This is the most excited I’ve been about an Archuperformance since Contigo en la Distancia.
We already know that David’s reiteration of Imagine will be transcendent, and that David will bring to this cheesy reality show a good dose of his old-school, heart-stirring soul.
And we can already predict some of the buzz that will come in its wake. Singing the very song that catapulted him into international consciousness just over 2 years ago will invite the inevitable comparisons. Unless he gets the being-on-AI jitters again (which I doubt—Imagine is one of those songs David loves and was made for singing), David should succeed at demonstrating his growing significance as an artist. The vast majority of the AI viewing audience has not seen what we have seen: David’s tremendous growth in stage presence, command, and vocal depth and power over the past couple of years.
Of course, this is not about silly comparisons and petty debates. This is an opportunity to appreciate the purity and beauty of this anthemic song in David’s masterful hands once again. And it is also an opportunity to celebrate another milestone in the growth of a young artist into manhood. Something is telling me that this is a fitting occasion to bring out the champagne glasses, as well as the kleenex.
(Anybody else excited?)
– Ronaldsf
ronald: I am in total agreement with you. David has the ability to knock this one out of the park -- and I think his AI jitters should be over now. He made that “1st return” last year and now he is an artist in his own right. I’m so excited.
And I know comparisons shouldn’t be made, but I think after tonight there will be not more saying that Aaron Kelly is another David Archuleta.
This is a song that David has been singing for years (for decades?? -- no wait, he isn’t that old LOL!). It is in his bones. His first rendition on AI was epic. I agree with Marlie, this will be a great moment for David.
Can’t wait!!!!!
Do you remember when you first heard David sing this song? I grew up with the Beatles (yeah -- I’m that old lol!) Hearing David sing this beloved song in a new, freshly imagined way (pun intended) was earth-shakingly fabulous.
My experience with Imagine #1: I got chills! The world stopped. The words struck my heart for the first time. The pure voice and gentle spirit of our sweet boy created a transcendent moment.
What are YOUR memories of the first “Imagine?”
Yeah Ronald, I guess I’m excited LOL!
“A bruuuutherhood of man!”
I was a Beatles fan too. Crushed over Ringo but was crazy over Lennon, while everyone was gushing over Paul.
And since this was circa 19-tra-la-la, instead of blogs and videos, my fan preoccupation were collecting clippings from mags & newspaper, buying LPs (that means long playing albums for the young ‘uns!) and playing the guitar to Beatles’ classics.
Talk about being back to the future, hehe.
Been uploading HD vids of David’s AI performance (let’s hope they are not pulled down by TPTB!), not knowing that he will perform this week.
Talk about coincidence 🙂
Let me try Marlie’s tip re enlarging the vid, hope it works!
Liz: I got the chills, too, watching this that night on AI. I knew, just knew, that it was a rare and epic performance. I could not believe that David sang that song like that at his age, and on that show. He seemed “ready to go” as Randy had said the week before. I wanted to see it over and over (and I have!)
Oh, and I think Randy said, “…you were born to do exactly what you are doing there.”
JR: I found your videos tonight -- they are gorgeous!
I love the larger video embedded in comments! These are so clear,JR -- it’s like watching it on HD TV.
It worked! Thanks for the tip Marlie and glad you found the vids 🙂
Marlie -- cos they are straight from the epi vids which you will soon enjoy!
joymus: Your comment to me in the “Think of me”-article made my eyes water. It is an enormous compliment, thank you very much.
OH. MY. GOODNESS. I cannot wait to see what David looks like after months of hiding 😛 How will he style his hair? What will he wear? What will his body look like due to all those exercises on P90X? Oh come on, I can´t be the only one wondering!
Imagine the Archubooty
it´s easy if you try
What about those bulging biceps
and his thunderous thigs?
Imagine all those hours
he´s spent on P90X
*Wohoo-oo-oo-oo*
You may say I´m a pervert
But I´m not the only one
I hope some day he´ll show us
and the world will be unconcious
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Dean Kaelin replied to my email and said he had forwarded my email to both DAVID FRIGGIN ARCHULETA and his father!!!!! I´m so dying here!!!! I need oxygen!
*corner, fetal position, rocking back and forth*
I know David is going to be amazing, but I’m still nervous as heck! I haven’t been this anxious since he did ‘Touch My Hand’ last year. To be honest, I still haven’t been able to bring myself to watch that performance after David tweeted his own disappointment with it.
I’m sending positive vibes to David and hope he delivers another magical moment, but I’ll be too stressed out to watch and will wait for the reviews to come in first. Yes, I am a super big chicken!
