Uh, Pete, the reason the majority of the tracks “dropped off the charts completely” is because iTunes pulled all of them except the new single.

Look what happened to Cook the following week, most of those songs dropped of the chart completely. Not one song advanced. Funny how the Idol winner is hot for only one week and then the interest fades very quickly.

hummm everyone done enough for you

I agree with “Spongecake”, and add, the Beatles not only did it without the internet, but with their own songs, so the comparison is most annoying. However, the fact that Cook is doing this well with covers and that one insipid idol contest song speaks to a certain thirst out there. I can’t wait to see what he does now with original material. Now it will be all about the material.

A lot of people need to get their facts right. Cook produced an independent album in his friends livingroom and marketed it himself (no contract). Secondly, most of Cook’s sales and fans are over 21, with the majority being women over 30, not teenie-boppers. I’m 62 and bought everything I could including Analog Heart. Next, itune sales numbers are audited by Neilson, and 19E’s influence is zip. Finally, Rock & Roll is getting a new lease on life with Cook. Cook is a phenomena and I doubt he will have the kind of creative shackles that Archie would have had. “Cook being Cook” Sells, and 19E is smart enough to recognize what makes money.

David Cook rocks cant wait for him to shatter many many more records and get numerous grammys … and even his Oscar LOL

Cook has talent.just don’t compare him to the Beatles.the Beatles did it without the internet.

Why are so many of you jealous of other human beings who become successful? Your negative predictions about the future of Idol winners are rather silly, albeit passionate. Sounds more like anger to me. Focus on bettering yourselves and accept that you may never reach the heights that other folks do. ‘Nuff said.

2008 American Idol Songwriting Contest
1. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Finalist (Andy Zulla) is an engineer on Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Diana DeGarmo CD’s.

2. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Finalist (Wendy Wagner) is a backup singer on the new Clay Aiken CD.

3. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Finalist (Ryan Gillmor) wrote the theme song “Hey” for the Fox television show “Unhitched”.

4. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Finalist (Dan Yessian) wrote jingles for Ford Motors.

5. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Finalist (Luke Ebbin) is a producer on Austalian Idol 1st place runner-up Shannon Noll’s CD.

6. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Winner (Regie Hamm) is a co-writer on the new Clay Aiken CD.

7. 2008 American Idol Songwriting Top 20 Winner (Regie Hamm) is a co-writer and personal friend of 2007 American Idol Songwriting Winner Scott Krippayne.

Mr Danny R. Phillips, you seem remarkably ill-informed for a music journalist. The rules of American Idol state that the contestants must not have current record deals. Note the word “current”, and people who had record contracts in the past are eligible. If David Cook had a recording contract when he audition for American Idol, why do you think that he had to produce and independently release his solo album Analog Heart by himself?

Perhaps you should consider keeping your opinion to yourself when you are so poorly informed?

I’m posting this May 31, 2008, 10 days after the American Idol Grand Finale. I watched American Idol both nights of the grand finale waiting for the announcement of the winners name of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Competition….and I’m still waiting. The following quote is from the only link American Idol.com has concerning the songwriting contest. (It’s under the Show Guide Link….American Idol Songwriter) “The Nation Has Decided” “Who Has Won? Tune in to the American Idol Finale on May 20th and 21st 2008 to find out.” End quote. Like I said….I watched. And here’s the only thing said about the winner. Ryan Seacrest……”Ladies and gentlemen singing the winning song of this years competition…Time Of My Life..this..is..your American Idol David Cook, Goodnight.” End quote. 9 days later American Idol has yet to name the winner. It’s not in the American Idol news section, not on the American Idol Homepage ……Nothing. Last year the winner’s were introduced on camera by Ryan Seacrest. This year nada. The following is from the Myspace blog page of the winner of the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Competition…Mr. Regie Hamm….and he does not seem happy. “AMERICAN IDOL, MAGIC RAINBOWS …AND DOTTIE” “The guy in the feather suit who wrote the song for Simon had his own photo stand where you could have your picture taken with him. Hmmmm, maybe next time I’ll write a song so campy it simply must be performed in front of fifty million people with the USC marching band. At least then I might have my name mentioned or my face shown …but I digress.” End quote. American Idol made a lot of money off this contest and the ONLY thing we got in return was a thanks for the $10.00 email. P.S. I dare you to sign up for the American Idol Forums (Songwriting) and post a question or comment about this and see how long it takes till the forum moderators delete it. Don’t worry you won’t have to wait long.

