One of the few "American Idol" finalists from season five who has so far not signed a record deal is partially responsible for the biggest single to come from the crop so far.

Ace Young, the smooth, George Michael-influenced seventh-place finisher, actually co-wrote the chorus to his close friend Chris Daughtry's "It's Not Over," a title fitting for Young's own career. "All these songwriters are taking me seriously now as a songwriter," Young said. "And now I'm writing with the biggest songwriters in the world."

Among those collaborators are Diane Warren and Desmond Child, who have worked with several former "Idols" in the past, including Daughtry. "I've played them the songs I've been writing and they believe in it," Young said. "They wanted to make sure we had control, so [a record deal would be] more about promotion and not someone saying, 'Can we have a cowbell through that song?' I don't want a major [label] touching me until the album is ready."

Young has been recording for a few months and describes his album as pop with a soulful R&B vibe, in the spirit of his biggest "Idol" hit, Michael's "Father Figure." "When you hear it, you're gonna want to get into it," Young said of the LP, adding that he's also working with KC of the Sunshine Band. "Every time you hear any of his songs, people get up. And I want to carry that on to the new generation."

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