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.
Let Go
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I know not to let it linger
This moment is potent
'cause I'm feeling a transition
From the city of tradition
One action: reaction
Has it been that long since you opened up your eyes
'cause it'll hit you when you're not watching
I don't know why you won't let go
So let go
A release of some proportion
The event is set in motion
This white line is defined
So take your hands away from my eyes
'cause you can't escape the sunrise
One action: (reaction)
Has it been that long since you opened up your eyes
To look out below
'cause it'll hit you when you're not watching
I don't know why you won't let go
So let go, let go
Has it been that long since you opened up your eyes
To look out below
'cause it'll hit you when you're not watching
I don't know why you won't let go
So let go, let go
The song "Let Go" by David Cook is an upbeat and energetic tune that speaks of seizing the moment and overcoming one's fears. The singer speaks of having a "happy trigger finger," which suggests that he is ready and willing to take action, indicating a sense of being in control. He also speaks of feeling a transition from the "city of tradition," indicating that he is making a change and moving forward.
The lyrics touch on the concept of being in the moment and living life to the fullest, which is further emphasized through the chorus of the song. Cook sings about opening up one's eyes and looking out below, indicating that one needs to be aware of their surroundings and be ready for anything. The line "I don't know why you won't let go" speaks of the importance of letting go of one's fears and embracing change, something that may be daunting for some people.
The overall message of the song is one of empowerment and seizing the moment. The upbeat rhythm, along with the lyrics, creates a sense of momentum, urging listeners to take action and move forward in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a happy trigger finger
I'm eager and ready to take action
And I know not to let it linger
I won't hesitate to act when the time is right
This moment is potent
The present is powerful and significant
'cause I'm feeling a transition
I sense a change is happening
From the city of tradition
From a place known for adhering to the past
One action: reaction
Every action has a consequence
Has it been that long since you opened up your eyes
Have you been oblivious to what's happening around you for a while?
To look out below
To see what's ahead and not just what's familiar
'cause it'll hit you when you're not watching
Because change can happen unexpectedly
I don't know why you won't let go
I don't understand why you're not willing to move on
So let go
Release your hold and move forward
A release of some proportion
A significant letting go
The event is set in motion
The change is happening
This white line is defined
The course of action is clear
So take your hands away from my eyes
Stop trying to shield me from what's happening
'cause you can't escape the sunrise
You can't stop change from happening
So let go, let go
Release your hold and move forward
Has it been that long since you opened up your eyes
Have you been oblivious to what's happening around you for a while?
To look out below
To see what's ahead and not just what's familiar
'cause it'll hit you when you're not watching
Because change can happen unexpectedly
I don't know why you won't let go
I don't understand why you're not willing to move on
So let go, let go
Release your hold and move forward
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robin Liberty
David Cook at his pre-Idol BEST!