Embe, you are high-larious!! I LOOOOVE your “reimagining” of Imagine! 🙂
Here’s my shameless plug again for my idea that David should do an album of covers of classic songs and title it “Reimaginings.” Get it? *snort*
Does anyone know if Elimination Night performances make it onto iTunes?
I know I am going to looove David’s performance tonight, but call me selfish -- I wish he had a 2nd performance so he can funk it up with We Can Work It Out lol. I was listening to old Archutracks lately and, though I don’t like the production, David’s vocal on that track is insane! You GO, boy! I really wish they somehow released his rehearsal performance from that Fateful Night because apparently he did great that time! Sigh…
EMBE?!?! Which email, the one you posted with us? That is amazing!!
I don’t know if people have heard this -- I flagged this over at IDF a while back but not many people replied. In addition to having an informative interview with Dean Kaelin about David, toward the end of this video Dean plays a snippet from a recording of Imagine David made when he was 12 years old:
http://www.mtv.com/videos/news/213790/vocal-coach-helped-david-get-his-groove-back.jhtml#id=1582687
ronaldsf: Thanks haha 😀 I totally wrote that in about 30 seconds -- I guess I´m a TAD excited. But I´m the songwriter in our band so maybe I could introduce the idea to the boys and we could make it into a hit 😀
And yes, he replied to THAT email. I am beyond thrilled, I actually had to cover my mouth with my hand to stop from screaming like a smoke alarm!
I actually JUST watched that MTV-video and I was blown away by David´s vocals. AT THE AGE OF 12, people.
Hello everyone!!! it’s been a while since I commented in David Chronicles, have to get my new password again. But it doesn’t mean I am not visiting this site, I am still one of your avid fans.
Now Ms JR haven’t forgotten my promise. Just been traveling and now I will start sending those DVDS.
So Ms marlie, Ms Liz, Ms Djbel, Ms Betsy , Ms Bubbly and of course Mr Ronald (Rascal yours is with Ronald’s mail), please wait for your postman. :):)
Will be posting more in the next couple of days.
We are now in washington DC with my two boys, enjoying teh sunshine. About to go for our late breakfast.
Can’t wait for tonight. I am excited but at the same time afraid ( remember we can work it out) but then again, TRUST THE ARCHULATOR. He had TMH last year ( not fantastic as David would have like), so he will try to make it up with his next visit. AND THIS IS HIS NEXT VISIT TONIGHT , have your tissues ready.. … I think we will have another Imagine, his new version at age 19 years of age.
See you guys, if you have problems with the post, send me an email. JR will send you an email tonight…..By the way have I said thank you MS JR
🙂 🙂
Another Imagine version, Hollywood treelighting, thanks to Jwipe
Enjoy !!
EMBE -- if I could only hug you! You are both thoughtful and hilarious! You & ronaldsf could put up a Winged Poet Society. Keep ‘m coming 🙂
Okay, as mentioned earlier, I have been uploading HD vids of David’s AI performance. It took a while for me to figure out why the vids are not filling-up the whole YT vid area. So I have put the others in private and will upload the new corrected set. So far I have corrected IMAGINE (see #5 above) & THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD (below)
Going home now. CYL!
Hi
I’ll admit it, I’m a little nervous for him--big expectations, AI stage, hasn’t performed for awhile….
I also wish he could use the AI stage for his own stuff instead of being pushed into the narrow little space they carved for him way back when….
Crabby today, sorry.
LilMe, I’m not too worried about David being typecast in this situation. AI did give him a chance to sing his own song last time around. I actually like the fact that they’re calling him in this week -- it’ll be a nice little reminder of how great David is 🙂 and how you really can sing the heck out of a Beatles song. I have a few contestants that I like this year, but sorry no one’s got me jumping-up-and-down-excited.
Marlie, I have an answer to Aaron Kelly:
The long and winding road that leads
To this season’s end…
Season 9 is such a bore,
I’ve seen it all before, wo-wohh…
After David sings today,
The end’s so far away!
Something’s missing in this crew
The talent’s hit or miss
Siobhan and Crystal sometimes rock my sox,
But there’s so many others to diss.
It’s not like Season 7, when we
Had David…
Archuleta on the show…
We were so lucky, but didn’t know, oh-ohh!
Something now just isn’t right,
I might not watch after tonight!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahhh…
jackryan4da: Well I ain´t gonna turn down a free hug 😉
ronaldsf: Oh my, if you keep this up, my boys might trade me for you as Mojo Plant´s songwriter! I feel threatened.
Oh by the way, to anyone that wants to hear my music, go to myspace.com/mojoplant or to our own website http://www.mojoplant.net for info about us. We´re not that interesting people though 😀
Oh, and may I just say how crappy it is sometimes to live in Finland -- not only do I have to wait until tomorrow to watch David´s performance because of the time difference, I will also have to wait a week and a half to see it on the big screen. Well, thank goodness there´s always Youtube.
