After 'American Idol,' David Archuleta can still beat David Cook at the Grammys and beyond
Sure, David Cook pulled off that jaw dropper over David Archuleta on "American Idol," but David Archuleta can still beat David Cook by winning more showbiz awards in the future and by having a longer career.
Some people think David Cook has an edge right now because he's more "cool" in that rocker way, but David Archuleta has a secret and maybe more powerful advantage: He's a more romantic figure. Female fans ache for him. Even crazy ole Paula Abdul admitted getting "goosebumps" when he sang those I-gotta-have-you-or-I'm-gonna-die power ballads. In short, there's an extraordinary, passionate connection between David Archuleta and female fans that's obvious to see and I'm not convinced David Cook's got the same thing going on.
David Cook might, but he's dangerously cocky — that could backfire on him. Cook is terrific at stylizing music to give tunes a hip sound, but he doesn't break hearts when he sings. He needs to do that to establish a music career that echoes on.
Consider some of the multiple winners of the Grammy Award for best pop male vocals. These guys are real heart breakers — men not afraid to weep when they sing and mean it: John Mayer, Elton John, Michael Bolton, Justin Timberlake, Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones over the years, to name just a few.
Much has been made about the similarities between Cook and past "American Idol" runner-up Chris Daughtry, who's been nominated for four Grammys. But I'm not sure that they really have that much in common beyond the gravel in their voices. Daughtry gets it. When he croons, he's admitting to a woman how worthless he is and how desperately he needs her love in order to breathe and to find his way back home. The song is more about her and how much he needs her than it is about him. Tough-guy music critics make fun of Daughtry for that, just like they also mock James Blunt and John Mayer for the same, but that's actually why those guys are so successful.
Many male singers have sex appeal and Cook may have more of that than Archuleta. Granted. But Justin Guarini and Blake Lewis had tons and didn't achieve sustained music popularity. That's not what I'm talking about because that is not what makes a successful music artist.
Hit, surviving male music stars are unabashed, unapologetical romantic singers — they surrender utterly to a song's schmaltzy message. That's how they make an extraordinary connection with fans that endures for years. When sexy dudes are too cool for the room, they flop after brief flashes of stardom.
In his future career, you can see David Archuleta surrendering to extreme romanticism, but I'm not sure Cook's ever going to "get" it. What do you think?
(Photos: Fox TV, Jive Records, Sony)
One other thing. One post suggested that David Archuleta's fans were all teens and grandmas. Not hardly.
Here are the FACTS from a recent survey: David A's fans are 70% female, 30% male. As far as ages are concerned, they are 30% 17 years of age and under, 28% 18-30, and 42% 30 and over.
Almost as many 18-30 year old people love David as those 17 and under. You're gonna have to stuff it with the "teeny bopper claim"! David has a wide range of appeal, so DEAL with it.
Posted by: Karen | June 16, 2008 at 10:59 AM
WendyLu is absolutely spot on.
The writer is NOT talking about sex appeal (although there ARE A LOT of us out here who get faint at the sight of David A. despite his young age.) What the writer is talking about is creating an EMOTIONAL connection through a song, and David Archuleta is a MASTER at that very thing. One reason that Carly didn't do exceptionally well this year was not because she didn't have a great voice but because she didn't seem to connect that well with the music or the listeners.
David Archuleta connects with the music in such a way that listeners with open minds GET IT. He reaches into your very soul. I've never experienced anything like it. There are a number of his songs that I can't listen to without starting to cry.
Once an emotional connection like that is established through a song, you often develop an affection for the singer and bond with them in an unusual way, and David has been able to do this with MILLIONS of us out here. That kind of attachment can be very long term--I know it will be in my case, and I hear LOTS of similar testimonials. Cook is good at what he does--rocking out, but no one is seriously going to suggest that his music touches you deeply.
What a singer needs in order to be a great singer of romantic songs is to make you BELIEVE he really MEANS what he's singing. The writer is announcing what any thoughtful person would say: David Archuleta can do this IN SPADES, David Cook not so much.
Posted by: Karen | June 16, 2008 at 10:50 AM
The writer doesn't speak for all women. Frankly, watching Archie's guitar hero commercial made me feel all creepy inside. Ewww! I am a 32 year old who likes rock music. I picked David Cook out from his audition, and both my husband and I wanted him to win that early. I had read many posts that say there are tons of rockers out there like him. I disagree. To me, there are more Archie singers out there than rock singers. I happen to know quite a bit about rock music, and I think he has something special. I see a lot of wannabees out there, but David Cook isn't one of them. His indie album is quite good, and I can only assume his post-idol album will be of the same caliber. I wish everyone would stop fighting about this. If you like Archuleta, just buy his album. I plan on buying Cook's.
