American Idol: David Cook Introduces a "Billie Jean" Many of Us Didn't Know
Yes, those were the classic words to Michael Jackson's legendary "Billie Jean" coming out of the mouth of American Idol finalist David Cook as we moved into the battle of the top 10. However, it was a version stripped bare of the original recording's mammoth bass line and glossy production. It was easily the most surprising performance of the night, and, I would expect, it generated a new appreciation for the versatility of the song "Billie Jean."
The inspiration for this Michael Jackson cover? It's a version of "Billie Jean" by Chris Cornell, former leader of grunge legends Soundgarden and currently lead vocalist for Audioslave. His take on "Billie Jean" is featured on the solo album Carry On which was released less than a year ago in June 2007. Critical comments on the Cornell cover of "Billie Jean" ranged widely from those who felt that it was a fascinating way to interpret the song to others who were much less kind. The American Idol judges were amazed and impressed by David Cook's presentation of a performance of "Billie Jean" inspired by Chris Cornell. What do you think? Compare the performances side by side below.
Photo courtesy Fox Television
Comments
I am a HUGE Cornell fan… and am glad that through David Cook’s performance tonight, American Idol was able to bring international exposure to such a talented artist. I don’t think there really is a need to compare who did it better… both are individually talented performers. I watched Cook’s rendition at least 10 times and he will definitely be getting my votes this Season! (And in case there is any confusion for those that don’t have DVR, Ryan Seacrest clearly introduces the song as CC’s version of Billie Jean… so Cook is not trying to claim it as his).
What good does he have to offer to the competition if he is just going to blantantly copy another performer’s interpretation of the song? Chris’s version was so much better because he truly sang from the heart. I cant belive that the judges called this song, “fearless,” and “original.” THere was absolutely NOTHING original about it! David copied this song down to the very exact note. I hated it, and i hate it that the judges are really have no idea what they are talking about. DONT VOTE DAVID COOK!
Grace is a hater & just won’t admit that David Cook DID NOT do it verbatum to CC’s version.
Huge CC fan…but David gets props tonight!!!
What a rip off. I gues the judges aren’t as musically versed as their egos would like them to be. Its just a shame he didn’t even acknowledge Chris, and tried to pass it off as his own version. Who knows, maybe there’s another version of “Hello” that isn’t as well known as “Billie Jean”, so no one can compare them, DAVID CROOK not an Idol.
Whoever’s version of it was, David Cook sang the hell out of it and you need to quit hating on him for it. He is the best performer hands down on the show now and he deserves to win. His rendition of the song gave me chills and that is what good music is all about. Lay off who’s version it was and just enjoy the fact he kicked ass last night!
Ryan Seacrest clearly announced that David was singing Chris Cornell’s version of the song. David graciously accepted the compliments as he always does. He is a brilliant performer, clearly the best, hands down! Great publicity for CC, I’m sure.
I was just TV zapping and zapping and I suddenly heard David singing Billie Jean. So I did not hear Ryan Seacrest clearly introducing the song as CC’s version of Billie Jean. I am a HUGGGE fan of Chris Cornell so I was so disappointed listening to the jury called the presentation “original”…
I have to admit that David Cook did it really really well and he brought his own personality on the CC’s cover. He was pretty good during this show!!!
But I just want to point on the NON-originality of the song… and this is not a critic to David but to the jury!
David Cook took a popular song and performed a not-so-popular version on a mainstream show knowing that many people probably haven’t heard that version and would think it was original. Before this performance, there was buzz that his Eleanor Rigby version was copied from The Seattle band, Doxology. I just don’t think he should get credit for being original, although we can’t deny his vocal ability.
He is by far the most talented performer on this year’s American Idol. His version of songs may not be originals but who else in the competition is original? I have listened to CC’s acoustic version (it is sublime), but this was a great, LIVE performance. Cut the kid some slack!
I was impressed by the performance, but not nearly enough credit was given to Chris for the arrangement. Mentioning it once just matter of factly is not doing Cornell justice. Especially when the judges are praising him for being “original.” Cornell Is the greatest rock singer of all time and should be given due credit.
Great rendition on a song that otherwise sucked previously. You’d never know it was the same song. Bottom line though, David Cook’s voice carriers the song better, as Chris’ voice is just a bit to muffled, and comes across as if he might be drunk. Either way, hands down surpasses the “pop” version of the song.
David Cook did a wonderful version of a classic song. But it will never be as good as Michael’s original song and performance. if anything, it proves how great a songwriter Michael Jackson is. and, of course it gives haters another reason to pick at MJ.
Ok, wait up a minute…these performers are all singing OTHER people’s songs right? So, NONE of them have their OWN songs correct? So why the hatred for David Cook singing a version of Billie Jean that’s been done? So what? It’s better than some of the other performers who sing the same slow, boring, monotone songs week after week.