It is exciting and certainly nostalgic to be anticipating a live televised David Archuleta performance. So much has happened in the past two years (doesn’t it always?), so it’s nice to know that, at least in a way and for a moment, you can go home again.
I am not nervous for David at all. I think his calm confidence will be very much in evidence and I think everyone will notice how much more mature he is now. David loves anything with a family feeling, and his return to the set of AI will undoubtedly give him that comfort.
It is perhaps a little unfortunate that the non-fan audience will be inclined to associate him -- yet again -- with only one particular song, but it is Lennon-McCartney week, after all, and indeed many performers would give their right arm to have such a specific, memorable association.
It has been far too long since the luminescence of David’s face has brightened the TV screens of the world, and since the glow of his remarkable voice has warmed our hearts.
Boot up the Love Nuggets* and let’s see the show!
*Fill a martini shaker with ice, vodka, a splash of lemonade and a splash of cranberry, shake vigorously, and pour into martini glasses.
Rascal, I am definitely with you in not feeling vicarious Archie jitters. Let’s also remember that a year ago, when David last appeared on AI, he still had not had his solo tour, or his tour in UK, or in Asia, etc. -- during which I think David came to have much more of a sense that he has many, many more fans that will follow him into his pop career. He no longer has that “to prove.” (As of a year ago, his previous live concerts had all been lumped with the AI Tour or with the Jingle Thingies.) As for returning to AI where he was once judged week after week, I think that the relationship of trust with his own fans that he has developed at his solo concerts means that he now feels more that he can be his own “judge.”
I actually think David had more to worry about with the ALMA Awards than with this, but then he was able, amazingly, to get into the music and give a masterful performance. It is his relationship with the music that gives him the courage to get over his stage fright (of which I’m sure we’ll read more about in a couple months’ time :)).
@ronaldsf — And, like someone remarked over in IDF (see what a live televised Archie performance has me doing?! I’m stalking over at IDF ferchrissakes!!), TMH is, let’s face it, a pretty sucky song — fine for a fan crowd, perfect as a concert energizer, but wrong wrong wrong for a television broadcast.
Rascal: I always thought David should´ve sung something other than Touch my hand. It the kind of song that an audience at his gig can certainly appreciate along with all the literal hand-touchings etc.
But American Idol isn´t about a literal connection between the performer and the audience. They´re always emphasising the fact that the contestants have to use the song as a bridge along which the singer can go to the listener and touch them metaphorically. That´s the sign of a true story-teller.
David has that ability and this time, instead of singing about touching hands he will touch everyone with his words, voice and facial expressions. And he´ll kick the AI production´s ass in the process.
embe — I have a feeling there might be some Archu-ass-kickin’ in store for tonight, too!
Rascal-LOVE NUGGET for the win 🙂 xo!
Oh, look at all the people coming out of the woodwork!
lotus_b: Don’t worry -- David will be fine! Do watch -- I think you will enjoy the crazy anticipation and then being happy about his amazing performance 🙂
Vee -- so glad to see you here and hope your US trip is going well!
ronald: Too funny, your poem about poor Aaron. He’s a nice kids, but I’m afraid he will be popped off the show tonight. Rule #1 for AI: Don’t EVER sing a song already sung by David Archuleta. 😉
Rascal: LOVE NUGGETS it is! Should I start early? LOL
Josie: We’ll all meet here later for a celebration -- LOVE NUGGETS in hand Bwahahahah.
embe: I agree with you totally about David’s ability to connect “with his words, voice and facial expressions.” Can’t wait!
marlie-I confess, although I read TDC almost daily, my life until April 15th is not my own. But then I’ll be back to normal (whatever that is!)
:)!
Oh, Josie, that’s right, you are an accountant. My sister is also and I can barely see her from January 30th till April 16th. Only a few more days! 🙂
I am a little nervous. Not about David I’m sure he will be amazing and having fun. I’m nervous cause it’s Idol. According to Jive’s tweet, David will be performind Imagine as a part of a tribute to John Lennon. Part of a tribute? And there’s a group number. So far this season, three performers on a results show has meant no group number. I sure hope Idol’s not putting David in a position that may not meet our expectations. Hope after he performs I’m wiping my brow with relief cause Idol treated him well.
On behalf of all the fans on Pacific Std Time, we welcome frequent commentary and updates from all the east coasters in the U.S. 🙂
Hey everyone!
Embe -- Thank you so much for the compliment! What you said was definitely true.
Like Lotus B, I always get a bit antsy whenever David performs on live television. In reading the comments from Rascal, Ronald, Marlie and others -- i’m feeling much more confident. As Liz said -- This song is in his bones -- re: the imagine vid from AFS last week od David singing.
