Cook never took credit - Seacrest said before he sang the first of the covers who did the original arrangement - his audio level was low, and he said it quickly to be sure he didn’t step on David’s opening notes.
Also in the intro video David Cook says he found Chris Connelly's version on Itunes. He never said it was his arrangement. People who are saying he took credit for the song are just insanely jealous that DC is blowing the doors off the rest of the competition. David Cook comes into the show
well rehearsed, very confident, he knows his craft, comfortable with his own performance, and IS IN IT TO WIN IT. He goes out there each night showing that he is there to become the next American Idol and not there to be just another runner up who just hopes they did enough to get by to the next week like so many others in this contest.
From some of the comments on this board alone David Cook could come out raise his hand say "Hi" to address the audience and their reaction would be "How dare he say "Hi". What arrogance! Who does he think he is by addressing the audience."