The Time Of My Life

Dream Big should have been the Idol coronation song, but Cook put as much of his style into this song as he could, magic rainbows and all. It's actually a fairly uplifting song, and still gets to me as I think about his win on the finale. Compared to other coronation songs, it's the best since Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This".

However, I don't believe the song is at all representative of what to expect from Cook in the future. For those of you who missed out on Analog Heart before it was pulled, that album was all sorts of brilliant.

David Cook spins this required song for the AI winner his own way to make what was originally pure cheese into something...less cheesy. After a few listens I like it and will have it in rotation with his stuff from idol and his pre-idol albums.

I am really excited to see what David will do for his next album. With his song writing/arranging skills and ability to deliver a song combined with the resources now at his disposal...I think he will create something awesome! I can't wait!

Ok, I love David Cook. I think he's the most interesting and talented AI winner there has been. He seemed to have a game plan all along and great talent to go with it, and that all added up to a big win. I am glad of that...although, he is likely to be reduced to putting out songs that don't really seem to be his style (this one is no exception). Judging from the look on his face in the picture (somwhere between glamour shot and mug shot), I think he feels the same way. Hopefully when his album comes out he'll have a lot more input than past idols have...I guess we'll see. I am giving this three stars because he has a great voice and pretty much saves this song...but the song itself is standard radio pop rock...nothing special.

When you look at the lyrics themselves, this song is absolutely cheese filled. I wouldn't necessarily like the song itself; however, David Cook shows that he's a true craftsman with his music. He took as song he had to sing and gave it his own indy rock flair. I can listen to this song over and over again and not be phased by it's "magic rainbows."

I agree that this IS an appropriate song choice for the winning moment. To anyone who complains that the winning song is too cheesy, I ask this: If all those winning songs about the greatest moment in life are too cheesy, what SHOULD the song be about? Should it appeal to angry teenagers looking to rebel against "the man?" Or should it appeal to older listeners who crave reminiscent tunes? What about those who want a more indie, unpolished feel to the lyrics?

But I do cede that the moment's over. Let's hear about what comes after the perfect moment, namely real life. I'll withhold my judgment until I see some more original works. Idols aren't remembered (if at all in the case of Taylor Hicks) for their winning songs (except maybe Kelly Clarkson).