I was also a bit hesitant about the pros and cons of nothing substantial to promote but heck, who cares? -- DAVID WILL BE LIVE ON TV SOON!!!
EXCITED!!! to see and hear beautiful David on national TV
READY TO POUNCE, CUSS AND throw things if Simon, Ryan or anyone does not give David the respect he deserves.
HOPING to hear a single release date annoucement ( please?) and they had better let him plug his book and they best introduce him right and they better not minimize his accomplishments and Simon better not smirk and there better not be any comparasions to Aaron Kelly and and and arggg!!!
Cheers!!! [clink!]
skiffrower — hmmm, I don’t like the sound of that at all. If they fail to give him a true solo, if he appears as part of a — gasp — medley, my disdain for AI will hit a new benchmark.
Unfortunately, that disdain will not have included surprise.
desertrat#33 -- me too!!! Any updates for us west coasters would be warmly appreciated lol!
Please, please, please, NO medley!
I held my breath till the group medley was over -- HUGE sigh of relief -- No David. Whew!
Ok first hurdle past. Group # over and without David in the mix. Still Idol but feeling better,
Sorry Joymous didnt see your post. Had to go back and log in again?
Nooo Problem -- Skiffrower 🙂
Enough of this fluff already. Bring on David! I’m so excited!!!
David! David! David! David!
He’s got Ringo Hair!!!
ronald -- is that a good look for him lol??? Haven’t seen him yet.
I think he did a beautiful job, but I almost didn’t recognize him!
Woo hoo -- I loved watching his hands…and he looked so comfortable at the piano. No hesitancy in playing. I’m not sure if I liked his hair, but who cares, I loved his voice and I always love his face 🙂
There wasn’t enough respect shown to him, but it’s IDOL, what ever would we expect?
What a performance! what a genius! David “reimagined” the song yet again into a new,classy, more mature approach. Well Done. I am so proud of him. GAAAH! It brought tears to my eyes.
So -- he accompanied himself at the piano? No solo guitar this time? Did he say “hell?”
My husband started laughing (in a good way -- he’s very tolerant of me) as I clapped and screamed after the performance. 🙂
BTW -- I’m diggin’ the hair! It made him look different and more grown-up.
I like Riri and she’s a heck of a performer but after David it’s such a let down. Is this what music has come to? Sad.
LIZ: Yes, he started out just him and the piano then the orchestra joined in. It was great!
Joymus: I hate this song -- it’s the same 6 words, and all sparkle and guitars -- Hey Baby I’m a rock star…..over and over and over again.
All the lyrics- STUNNING- Take that petty critics…
marlie #54 -- sweet!!!
Officially wiping my brow. David did great and looked really comfortable. Loved that he did the whole song, the piano driven version and yes Liz he did say “hell”. Idol treated him as well as can be expected. Sorry for the scare earlier.
I must say that performance exceeded all of my expectations, and I had very high expectations. I LOVED the hair too! A bit more mature, and if I may said, a Beatlesque look as well. That was simplay outstanding. *chills*
Yes, Liz- he said “hell”… probably the only time we will hear David say that except in church… 😉
I am not sure about the hair. I HAVE wanted to see it long so much…. I say longer yet? or short. Guess I was looking for some spikes and seeing it off his forehead. I hate to see any of David’s beautiful face covered.
GRRR… no mention of book Dxxx you Ryan- you could have asked. BUT AMAZING AMAZING PERFORMANCE.
LOL Ringo hair is right! I like it. I think it’s working for him. It’s different, to be sure, but, well, it will come as no surprise to anyone that I am all in favor of progressive evolution. Change is good.
My review of the performance is this: One sublime song from David Archuleta is unfair in the extreme. It’s like one potato chip or one chocolate truffle. You almost wonder if it was worth the terrible tease.
I thought it was impressive that he performed it at the piano. We know how singing and playing makes him not less but more nervous, and the fact that he chose to change it up that way (more change, thankyouverymuch) was smart for a variety of reasons.
But maybe the most impressive aspect of the segment was the banter with Ryan. We know that type of thing is not David’s strong suit, but he powered through it with an enormous amount of energy and considerable charm. Worlds away from where he was two years ago. I thought I even caught the judges looking at him with a, “wait, who is this again?” kind of wonder.
In the end, though, what struck me most about the performance is that David is not, and never really was, Idol contestant material. It would be easy to say that he is above that, which is true, but it’s more a factor of him just being in a different category. The reason one song is not enough is that David is… well, kind of on another planet. His energy is utterly and completely different from the carnival style atmosphere of American Idol. David has a measure of class, integrity, and sophistication that is bound to leave most common Idol watchers scratching their heads. In a single song, David has only just begun to introduce us to his own, private world of tender storytelling and vocal nuance.
