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.
Makeover
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fall behind with words unsaid you know they're always obscene
'cause my ears, they bled before; I need to let them heal
She fell out; her broken legs won't let her walk away
From this town that couldn't give a single shit either way
And her fears, they bled before she's convinced that they're real
What are you looking for?
It's not me
It's not me
Lost her way from everything she swore she knew, a friend
Run away from start to finish though it never ends
In her mind she is blinded by all she sees
Close your eyes; just pretend the bullet isn't there
No surprise; no need to pretend that no one really cares
But in her eyes you will find the very best in me
What are you looking for?
Are you looking for something more?
It's not me
It's not me
When did it all unwind?
Are you prepared for what you'll find?
It's not me
It's not me
David Cook's song "Makeover" is a powerful anthem about feeling lost, alone, and in need of change. The lyrics express a sense of frustration and pain at being unable to escape a town and mindset that is unsupportive and unfulfilling. Cook describes feeling "completely colorblind," unable to see the potential for growth and happiness that may lie just out of reach. He talks about how his ears "bled before," indicating a sense of trauma and emotional damage that needs time to heal.
Cook also mentions a woman who has fallen and broken her legs, but who is unable to leave the town that has let her down. She feels her fears are "real" and that nobody cares about her or her struggles. Cook urges listeners to examine their own desires and motivations, asking them, "What are you looking for? Are you looking for something more?" For Cook, the answer isn't always clear, but it is clear that he's ready to make changes and move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Completely colorblind, these red lights are going unseen
Unable to see the warning signs, missing obvious signals
Fall behind with words unsaid you know they're always obscene
Falling behind due to unspoken truths that are always rude
'cause my ears, they bled before; I need to let them heal
Trying to recover from past pain caused by hurtful words
She fell out; her broken legs won't let her walk away
Unable to leave a situation due to physical or emotional trauma
From this town that couldn't give a single shit either way
Living in a place where no one cares about her or her situation
And her fears, they bled before she's convinced that they're real
Past experiences have convinced her that her fears are warranted
What are you looking for?
Are you looking for something more?
It's not me
It's not me
Questioning what someone wants, but realizing that it's not what he has to offer
Lost her way from everything she swore she knew, a friend
Run away from start to finish though it never ends
Feeling lost and betrayed by someone she thought was a friend, and running away from the never-ending cycle of pain
In her mind she is blinded by all she sees
Mentally overwhelmed and unable to see the situation clearly
Close your eyes; just pretend the bullet isn't there
No surprise; no need to pretend that no one really cares
Ignoring the obvious danger and lack of care from others
But in her eyes you will find the very best in me
Believing that she can offer her best qualities to someone else
When did it all unwind?
Are you prepared for what you'll find?
It's not me
It's not me
Wondering when things fell apart and questioning the readiness to face the consequences, but knowing that he is not the answer
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
drc08rules
One of my favorite lines of David Cook lyrics ...."But in her eyes you will find the very best in me" David Cook is an amazing songwriter ..... Love his cryptic lyrics Analog Heart is a masterpiece album (but than) all his albums are
Derrik Grella
My favorite David Cook song ever! I used to have Makeover on my old iPod and laptop, but lost both :( I wish there was a way to download this song again.
Derrik Grella
Thank you so much! I just saw this link now. Hope it still works.
빈빈
i have this song on my playlist for a long time and its just recently that i got totally addicted to it. lovely song and i really love the lyrics. :) i wonder where the inspiration came from. :D
Hsin Yu Chen
my favorite song of David cook :) thanks for the lyrics!
Hsin Yu Chen
my favorite song of David cook! thanks for the lyrics :D
l0r3st0
love this song so much! this is the face i want on my desktop! such a beautiful spirit behind the beautiful face/voice! thanks!
Poliam Kim
I really really love this song
musicdiva722
Amazing song :)
Sweetmuffins0018
Great video. I love this.