On June 28, 2011, Cook released his second major-label studio album, entitled "This Loud Morning". Produced by Matt Serletic, the album consists of 14 tracks penned by Cook along with co-writers David Hodges, Ryan Tedder, Kevin Griffin and Marti Frederiksen, among others. The album title comes from a line in the song “Rapid Eye Movement” – “Give me one more quiet night, before this loud morning gets it right, and does me in.”
On May 10, 2012, Cook debuted a new, independently released single, The Last Song I’ll Write for You, on American Idol. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Cook denied this was written with his former record company in mind, despite the fact it was his first new song after losing his recording contract with RCA. He insisted it was a break-up song that came together very quickly.
Early Music Career: David Cook formed a band with his friend Bobby Kerr while at high school. The band was initially named Red Eye, later Axium. He wrote his first song titled “Red Hot” when he was fifteen. He was encouraged by Evan Sula-Goff of 8stops7 to make an album when he went to Cook’s school to judge a contest, Mr. Jaguar, where David Cook and his band performed Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradise City”. The band had some success when one of their songs, “Hold”, was selected to be played in movie theaters across the country, and they were named one of the top 15 independent bands in the country by “Got Milk?” contest as well as the best Kansas City band in 2004.
Axium however broke up in 2006 and David Cook moved to Tulsa where he joined Midwest Kings, a band he once opened for. Members of that band Andy Skib and Neal Tiemann later became part of David Cook’s post-Idol band The Anthemic. He recorded and self-released a solo album Analog Heart in 2006, which sold well regionally.He worked as a bartender prior to appearing on Idol.
In 2006, after obtaining a degree in graphic arts, Cook had to decide whether he wanted to be a musician or a graphic designer. “I gave myself every opportunity not to do music,” he says, “but it was always there. I couldn’t ignore it.” He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was in the early stages of recording his second album when his younger brother Andrew asked Cook to accompany him to Omaha and lend moral support while he tried out for American Idol. Andrew didn’t make the cut, but he encouraged a very reluctant David to try out. After Cook made it through the early auditions, he reportedly told his brother he’d drop out if Andrew didn’t want him to go through with it. “He threatened to beat my ass if I didn’t, so it’s entirely his fault that all this happened to me,” Cook says with a smile.
One week after being declared the winner with a record-breaking 56 percent of the nearly 100 million votes cast, Cook rewrote chart history when 11 of his songs debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart — the highest number of new entries in a single week by an artist since the Beatles in 1964. Topping the list was “The Time of My Life,” which debuted at No. 3, making it the highest new entry on the Hot 100 of 2008.
Cook’s self-titled major-label debut was released on November 18, 2008. His debut album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association for America (RIAA) for sales exceeding one-million units in January 2009.
In January 2009, Cook announced he would be embarking on a national tour in February. The Declaration Tour began on February 13, 2009 in Tallahassee, Florida, and was originally set to end in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 25, 2009. Due to strong ticket sales, the tour was extended several times, finally wrapping up on December 1, 2009 at The Fillmore in Charlotte, North Carolina, after 154 concerts in the U.S. and Canada. During 2009 Cook also took his show overseas to the Philippines, and performed for troops in Iraq with the USO.
On April 30, 2013, Cook released a new single, “Laying Me Low”, through XIX Recordings, the record label of American Idol creator Simon Fuller. The song was written by David Cook, Chris Reardon, and Andy Waldeck.
2. Don't Say a Word
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'cause there's a tension in the air
Of something unresolved
I can smell it in your hair
So step down (step down)
Look around (look around)
You could leave it all behind
Never hear another sound
They will never show you the same
So don't say a word
That I wouldn't say
Just crumble it up
And throw it away
We're just wasting time
We're taking up space
So don't say a word
That I wouldn't say to you
Are you breathing for nothing
'cause there's a vision in my eye
Of something unresolved
I swear it feels like this could die
I can see (I can see)
To a degree (to a degree)
A broken back is always something
If you did it saving me
Say you're holding onto nothing
And it's showing all over your face
So don't say a word
That I wouldn't say
Just crumble it up
And throw it away
We're just wasting time
We're taking up space
So don't say a word
That I wouldn't say to you, to you
So don't say a word
That I wouldn't say
Just crumble it up
And throw it away
We're just wasting time
We're taking up space
So don't say a word
That I wouldn't say to you
That I wouldn't say to you
That I wouldn't say to you
In David Cook's "Don't Say A Word," he is addressing someone who he believes is holding onto something that they shouldn't be. There's a palpable tension in the air, and Cook can sense that there's something unresolved between them. He urges the person to step down and look around, to realize that they can leave their troubles behind and never hear another sound. He warns them not to hold onto someone who won't show them the same level of affection or commitment that they give, and instead to let go of what's holding them back.
Cook also divulges his own fears and apprehensions, revealing that he's worried that their relationship is going to die. He sees a vision of something unresolved, and he worries that it's going to crumble and fall apart. He reveals that he was once saved by this other person, but now it's time for them to let go of their burdens and not hold onto nothing, which is showing all over their face.
The overarching theme of the song is one of letting go and moving on. Cook is urging the other person to stop holding themselves back and to free themselves from whatever is causing the tension and unresolved issues between them.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you waiting for something
Is there something you're expecting or hoping for?
'cause there's a tension in the air
I feel a sense of anxiety or unease around you
Of something unresolved
There's an issue or problem that hasn't been resolved
I can smell it in your hair
I can sense it in your presence
So step down (step down)
Let go and relax
Look around (look around)
Take a moment to observe your surroundings
You could leave it all behind
You have the option to move on or leave this unsettled situation
Never hear another sound
You can escape the noise and chaos
Say you're holding onto someone
Admit that you're holding onto a person or relationship
They will never show you the same
They won't reciprocate the same level of commitment or love
So don't say a word
Don't express anything that could make things worse
That I wouldn't say
I don't have anything productive to add to the conversation either
Just crumble it up
Forget about it and move on
And throw it away
Don't hold onto things that are causing you pain or distress
We're just wasting time
We are not making progress in any way
We're taking up space
We're not letting life move forward
So don't say a word
Stop talking and let things fade away
That I wouldn't say to you
I'm not going to lie or build up false hope either
Are you breathing for nothing
Is there a point to your existence?
'cause there's a vision in my eye
I have a sense of what could be different or better
I swear it feels like this could die
I'm afraid that this could all come to an end soon
I can see (I can see)
I have some insight or understanding
To a degree (to a degree)
To some extent
A broken back is always something
There's always some cost or sacrifice involved in helping each other
If you did it saving me
If you made that sacrifice for me
Say you're holding onto nothing
Admit that you're not holding onto anything worthwhile
And it's showing all over your face
Your expression is revealing your true feelings
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Hollinshead
K but why is analog heart his best album 😂
edmonneto
This album REALLY should be on Spotify
Carl Wanglöf
YES!!!!
Felipe
Agree
Elina
Why there aren't any comments on an awesome song like this? This should be the official anthem for the broken hearted - there's always the light at the end of the tunnel!
Jayden Van Stee
I think there was silence because every one was speechless about how good this song is
angela smith
another great song off of Analog Heart..
DCsGlory
It's one of my favorite songs from Analog Heart, though I seem to love every single song this man writes/sings.
NyCArole426
Always a fav... <3
Rachale Magdaraog
2020 ❤️