The only possible reaction to a random, individual song trotted out like single explosion of bliss is… what just happened?
Oh my heck, Rascal -- Once again you have summed up perfectly what I was thinking but simply unable to articulate myself.
I just had another thought… Instead of having three guest performers tonight, why couldn’t they have simply had David perform three different songs. (I can dream, can’t I?)
Here it is:
I love you Marlie!!! Thanks for that! WOW! I am grinning from ear to ear lol!
JR: I changed the default size of videos that display in the comments, so now we can have the large size with just the normal httpv notation. (Thanks to Rascal, my WordPress coach!)
Ghee whiz Rascal,
WHY do you have to write so good? You have put it perfectly. That’s why the talent before and after paled in comparison. David left as an Idol contestant but came back this time as a young but pensive songwriter/artist. Last week Ruben came back looking and sounding just the same. In David however, there is an exciting evolution in the works.
“In a single song, David has only just begun to introduce us to his own, private world of tender storytelling and vocal nuance.”
Yes! Thanks Rascal.
I thought it was a fab idea to do a piano version. It would have been a mistake to try to replicate his landmark Imagine performances from previous AI performances.
But… I do have to say, that as sublime as this performance was, I missed seeing his whole body expressing the passion of the song.
Just saying…
So first verse and last verse- guess the clock knocked out time for the middle verse. We just wanted the best and could have lost the rest….
Yes, bravo- well said Rascal.
David loves Ellen so much… why could she not have been a bit warmer? Yeah, I know she said she loved him too… but I was not feeling it. And Simon, simply cannot seem to deal with someone as joyful as David. That is my opinion. Just venting. David’s pure voice just shined.
Yes, Rascal -- this kid is a class act.
And every note was pure, full of emotion and nuance.
Damn -- that Voice, that Voice!!! What a power it has!
I think it is difficult to deal with David’s talent -- he doesn’t need fireworks or autotune, he outshines the other performances with his purity of voice, his raw talent. It was the same at the ALMA’s -- the other performers were crawling all over the stage selling sex and David sang the most romantic love song and stole everyone’s heart. How does the pop world deal with that? By ignoring it. If you can’t do it, you have to pretend it doesn’t exist.
Ringo hair, huh? No wonder it threw me off!
Hey guys! Taking a break from my blog break to register my excitement over David’s “Imagine 3.0” return.
He was simply superb, and in many ways -- when you compare him not just to the current Season 9 contestants but even current pop stars like Rhianna and Jason Darule, he needs no pyrotechnics or fancy (and might I add -- STOLEN!! Cut the MJ dance moves already!!) footwork. Just his velvety Voice and a much improved piano-playing to make a song come truly alive.
I agree, Rascal, David really is from another planet… or just in a class all by himself. 🙂
I hardly post anywhere anymore,let alone here at DC but just had to come out and say that the tears are still streaming….goodness it’s been such a long time since I last saw David perform in December. I thought this performance was exquisite, the vocals even more precious than ever. I’m virtually speechless. David….he takes my breath away and leaves me wanting more more more.
I am digging the longer hairstyle. He looked more mature and grownup.
I couldn’t believe Ryan didn’t bring up the book, or David himself!! What a wasted opportunity to plug his book, but then again, that’s David. Wants to sing and touch people’s lives that way rather than talk about a book about himself!
I’ve converted the you tube of the performance to MP3, and it’s on my iPod now. Hoping and praying that AI will release this performance on iTunes.
I feel so blessed to know who David Archuleta is. He brings me joy, he makes me happy. I simply adore him.
HG: I felt the same way about those MJ moves -- cut it out! It was a cheap imitation.
Fe: Oh, I didn’t even think about an iTunes version. I’ll have to keep an eye out for that.
Someone at IDF who works at a radio station is posting that David’s next single is scheduled to premiere on April 26th, and that the album is slated to drop on June 15.
They sprinkled the report with caveats because many times these proposed dates do not pan out, but the source seems credible for what may be known at this time.
I can’t wait. We need a party on April 26th -- just in case.
Hi everyone! I had to run to a meeting right after the performance (I know, right?), but just wanted to say that I loved the performance, and that what we saw was an evolution of David. I loved toward the end, when he was clearly connecting with the song and the audience.
Ohmygosh, a connection with the emotion of the song and the audience?! IS this AI??
And I believe he was looking outward and directly at the audience this time around -- a new thing from his AI days…
ronald: I was pleasantly surprised by his complete comfort at the piano -- he had no hesitation, didn’t need to keep looking at the keyboard. Yes, his looking directly at the audience was new -- at least for his AI performances. I’m still all wound up and thrilled about this whole night.
So I had to view the youtube one more time before bed. I am impressed by his calm control. There was no strain, no false moves. The high notes rang pitch-perfect. Every note was nuanced and expressive.
It was simply beautiful.
Okay… now I’m ready for another truffle please! 🙂
Damn…I knew I should have posted it earlier. When people were questioning his singing “Imagine” earlier..and why. Why would he do it…what could he gain from singing another song from his idol past, rather than something new…I was going to say, “He’s going to use the word “Hell”, and he’s going to sing all three verses”. Something that all his naysayers have disliked him for, before. And..the hair…sorry…he was just BEAUT..I..FUL…
From MasterClassLady:
Vocal prodigy, David Archuleta, made another triumphant return to the American Idol stage during Season 9’s Top 9 Results Show on April 7th.
Seated quietly at the piano, he performed another inspiring version of John Lennon’s “Imagine”, once again reminding all of us that he is a force to be reckoned with. The sophistication and poise he brings to this performance is pretty amazing. How he is able to pack so much into one song and yet make it sound flawless and effortless is beyond me. He is truly a rare and precious gem in the musical world.
And yet, not only is this genuine young man supremely talented, but also he is a kind and gentle human being who is extremely humbled and thankful for the prodigious musical gift bestowed on him at birth.
He is so approachable and so gracious to everyone – is it any wonder that he is collecting more and more fans with each passing day?
And from Sioux Falls Journal
Meanwhile, David Archuleta showed up and demonstrated how to sing a Beatles song. He was great (despite the bad haircut) and could wipe the floor with the rest of the contestants. He’s a strong runner-up who should have gotten the title. Still, he’s selling records.
The buzz is all over the internet. Even one of the Jonas guys gave him kudos over twitter
Am just so, so proud of him. I remember during the early days of Idol, much ado was made about him not singing the 1st verse and a lot of fan discussions ensued about him choosing not to say “hell” in the song (he once used evil, I think during Ford Day?).
Well, we saw that it was not the case. And yeah, I like how cool and confident he was on the piano and making eye contact with the audience.
TheArchulator is one cool dude. {s.n.i.f.f}
Has anyone heard from EMBE? Yohoooooo? U ok?
I tried to sneak away at work to catch David’s performance live, but was only able to catch Ryan talking with David at the end. (I think AI still scares David a little.) I guess it was a good thing though, because now I have been watching it over & over & over again. I would not have been able to do any work after seeing that. 😀
This performance has shown me how much David has grown. When he first sang “Imagine” on AI, it felt very wishful. This time, it felt wistful. It broke my heart all over again.
And Rascal, that’s great news about the single. ( I’m squeeing!) David’s performance & info on his music all in one night! Can’t get any better than this. 😀
I’ve been enjoying reading everyone’s comments tonight.
My heart is full.
I love David Archuleta.
Good night 🙂
GOSH.
*heartburst*
jackryan4da: HERE I AM 🙂 I had to go to sleep, since my time is 10 hours ahead of LA :/ I´m going to start watching the performance now -- I just had to read all these comments first to ease my mind. My hands are shaking as I´m typing, what´s wrong with me?!? I know David did well and you all loved it but I´m still nervous as heck. Ok, off to watch —>
I. AM. IN. LOVE. If I could marry that performance, I would. I could hear his voice tremble ever so slightly, but it only emphazised the tenderness of his vocals. The camera focusing on his hands was <3
Ok. Wow. David has GROWN UP. I loved the audience´s reaction -- they adored him. But Ellen? What the heck? How can someone seem that cold after just hearing DAVID ARCHULETA say he loves them?!?!? Gah. Maybe she´s just p*ssed after realizing David is slowly turning her into a straight woman. David can do that.
Then the hair. I don´t know what to say about it. I know he looked mature with it and he was gorgeous as always. But still, he has such a beautiful face that it really shouldn´t be covered like that. But he has such beautiful hair too. I´m torn.
His clothes were so pretty! I liked the white pants. Though I hoped for tight pants. But at least it rhymes 😛
Ryan is so in love with David it´s not even funny. He just had to touch him the whole time! And Simon´s face. He seemed… could it be… proud? He had this grin that expressed warmth. I don´t think I´ve ever seen that before.
I have the Hi-Def copy of David’s performance. Just waiting for YT to finish uploading. Will upload to mediafire too.
OK Embe, I’ll be here to await your reaction. 🙂
That was incredible. Beautiful.
I know, I know…you should always have faith in the Archuleta, but I just couldn’t help being nervous for David. I’ve never come to terms with all the suckiness (for lack of a better or more mature term..haha!) that has gone down on the AI stage so it the thought of David there will always stress me out.
As Rascal said, David’s ethereal moment on the show was in such stark contrast to the cheese-fest that was the rest of the show. Seeing and listening to David, I forgot about everything else, forgot that I was watching tv and just got lost in him. Wow, how does he keep doing this?
DA @ AIS9 Top09 ResultsShow -- IMAGINE (HD) 07 April 2010
Okay, I’m up early and had to listen just once before I take off for the day.
Control. That’s all I can say this morning. David has the ability to control his voice at all levels -- soft, loud, even singing a whisper. I love him. GAH!
Oh how I wish I could bask in the glow of this performance ALL day, but *sigh* tax returns await me. I’ll just have to put my ODD on hold for 12 hours…
Stunning, David, just stunning.
♥
Just a small observation — some are obssessing over his hair. Huh? Hair, errmm… Sorry I got distracted by the hint of tracing of his pecs while exchanging banters with Ryan!
As the Orly girls learned from Tim Urban, those polo shirts could be very deceiving… just sayin….
Great performance last night! I very much liked the more mature look and the organic vibe of the music. He looked noticeably older and confident as a performer. I actually liked his hair; makes him look older and a more mature cut.
Good morning, everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying their PostArchuGlow!
The announcement of possible single and album release dates is exciting, and got me thinking: in the period leading up to David’s freshman album, my guess is that Jive/Azoff would have said no to David singing “Imagine” in a TV appearance, just to get him out of the “ballad” wheelhouse so they could promote him a certain way for his first album. Nearly all performances leading up to an album release has got to be conceived, from management’s standpoint, as a way to build interest in the album.
Here, they made an explicit announcement about David’s upcoming single and album. So perhaps this is a sign that they are preparing the public for a more organic, mature approach that we will see in his sophomore release? One can hope… And the look, with the new haircut, and the young sophisticated look with a tie? Seems like a “statement” of sorts.
And of course, playing the piano: which is International for “I am a musical artist.”
Perhaps this is me over thinking, but with all the meetings he’s been having lately while producing the next album, consulting each other on musical decisions and career decisions, I would not dismiss everything as simply accidental. Especially on America’s #1 rated show…
Here’s an alternative ending to David’s performance last night 🙂
*dim the lights*
Ryan: May I ask all nine of the Season 9 contestants to please stand up.
*people stand, dramatic music*
Ryan: In light of this performance by David Archuleta, I hereby declare that all nine of you will go home.
*gasps*
Ryan: David is just so awesome, that he pwns Season 7 and Season 9 combined. And besides, we kind of screwed him last time and need to give him his just reward.
jackryan4da: Oh man! Now you made me concentrate on David´s pecs. And yes. They are there. And they have grown. And that´s all I have to say about that 😉
And my “review” (like I´m in any position to review anyone, especially David who is like a godly creature to me) regarding the performance is the comment number 86 🙂
Ha! Love the alternate ending, Ronald!
But of course, it all turned out right in the end. As I have said a hundred times before, David having been the “winner” would have saddled him with too much of the Idol brand, and robbed him of being an underdog — a far more appealing role for someone who is only just starting to reach his potential.
More on last night…
Throughout the song, and most obviously when he enters the 2nd verse and there are these emphasized chords he plays on the piano, David’s piano playing forms the foundation for the song. The only time I remembered when he did so on AI was Another Day in Paradise, but he didn’t “lead” the song with the piano as he is now. Now, he is starting to “command” and “lead” the song with his hands as well as his voice.
David “lives” each song, and so of course last night would be different from his first performance of it on AI. He would be incapable of repeating exactly what he did before, actually.
First, a technical comment on how his mastery of dynamics has grown. What he does with “living for today… ooooooooooh”, when he quiets to a whisper and comes out with a soulful run, is not what David of 2 years ago would have done.
But mainly what I got from the song, that I haven’t felt from any previous version he’s done of it before, was a sense of triumph. The second half of the song, beginning with his rejoicing “brotherhood of maa-haaan!” (THE moment of the song for me), was a celebration -- we had already achieved the world he’s speaking of. LOVE his “You may say I’m a dreamer” in the 2nd chorus where he cuts off the word a little, and smiles -- is the smile separate at all from how he sings it? I think not.
The first time he sang this on AI, he was distantly imagining the world, but somehow in this one it felt like we had already achieved it. John Lennon asked us to imagine -- David now gives us a rousing cry to join him on a pilgrimage: he has seen the promised land and is showing us what is there.
And then he brings it down to the end to a near whisper (“and the world will liiiive…”). The audience felt something right then and responded back.