I am a freelance music columnist working in the Kansas City, MO area (where Dave Cook is from) and I have to say that around here Cook winning Idol was treated like the Second Coming… by everyone but me.
I am not an Idol fanatic but I do know a bit of the rules. It is an amateur competition. Dave Cook, as well as at least 3 karaokers that made it into the top 10, were previously signed to record or production deals with labels. Hence making them professionals and ringers in the competition. They should not have been allowed to compete.
But that really isn’t my problem here. The problem is that Mr. Cook, in winning, lost any kind of real rock career he may have wanted. He will have no control over the music, his image or his life. And sadly, he will probably wind up like ruben and taylor. two “winners” that in the end lost.
So Dave, enjoy singing the stupid little pop songs with absolutely no real spirit that someone else writes for you. You asked for it.

the only reason why i followed american idol (for the first time in my entire life by the way..) was David Cook….he is a brilliantly talented guy and my major concern is how he could be shunned by rock musicians in general cuz of how he was introduced to the industry..he deserves he chance, he earned it

and by the way, the A** H**L* who tried being a snob by mentioning billy jean being chris cornell’s cover, that’s something the guy has already mentioned quite a bunch of times…..so back off!! (btw, im also a huge fan of audioslave, so i know what i’m talking about..!!)

what a wank

To all of you that think his version of “Billie Jean” was a Michael Jackson cover, please listen to Chris Cornell’s version. The worst thing he could have done was win “Idol” because he will have ZERO creative control and it will sound like a Nickelback CD.

David Cook is a phenomenon.

If they released a CD with his music from the season, it would sell through the roof.

I am hoping that enough people will make comments that they will consider doing that.

Yes, I want his new stuff, too, but I would really like a hard copy of his music from where it all began!

Anyone who says Rock and Roll is on it’s way out or any other such silliness is too young to know what they are talking about. It is not going anywhere. It will, however, be joined by new and differnt music as time goes on. But what is wrong with more?

I’m a 54 year old grandmother-to-be and I love David Cook. My kids tell me I’m obsessed! When I was 13, I was going to marry Paul McCartney when I grew up! Now there’s David, and David Cook is amazing!!!

Of course David Cook will have that many songs on the chart! How gullible can you all be? He is being marketed to ensure he brings in money for the “investors”. Remember…figures are put in by humans!!!

david cook is really good - love most of his songs. but no one is better than archey - i am obsessed with the guy. that voice of his just gets me every friggin time… i have basically been listening to david archuleta on repeat since the season started.

i can’t wait for DA, DC, & Jason to come out with CDs. the anticipation is almost too much.

I have downloaded every David Cook song on I tunes and am looking forward to the tour and the release of his first recording in the fall. I love his voice, his attitude. I even love his hair. Don’t remember the last time I have been this excited about an entertainer. It might have been the Beatles.

If you have the “ear” to really listen to someone sing you will know when they are just “okay” or if they are “awesome”. When David Cook first sang on AI he was awesome - no matter what anyone said (including the Judges). His singing ability is in his soul! Then when he sang Billie Jean…that did it - that’s what made him stand out above everyone else and put him over the top! Besides did all of you “really” believe a “teeny-bopper” like “Archie” was going to win - NOT! My Hat goes off to David Cook! He’s a great singer and I say let his wings fly!

He can certainly sing. He is sexy in a vulnerable sort of way. But, Someone please tell him to buy new shoes!

I was an Archuleta fan. Great vocals right from the start. Not as much of an entertainer as Cook, but it’s a SINGING competition as Simon says. But I commend Cook on his constant improvement and stepping up throughout the season. GOOD LUCK TO BOTH!!!

I was an Archuleta fan. Great vocals right from the start. Not as much of an entertainer as Cook, but it’s a SINGING competition as Simon says. But I commend Cook on his constant improvement and stepping up throughout the season. GOOD LUCK TO BOTH!!!

Congratulations David Cook!! I’m thrilled for him and believe that he’s going to stand the test of time…after the hype is over and done, Cook will endure. He’s an Idol anomaly and has set the bar for less schlock in future seasons. And, er, no tweenybopper here…I’m 55 years old and have been rocking since I was 13.

Some of you people are such music snobs. Has it ever occurred to you that the majority of the population does listen to mainstream music? Probably why it’s called mainstream. Yes, I have heard of (and even have on my iPod) BRMC, I also have a playlist that includes The Gotan Project, Dio, Journey, Britney Spears, and even David Cook.

Give the guy a break. He can sing. He’s likable, and unfortunately since he was discovered through American Idol, his first album will probably sound manufactured. If he had been found at a local bar and become a cult rock figure, many of you naysayers would now be posting some of the B.S. I’ve seen on here.

