With Baba O'Riley and Hungry Like the Wolf, David Cook Doesn't Hit a High Note for American Idol Final Four

Over the past weeks, David C has delivered spot on performances but last night will not be the high point of his Idol experience. I know the judges seemed to like the second performance of "Baba O'Riley" but to me it felt restrained and disjointed. Of his two performances, I enjoyed "Hungry Like the Wolf" best and it was just okay. His first performance started out almost maudlin.

It lacked energy or commitment. As a Duran Duran fan and a David Cook fan, I would have thought it would be a match made by the money gods but alas it was just mediocre. The second song was "Baba O'Riley" a big Who song, which most people know as the song that plays during the opening credits of CSI:NY. I thought it started out okay, but again, it felt like David C wasn't even trying. I would have liked to see him perk up the arrangement and really work out the Daltrey verse. I felt a little short changed. This is a heck of a song and I know if David C had been up to par he would have really worked it out. He admitted he could have done more with the first song. Truth is he could have done more with both songs.

Because, I'm a big David Cook fan, I'm going to try and offer up some other explanation for his poor showmanship last night. To be fair, he seemed really, really tired and looked about to keel over when he was sitting with Ryan Seacrest in between sets. A friend who was watching with me remarked that he seemed to be being careful. I said, surely not; not at this late date.

This is the time when you let it all hang out, for better or worse, you leave all you have out there on the stage. I truly believe that David Cook wasn't feeling well. Based on his previous performances, I know he could have delivered better renditions of both of those songs. As it stands now, David Archuleta's stellar performances give him a slight edge but I'm sure if David C makes it through to next week, he will redeem himself. Jason Castro is ready to go home, so unless the voter's put him through for another week, he should be gone. By the way Castro voters, I'm begging you, please let Jason go. This is obviously not his scene.

The Top 3 should be David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado.