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.
Day Tripper
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got a good reason for taking the easy way out now
She was a day tripper, a one way ticket yea
It took me so long to find out, and I found out
She's a big teaser, she took me half the way there
She's a big teaser, she took me half the way there now
Tried to please her, she only played one night stands
Tried to please her, she only played one night stands now
She was a day tripper, a Sunday driver yea
Took me so long to find out, and I found out
Day tripper
Day tripper yeah
The lyrics of David Cook's version of "Day Tripper" speak of a girl who is a "big teaser" and only plays "one night stands." The song's subject asserts that he has a good reason for "taking the easy way out," presumably to avoid the girl's flirtatious and detached behavior. The girl is described as a "day tripper," a term often used in the '60s to describe someone who uses drugs on a recreational basis. However, it is possible that the term is being used in a more literal sense, as the girl is described as a "Sunday driver," suggesting she may be someone who enjoys aimless and mindless excursions.
As the song progresses, it is revealed that the girl has taken the singer "half the way there." It is not specified where "there" is, but it is clear that the girl has led the singer on without ever intending to commit. In the end, the song repeats the declaration that the girl is a "day tripper," and suggests that it took the singer a long time to realize this about her.
Overall, the lyrics seem to speak to the idea of avoiding people who are not interested in anything serious, and choosing to take the easy way out of a situation that won't ultimately be fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a good reason for taking the easy way out
I had valid motive for taking the simplest route possible
Got a good reason for taking the easy way out now
My reason for choosing the easy path is current and relevant
She was a day tripper, a one way ticket yea
She only explored and experienced life casually without any commitment
It took me so long to find out, and I found out
It took me a considerable period to realize the nature of her personality
She's a big teaser, she took me half the way there
She leads me halfway through something enticing and then left me stranded
She's a big teaser, she took me half the way there now
She still employs the same manipulation tactics to leave me unfulfilled
Tried to please her, she only played one night stands
I attempted to make her happy, but she only desired temporary pleasures
Tried to please her, she only played one night stands now
She remains unsatisfied by anything lasting, opting instead for fleeting moments
She was a day tripper, a Sunday driver yea
She only pursued things leisurely and without any commitment, like a casual weekend drive
Took me so long to find out, and I found out
It took me ages, but I finally realized her true character
Day tripper
Someone who lives life casually without committing to anything for long
Day tripper yeah
Affirmation and emphasis of the aforementioned definition
Contributed by Lillian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
chirorickyp
He nailed it. Love this version of Day Tripper.
MLarracuente
Wow, it is 2016 and I still like this performance so much. The best thing about that week was that it made him come back with the performance that secured him the crown....Chris Cornell's version of Billy Jean.
grammypj
My fav Beatles song sung by our local KC area talent! Outstanding job DC! You deserved the win!
Logan
Ik what u mean this was actually one of my favorite performances of him. I loved it!!!
Kami0938
You have literally been my fave since day one and I still forever love your voice. Your range and ability is absolutely stunning<3
Duke S
I actually liked David's arrangement of this better than the Beatles. Did not agree with Simon at all. Great job, David!!!
Kensi Blonde
He got this one so wrong. Dumb Simon.
Kenneth Hill
@Kensi Blonde I think just because David looked smug.
Stacee Lashley
He deserved to win that year!!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
blondewriter99
Way underrated. One of his best.