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It seems that even after winning American Idol's seventh season, David Cook still expected David Archuleta to have won the whole thing. in the exit interview with David Cook, he describes the twelve million votes he won by as a "discrepancy" and said he "thought Archie was a little bit ahead" of him.

He thanks the show for allowing him to grow as an artist, and shrink at the waistline. "I've lost probably about 10 to 15 pounds. There was definitely a progression for me on this show. Early on ... the vocal coach really hit home for me ... Going into this, I had built up a wall, sort of a protective barrier between me and the audience. She forced me to break that down and I think it helped for my performances." I can agree that there was something keeping him from standing out in those early weeks as he came to later.

Need more American Idol? Get an inside look at Season 7's contestants and think back to these scathing (and hilarious) Simon Cowell quotes. Also: Don't forget to choose your favorite Idol!!

I'm sure much will be said, or at least should be said, about the story that David keeps reiterating about how he came to audition for the show in the first place. He'd initially come only in support of his younger brother, who was auditioning. Then, as he explains, "Standing in line ... a producer comes by and interviews my brother and then turns to me. I said, 'I'm not auditioning' and he's like, 'Well you are now.'" Essentially, Cook was recruited onto the show, and I for one would like to know more about this. Had the producer ever heard him sing or did they just like his look? Does this make him the first Top 24 contestant who'd never intended to audition in the first place? Certainly I'd think he's the first winner. Does it matter?

Of his pending album, Cook said, "It will probably be a rock record but I think that's a pretty vague generalization. I just want to make a record that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, ... a record that's going to stand out on its own, long after I'm gone. If I can do that, then I'm set. I'm ready to get back into the creative process of writing songs and basically baring my soul on these records." In fact, Cook isn't even concerned necessarily about tailoring an album for commercial success. "Even if it doesn't do well commercially," he explained," as long as I can put out a record that I'm proud of, that's the goal. Hopefully ... the success with follow."

The question that stands now is will Dave have an epic battle with the producers like Bo Bice did when he tried to make a real rock album that suited his songwriting style and the music he loved; a battle which he ultimately lost leading to the sub-par The Real Thing, or will they allow his muse to direct the album. I think the lesson of Chris Daughtry's success, and the success of Jordin Sparks under the Jive label has finally taught them that the kind of musician America fell in love with on the show is the kind of musician they should find on those contestant's albums. Sad that it took so many years for them to get there. But I think Cookie will benefit from their growth and might even put out a true David Cook album right out of the gate.


HIS AMERICAN IDOL JOURNEY IN VIDEOS

Winning Moment and performing Idol single "Time of My Life"


Top 2 (3) - "The World I Know," Collective Soul


Top 2 (2) - "Dream Big," Emily Shackleton (writer)


Top 2 (1) - "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," U2


Top 3 (3) - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," Aerosmith


Top 3 (2) - "Dare You to Move," Switchfoot


Top 3 (1) - "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face," Roberta Flack


Top 4 (2) - "Baba O'Riley," The Who


Top 4 (1) - "Hungry Like the Wolf," Duran Duran


Top 5 (2) - "All I Really Need Is You," Neil Diamond


Top 5 (1) - "I'm Alive," Neil Diamond


Top 6 - "The Music of the Night," The Phantom of the Opera


Top 7 - "Always Be My Baby," Mariah Carey


Top 8 - "Innocent," Our Lady Peace


Top 9 - "Little Sparrow," Dolly Parton


Top 10 - "Billie Jean," Michael Jackson


Top 11 - "Day Tripper," The Beatles


Top 12 - "Eleanor Rigby," The Beatles


Top 16 - "Hello," Lionel Richie


Top 20 - "All Right Now," Free


Top 24 - "Happy Together," The Turtles


Hollywood week:


Initial audition:


IDOL SEASON 7 FAREWELLS
#2 - David Archuleta
#3 - Syesha Mercado
#4 - Jason Castro
#5 - Brooke White
#6 - Carly Smithson
#7 - Kristy Lee Cook
#8 - Michael Johns
#9 - Ramiele Malubay
#10 - Chikezie
#11 - Amanda Overmyer
#12 - David Hernandez
#13 - Danny Noriega
#14 - Asia'h Epperson
#15 - Luke Menard
#16 - Kady Malloy
#17 - Robbie Carrico
#18 - Alaina Whitaker
#19 - Alexandrea Lushington
#20 - Jason Yeager
#21 - Colton Berry
#22 - Joanne Borgella
#23 - Amy Davis
#24 - Garrett Haley