Sometimes I hate making predictions and rooting for one side over the other, because that inevitably leads to disappointment. Last night was no different. I wanted David Cook to bring his best effort against young phenom David Archuleta in the “American Idol” final performance, because I thought Mr. Cook had the goods to win. But after last night, it’s just a technicality that Archuleta will be crowned the Season 7 champ tonight.

The show began with that “Let’s Get Ready To Rumble” dude firing up the Nokia Theatre crowd and all of America, and both Davids coming out in boxing robes. Yeah, I don’t think that would have worked with Syesha. It barely worked with young David. And while these guys showed that they are too nice to not like each other, the little guy showed that he wanted this more than David Cook. It was, as Simon Cowell put it, “a knockout.” I mean, it was so lopsided that all of America could only be let down.

Here is how it went down. Thankfully they changed things up just a little from last season. First, they would perform a song selected by Clive Davis, then a song from a group of 10 finalists of the song competition (instead of each having to sing the same song), and then finally, their own choice.

And now, the performances…..

ROUND 1

After David Archuleta won the coin toss and decided to close the show rather than open it, you knew he was taking every little bit of advantage. Mr. Cook started with U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” and while it was a decent choice, and one that David sang well, it wasn’t brilliant by any means. The guy looks like a rock star though. Randy thought it was a great way to start, Paula agreed, and Simon thought it was “phenomenal.”

David Archuleta was given Elton John’s classic, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” and it was the absolute perfect choice –a slower song with huge vocal swells. You could just see it in this kid’s eyes how bad he wants to win, despite what he may say. Randy said it was THE best performance of the season, Paula said her heart was still pounding, and Simon said it was young David’s best performance to date, and gave him the nod in Round 1.

ROUND 2

David Cook’s song winner choice was “Dream Big,” a rocking pop song along the lines of Lifehouse. It wasn’t a bad song, but didn’t do much to showcase his huge vocal ability. Randy said the song was just okay, but that David did a good job with it. Paula said he made good work of a song nobody had heard before. Simon said David made the most of it, but it was not quite a “winning moment.”

David Archuleta, not surprisingly, chose a sappy ballad called “In This Moment.” Here’s a thought. Any song with the word “moment” in the title should immediately be disqualified. Anyway, the song wasn’t as bad as some of the previous finale songs we’ve heard, but still a Disney-like, light rock ballad.
And David just crushed it out of the park. Randy said he wasn’t crazy about the song (here’s another thought…let these judges pick the winners!), but that David was in the zone. Paula said the kid is “on fire.” And Simon said Archuleta chose a better song and that he also won Round 2.

ROUND 3

Well, David Cook had one last chance to wow everyone and give himself a prayer. Instead, he chose a nice song suited to his style, Collective Soul’s “The World I Know.” He did a great job with it, but it wasn’t the kind of performance that left us with our jaws on the floor…and that’s what he needed to do here. Randy said it showed a sensitive side, Paula said she likes David’s originality, and Simon questioned why David didn’t go with “Billie Jean” or “Hello,” two of his earlier stellar performances.
I understand why David wanted to do something different, but I think he shot himself in the foot.

David Archuleta chose John Lennon’s “Imagine,” the one song everyone remembers him doing from early in the season. Of course he did. He wasn’t going to make the mistake of a bad song choice, not this week. It was predictable, but yet this kid has a gift, and in the bottom of the ninth, he hit the ball a mile. Randy said David was the better singer last night, Paula was speechless (thankfully), and Simon said it was a great finale, but that young David had just delivered that knockout.

You know, it’s quite possible that David Cook will have more votes and come out on top, but after last night, you can’t say he was the better singer. Young David has been groomed for this moment for years, and his moment is here.

I gotta be honest, too. I’m not looking forward to a 2-hour finale filled with random mediocre performances and Ryan Seacrest joking around. Just tell me who won, okay? And to that, I think we all already know the answer. See you tomorrow!