Why David Cook could become Rock’s Next Big Superstar
By Erika Blake
Entertainment Hotline Reporter
I’ve come to a conclusion that unless British men are gay they simply don’t know how to identify when another man is sexy. First Simon Cowell spent most of this season in the dark over David Cook’s charisma during season 7 of American Idol, but apparently Idol producer Nigel Lythogoe is in desperate need of someone shoving a flashlight into his hands in order for him to recognize what is obvious to the members of the feminine sex. OK!Magazine sat down with the American Idol producer who bluntly stated this head spinning ditty about Cook “He can certainly sing – and I’d like to see a bit more personality when he’s singing,” he said. “And that was the only thing that I think our finalists [Cook and Archuleta] lacked a little bit this year, was more charisma.”
Yeah alright Nigel, whatever you say. He also further showed his utter lack of understanding what makes the female sex drive kick into high gear by suggesting that “the pair should use the American Idol Live tour this summer, which starts in Glendale Az. on July 1, to learn to put a unique sparkle into their performances.”
Excuse me, I’m laughing my butt off over here. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Now Nigel, slamming Archie is just in bad taste considering he’s a kid and is just getting into the big leagues, but anyone who thinks that Cook doesn’t exude personality when singing obviously doesn’t have a pulse…well or at least a vagina. Need proof of it? Check out these 3 hysterically horny blog entries Post 1 Post 2 Post 3 from one of Cook’s Cougar fans on how our mainstream rocker turned this poor woman into a simpering pile of goo throughout the season. (She also penned this OUTSTANDING write up of David’s moving performance of “The World I Know” - that all of the judges slammed on the night he performed it, but was pure magic when watched on television; something that I’m sure contributed to Simon’s apology after reviewing it later at home.)
David certainly started the season lacking much charisma in his performances. If you watch his Hollywood
audition, the boy looked like he was ½ asleep and spent most of his version of Brian Adams’ “Everything I do, I do for you” with his eyes shut. Then again, I personally loathe that song for its boring and bland lyrics – so maybe he was uninspired by the choice as well. Thank god Randy and Paula paid attention to his voice which still sounded pure and lovely and voted him through.
When he got to the top 24 and performed “Happy Together” David appeared to be actively trying to remember what camera to croon into and seemed a bit awkward with the whole way that the show was set up. (He recently stated that he’s thrilled to no longer have to worry about which camera to stare into at what time.) To be fair, very few performers when they first arrive on the top 24 are comfortable that first week. David’s hair was long, the song didn’t really fit his personality, and he wore a light colored shirt w/ a vest that he later confessed to Kimberly Caldwell on “Idol Tonight” directly after his win that he was profusely sweating through and caused one of his more mortifying moments on the show where the costuming folks had to chase him down with a hairdryer to dry him off to prevent sweat stains from showing through.
It was after those first awkward weeks that David seemed to learn from his mistakes…he started wearing either black or white and opted quite often to wear jackets to hide any embarrassing sweat issues that he might have to worry about. He also altered his wardrobe choices so that he was more Joe average rocker than bar tender/singer and wore t-shirts and jeans for “All Right Now” and “Hello.” Without the horrible clothes from top 24 week to distract the viewing audience, the David Cook who seduced his way into the hearts of women all over the country (and now the world) began to emerge.
David always exuded this powerful confidence when he sang that only comes from spending years performing in front of crowds…even if they were small. Even after Simon called him “smug” during his “Day Tripper” performance, David’s confidence on stage never faltered. David proved that week that as a young male that he can be in touch with his emotions and still be masculine at the same time by sucking up occasional bad reviews/comments by the judges, moving on, and belting out a great performance the following week.