I loved the performeance of David Cook last night on Idol and Chris Cornell was very nice to but just because David kind of did the same thing or was inspired by Chris’s performance that doesn’t mean that he did anything wrong. American Idol is all about exploring music and reaching your musical limits but you gotta hand it to Chris, David wasn’t the most original person on Idol last night (still love him)
Having watched both versions, my PERSONAL OPINION is that David Cook’s vocals are much stronger..more powerful. I wasn’t familiar with Cornell prior to this so, I lacked a preference bias…which leaves me with something to ponder re: Idol…since the contestants are required to pick other people’s music…then, the judges are GOING TO judge based on their own bias towards a particular version (don’t we all?) Maybe it would be cool for them to do a season with entrys from their songwriters contest and let contestants interpret them….something to ponder *shrugs*
Here is the “real difference” Chris Connell sang the song all night (at least 5 minutes)and David sang the hell out of the song in 3:55! As far as how original or not? For both artists, that argument is “foolish”. Bottom-line, KUDOS to David for the forum in which he re-introduced Chris Connell’s version of Michael Jackson’s BILLY JEAN….
Of course, I should spell Mr. Cornell’s name correctly..with due respect!
I just don’t understand why people are mad at David for singing the hell out of that song – he was fantastic! He never claimed to be original, and Ryan Seacreast CLEARLY stated that he was singing the Chris Cornell version. So where’s the problem?!? Chris Cornell doesn’t have a problem with it – David’s video was posted on his website the next day!
If people need to be angry at someone, please direct it to the ignorant judges (except Simon) of American Idol, who know nothing about the music that’s out there, and don’t have the common sense to find out what the contestants are singing before bestowing praises.
And who says David isn’t original anyway? Who else on AI right now has the kind of sense that he has? Sure, he uses other people’s covers and rocks them – but isn’t that actually more brilliant than doing a half-assed horrible version of a song?
I just don’t get the problem.
I SO agree with Erin!: “Ok, wait up a minute…these performers are all singing OTHER people’s songs right? So, NONE of them have their OWN songs correct?”
Even though he DID, why should David Cook have to tell whose version of what song he’s singing WHEN NO ONE ELSE ON IDOL DOES. Why is he being singled out? When David Archuleta sang “Imagine,” wasn’t he COPYING Lennon? I think people just want to whine about something. I simply know that David Cook is an incredible performer … and I’m old enough to be his mom! LOL!
The problem is that even though Ryan mumbled that it was Chris’ version, most people didn’t pick up on that. Then the judges comments led everyone to believe that David came up with the arrangement himself. If the judges would have simply said something like ‘You are so brave to do Chris Cornell version of that song…’ (like they did with Jason’s Jeff Bentley song), then the whole drama could have been avoided.
I agree that David sang it well, but I’m not nearly as impressed as I was when I thought he came up with that arrangement himself. I think that’s the real problem…a lot of people voted for David C thinking he was a musical genius, when in fact he’s just a good singer.
RE: Diane
The fact is, people pick on David C. for doing a cover and giving CREDIT, while NOBODY suspect that David A. did a Eva Cassidy’s cover of “Imagine” (or “Eva Cassidy-like rendition”, quoting Wikipedia) with NO CREDIT given on the show?! To me, it sounds more like a fear of threat to those people’s favorite contestants…
Maybe we should blame the judges for their ignorance. Those “original” comments were made by them. David C. did nothing wrong.
If someone sings Whitney’s version of “I Will Always Love You” next Tuesday, there’d better be a controversy!
David gave the song something warmer, even hotter than Chris.
All I can say is BRAVO David Cook, you blew me away. The only comparison to David and Chris was they both sang it as a ballad. What a steller performance David.
David Cook just need a good record producer and release them. I would surely be one of the people who will buy his CD not just his single because for the first time in Idol’s 7 years that a true talent have emerged. AI is a popularity concert (proves why David Archuleta’s nasally vocal range sounds so hot to mostly young audiences) than talent which why Cook will definitely not win. Anyway, not because you are an Idol winner will mean you can sell lots of CD right but only whoever has the REAL TALENT stays on. I just hope that someone who has a gift in record producing give David Cook a chance, it’s been a long time since we had new talents like bon jovi, nirvana, creed, and nickelback (a little because most of their song sounds to commercial like daughtry – yikes) that is qualified to be called classic talents.
David tore this song up. Chris just sounds like he’s screaming the verse. David’s voice has way more tonality. And to his credit, David has always given credit where credit is due. He has never taken another’s arrangement and claimed it as his own. Having said that, he still brings his own flavor.
Ryan did give Chris Cornell credit for the song–David never claimed it was his own. In all his interviews he claims he listens and copies. However, the versions he copies are more distinct and original than most (if not all) of the other singers. He has an amazing voice and stage presence–hands down the best in the competition. I too had never heard of Chris Cornell before and I just listened to his version of Billie Jean. In my opinion, David’s song was hands down the better of the two versions. Nothing against CC, but David would have won that competition easily. Here’s hoping he can win on AI! If not, he’ll do FINE anyway!
The moment David step out on the stage, he made this song his own. Yes, he may have used someone else’s arrangement but he sang the HELL out of this song….there is no comparision to either of the existing version vocally. American Idol is not a forum where contestants come and sing their original songs….everyone is “inspired” by someone else. If the judges, didn’t hear Ryan give the due credit for the inspiration of this song, it is not David’s fault. Even Daughtery sang another artist rendition of a song w/o given proper credit. Cookie is a mega talented star on his way up. Just keep watching week after week and you will see.