The world-record breaking votes for the next American Idol have been counted and the winner by 12 million votes is David Cook, announces Ryan Seacreast.

What a shocker after all the build up in favor of David Archuleta last night — the judges had virtually given David Archuleta the title last night. But, isn’t it a nifty twist — the underdog comes back for the big win after seemingly being knocked down and out of the American Idol competition.

Amazing results, but not so unexpected since David Cook has done a great job and has grown so much throughout the American Idol Season 7 contest.

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David Cook | I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

David Cook starts out the night with a classic U2 song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For chosen by Clive Davis.

While I’m pulling for David Cook to win American Idol, I’m not completely getting into his version of the U2 song. It might be because I listened to the original 60 million times when I was in school and nothing can ever compare to the original. It will be interesting to hear what the judges say.

Randy: “I think it was a great way to start off the duel.” “It was hot, baby.”

Paula: “David Cook has arrived, Amen, Amen.”

Simon: “I thought it was phenomenal.”

David Archuleta | Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me

I’m liking David Archuleta‘s version of Elton John’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Another great song choice for The Arch. David Archuleta is doing a better job that David Cook — so far, it’s still early in the competition.

The crowd is going wild.

Randy: “This is one of the best performances of this season.” “That was flawless.”

Paula: “My heart is still pounding.” “You bring out so much sunshine in everyone throughout the world with your singing.”

Simon: “Very easy to get over excited tonight. … I thought last week you were okay. I thought tonight’s performance was arguably the best you’ve done so far. … Taking everything into account, Round One goes to David Archuleta.”

I concur with Simon.

David Cook | Dream Big

David Cook is back for Round Two with a rocking new song — Dream Big. David is sounding and looking good, but the song is somewhat generic — like a song written for an after school special about staying away from E or the farmers’ fertilizer tanks. It’s the kind of song that one of the cool kids in the special would be listening to before the car crashes into the back of the semi-truck.

I’m not familiar with the original version of the song, so I can’t compare it with the way David Cook is singing it.

Randy: “The song was just okay for me, but what made it work” was the way David Cook was singing.

Paula: David Cook did a great job with a song we didn’t know.

Simon: “It didn’t feel like a winning moment to me. … The good news is that we have a third song.”

David Archuleta | In This Moment

David Archuleta is in his element with his song choice of In This Moment. It’s also cheesy, but it’s the type of song that will appeal to David Archuleta’s unstoppable fan base of young girls. I can hear them yelling in the background as they sway their hands from side to side.

Winning the coin toss and going second was a good strategic move for David sing most American Idol winners went second in the final competition. Choosing songs like In This Moment will guarantee he gets 50 million plus votes from all those young women. Another stroke of American Idol mastery from David Archuleta tonight.

Randy: “I wasn’t crazy about the song. … You were in the zone … You could sing the phone book.”

Paula: “You’re on fire tonight. … That is why you’re in the spot you are, my dear.”

Simon: “I love the egotistical lyrics … you choose the better song. … Round Two goes to David Archuleta.”

David Cook | The World I Know

David Cook gets to choose a song that he’ll be able to sing well and that will sound good because it isn’t cheesy and generic. Collective Soul’s The World I Know was a good song choice.

However, David Cook still isn’t showing me the passion that I need to get excited. The song seems to be going slowly — I’m going to have to listen to the original to see if the arrangement of the song is a little more down tempo than I thought it would be.

David Cook is overcome with emotion and is crying.

Randy: “That was a very nice sensitive song.” “Very nice job.”

Paula: “You’re delivering incredible songs with integrity. … I appaud you David Cook.”

Simon: “You are one of the nicest, most sincere contestants we’ve had. … It was completely and utterly the wrong song choice for you.” Simon says David Cook should have sang Billy Jean or Hello.

David Cook responds that he understands, but wanted to do something he hadn’t done before. He saw that competition as a progression.

David Archuleta | Imagine

David Archuleta sings his favorite song, John Lennon’s Imagine. Another slow song performance tonight in Round Three, but it is likely the one that gets David Archuleta the top slot as the American Idol this year.

Randy says he is happy and proud that it was the two Davids. “You are exactly what this show is all about … the best singer is right there.”

Paula says David Archuleta is “stunning tonight.”

Simon weighs in with “I think we’ve witnessed one of the great finals. … In my opinion you came out here tonight to win. What we’ve witness tonight is a knockout.”

My prediction is probably the same as yours — David Archuleta will get millions of votes. David Cook will do well in the vote totals, but won’t be able to over come the Arch’s vote totals.

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Now the competition really begins — will David Cook win? Or, will the next American Idol be David Archuleta?

Video: Syesha Mercado is out but it’s guaranteed that a David will be the next American Idol

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David Cook sang last, he has violins playing in the backgroud, has the smoky voice and is going to get a lot of votes because he’s kicking it into higher rock gear toward the end of the song.

Paula is giving David Cook a standing ovation.

Randy says he loved the song, but it was just okay.  Very predictable.

Paula says “See ya in the finals.  That’s what I predict.”

Simon says “One of the great songs of all time.  … David Cook wins the night.”

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