Posted by: Kerry | June 16, 2008 at 10:25 AM
You grown people. Leave my Archie alone. He is so cute and nice. Stop beating up on my guy. His poster for concert came out. All us girls fainting over the poster. So cute and adorable. Bet you wish you was hot like him.
Posted by: Erin Rye | June 15, 2008 at 06:19 PM
I see people are still
commenting on this article weeks after it was
written. I am a 50-year-old woman (yes, grandma!) who watched Idol for the 1st time ever this year and only because of one person--David Archuleta! I have been listening to music most of my life, have tons of CDs, prefer music over TV (I had it on only for AI), have a long list of favorite singers and David A. was recently added to the list. This
whole argument about "sex appeal" is ridiculous, we're not talking visual, we're talking emotional. What matters is how the music makes you feel. Cook has never appealed to me (although he is talented) but David A. is a whole other story. His vocals don't appeal to everyone obviously & that's ok because everyone is different. But for millions of Archuleta fans (and there are MILLIONS of us), the whole argument is based on how David's voice reaches into our souls & connects with us on an emotional level. Once he does that, you are a fan for life. David has the rare ability to make people FEEL what he is feeling, you don't have to "live the blues" in order to "sing the blues." The lyrics tell the listener what the song is about but David's incredible vocal delivery somehow gives validity to the lyrics. He makes you believe in what he's singing. He doesn't sing to entertain; he sings to communicate with the audience and share his emotions. How many singers his age can do that? And he's only going to get better with time. Love songs have been around forever, they always will be, and who can resist a power ballad by someine with a voice like David A.? He was criticized all season long for not singing more "up-beat" songs but keep in mind that the producers kept rejecting his choices, probably to make the viewers believe he wasn't capable of sining anything else. "With you," wasn't a great choice but he still sang it well. That's another great quality David has--he hits the notes every time. He has the most perfect, pure, beautiful voice & he knows how to use it. American Idol is supposed to be a singing competition & there's no question as to who the best singer was. The Powers That Be knew that David A. would be successful whether he won or lost BUT whoever was up against him might not have been as successful unless they won. David A. deserved to win but he didn't NEED to win. And keep in mind that 12 million votes is not a landslide unless it is 12 million individual votes--which it wasn't. David Cook is doing very well on ITunes but only because his are the only ones available, 19E and Idol want to make as much money off the winner as possible. I think David Cook will sell a lot of CDs & I hope he does. I really like the mutual admiration & respect the two guys have for each other. Contrary to popular opinion, David A. has TONS of fans of ALL ages, both boys and girls, men and women. David's biggest appeal is that magnificent voice but a lot of us love his humility, shyness, intelligence, modesty, etc. He's a nice-looking young man who will only get better--both physically and musically. He's the whole package! As long as he keeps singing, millions of us will keep listening. I just hope both Davids aren't rushed into the studio after the tour & "forced" to record music that doesn't suit them, or that they have little or no creative control--all for the sake of getting a CD out immediately & cashing in ASAP. Both Davids deserve better.
Posted by: wendylu | June 15, 2008 at 02:31 PM
You're right on the money. Archuleta has it hands down.
Posted by: pam05 | June 15, 2008 at 07:13 AM
You guys just don't get it (cook fans) nor do you read well?!? Archuleta = romantic, emotional connection, ache as in heartache...note the last line in the article....writer is NOT talking about sex appeal. I think the writer is spot on with this article.
Posted by: Me2 | June 13, 2008 at 09:42 AM
Read the title again: "david archuleta CAN still beat david cook...." doesn't mean he surely will, we will know until his cd comes etc... I'm neither agreeing nor disagreeing with this person's OPINION. Stop fighting. They shouldn't even be compared to each other. They are soooo different. DA is MORE popular amongst the little kids who watch HSM and listen to the likings of the Jonas Bros and Miley Cyrus, their grandmothers, it's not an insult it's actually a compliment... whilst DC is MORE popular with the ones who actually listen to music.
*One's a Barry Manilow and one's a David Cook.* Whoops! (get it?) - as told by my DC obsessed sister.
Posted by: Ispeakthetruth | June 13, 2008 at 08:52 AM
This article was definitely written by a man. He's got it all wrong. Romantic, Archie, I don't think so. Cook is confident, not cocky. He connects with his audience. 12 million votes says so!
Posted by: AI Fan | June 13, 2008 at 08:42 AM
Archuleta connects with the audience and sings with great emotion. The judges all made that commet about him. Hands down, Archuleta by far can sing Romantic songs. He melted my heart with his romance songs...Cook-not so much-
Posted by: AI Fan | June 13, 2008 at 06:30 AM
David Archuleta sings from his heart and soul and that reaches out and touches his audience. David has such an amazing gift! I am totally in awe of him as a singer and as a person. I am not a teenager nor a grandma. I have two teenage kids and we all are big fans of David Archuleta! Can't wait to hear more from him in the future!
