Tonight at 8 PM, the 7th season of the hit reality show American Idol will air its huge spectacular season finale, The Battle of the 2 Davids. The remaining finalists, David Cook and David Archuleta, will try to out melisma one another on the grand stage, in front of what promises to be a star-studded audience. Each David brings something entirely different to the table: While Cook’s borderline-constipational vocals have managed to win over most everyone with earholes, Archuleta’s kind-of-autismal lip quivering has the pre-pubes in a tizzy. It will be a fight to the ultimate finish.

For those of you out there who, like me, have watched the last 6 AI Season Finales, you will already be familiar with tonight’s structure. Each contestant will be singing 3 songs: 2 songs that already exist, and then one brand new, original song, that will eventually be the first single for whoever takes the Idol Crown. These original songs usually share the exact same themes, those of hope, dreams, new beginnings and dreams. In fact, the longer the show continues, the more these original songs seems to blend together: The differences between Kelly Clarkson’s first single “A Moment Like This” and Jordin Sparks‘ first single “This Is My Now” are almost lyrically negligible.

Which led me to think: How hard is it to write the Original American Idol Finale Song? Hence, I am proud to present the following BWE.tv Special Assignment: The Great 180 Second American Idol Songwriting Challenge, where I, Michelle Collins, and my fellow bloggers, Dan Hopper and Alex Blagg, take 180 seconds exactly to compose what we think would make the perfect rousing finale ballad.

Here are the results of the challenge, which might constitute the most inspiring and heart-felt grouping of words ever posted here at BWE.tv. Take a look at what we put together, and then, the Challenge is on you: Set your clock to 3 minutes, and compose your very own AI finale song. And please, leave the results in the comments. Tomorrow, we’ll compare our results to the actual original song sung tonight.

After the jump, Dan Hopper, Alex Blagg and myself take The G180SAISWC!

OK, here goes: First up, here is my go at the title:

“The Letter You” by Michelle Collins

What would you do to achieve the highest power?
What would you do to make a difference in your life?
How many times have you led life in sorrow,
When tomorrow’s the time to make things right?

For once in my life
With a dream and a mission
I’m taking control of my own destiny

For once in my life
My final destination
Is making the most out of meeee!

(lightning strikes in background)

The time is now, the dream is near
the moment’s big, my heart’s right here
for the future of the hope that is true!

Your face is close, my heart beats fast
It’s feeling that I hope will last
My life is complete with one letter: The Letter You.

(repeat again, 7 octaves higher.)

Your face is close, my heart beats fast
It’s feeling that I hope will last
My life is complete with one letter:

The Letter You.

Next up… Dan Hopper reaches inside of himself for this lyrical journey:

“(Nothing’s Gonna Stop My) American Heart” by Dan Hopper

Sometimes my heart’s too full of dreams
The mountains cry the sun it seems
But I won’t stop, no I’m no dove
Because there’s love in all my dreams

America, God shines the way
To love and loss, I’ll find the day
Your tender kiss, I know it’s true
I’ll be in your arms on the mountain forever, do

Mountain foreeeeeeeeeeeehhhhvaaahhhhhhhh

Because NOOOOOOOTHHIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGG
Is gonna stop my American heart
Not wind or rain, or dreams or skies
Can tear our hearts apart

NOOOOOOOTHHIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGG
Can ever stop my American heeeeaaaaart!
Not God or love, or wish or eyes
‘Cause Amerrrriiccaaaaaaaaaa

[triangle]

I heart you from the staaaaarrttt

Finally, Alex “For The Troops” Blagg puts his virtual quill to digital paper and pens this ballad:

“Never Forget” by Alex Blagg

(dedicated to The Troops)

Here I stand…
alone on your stage.
I’m just a man…
who loves the USA.
The competition
Is only inside of me,
and I just won’t quit!
Win or lose, the one thing
I’ll remember…
(whispered)…is Never Forget…

(piano solo)

Here I stand…
millions in front of me.
All I have…
A dream broadcast on TV.
America’s future!
It soars like an Eagle wing
Oh can you see it?
Lift up your voice and sing,
But remember…
…Never Forget…

(choked up crying solo)

Thank you so much! I love you all!

(incoherent syllables slurred through violent sobbing solo)

YOUR TURN. Take The Great 180 Second American Idol Songwriting Challenge and leave the results in our comments section! Also, check out our American Idol Word Cloud