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.
Don't You
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you come see about me?
I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby
Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving me everything inside and out and
Love's strange, so real in the dark
Think of the tender things that we were working on
When will I get into your heart, baby?
Don't you forget about me
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't you forget about me
Will you stand above me, look my way, never love me?
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling down, down, down
Will you recognize me, call my name, or walk on by?
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling down, down, down
Hey, hey, hey, hey, ooooooooooh, ooh, oh
Don't you try to pretend
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
I won't harm you or touch your defences, vanity, insecurity
Don't you forget about me,
I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby
Going to take you apart,
I'll put us back together at heart, baby
Don't you forget about me
Don't, don't, don't, don't
Don't you forget about me
As you walk on by,
Will you call my name?
As you walk on by,
Will you call my name?
When you walk away
Oh, will you walk away?
Will you walk on by?
Come on, call my name
Will you call my name?
I say la, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la, la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la
Will you call my name?
(La la la la, la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la...)
(Will you call my name?)
The lyrics to David Cook and The Anthemic's song Don't You Forget About Me are a plea to a lover asking them not to forget about the singer. The song begins with the singer asking the lover to come see about them as they will be dancing alone. The singer then asks the lover to tell them their troubles and doubts and give the singer everything inside and out. The song acknowledges that love is strange and real in the dark and asks the lover to think of the tender things that they were working on. However, the singer also acknowledges that slow change may pull them apart and asks when the lover will let the singer into their heart.
The chorus of the song is a plea for the lover not to forget about the singer. The singer asks if the lover will stand above them, look their way, and never love them. They acknowledge that rain keeps falling down as they ask if the lover will recognize them, call their name, or walk on by.
The second verse of the song is an affirmation that the singer's feelings will win in the end. The singer promises not to harm the lover or touch their defenses, vanity, or insecurity. They reiterate that they will be alone, dancing, and that the singer will take the lover apart and put them back together at heart.
Overall, the song is a plea for the lover not to forget about the singer, to recognize them, and to allow them into their heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, hey, hey, hey, ooooooooooh, ooh, oh
The singer is calling the listener's attention and creating an emotional atmosphere.
Won't you come see about me?
The singer is asking the listener for emotional support and company.
I'll be alone, dancing, you know it baby
The singer is expressing vulnerability and a desire for companionship.
Tell me your troubles and doubts
The singer is inviting the listener to open up and share their feelings.
Giving me everything inside and out and
The singer is asking the listener to be fully present and to give everything to the relationship.
Love's strange, so real in the dark
The singer is acknowledging the complexities of love and how it can be difficult to navigate.
Think of the tender things that we were working on
The singer is reminding the listener of the positive aspects of their relationship.
Slow change may pull us apart
The singer is acknowledging that change is inevitable and can challenge a relationship.
When will I get into your heart, baby?
The singer is expressing a desire for emotional connection with the listener.
Don't you forget about me
The singer is asking the listener not to neglect or abandon the relationship.
Don't, don't, don't, don't
The singer is emphasizing the importance of their request.
Will you stand above me, look my way, never love me?
The singer is expressing fear of rejection and abandonment.
Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling down, down, down
The singer is using the rain as a metaphoric representation of their emotions and how they keep falling down.
Will you recognize me, call my name, or walk on by?
The singer is asking the listener to acknowledge their presence and show that they care.
Don't you try to pretend
The singer is asking the listener to be honest and authentic in the relationship.
It's my feeling we'll win in the end
The singer is expressing hope and optimism about the future of their relationship.
I won't harm you or touch your defenses, vanity, insecurity
The singer is reassuring the listener that they won't hurt them or exploit their weaknesses.
Going to take you apart, I'll put us back together at heart, baby
The singer is expressing a desire to break down any barriers in the relationship and rebuild it from the heart.
As you walk on by, will you call my name?
The singer is once again asking the listener to acknowledge their presence and show that they care.
When you walk away, oh, will you walk away?
The singer is expressing fear of being abandoned and left alone.
Come on, call my name, will you call my name?
The singer is pleading with the listener to show them love and affection.
I say la, la la la la, la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la
The singer is using a nonsensical phrase to create a vocal melody and add emotional resonance to the song.
Will you call my name?
The singer is once again asking the listener to show them love and affection.
(La la la la, la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la...)
The singer is once again using a nonsensical phrase to create a vocal melody and add emotional resonance to the song.
(Will you call my name?)
The singer is once again asking the listener to show them love and affection.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
follias
I just can't stop hitting replay. Every time I listen I hear another remarkable nuance in Cook cover. Can't wait for his new album. I've already pre-ordered it. Gotta pay for the music to support the musicians. I hope he sings this on his upcoming tour for the new album.
IceRaven3
At 59 years old, I have heard a LOT of rock in my life! David always brings a fresh approach, a new way of expression, and it's not just someone else singing an old song. The song becomes new, exciting and a welcome addition to any playlist generated. And then there is David himself, with an electricity and excitement all his own that makes every song spectacular!
Jenny
Congrats at year 69
1967Cindy
I'm so glad David got chosen to sing the boot song. What a voice! His album is going to be so good.
GraceC4David
This is my fav song from my fav movie. To make my fav song sound way better then the original is just well what he does. He takes a great song puts his own spin on it & makes it even better if that's even possible. Haven't known anyone who can do that better then him. Can't wait to see him perform this live. The more I listen to this song the more I love it. He so deserves all this publicity, it's a long time coming.
jbjgurl77
Just like everything else from this man..the song is amazing. David doesn't do covers, he does betters. His voice has this special quality to it that makes you FEEL the music. Love him!
03pattie1972
I heard the original on the radio the other day and I felt nostalgic....then when David Cook's version came on on my I pod I got goosebumps and my heart started to beat a little faster!! It's that voice of his that gets to me evey time!! I wouldn't say one is better than the other they are just different...and right now I love different!!!!
Incipit9
Love this version - great dynamics and that dramatic tenor Voice front and center! Good selection by Simon Fuller for the departing contestants - not a mean spirited, sad or discouraged song at all. Just enough to whet the appetite and spark more pre-orders for David's new album - 'as if' he was forgotten. Heh. The fans have been patiently waiting. Cool to have this excellent extra treat as a small reward.
ladynsearch
Can't get enough of this song, of his voice, what he does with it is well seductive, so so sexy. Such an amazing versatile voice. His voice is an actor, it can always play the part. David Cook always bests the original cover and so obviously true in this song!
7skittlesful
David's voice gives this cover an edge the original didn't have which updates the vibe without trashing the goodness of the original. Excellent choice for the Idol exit song, a hopeful sentiment. Simon Fuller (Idol producer) is a genius for selecting this song and David to perform it.