Posted by: Connie | June 12, 2008 at 10:11 PM
David Archuleta= An Angelic Voice and an amazing person!!!! David you are just the nicest and most amazing person i have ever met in my life. The day that i met you is the day that i truly met an ANGEL sent by GOD!!! You deserve all the success that you are going to have in your career. You are going to go very far and i am sooo proud of you david. You are a Godsend and i was truly blessed to have met such an amazing human being. YOU are going to go very far in your career and you deserve it all BOY!!!! I cannot wait until your frist Cd comes out it will go 8x double platinum and i will be the first in line to buy it. David i just hope when i have a son that he turns out to be half of the kid you are now. That would make me the happiest father in the world.Your dream will come true David because you made our dream come true and that dream was YOU!!!!! David from the bottom of my heart you are the most inspiring person i have ever met and im proud to call myself an Arch-Angel
Posted by: Dominic | June 12, 2008 at 03:40 PM
I totally agree with this article. I am a female (not a teen or tween or grandmother) and I know many women who think that David Archuleta has what it takes. Grant the fact that he is still young and says he is not ready for a relationship, but in time he will have it all. There should be more MEN like this young man who can connect with women. Besides he has a killer voice and can sing anything.
Posted by: jan | June 12, 2008 at 12:07 PM
It's true, I mean, golly I'm 29 and it's weird for me to say that DJA sings sexy, but for a 17-year-old that boy sings with so much passion that he is able to invoke poweful emotion in his listeners. He's just, wow, super talented.
Posted by: SanaLane | June 12, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Can u guys cut it off please? For Cook fans, do you think he will be happy when he reads this and see how one of his friend got insulted by his own fans who have been helping him through all of this? If you are really a big fans of him, think about what he will think before you say something irritating! I do admit that I am a big fans of David Archuleta, but let's not be selfish, BOTH OF THEM AIN'T PERFECT! But still, both Cook and Archie have got their own styles.
Posted by: 1234567abcd | June 12, 2008 at 05:51 AM
oh shut it all you archie haters, archie is the best. get over it. and the funny thing is ...more people believe that archie sings fierce love songs and hes only 17!!! imagine whatl happen when hes older n realllllllyyy knows how 2 love!!?? aaaaahhhh all the women will surrender!
Posted by: sham | June 12, 2008 at 04:29 AM
David Cook is NOT cocky. the article is so one-sided. did you even do your research? have you ever seen a David Cook interview? because you have NO idea what you're talking about. David Cook is an intelligent, down-to-earth and grounded individual. I seriously see more going for Cook because he knows why he's in this business, He knows how quickly he's made it in and how quickly he can get out of it. I'm not sure this is what Archuleta wants to do for the rest of his life, he even stated this in several interviews. whereas Cook knows this is what he wants to do and wants to be accepted as a real artist. just be happy for the guy. they're both winners anyway.
Posted by: Jen | June 10, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I want to start off by saying I am a HUGE David Archuleta fan! I don't understand why we all have to be so cruel. Seriously, how can you guys say such mean things about both the David's and not just on here but on alot of articles/videos...it's ridiculous. Neither deserve it. I love Archie but I don't bash Cook ever because he doesn't deserve it he is talented and has been really nice to Archie. They are so different from each other, it is pretty impossible to compare them. I don't think Cook winning makes him better and I don't think that if Archie won that would've made him better. You can't compare apples to oranges it just depends on taste. I hope both go far and wish both the best! With that being said, I LOVE YOU ARCHIE
Posted by: Stephanie | June 08, 2008 at 01:53 PM
David Cook, will last the test of time, and will have a longer career than Archuleta,. Just because he is a rocker doesn't mean that he won't last a long time. He also does break people hearts when he sings, where when Archuleta sings i don't feel any connection with the song, in fact i couldn't believe that he lasted so long. for one he always sings with his eyes closed like andrew lloyd webber pointed out to him, and when people do that while they are singing you can't feel the connection between them and the song. I think that Archuleta will have a good career while he is young, because i can see how teens and the older generation will like him, but i don't think he will be able to translate that as he grows up. Where David Cook, is rocky, with a ruff look, which for one makes him very sexy, and also with his unquieness to songs and his great voice he will be about for years to come.
Posted by: bethany oyston | June 08, 2008 at 05:58 AM
David Archuleta will definitely go the distance as far as being a superstar. He has an exquisitely beautiful voice and connects with songs and lyrics in a powerful way. You really feel it in your soul when he sings.
