BLESS!!!