Rascal recently re-introduced me to David’s music after I introduced him to American Idol long ago. Far surpassing what I remember from Idol, David turned out to be a technically skilled, communicative, and super-goofy singer.

But above words, his voice has that rarest-of-rare qualities: the one that strikes your soul and makes you put him on repeat. As a musician (pianist, singer, songwriter, producer), getting that compliment is no easy feat, reserved for the likes of Mariah, Stevie, and Aretha. My only gripe is that some of his current material is not great pop music, and is not good enough for the voice.

Now that David is in my personal pantheon of pop, I’ve been daydreaming of 80s power ballads that I would love to hear David remake (of course inspired my Mariah’s cover of “I Want To Know What Love Is”). With my inner black girl at the piano (and arranging vocals) and David’s at the mic, these songs would really up the Archuleta ante. Some of the lyrics may be a little old for him, but I think he can handle it.

Top 6, in no particular order:

Concrete Blonde – Joey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIIlUHBNkEc

Firehouse – When I Look Into Your Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZRQlqH4flk

Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PP1HEFlkdY

Heart – What About Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBqU8FOE0uk

Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse of the Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840B27zYfOk

Melissa Manchester – Through the Eyes of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvP8u-9QX5s

– soulfan