American Idol

We're still in awe of the performance of David Cook from last night.

But perhaps you're wondering how or why he chose to sing "Always Be My Baby." Well, USA Today has published an article that details the song selection process on American Idol. A few excerpts from it:

Each week, Idol's executive producers give contestants a list of songs licensed and approved for the show. The singers get more choices some weeks than others. Past finalists say the lists vary from fewer than two dozen options to a hundred-plus.

"Sometimes it would be four pages, sometimes it could be one page," says Josh Gracin, a Season 2 finalist.

David Archuleta - and his leather pants - went with "When You Believe" during Mariah Carey night.

The lists can contain minefields. The catalogs of technically accomplished vocalists— like Mariah Carey, Tuesday night's mentor — present problems. So do songs known to bring criticism from the judges (anything associated with a previous Idol) or ones that have a history of sending people home ("Wanna Dance With Somebody").

"The producers aren't out to get anybody," says Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey, "but they're not going to stop you from making a fool out of yourself."

Read the full article now.