David’s charisma shines through when he’s on stage, in his zone, and pouring his heart and soul out into the camera and his microphone. David got to where he barely blinked when he was staring into his close-up shots and his longing gaze combined with half smirks and grins caused women all over the country to feel their hearts race and a plethora of other emotions that I won’t mention. I’d dare say that the last singer who’s ever been able to send women into frenzies with a simple sexy smirk was Elvis Presley. I’ll admit that 
David and Elvis are NOT in the same league…mostly because Elvis’s sexuality was always over the top and outwardly overt when he performed, David’s subtle smoldering sexuality simply exudes from him as he performs when he becomes one with his music and judging by the way that he’s befuddled by all of the female attention being showered over him now, he’s utterly unconscious of what he’s doing when he’s on stage. Let’s hope it stays that way because how things stand, his performance style is 100% natural, if he were to concentrate too much, I think he might over-think things which would seriously backfire on him in the long run.
He’s also able to do something that only the best singers can do; David emotes with his voice. A large part of why his performances of “Hello” and “Billie Jean” remain as his most stand outs from his season on Idol are because of the delicate way he applied intonation and inflection at just the right moments into the songs he sang. At the end of “Hello” his voice quivers with an uncertain yearning and longing when he poses the question “is it me that you’re looking for?” to the song’s object of unrequited love. It seems almost ironic that that last lyrical query is what woke up the women in this country. David wasn’t overly memorable in earlier weeks but after his “Hello” performance we could unanimously shout YES as a response to that question.
So now does it matter if men don’t understand Cook’s charisma? I don’t think so. From all of the guys I’ve talked to who watched the show, they were all happy that Cook won. He’s a normal looking guy with a good head on his shoulders. He pounds away on a guitar, does justice singing rock legends, and has a great voice that allows him to emit loud rock wails that would send birds scattering from trees if he sang outside. He’s living every young male’s fantasy of making it big. David’s every bit as likable to men as he is to women.
David’s already got an upward hill to climb thanks to finding himself now in bed with AI and their machine for creating music stars. In a new Rolling Stone online article they had this to say: “Though many have predicted that Cook could follow in the footsteps of Idol hitmaker Chris Daughtry, some industry insiders suggest he’ll have a hard time demonstrating credibility as a rock artist. “He’s more middle-of-the-road than Daughtry was,” says Mike Tierney, program director at New York’s K-Rock. “I think they’ll go straight to Top 40 with his single, and once you go schmaltzy, you can never go back.” The day after the competition wrapped, Cook’s debut single, “The Time of My Life,” was the top-selling track on iTunes, followed by three of his performances, which included a cover of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for.”
Cook already cringes at the Daughtry/Cook comparisons since their musical styles greatly differ. I personally find it terribly ignorant of anyone who thinks that Cooks first single “Time of My Life” is the end all of showcasing his music style. When I first heard the song I wanted to groan since it clearly WASN’T David Cook’s style. Thanks to the judges constantly heaping praise on Archie I think America just picked the sappiest song out of the batch because they figured the boy wonder could handle singing it if he won. Unfortunately Cook was saddled with the contest winning song – if you want to blame anyone for his first single being somewhat sappy, blame America, they voted for it…I know that I did not.
Cook already spent the long duration Idol demonstrating to everyone where his music styles fall with his song choices coming from Our Lady Peace, Switchfoot, Collective Soul, and has quoted everyone from Nine Inch Nails, Garth Brook, to U2 as sources for his inspirations in music. David has said that he expects his album to follow his personal style for writing music that he introduced to the lucky folks in Tulsa with his first solo album “Analog Heart” that it would be rock with more pop sounding choruses.
In his first introduction to the world on Idol before his audition David stated that he was vocally versatile but just wasn’t sure if he was what the judges were looking for. Luckily for us they sensed the immeasurable talent that hid under that ill matched sweater vest and spiked red and brown hair that he arrived in and sent him through to Hollywood.
David’s 11 hits crashing onto the top 100 when Idol ended was the eye opener to the music industry that this wasn’t an idol to be readily dismissed. In the same Rolling Stone article from above, AI’s creator Simon Fuller had this to say about the prospects of Cook’s post-Idol career, “I wasn’t surprised Cook won, but that’s because I get to see all the results each week. I don’t want to tempt fate, but I think David’s name will enter the list of great talents discovered by Idol.” The fact that David can hold his own on stage playing with ZZ Top speaks the truth in Simon’s words.