You can’t like everyone or everything. That’s why there is a VARIETY of music. Go back to your techno and glo sticks.

DC’s prior work is testament to what type of songwriter and musician he is….the fact that he survived and won AI is just proof of his brilliance and versatility..so hold on to your seats for his first album….

Congrats to him!

He’s torn up the charts!
Good luck to David Archuleta as well!

The sappy “Time Of My Life” is #1 most likely because hearing it brings back the winning moment for fans of the show and of Cook. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be touched to see a talented but undiscovered artist like Cook win after all the crap AI puts them through. Seeing him sing that song after his win was enthralling because you could see and feel what must have been an emotional overload of joy for a struggling young musician.

David Cook will undoubtedly become THE most successful contestant ever to come out of American Idol. I found him to be musically interesting, and he seems to know what he wants and what he’s doing. I, for one, am very curious to see what he makes of this newly-found fame, and I wish him the best of luck.

R & R Daily, tell us truthfully — is that the goofiest photo you could find of David Cook??

I’m so proud of him!! he’s an amazing artist and I can’t wait for his album to come out! He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Amerian Idol!

My, my. What a lot of terminally cool musicbots have crawled out of the woodwork.

Perhaps it might behoove you to check out his original work before you gush too embarrassingly from your cake-hole.

Please spare us your hopelessly boring “I’m too hip for anything that regular people actually like…because I’m so….special.”

*eyes rolling to the back of my head*

JohnM, you are so right. It’s a sign of his ability that he managed to make those two buckets of schlock, “The Time of My Life” and “Dream Big” halfway tolerable. And what he did to “Always Be My Baby” was nothing short of brilliant. I’d give him “Billie Jean” and “Hello,” too.

Still, it remains to be seen how his songs do once the super-exposure of American Idol wears off. Of course, 19 Entertainment will rev up the promotion juggernaut. But pretty soon he’ll have to pull out the originals.

I read the headline. Then I threw up in my mouth.

also just to continue a rant on great music…BRMC???ever heard of them? try HOWl and Baby 81. GREAT.

also…just cuz it sells heaps dont mean its good….ya hear me rolling stone? dichotomy with the “popular” groups/ artists getting the once hallowed covers versus the GREAT ones.

yes this was in the book of revelations under signs of the end..dc, nickelback, 90% of daughtry’s crap et al…BUT just listen to KOL, Raconteurs, MMJ,Bright eyes, even the more adventurous emo bands like MCR..there is good music out there.

I believe this was written in the book of revelation

I’m a 61 year old grandma and I love David Cook!!!!

I wish Billy Jean were number one. He really did an awesome cover of Michael J’s song.

“Still, he didn’t have the No.1 single.”

I’m sure that’s only because it was available for only half the week. He had the #3 single on the strength of just 3 or 4 days. And his earlier songs were already selling very well before iTunes took the Idol songs off their charts for the last month or so of the competition.

“This only goes to show that the majority of the public demographic that buys this crap are little teeny-boppers with … not much in the brains department.”

Although Cook was contractually required to have his first single be whatever sappy garbage won the Idol songwriting contest, he’s already proven his musical “brains” with his rearrangements of the songs he did on the show — the best example being his change to the chord progression in the Mariah Carey song he covered. The guy is a very smart musician. (And listen to his Analog Heart album if you think he’s for the teeny-bopper audience.) I look forward to what he can do now that he won’t be saddled with doing covers — he has said that his upcoming album will be original stuff.

Rock and Roll is not doomed you meathead, with Jack White, the Black Keys and My Morning Jacket among others, Rock and Roll is alive and well. There will always be a market for teeny bopper pop/rock; however, good music is always bubbling below the surface.

Cougars 4 Cook!! Way to go Cookie!!

It was calculated by 19 Management (the people who produce the show). In their eyes it would solidify him more as an American Idol. Still, he didn’t have the No.1 single.

I like Cook, but he’s got a lot to prove.

I can’t stand that racist show. What the fuck is Paula on?I couldn’t tell u, I’m not a drug dealer.I hope David Cook is the new Elvis,at least somthing good came out of “The Gong Show”

“By placing 14 tracks on the Hot Digital Songs chart, he also breaks that list’s previous record held by Miley Cyrus.”

This only goes to show that the majority of the public demographic that buys this crap are little teeny-boppers with lots of disposable income, and quite presumably not much in the brains department. Rock and Roll music as we know it is doomed I tells ya! Doomed!

are you frickin kidding me??