Sabrina Carpenter’s ultra-feminine pop hits have been taking over the scene these last couple of summers. But can you imagine a bloke singing her sultry love songs? You don’t need to – American Idol alumnus David Archuleta has already done it, releasing an acoustic cover of Sabrina’s “Please Please Please” that’s amassed an incredible one million YouTube views to date.
David’s cover shows off the hit in a way you’ve never heard it before. And if you’re a Sabrina hater, riding the bandwagon of “she’s an industry plant, not a true artist,” this viral clip might just change your opinion on her Grammy-nominated hit, originally co-written by Sabrina, Jack Antonoff, and Amy Allen.
David doesn’t merely strip back the song to an electric piano ballad, but peels away the all-distracting sex appeal clouding Sabrina’s original to reveal the song in its purest form. But that’s not all. David and his session musicians put a slight R&B spin on this bubblegum pop hit, drawing out the key changes with David mastering the falsettos like a seasoned pro.
We’ve got to hand it to David for adding a slice of authenticity to this track. It’d be easy to recreate Sabrina’s vibe, singing the lyrics in her own style, but David lays his own sweet flavors into this cover, even cleaning up the expletives with some wholesome new lyrics. Want to see the difference for yourself? Music Man readers can check out Sabrina’s original in the video below!
David Archuleta first shot to fame as a child star, winning the second season of TV talent show “Star Search” in 2003 at just 12 years of age. In 2008, at the age of 16, he starred in the seventh season of “American Idol” where he made it all the way to the finals, landing in second place after season-winner David Cook.
David Archuleta found his niche performing good vibe, all-smiling pop hits, and it’s this exact personality which makes this cover so blessed to watch. As one top commenter wrote, “Nobody sang this song as smoothly and tenderly as David did!” Others added, “So pure, sweet and wholesome…” and “He articulates every word with such pretty sounds, this is refreshing to listen to.”
Haven’t heard much of David since his American Idol days? Here’s what he’s been up to lately: In 2021, the star made headlines coming out as queer; in 2023, he joined TV show “The Masked Singer” performing as Macaw the bird and reaching the finals; his most recent single, “Up,” dropping that same year.
David Archuleta’s inventive take on Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” offers a fresh perspective on the pop landscape. With his soulful rendition, David highlights the song’s depth and artistry, inviting even the skeptics to reconsider their views on Sabrina’s work. For more insights into David’s remarkable cover and Sabrina’s compelling original, explore the links below.