With nearly 1 million downloads made from iTunes of David’s 10 covers and one original song David has shown that he has broad appeal and so long as RCA gives him some room to allow him to create the songs that he wants to make, David Cook should be in for a long, long career.
In hindsight it now seems appropriate that this year they made such a big deal on Idol that the Beatles playbook became available for the contestants to pick and choose from. Who were The Beatles but this little band of young guys from Liverpool England who arrived in the US, performed on a TV show, and woke up the oppressed sexuality of teenagers during a time of social awakening during the height of the Cold War. The girls who fell in love the four unlikely sex symbols bought record after record from them and turned them into rock legends.
The Beatles are proof that so long the members of a pop group have real talent they can move beyond their frenzied introduction into pop music and move on to have long, meaningful careers. From the birth of rock music, women have always been responsible for anointing rockers to the status of rock legends.
David Cook seems a bit confused over his older fans and doesn’t quite understand why they find him appealing. Wisely in a recent TV Guide video interview he smiled and said that so long as “cougars” bought his records, he loved them. Oh poor David, you don’t quite understand this yet, but the “cougars” of today aren’t exactly the same women from your Granddad’s generation. Today’s women who are anywhere from 70-late 50’s were the women who crowned Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and the Rolling Stones as the first rock superstars. Their slightly younger sisters attended Woodstock and rocked out to Jimmy Hendrix, The Who, and the Doors. Today’s 40 year olds lived during the sensitive & Discoized 70’s with the Bee-Gees, Simon and Garfunkel, The Eagles, and Billy Joel. Those of us who are in our 30’s to early 40’s are the women who helped seal the fates of Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and a little band named U2.
In the Rolling Stone article Cook is quoted as saying, “I’m looking forward to having as many resources at my disposal as I’ll need,” says Cook, who played and recorded in local bands pre-Idol. “I never necessarily saw this as my path, but sometimes these things have a weird way of working themselves out.””
Weird might be a good word for it…personally I think its fate. Someone somewhere knew that it was David’s time to arrive in rock history. David isn’t a hard core rocker, but he can rock out with the best of them. Cook has developed for himself not just a healthy following from women of all ages, but from girls his own age and younger as well. He has literally the unheard of potential to sell records & concert tickets to women of multiple generations in the same family when his solo album in released. Currently there isn’t a single younger performer or band on the charts today who could be called the next U2 or Bon Jovi and certainly no one who has the appeal that Cook has to the aging Baby Boomers. David Cook has filled that void. A large step towards walking the path of becoming a rock legend is the ability of the artist to be a chameleon and be willing to change with the times. U2 has done this over and over again with the most notable shift being their 10 years of venturing away from Rock and embracing synthesized pop in the 90’s when about the only rockers you could find on the charts were covered in grunge. The Beatles did this over their career as well, shifting from head bopping pop songs to writing lyrically challenging 60’s socially conscious anthems. I believe that David Cook has the potential to do this as well, he will enter the charts with solid rock/pop lyrics and songs and as he gets older and wiser will be able to change into whatever style his fancy guides him.
Rock music in general is looking for its next big superstar. American women fell in love with David Cook over the course of the competition – we loved his confidence, his unabashed willingness to strip himself emotionally naked for all of us to see, his mature distinctive voice, and his vast depth of talent. Every week the judges and America felt disappointed at the end of his performances, not because they were bad, on the contrary it was because of Idol’s format that made the contestants shrink their performances down to clean 2 minute or less segments, we found ourselves unfulfilled and yearning for full versions of his songs. Thank god for the full-length studio versions that Idol wisely sold online to fulfill our needs. Cook’s imaginative “Billie Jean” was mesmerizing on TV but it was hair raisingly haunting when performed in the studio. Cook faltered on stage with “Innocent” but his studio version was so beautifully recorded had it been his own original song he could’ve had a number one single with it in the top 40 charts.
