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.
Take Me As I Am
David Cook Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is no surrender, my dear,
This is my parade
My happy ever after
But only if you're here
When I'm lost and broken
Take me as I am
Open up your arms and let me in
Out here on my own
I know I'm not alone
Let me in your heart
Right where you stand
Take me as I am
We can take tonight
And make it last forever
If you dare
Ooh, we can run away
And take the world together
But only if you care
With these words unspoken
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms and let me in
Out here on my own
I know I'm not alone
Let me in your heart
Right where you stand
Take me as I am
Give a second chance
We can take tomorrow
Make it better, you and me
Give me one more try
Before we say goodbye
Right here in this moment
Here forever
Everyday
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms and let me in
Out here on my own
I know I'm not alone
Let me in your heart
Right where you stand
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
In David Cook's "Take Me As I Am," the singer is expressing their desire for their significant other to accept them for who they are, flaws and all. The lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to give up everything, including their own happiness, for the sake of being with the one they love. The line "This is my parade, my happy ever after, but only if you're here," indicates that the singer believes that true happiness is only attainable if they are with their partner.
The singer also acknowledges that they have been lost and broken, but they still want to be accepted regardless of their past mistakes. The repeated chorus "Take me as I am, right here where I stand" drives home the point that the singer wants to be loved for who they are at this very moment. The line "We can take tonight and make it last forever" shows that the singer wants to hold onto this moment and make it last forever, while the line "Give a second chance, we can take tomorrow, make it better, you and me" indicates that the singer is willing to work towards a better future with their partner.
Overall, "Take Me As I Am" is a song about acceptance, forgiveness, and the desire for love. It is a plea for someone to take the singer as they are, flaws and all, and to help them to build a better future together.
Line by Line Meaning
This is no escape
This situation cannot be avoided or denied.
This is no surrender, my dear,
This is not giving up, but instead giving into the situation.
This is my parade
This is my time to shine and be celebrated.
My happy ever after
My future without worries or doubts.
But only if you're here
This bright future only exists with the presence of the other person.
When I'm lost and broken
During times of hardship and confusion.
Take me as I am
Accept me without changes or reservations.
Right here where I stand
In this moment and place.
Open up your arms and let me in
Welcome me into your life with love and acceptance.
Out here on my own
Alone and without support.
I know I'm not alone
Despite feeling alone, I am aware of the possibility of connection and support.
Let me in your heart
Allow me to be deeply connected to you, emotionally and spiritually.
We can take tonight
The possibility of creating an amazing moment exists, but only with the other person's participation.
And make it last forever
This moment could possibly continue forever with the right circumstances.
If you dare
If the other person is willing and open to the possibility of connection and commitment.
Ooh, we can run away
The possibility of escaping the current reality exists, but only if the other person is willing to go with me.
And take the world together
We have the power to create change and impact the world around us, but only by working together.
But only if you care
All of these wonderful possibilities can only happen with genuine love and care from the other person.
With these words unspoken
Despite the potential of all of these wonderful things, there is still communication that has yet to happen.
Give a second chance
Allowing for the possibility of redemption and reconnection in a past relationship.
We can take tomorrow
Together we can create a better future.
Make it better, you and me
This brighter future can only exist if we work together and support each other.
Give me one more try
Request for the other person to give one more opportunity to make things right.
Before we say goodbye
Before we give up on each other and walk away permanently.
Right here in this moment
This is the opportunity to save the relationship and come together again.
Here forever
The potential for a lasting relationship exists, but only if we seize this moment.
Everyday
This type of commitment and support must happen every day, not just once in a while.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID COOK, MARTIN H. FREDERIKSEN, SCOTT CHRISTOPHER STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kuokuovor Mepfhü-o
This is no escape
This is no surrender, my dear,
This is my parade
My happy ever after
But only if you're here
When I'm lost and broken
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms and let me in
Out here on my own
I know I'm not alone
Let me in your heart
Right where you stand
Take me as I am
We can take tonight
And make it last forever
If you dare
Ooh, we can run away
And take the world together
But only if you care
With these words unspoken
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms and let me in
Out here on my own
I know I'm not alone
Let me in your heart
Right where you stand
Take me as I am
Give a second chance
We can take tomorrow
Make it better, you and me
Give me one more try
Before we say goodbye
Right here in this moment
Here forever
Everyday
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms
Take me as I am
Right here where I stand
Open up your arms and let me in
Out here on my own
I know I'm not alone
Let me in your heart
Right where you stand
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Take me as I am
Hitsuga Tatsuro
That voice, that depth, that power... That's why he's my favorite singer.
ryknroller nana
I voted for him on AI and knew the first time I heard him, he had that kind of voice. Awesome talent.
Emma
Gosh I miss this. I miss when American Idol actually made stars like David. He was one of the best. I absolutley love his music.
beeweejr
Yes! Said similar tonight to friends. This track is GREAT!
Suzanne Lancaster
He really is one of a kind! I love all the left handed musicians that are born in 1982! David Cook from AI, & Chris Rene Xfactor USA season 1. Paula Abdul loved them both too! She’s my fav judge too!!
Tana Burgard
(You Mean, IS... ;) 😎😛😁💪😘
Eon kabir
hmmm ur right
Angela Black
Why have I not heard this song before?! I love it! Man he is so talented.
Tyy Smit
Angela Black he is. I love his music
Tiff081805
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. It touches my heart in a way I can't even describe. David's voice is magical and heals my soul.