Sure, we all love A.I. David, Pop David, Ballad David, Christmas David, Acappella David, Jazzy David (have I forgotten any?) and, of course, the Soul Man from Utah… but I feel we’ve overlooked the fiercest David of all…. Rawkstah David!
Seriously though, the first time I heard Desperate, my first thought was “he out-Cooked Cookie” … to me he howled that song like tortured guitar hero. And when he covered the snippet of U2’s “One” on his first solo tour, I could totally picture him rocking out the whole song… and then fast-forward to BEGIN. and Pride is one of my favourite tracks.
We know David can literally sing anything but I love the raw, foot-stomping, air-punching freedom that rock songs bring out in him… he has so many sides for such a little guy and I must say this is one of my favourite.
Remember these rock-outs?
Sunbowl
We the Kings – Check yes Juliet (D @ 2:28)
We the Kings – Heaven Can Wait (D @ .27 then he lets it rip @ 1.26! Further away but better audio HERE … Go, David!!!)
REO Speedwagon
EWTRTW KL … love how he grooves to the guitar solo!
Honourable mention to:
P.S.
In my search for “rock star David Archuleta” photos, I came across this awesome TOSOD review from RockStar Weekly, an award-winning music blog based in… wait for it, @refnaf … Guelph, Ontario!!!
American Idol alumni David Archuleta returns with his second studio outing of new material, The Other Side Of Down, which contains a solid collection of original songs. Unlike his first album, Archuleta had a hand 
in writing every song on the album, which is not only a pleasant surprise, but provides a much need personal approach to the music.
The fairly upbeat album is a solid collection of pop songs and showcases why the young singer was so popular on the American talent show. His voice is beyond his years and gives the lyrics more maturity than they were probably written to have. He shines a bit more on his ballads like Falling Stars, Things Are Gonna Get Better and My Kind Of Perfect.
If the album suffers from anything, it’s the similarity of the beats in the first half of the album, which hits on a good pop beat and continues until nearly half way through when it’s finally broken up by Falling Stars. From that point on the album takes a few more creative and much needed twists and turns to round out a more fulfilling release.
There are quite a few tracks that will be radio singles from this release, but my favourite is Parachutes And Airplanes, an exciting song with a nice chorus and great beat. It has enough depth that it could have be sung by Michael Bolton.
David Archuleta has shown an incredible growth with this album. Maybe it’s because of his greater input or maybe it’s because it’s his third release (including 2009’s Christmas From The Heart). Whatever the case may be, it’s nice to see Archuleta as a singer and as a songwriter.
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
goodness that JibJab video! LMBO
I hadn’t realized how many times David has joined rock bands on stage, he really can do it all.
I do wish he’d do more rock-type stuff. He certainly has it in him! I’ve heard “Team David” didn’t like Desperate but I did (it was my initial fave!) and agree he out-cookied that other David on it. Dang why wasn’t he allowed to sing more current stuff on AI!
I liked Desperate too! … some peeps feel really strongly against it, which I don’t get tbh.
I looove when Mr Nuthin’icantdo rocks it! My favorite of your vids is the EWTRTW…holey smokes! Little biased because his EWTRTW is one of my most favorites, original or cover. I hope he never stops performing it! The Jakarta Ponds Teen Concert had a huge crowd and the stage provided the prop needed for rawkstar D to shine! I loved this one too:
you’re so right about that stage, emme! look at him work it! Belt it out here, touch a few hands there, *waves*, introduce the band, cover every inch never missing a beat. nice. And I’m with you on EWTRTW, the original was one of my favourite songs back in the eighteees 🙂 and it’s def. one I need to hear him sing live!
Fun post! I had not seen that video, emmegirl14–thanks! Had to watch a few times to show proper appreciation for the stage work. “Mr Nuthin’icantdo” for sure!
I love me a guy who can rock it out with the best of them and still be comfy in a cardigan. 🙂
“Had to watch a few times to show proper appreciation for the stage work.” 🙂 🙂 🙂
“I love me a guy who can rock it out with the best of them and still be comfy in a cardigan. “, LOL!
tofan, came back to watch your Honourable Mentions, neither of which I had seen (huh?)
That KL concert was a doozie, he was in the groove baby!
I’ve always loved Stomping The Roses, the lyrics, the melody – and this is my favorite. Crank it up!
thx emme! LOVE STR! And this was one of those shows I’ve always regretting not going to (it was fairly close (5 hour drive, lol) … Even the soundcheck is awesome, esp. his change-up at the end!
Why did we not road trip to that show TOfan????? gah
oh my heck this is good!!!! Love these vids sooo much. I have always loved Desparate and would really love to see that live…..or any thing rocKish that comes from David…. man oh man, I NEED A DAVID CONCERT!!!
And also I love that Guelph mention…. heehee lots of GREAT THINGS from from Guelph