For people who are expecting another cookie cutter performer to emerge this year from Idol, they’re in for a shock of their lives. Rather like David’s first few appearances on Idol which weren’t entirely memorable, his single “Time of My Life” will likely end up being forgotten once Cook is able to start working on his own distinct style of music of intelligently written catchy lyrics that blend together with his rich voice that combines raw emotion, rock, and pop.
Cook seems to understand what’s marketable in music today but always manages to put his own twist on things so that at the end of the day he can be proud of what he’s produced. With “Time of my Life” he was allowed to rework the arrangement on it and is satisfied with the end product. He has the full package to be a huge hit maker for a long time and has all of the right qualities to one day launch him into that elite realm of rock legends, he could start off very pop oriented but later in his career move towards harder rock – if he so desires. He’s already hinted that he’s open to putting together a band at some point. His willingness to shift and alter his focus is indicative of a man who simply loves what he does and wants to keep making music for a long time. The women who created all of the legends who came before David are fully in his camp and ready to point him towards that elusive throne; it’s now a waiting matter of seeing what material he’s able to work with and to see if RCA gives him the room to showcase his full range of creative chops to the world. We’re waiting for our beloved Word Nerd to be allowed to shine and just do his own thing because remember what Paula Abdul said from the outset about David, “Smart is sexy.”
June 5th, 2008 - 10:38 am
Very good, well-written article. I’m past “Baby Boomer” age but, as the oldest of 7 children (my youngest brother being 20 years younger than I), I shared with them the songs of the 60’s, etc. I also was familiar with the songs of the 30’s and 40’s just listening to my mom singing as she dusted! In the 50’s, rock and roll came into my life and I saw the Everley Bros in concert before they got really successful, not to mention Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show. I love David Cook’s talent and persona, and I look forward to his great, long-lasting success as an artist. He has all the qualities of the memorable singers of every era, IMHO.
June 5th, 2008 - 5:56 pm
“Those of us who are in our 30’s to early 40’s are the women who helped seal the fates of Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, and a little band named U2.”
Amen Sister!!
The first that popped into my mind when I heard Nigels inane comments was “the men don’t know but the little girls understand.”
David is utterly captivating by virtue of the very fact that he seems so oblivious to his gigantic appeal. He sings those song for himself because it is what he loves and because they speak to something in him. The by product of his putting heart and soul into it is that women (and our gay brothers!) are totally drawn in. As I said to my mother, if sex could sing it would sound like him.
Who needs “sparkle” when you have that?!
June 6th, 2008 - 6:48 pm
Wow - this is an amazing article. Very well-written and articulate, and so full of interesting information and hard truths. Thank you very much for sharing your perspective - I think there are thousands of us who can agree with you.
Kathleen - a 44-year-old cougar who feels her old rock roots being awakened again this 25-year-old superstar…
June 9th, 2008 - 5:38 pm
What a fascinating take on the man and his music and his commanding performance style. I’m 45, have loved and still love and obsess over Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, the Beatles, the Who, the Doors, Elvis Costello, David Byrne, U2, and on and on. And now there’s David. An unexpected byproduct of my fascination with David is that my iPod now includes music in it by Collective Soul, OLP, and especially Foo Fighters (their first and their most recent albums). My iPod library would most definitely NOT have all those artists in it were it not for David’s influence. Now that my music life has returned back to “shuffle” after a few months of all David, all the time, I’m enjoying how comfortably fits into my mix.
June 12th, 2008 - 7:57 am
This is the absolute best article I ever read on David Cook. Someone has got to make sure he gets a copy of this. I’m 43 (can’t believe I’m considered a cougar). This man has me under his spell. I think it’s true that he is very confused about the cougars. We mean no harm, lol. Can’t wait to see this man soar on the charts with his new CD this fall. I’ll be first in line to buy it.
