This battle will never end.  David Archuleta versus David Cook will go down as the second most important election of 2008 (maybe governors and congresspeople are actually more important, but not to rabid American Idol fans).  David Archuleta's first single, “Crush,” debuted at number 2 on the Billboard charts this week.  This is notable because David Cook's debut single, “Time of My Life,” only managed to reach the number 3 spot on the charts.  It's the first time an Idol runner-up outsold the American Idol champion's first single since 2003, when Clay Aiken one-upped the Round Mound of Sound, Ruben Studdard.  David Archuleta fans may trumpet this as a resounding victory for their favorite teenage Utahan, but not so fast.  There are mitigating circumstances.

Besides the fact that the two singles did not go head to head in the same week and the simple truth that the difference between being number two and being number three is largely negligible, there is one major difference between the singles.  David Cook's single was not chosen by him.  “Time of My Life” was the American Idol songwriting contest winner.  Cook had no say in the manner – he had to record the song and release it as a single.  I, like countless others, have made note that “Time of My Life” is not a great song, and surely is not one that Cook would have chosen to record if he had his way.

Nothing against Archuleta.  The “Crush” debut is impressive in its own right.  Number two on the charts is nothing to sneeze at.  It bodes well for the staying power of the little tyke.  The real face-off will commence sometime in November, when both of the Davids' debut albums are set to be released.  Then, and only then, will we know which David has come out on top.  Until then, congratulations are in order for both Cook and Archuleta, who look as if they should fare better in the treacherous waters of the recording industry than most of the previous Idol winners and runners-up, especially last year's somewhat disappointing duo of Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis.


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)