Video: Idol’s Dave Cook Scores Hit with Lionel Richie Cover

It takes a lot for me to get excited about a contestant at this stage of American Idol. After all, they’re not even down to the top 12 yet. I really get wound up when we reach the top 10 and kids are being thrown to the dogs left and right, week after week.

I really get my kicks at that stage of the competition. But lately the show has drawn me in with a select few ‘quality’ performances. Last week’s showstopper was David Archuleta’s cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Tonight’s guy competition belonged to Dave Cook.

This young man gave a modern interpretation of Lionel Richie’s “Hello,” to which there is no other word to describe it, but incredible. Cook’s rendition gave new life to a classic ballad.

Simply brilliant.

Now, I’m starting to sound like Simon Cowell, so I’ll stop writing and you can watch the clip. Enjoy.

Please note: If the link doesn’t work, we will work hard to repair it or offer a substitution video. Seriously, you know how these things work. The networks love to yank things off…videos that is.