June 12th, 2008 - 8:46 am
Very good article. I love David Cook, and I’m only 13. He is an amazing artist, an amazing person, and he has got some amazing looks. Everyone loves him. Well, everyone should love him.
June 12th, 2008 - 10:41 am
Wow…great analysis of how David could end up being listed amongst other rock n’ roll legends. I feel the same way about him as the author but she says it much more eloquently than I ever could! I think we will be seeing and hearing a lot of David Cook for a very long time. I want to be sitting in my rocking chair in the old folks home rockin’ out to David Cook songs on my iPod or whatever technology we have at the time. Women really are a driving force in making music stars and legends!
June 12th, 2008 - 10:45 am
Excellent article and even sweeter post by Starrlight–”the men don’t know, but the little girls understand”-well said! (Thank you Jim Morrison.) I look forward to Davids own career choices after the AI schmaltz, so far he has defined himself with incredible, wild talent and substance, both personal and professional. A beautiful thing. So glad to be along for this ride!
June 12th, 2008 - 11:49 am
LOVED your article!!! It was excellent (and all true
June 12th, 2008 - 12:08 pm
I agree 100%. With everything. I’m 29, but was raised on everything from Elvis to Joplin to The Doors, and have pretty much everything on DC’s “Playlist,” i.e. Garth Brooks’ The Thunder Rolls, NIN’s Closer, etc… I’m not a Kitten OR a Cougar, but I still haven’t felt this way about music for about a decade now. lol I can’t even remember the last album I was looking forward to this much, but I do remember it was sometime in the mid to late 1990s. lol Thank God *someone* finally brought the Music back to The People! GREAT ARTICLE!
June 12th, 2008 - 12:13 pm
Amen! Amen! Amen!
Great article, you have articulated everything that has been floating in my mind for the last few months. Thats why you are the writer, great job!
Love the comparison to the Beatles, I hope that he will have the “intestinal fortitude” to navigate through all this and not only enjoy musical success but also personal success, like Paul McCartney (before Heather Mills ofcourse!).
June 12th, 2008 - 12:25 pm
Gawd. I hope you get paid for this, because it’s the best assessment I’ve seen of David Cook and his abilities–musical and otherwise. Well played, ma’am. Well played indeed.
June 12th, 2008 - 12:38 pm
From a male´s point of view I get your assessment and agree entirely. He has something that others lack - an ability to reach all ages and a likeability to encourage males to enjoy his music too.
June 12th, 2008 - 1:48 pm
I’m 17 and David blows my mind. You guys should know that women over 30 aren’t the only ones who pick up on his smoldering sexuality… I think he’s turning this girl into a woman already! =X
June 12th, 2008 - 3:51 pm
Excellent article. David is a very smart guy, and used American Idol to learn what he needed to know to further his career. His evolution during the course of the competion was very impressive. It sneaked up on a lot of us, realizing that we looked forward to American Idol each week just to see what David Cook would do next. This man has earned the right to control his destiny, and I believe he’ll make good choices.
June 12th, 2008 - 4:25 pm
This is the best and most inclusive article I’ve read - and I’ve read them all. You’ve captured David Cook’s magical powers in a very well written piece. Speaking as one who is more than ready to crown the next rock supertar - Go David Cook. You have all ages and both sexes backing you. Bring on the music.
And I’ll keep replaying my DVR, iPod and iTunes until I get my new fix. August huh - have to wait until then? And I have to share you with 9 others on stage. Can’t wait until you have your own tour(tewer).
And take your time on your album - make it the way you want it to be. We can wait - we want it to be good.
June 12th, 2008 - 6:58 pm
Probably the best analysis of the DC phenonemon I’ve read yet. My older sister introduced me to the Beatles…so I remember the mania then……..and what a great point…that it’s the women who propel them to fame. (Elvis too).
Thank you for such articulate insight.
June 12th, 2008 - 7:57 pm
There is definately something more to David Cook. We need him. Great article.