I listen to David A. all the time, can't wait for his CDs, am looking forward to driving the 300 miles one way to see him in concert. He's a rare talent, a beautiful soul, and cute as can be. He'll only get better, will be a HUGE success! Good luck to Cook, as well. I appreciate how good he's been to my favorite Idol of all time, the Archulator.
There is a cute poll on a fan site that draws primarily women 20-40 (some younger, some older, some men) called "How Much Do You Miss David Archuleta?" The winning choices are tied at this point between "I can no longer function as a human being" and "I live in YouTube viewing videos non-stop since the finale". I had to think a bit myself for a while between my choice of the "I live in YouTube" one which was true--activity--and the other that was sentiment: "Like the deserts miss the rain."
David A. has definitely won a lot of hearts. He'll be incredibly successful, will garner lots of awards. Love his voice, love him!
Posted by: Bookaholic | June 06, 2008 at 06:44 PM
I think Archuleta will be more success full because 1st of all he's got more of his life left than cook. And also in a few few years when cook is getting older and Archuleta has a album out, archuleta will already have his sex appeal and he will will be pretty darn sexii. Also Cooks voice has been "done" or already been heard or sounds like other rockstars and will get old all too quiclkly unlike Archuleta's pure original voice.
Posted by: Lexie16 | June 05, 2008 at 07:01 PM
This article has it TOTALLY BACKWARDS; Cook is a GROWN MAN who has a very sultry, sexy style that won the womens' vote (many teens included)! I thought he was cocky UNTIL "Hello", when he showed his true vulnerability. Women love his confidence and manliness; plus his softer emotional side is plain to see . . . he is friendly to everyone, he's funny, he loves his family deeply . . . he's got the Whole Package. Talented rocker dude + word nerd + sex symbol + boy next door all in one irresistable package. I really like Archie, but since he's so young and seemingly inexperienced, his "love ballads" were NOT believable at all and began to seem robotic compared to Cook's. I do NOT get where the article's author is coming from at all (hate to say it, but pedophila maybe?). This is not to say the Archie isn't great--he is, but he really should have waited a few years before trying out . . . . I look forward to seeing what he will do in the future.
Posted by: Carolanne | June 05, 2008 at 06:04 PM
Why does the bickering between Cook and Archuleta fans have to get so personal? They are both on their way to having a great career ahead of them. Personally, I do feel that David A. has a better shot at going further. Who does he always get compared to vocally and personality-wise? No one. David C. is always being compared to Daughtry, which IMO, is not a good thing because uniqueness is an important ingredient in a long lasting career. Just my $0.02.
Oh and this whole thing about sex appeal is getting ridiculous. Neither of them have that brooding sexy personality and looks. David A. is much too young and angelic, and David C. just doesn't have the looks nor the personality. I'm just being honest. Bash me if you must.
Posted by: Me | June 05, 2008 at 04:14 PM
OK, first of all, I did not judge cook on how or when he should express his emotion. I made my criticism based on what was presented to me. If you read my comments again, I did not say that he did that to get votes. I made my comparison on the two based on their actions during their performance on the show. If he is too emotional like you said he is, then it was the wrong time to express that emotion ( now I am judging) because poeple will have that kind of conclusion because that was a competition. Your feeling towards Cook might be too personal but a lot of poeple doesn't think that way. They voice out their opinion base to what they have observed. Don't tell me that of all poeple I should have understand what he was going thru, I know exactly how it feels to see poeple affected by the illness and knowing and watching each one of them passes away before my eyes.My opinion was based on what I have observed of him as a person not by what his family was going through.You can say that I have no heart, I don't care. You don't really know who and what kind of a person I am. I admit my criticism was a bit bitter especialy towards his sweating . That was uncalled for . So I apologized for that . Like you said, nobody knows what's going on in his mind, but you can't also tell poeple to be selective on their critcism. I have voice out my opnion and you did yours.. I do not take this personally , I know this is what the show is all about.. This concludes everything.
Posted by: edna | June 05, 2008 at 05:55 AM
FOR SUJKAI3,
i think you are completely biased and sarcastic JUST like the other COOK fans!!!
"stupid giggles".......EXCUSE ME!
what about the ARROGANT and "OH-I'M-SO-COOL" awkward behavior of MR. GOODY-TWO-SHOES a.d MR. TRYING-TO-BE-HUMBLE DAVID COOK!!!!
and you have objections with archie's adorable ans so grounded personality?.......no doubt, even after WINNING....you "NERDS" wont quit showing your true colours that are unbearable for the world..........!!!!!
so my advice for you COOK-A-ROACH fans...GET A LIFE!!!!!
Posted by: FOR: "SUJKAI3" | June 04, 2008 at 05:12 PM