How Original was David Cook's Version of Billie Jean?

In a seventh season of American Idol that promised to blow away audiences with the best talent ever, I am wondering if the critics are watching the same show as me. While literally boring America to tears with two weeks of hits from the Beatles, it seems that the true musical geniuses are beginning to peek through. The season has already lost some of the true vocal powerhouses and personalities in the first few weeks as well as some that just grated my nerves. Personally, I think America has given up thinking for itself and is voting according to the whims of Simon.

Still, what remains are true personalities who also happen to sing real good too. This week's shows, which sadly said goodbye to the young man known as Chikezie, with the bright smile and smooth voice, also proved that David Cook's originality that he showed singing a cover of Lionel Richie's Hello was more than just a fluke.

David Cook's surprising version of Billie Jean was shockingly original to me and seemed to be original to the judges as well. It was however was almost an identical version of the cover of the original song done by Chris Cornel during the previous year. (You can find it on YouTube) Ryan Seacrest announced the song of Crystal nails version of Billie Jean, but it is actually on the lead singer's solo album.) Still it took guts to take a song made popular by Michael Jackson meaning everyone in the civilized world in intimately familiar with his version and singing a version where the only similarities are in the lyrics.

Honestly, David Cook's performance is so stuck in my brain that I can hardly remember what anyone else sang. Even the prematurely crowned David Archuleta didn't touch couldn't touch him this week. If David Cook continues to perform at his current caliber, this seventh season of American Idol could turn out to be a one-man show.