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.
Criminals
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Held down for an eternity, victims
Tell me, are you list'ning
Let's break out of this prison cell
Create stories the world will tell their children
In time, we'll be forgiven
But tonight, you and I
From the choices we made
So let's run, for our lives
Just like we're animals
'Cause, baby, we're criminals
Spotlights, tracing our every move
Hearts race, breathless and bulletproof, I'll hold you
Won't let anybody hurt you
This fight, fell at our footsteps
And I swear, the further that we get, the closer we are
To finding love in these scars
'Cause tonight, you and I
We can make our escape
From the choices we made
So let's run, for our lives
Just like we're animals
'Cause, baby, we're criminals
Yeah, we're all against the wall
Looking for a way around
On the run like criminals
Breaking out
But tonight, you and I
We can make our escape
From the choices we made
So let's run, for our lives
Just like we're animals
'Cause tonight, you and I
We can make our escape
From the choices we made
So let's run, for our lives
Just like we're animals
'Cause, baby, we're criminals
'Cause, baby, we're criminals
The song “Criminals” by David Cook speaks of a sense of imprisonment that two individuals feel they are trapped in. They feel victimized, trapped and almost held down for eternity by their past choices. The opening lyrics highlight the urgency and importance of their situation by stating that they are in a “state of emergency”. Despite feeling trapped, the singer seeks to create a story that will be told to children in the future by breaking out of their personal “prison cell”. The lyrics also suggest that they are seeking forgiveness - they know that in time they will be forgiven.
The chorus of the song is a call to action. The singer wants to break free from their past and ‘criminal’ actions, and feels the only way to do so is to escape. They want to “run for their lives,” reminding us that they are feeling trapped and in a dangerous situation. The phrase “just like we’re animals” reinforces the point that they feel trapped and are fighting for their freedom.
The song uses a mixture of imagery that creates a sense of urgency, danger and the desire for freedom. The singer is seeking change, redemption and forgiveness; all of which can be symbolized by escape. Ultimately, the song seems to be about two people who feel trapped by their mistakes and bad choices, but who are hopeful that they can escape from their past to find love and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a state of emergency
The situation is dire and requires immediate attention.
Held down for an eternity, victims
We have been oppressed for a long time and are suffering the consequences.
Tell me, are you list’ning
Are you paying attention and ready to take action?
Let's break out of this prison cell
Let's escape from the constraints that have been placed on us.
Create stories the world will tell their children
We have the power to shape our own narrative and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
In time, we’ll be forgiven
Although we may be viewed as criminals now, eventually we will be absolved of our transgressions.
But tonight, you and I
In this moment,
We can make our escape
We can break free from our current situation.
From the choices we made
From the decisions that led us to this point.
So let’s run, for our lives
Let's flee as if our survival depends on it.
Just like we’re animals
Like primal beings driven by instinct.
'Cause, baby, we’re criminals
We may be breaking the law, but we are doing it for a greater purpose.
Spotlights, tracing our every move
We are under constant surveillance and scrutiny.
Hearts race, breathless and bulletproof, I’ll hold you
We are scared but also fearless, and I will protect you.
Won’t let anybody hurt you
I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.
This fight, fell at our footsteps
We didn't ask for this conflict, but it is up to us to confront it.
And I swear, the further that we get, the closer we are
As we move away from our past, we are also progressing towards a better future.
To finding love in these scars
We can find beauty and healing in our wounds.
Yeah, we’re all against the wall
We are backed into a corner with no other options.
Looking for a way around
Searching for a solution to our problem.
On the run like criminals
Our situation is so dire that we must flee and live like outlaws.
Breaking out
Escaping from our constraints and limitations.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID COOK, BLAIR DALY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Foster
Yes! Voice that shakes the ground like thunder! Make more music videos, boss, entertaining to see the power you feel when bellowing these songs. From one David to another.
David Foster
+David Foster And let us know if you'll be going on a tour anytime soon, I'd love to see you here in NC again!
Frankey
I was lucky enough to see him perform this live AND meet him. Still have no words for how much I adore him!
nathália
I'm so amazed with this video. Congrats to the director. Good to have you back David.
Low Gunfire
Nathália Rodrigues this song is lower than piping hot dog feces.
Olivia Craner
I can't stop playing this song
Annie Hughes
This is one amazing video for one amazing song. Every step of this #DigitalVein album release, from the Pledgemusic campaign, the fantastic early teaser singles & "got to have" exclusives to the pulse racing, hold your breath roll out & now this stunning video, has been a thrilling journey for all of us ~ thank you so much for letting us be a part of it. Congrats to everyone on the DC team & good luck on your upcoming US Tour. #DigitalVein #davidcook #newmusicfriday
cigg abee
OMG!!!! This video is AWESOME!!! Great job to David and the director!! Digital Vein is a killer!! So worth the 4 year wait!!!
4land30
Love the artist, the song & the video! David Cook never disappoints!
Eduardo Maia
this album is amazing! never stop with your music, for us!