June 13th, 2008 - 12:44 am
Great piece. And let’s not forget that the nearly 1 million downloads you reference in this story were from just ONE WEEK. AI hasn’t released sales figures for the three/four months of the competition. So who knows how many songs he actually sold? It’s mind boggling, really.
June 13th, 2008 - 7:06 am
I’m so in love with this man!
Even I’m 30, David makes me feel like music can be new, fresh and honest once again.
(Oh, and I’d love to stalk him, truth be told ;))
June 13th, 2008 - 7:15 am
Excellent analysis, best I have seen, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I agree with every word. For quite some time now I have felt (and been saying to anyone who would listen) that David Cook will be one of the few artists remembered 100 years from now. You have explained exactly why this will happen.
Thank you for a great piece of journalism.
June 13th, 2008 - 9:19 am
While I found this article one of the best so far written about David, I have to take exception to one statement made in it :” Currently there isn’t a single younger performer or band on the charts today who could be called the next U2 or Bon Jovi and certainly no one who has the appeal that Cook has to the aging Baby Boomers. David Cook has filled that void.” EXCUSE ME!!!! WHAT ABOUT CHRIS DAUGHTRY???? The band has sold more than 4,000,000 CDs. They opened for Bon Jovi on their most recent tour!!! I think DAUGHTRY has done a pretty good job of starting to fill that void with the aging Baby Boomers!! And Simon didn’t know anything about charisma in season 5 of AI either -if you’ve ever seen Chris live, in concert, you’d know just how wrong he was!!
June 14th, 2008 - 9:27 am
This is an incredibly written article. I think it truly captures the essence of America’s love affair with David Cook.
June 14th, 2008 - 7:36 pm
Great Article!!! Thank you so much. I am in the much “older” generation (72 years young) and enjoy David’s music every day. My son gave me an Itouch and it has every song on it. I am only worried that David will record only rock and not the type of music that he won the Idol on, which was what made him victorious. I think he will mix it up and if so, he will go along ways. I can’t wait for the tour show in Vegas. Thanks again for this article. It is the best one I have read relating to David Cook’s attributes.
June 16th, 2008 - 5:51 am
This article says it all…..this needs to be posted on his fanpage because it has put into words everything that we have been feeling.
Fantastic job!
June 16th, 2008 - 8:27 am
Wow! Best article I’ve read about David Cook and believe me I’ve read plenty. A haircut and forgetting to shave does make him easier on the eyes but it’s way more than this that makes him so appealing. Of couse he is enormously talented, but so were David A. and many of the other Idols. My first favorite was Michael Johns after “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but then David did his take on “Hello” and I was forever smitten. So, it isn’t just talent either. I truly think your article finally summed it up for me. He may be young but his soul is mature beyond his years and this seems to draw in people of all ages. I hope all the glitz & glam does not tarnish this soul. I want to personally thank the person who put this site in David’s blog.Otherwise I probably would have never found it. Thanks xoxoxo!!!!!!
June 16th, 2008 - 10:14 am
Wow I am emotionally drained after reading this terrific artical. You stated so perfectly how I feel about David Cook and everything surrounding his pre & post Idol music. I for one am over 50 (slightly) and for the first time in my life have felt so passionately about an artist that I have started my very own fansite! Now think about it…a 50+ year old starting a fansite for a 25 year old ‘new’ talent. Crazy but true and I am loving every minute of it. I spend six to seven hours a night on my site after working my regular job for ten hours a day. David Cook IS very special and I hope all you cougar types will come by and support my labor of love for many years to come. Thanks again for such a great artical…it really moved me. http://www.cougarslovecook.com
June 16th, 2008 - 11:53 am
Even more than what the author wrote, I love the links she provided to ACs blog - how true - I couldn’t explain myself when I got all (ya know) watching David Cook on screen, but he definately made me feel like he was singing to me…alone…in the bedroom…etc. NO ONE since Steven Tyler has made me feel like that without even touching me.