That is command. That is David not singing someone else’s song, but taking command of it, having a specific idea and feeling, and communicating it. This is the David that started to reemerge during AI, during Top 4 week, when Rascal described David was starting to “lead” the audience.
Did he surpass his iconic performance from 2 years ago? Yes. Will people know that? I don’t think so -- the circumstance of being a relative unknown and a contestant and the element of surprise all made that a more historic and buzz-worthy moment. But no: I know it is a cliche to say it, but he actually is improving upon “perfection.”
Bravo, David. Your power to communicate only grows.
*Goes off to watch it again*
“John Lennon asked us to imagine – David now gives us a rousing cry to join him on a pilgrimage: he has seen the promised land and is showing us what is there.”
Ronald -- Yes!
I am loving today almost as much as I loved last night. Seeing and hearing from folks from the old gathering grounds. David was brilliant last night. The commentary here is wonderful. Thank you.
Hello TDCers…
I have to say that officially the Archudrought is over…People have come alive and the comments and reviews here today are just great…ditto to all that has been said.
#98 ronald…I will be reading your comments again when there is the time to take it in…I am pleased that you did a review of his performance…Overall, I believe that everyone had a fantastic time watching David last night, maybe even Ellen if one can see beyond the shocked look on her face…What was that look really?
SB
SandyBeaches, great to see you again!
If we have been living in an Archudrought, then these are the first giant drops of an oncoming storm.
The release dates are the ominous clouds on the horizon, and the single release will be the first downpour of a raging Archutyphoon!
(Sorry, got a little carried away there :))
As for Ellen, I have not shared the view of some others since 2008 that she has been particularly cold toward him. I actually thought she was kind of in a post-ArchusingingImagine stupor, looking kind of wistful and distracted. She did have sort of an interesting look at the end -- thinking something, and her thoughts were something about David… one can speculate on what that was. Whatever it was, I simply don’t accept that she is cold toward him, because then she wouldn’t be a human being with feelings. Cuz come on! It’s David! 🙂
SandyBeaches, great to see you again!
If we have been living in an Archudrought, then these are the first giant drops of an oncoming storm.
The release dates are the ominous clouds on the horizon, and the single release will be the first downpour of a raging Archutyphoon!
(Sorry, got a little carried away there :))
As for Ellen, I actually thought she was kind of in a post-ArchusingingImagine stupor, looking kind of wistful and distracted. She did have sort of an interesting look at the end -- thinking something, and her thoughts were something about David… Whatever it was, I simply don’t accept that she is cold toward him, because then she wouldn’t be a human being with feelings. Cuz come on! It’s David! 🙂
WEEEEEE!
Mr. Dean Kaelin sent me another email today, stating the following:
“Emmi, I will follow up with David and his father and make sure they got your email and see if they read it, then let you know.”
Oh my GOOOOSH! How cool is he? I don´t know if I´m more excited about David´s performance or the fact that *wheezy inhale* DAVID MIGHT READ MY MESSAGE AND THEREFORE KNOW THAT I, A SMALL, HYPER REDHEAD FROM FINLAND, ACTUALLY EXIST.
I´m seriously lingering in the grey area between squealing my lungs out and crying for happiness. Oh, the hell with it -- I´ll do both!
JOSIE! Nice to “see” you! Given your busy sked, when was the last time you checked your email? 🙂
Love reading all the posts, seeing new names and familiar avis 🙂
Trust The Archulator to galvanize people’s attention on account of someone’s innate sense of finding the perfect melodic contour of a song when expressing an emotion, a truth or a slice of life.
And all he can say via tweet? “Hope you enjoyed last night!” or something along those lines. Unbelievable, right? If he only knew!
ronaldsf…Ellen was rather speechless at a point when David was conversing with her. I hope that last night made a big difference with her and maybe even Oprah for the months ahead. David is unreal actually super real…”I love Ellen!”…he doesn’t make that kind of statement very often.
SB
I believe Ellen was gobsmacked last night. In fact, wasnt that a face for “what the heck happened!?”
Simon, I suspect, was amused on how many things he was wrong about David. LOL!
If you haven’t listened to RYAN’S INTERVIEW OF DAVID AFTER LAST NIGHT, click below — it is a must-hear YAY!
http://ryan.kiisfm.com/main.html
Ronald, I love your alternate ending of the show, but knowing David, he would of immediately shook his head and led the audience in applause for all the contestants. In fact, I’m speculating that the judges save was used because of David. I mean how can one not be filled with love for their fellow man and their heart overflowing with good cheer after that performance? I remember reading someone quoting a Lisa Simpson saying about David: David smiled and a puppy came back to life.
Speculations on Ellen: don’t know what she was feeling, but what came to my mind when I saw her was guilt. I echo SB, I’d love to see David on her show & Oprah’s real soon.