Top 2 - FINAL match - up!

Here we are in the Season 7 final match-up between the two Davids - both of whom have never landed in the bottom two all season long. They are coming in undefeated and it's a very close competition. It's also the first time since season 2 with Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard that there has been two guys going head to head in the finals. The Davids will face off in three rounds:

In round one the song selection was made by accomplished music producer, Clive Davis. For David Cook, Clive chose the song that spent two weeks at #1 in 1987 by U2, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. It's a good song, but it didn't really challenge Mr. Cook to show his range. The performance ended up being kinda straightforward and predictable. For David Archuleta, Clive chose the smash hit that has been a chart topper for Elton John twice. The first time in 1974 it peaked at #2, but in 1992 when he teamed up with George Michael, Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me went all the way to #1. This song allowed Mr. Archuleta to do what he does best - start out the ballad slow and build to a dramatic climax.

For round two, the Davids had to interpret a brand new original song. Rather than both needing to sing the same song, they had the option of choosing one that they felt they could connect with best. Mr. Cook went for a song called Dream Big and he performed it with a very pop radio friendly rock arrangement that was a perfect match for his style. It was catchy and could easily become a hit. Mr. Archuleta selected something called In This Moment. It is the classic American Idol anthem with inspirational lyrics and big notes for him to belt out. He once again stayed true to showcasing his sweet innocent softness at the beginning and then bringing it home with the most sincere and earnest power notes at the end.

Round three was their last chance to present themselves to the voting audience and they could select any song of their own choice. David Cook took a risk, yet played it safe at the same time. He took a risk in that he chose a completely unfamiliar song that was never a big hit. He played it safe in that it was a very standard modern rock hit that didn't challenge him at all. The World I Know by Collective Soul sounded very good in Mr. Cook's hands, but it was kinda anti-climactic. David Archuleta had a slightly different risk/safe selection. His risk was in selecting a song that we have already heard him perform - John Lennon's #3 smash from 1971, Imagine. But it was safe, because it was a crowd pleaser the first time around and he easily went in for the knock-out giving an exceptional crowd pleaser again.

Over all, it was a great night of entertainment and a good competition. Neither of the David's went out on a limb and served us any big surprises. It would have been nice to hear David Cook work his magic by breathing new life into an old song one more time, but he didn't. Because of that my prediction for the Season 7 Miss American Idol Crown is going to have to be David Archuleta. He simply shined with his smooth pure vocals and he oozed that captivating sincere and earnest personality.

Hope you didn't turn off the TV too quickly or you would have missed the Season 2 Miss American Idol, Ruben Studdard come back to the center of the American Idol stage and perform Celebrate Me Home. The Velvet Teddy Bear sounded great.