June 16th, 2008 - 1:27 pm
That is such a well written article!! and soo completely true! i’m 16 almost 17, which for any cook haters who happen to come on here, teenagers also have fallen inlove with this amazing, talented, and hot musician.
I think it’s hilarious that Nigel said that, come on, even my dad can see David Cook’s personality, charisma and everything pooring out, and not only when he performs but also in his interviews.
And honestly, i was never into the whole rock genre until i heard David sing, and he just won me over. When he performs i feel like he is singing to me…and during “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’ when he looking into the camera it felt like he was singing to someone at home *wow*. his voice just drives me crazy =D, and my dad told that he wants me to buy david cooks albums so that they will be around the house for him to listen to. for me, david cook is the answer to my quest to find that one amazing singer/musician ok the whole package. And the fact that he is so versatile and has so much range..pluss how natural he is on stage and doesn’t even know that he is seen to be as sexy is just, i think adorable, but even more appealing because to be that appealing and not know it is even more appealing. and he is just the most real person in the business i think!! so he really will be around for a long time!!
And this has got to be the best article i’ve read about him!!!! nice job!
June 16th, 2008 - 1:30 pm
Thanks so much for this great artical. I’d get so frustrated with Simon when he’d call him smug and pompus. He was completely clueless as to the effect DC was having on his TV fans. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t getting the closeup shots of those dreamy eyes. I have to admit I was sucked into those eyes even during his ealier “less memorable” days, much to my surprise. I found myself anxious for the next week to see if I suffered the same affects of his performances. And, oh ya, I did!
June 16th, 2008 - 1:31 pm
Wow! This is the absolute best article I have read on David. I could not for the life of me figure out the fastionation I have with this guy until you explained it. Jim Morrison affected me that way in the sixties. David must read this article. I hope somewhere out there there is somebody who knows how to get it to him. If so, rock on David. You’ve given us hope.
June 16th, 2008 - 4:52 pm
For years to come, AI contestants will be forever trying to duplicate Cook’s mistake (pointed out by Simon) of letting us know he’s a word nerd and his other “big problem”, his lack of charisma.
June 17th, 2008 - 9:14 pm
HAHA Yes I noticed that lack of charisma when he looked into the camera (at me) and gave me that sly little grin. I also wanted to add a note of thanks for so many of you coming by my site and visiting. Please come by often as I change it up every few days. But I can’t seem to get the ‘happy trails’ photo off the front page. I get a landslide of emails every time I try to change it. Ahhh the power of the mature woman. Ya gotta love it! http://www.cougarslovecook.com
June 18th, 2008 - 12:43 pm
Excellent article! I’m from Brazil, in my 40’s, and love him a lot! You’ve said exactly what I’ve been thinking since he started changing all my life!
June 18th, 2008 - 2:57 pm
Great article! I especially liked how you explained his being totally unconscious of the effect his singing has on people while he’s performing. It is so natural and innocent. I’m 45 and will be attending the Idol concert when it comes to Rosemont, IL. Watching DC this year has brought me back to my rock roots and I bought my first IPOD!
June 19th, 2008 - 1:47 pm
Nice article, but I have to say that I personally LOVED “Everything I Do” and wish he would include that song on his album, together with “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “All I Really Need is You.” These slower songs really show his sensual side!
June 19th, 2008 - 2:01 pm
Loved the article! Loved the comments! You definitely know what you are talking about (which is David Cook)!
June 22nd, 2008 - 1:48 pm
What a fantastic article. I am 56 and a David Cook fan. And it is good to hear from you and everyone else, feeling exactly what I have felt. Yes, Simon and Simon were clueless. David Cook IS
charisma. And kindess and intelligence and unbelievable talent. Your article said it best when you said if sex could talk it would be David Cook singing. He is definitely destined for super stardom for years to come. I was in on the beginning of the Beatles. And I am glad I am here for the beginning of David Cook. I look forward to welcoming him back home to Tulsa at the AI tour and all his future tours. You make Tulsa proud, DC- A Tulsa mom DC fan and her entire family
June 26th, 2008 - 1:31 pm
I also am so excited to read this article! I’m with everyone posting before me–we need someone like David Cook to remind us that we love original talented people who love what they are doing because it is their passion and calling. We don’t need anyone shoving someone down our throats. You can actually start to remember a day when we could decide for ourselves what we liked and I think a lot of us have decided that David Cook is genuine and the real deal. I hope to see a lot of him and have not been as excited over a young talent like this since 4th grade when I threw jelly beans on the stage at a Beatles Concert in Chicago because I was so in love with John and Paul! btw, Paul McCartney is a left handed guitar player too! Keep doing what you are doing, David and stay true to yourself–you are right, the American public is NOT as dumb as they think! Rock On!
June 26th, 2008 - 7:40 pm
i just want to say that teenagers like cook to cause im 16 about to turn 17 and i think cook is amazing and is really hot(i have no clue how people think that of archie i think he looks to much like a kid)…right now whenever i listen to my ipod i listen to his music i cant get enough of it. some of his songs i listened over 100 times and whenever i have a break at work i pull out my ipod and listen to him i cant wait till his new cd comes out so we have some more songs of him but ill be content to keep on listening to his songs he did on idol like one of my favorits “i dont want to miss a thing” i love how he puts himself into his music so keep on rockin cook cant wait for his cd
June 27th, 2008 - 7:21 am
Great article! (Hey– Did anyone else love that little thigh dance he did during Sharp Dressed Man?!!) One of his most endearing qualities for me is his politeness and good manners. His beautiful mom Beth did a wonderful job! I love how every time someone asks him about his brother, he says “Thank you for asking…” For me, having him be such a good boy makes him all the more loveable!
June 27th, 2008 - 12:00 pm
David said, in an interview for “People Magazine” that it was easier for him to sing to thousands than to sing to one woman. How delightful he is! He doesn’t understand that when he sings to “thousands” each of us internalizes and we feel like he’s singing to us as individuals. When he sang “Hello” on Idol, I was sure he and I were alone, such is his charisma. So he’s singing to one woman. It’s just that there are so many of us at once! He has no idea of his great appeal. How wonderful to see a really nice guy make it big. As as faithful “Cougar” fan, I’ll be doing my part to lift him to legend status. This is a great article and you’ve said all the things we’ve beet thinking.
June 29th, 2008 - 3:15 am
David Cook is so amazing!! I seldom watch American Idol, but seeing he performed “Hello”, i got hook. I love his passionate stare. This is by far, the best article I have read about DC. I have to say Analog Heart is really an amazing album, got to listen to it!
By DC winning the American Idol, he might just set the American Idol show to move in a new direction for the future seasons. I wish all the best to DC :>
June 29th, 2008 - 8:48 pm
i completly agree with you 100% palindrome about everything you wrote espeicaly about the whole good manner thing cause i like that he has an edge on him cause of the whole rocker thing but with him being kind, sweet, humble, gentelman makes him even more loveable…YOU ROCK DAVID!!!!!!!!!
July 19th, 2008 - 9:17 am
Well, I can see I’m way behind in reading. That is a great article. I see some of my cougar “sisters” on here commenting. Palindrome, my friend, I totally agree with what you said about his endearing qualities, politeness and all. When I was following him down the line as he signed autographs in Tacoma he was consistantly sweet, soft-spoken, caring. It was incredible to watch and very heartwarming. I wish my video camera hadn’t pooped out. But I’m glad I captured the audio of the hug I got and when I stole a kiss on his cheek, the once again polite, “aw, thank you”. What a sweetheart! I think all of us are protective of him, too. Don’t want him to be jaded by success and change that sweet personality, or get sucked into the pitfalls that stardom brings. I actually pray for him and his family, that all will go very well for them all. They are all so darned nice and close knit.