David’s Tattoos





Heart – There is a tattoo of a bleeding heart tattooed over his actual heart. A Tulsa Magazine said that when Analog Heart came out it made David Cook a new Heartthrob. After getting poked fun at by his friends, he ended up getting this tattoo to commemorate the remark.





AC – On the inside of his upper left arm are the initials “AC.” Obviously (hopefully) it stands for his brothers, Adam and Andrew Cook, just like the AC on his guitar.





ETA: Picture removed. Not allowed to post on the Dash because it was a personal picture taken from a private site.

Ribbon – On his sternum is a Cancer ribbon for his brother Adam who died of brain cancer.




Eye – Tattooed in August 2008 on the inside of his right wrist. It’s meant to symbolize unity, peace, and tranquility, all that lovely jazz. It also symbolizes his Idol journey.




Rock Flag Eagle – Tattooed at the beginning of the Declaration tour/after the AI tour on the inside of his upper right arm. It’s an inside joke between himself and Neal, who also has the tat. It is a reference to It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. I also think it greatly adds to the arm porn.




After this point I think the tats become a bit overwhelming on his beautiful pale skin.




14 – Tattooed in October 2009 on the underside of his right forearm. There is a lot of speculation as to what this tattoo means. I didn’t spend too much time researching this topic, because I have better things to do then read a bunch of people’s theories, but it might have something to do with the number of units Analog Heart sold, or his dog Dublin’s birthday. Apparently he wants to keep its meaning to himself, so who really knows. It must be something good.
If you were to guess, I would pay attention to the color and font style as well.




Paragraph – Tattooed in December 2009 on the upside of his left forearm is the final verse of the poem “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. David either read it at Adam’s funeral, or it is simply to commemorate him.
Although this is the most meaningful tattoo he has, it also covers up that beautiful freckle that I have come to know and love.




And that’s all he has as of February 2010. Let’s just pray he doesn’t get anything above the shoulders.

If anyone has more exact dates, meanings, or you notice this is out of order, then please correct me. Please only do so if you know you are right!

Now, is there anyone that has done a Neal Tiemann tattoo thread? Good luck with that…

I quoted the remarks I found interesting. I have no problem with tattoos. They are a form of self expression and, while I realize that some people don't like it, I would hate to get in the way with anyone expressing themselves in that way. Only in a forum, though, would I see comments made about something that I think is extremely personal. The freckle comment made me laugh, but I find it the most disturbing comment because I, frankly, have never looked at his freckles nor do I wish to, LOL. Arm porn? Sigh....

Again, I'm going to sound like a broken record and say that I feel this David Cook fan thing focuses more and more on the physical and less and less about the music. I don't care one whit what he does with his body. It is his to do with as he pleases...not ours. Is he performing music that he enjoys? Is he being gratious to his supporters? Is he having a good time doing both? The answers to those questions are what I think are most important.

Yes, I know....there she goes again. I can't help it, though. Perhaps I'm not cut out for this fandom thing. I think we dissect too much. I would cringe if people were talking about my kid having arm porn.



Jeannine

I understand your view point and completely agree that the music and David's happiness are most important. However, as I said in the other thread, the fans do focus on the music, but currently there isn't much to talk about concerning the music. The album has been out for a while and I'm sure the fans have talked about that to death, and we only have one new song, but only so much can be said about one song. So in a time where there isn't much musically to talk about ( a dry period), talking about his appearance and such isn't a bad thing. He has the whole package, and in today's world, looks are important as well. It shouldn't matter, but it does. We wouldn't be David Cook fans if we didn't like the music...so it's a given that the music is what matters, but these little extra things like his tattoos, his hair, his arms, etc...is just fun, light topics to be discussed.

Again I understand where you are coming from, and if you don't like hearing people talk about his looks, just don't read these topics. I don't want to offend you, but I don't see a problem with talking about his looks, as well as the music.




On another note, I absolutely love this tattoo... definitely my favorite. I think it is really sexy on him. lol.

I love it, because that was something I recommended when people were upset that MWK was performing. I told them to not go to that thread, LOL. You are absolutely right.

I'll avoid the physical threads since I realize that they won't go away as much as I would love them to. Goodness knows I would rather his career be about his music and not his body, but I can clearly see that I can't ever make that happen.

Jeannine

These two are my favourites, I think. They're just beautiful. I love the Rock, Flag, Eagle one as well.

Wow. I didn't think this would be such a big thing about how cookie fans are obsessed with his appearance. I honestly was all about the music until recently, when, after watching many entertaining live youtube performances, I realized he's kinda hot. The tattoos are the things that you see on him in those close up performances, and I know how tattoos are supposed to be personal to their wearer, so I wanted to know what they meant. As for the freckle thing, I only honestly noticed it in one picture that my brother got to take with him. Since personal cameras make such ginormous pictures I was like "Woah, there's a big freckle there!" It's really nice to know that there are many fans that are more concerned with his music than his looks, so thanks. I just wanted to have the actual explanations to all of the tattoos in one place so people don't have to waste time searching the net and cyberstalking him.

Jeannine: It is not my intention to offend you; however, having noticed a clear reference to me, I feel you need to take a deep breath and realize that sometimes people have opinions and if you see something you might have an opinion about--you express your opinion. That's okay. I think it's inappropriate to kind of tell anyone "not to go there" if they don't agree with the topic or the posters or tell people all the topics here should be about the music. As you noted, you told me not to go to the MWK topic because I didn't agree. Well, since MWK was David's FORMER band prior to going solo/independent, then perhaps, if they have a website, you can post there about Andy & Neal. However, I found it here on the dash so I put in my two cents. If there is a restriction perhaps the title of the topic should be changed to "MWK Tour - Only if you agree - You can post/and or read..." Have no fear as we have beaten to death the MWK tour topic and I have no more words to add as I have been apparently banned .

It is a dry spell here so we talk about whatever. Lots of people comment on various things about DC all over the web. You can't moderate everything. We here at the "dash" love David Cook pure and simple. Some of us mother him, some of us obsess about his looks, some of us worry, but push comes to shove - we just love David Cook & his incredible talent or we wouldn't be fans. How many topics can we possibly have here about the music when the album has been out for quite some time, we've only had one tease for a new single on DCTR#2, the Declaration Tour is over, no appearances scheduled on TV, etc.

....lets just say, I hope theres no more :/ and thanks goodness the couch pic was taken b4 the dash tattoo!
but thank you so much for this! Im always interested in what they mean In another topic I posted (srry didnt see this b4 ^^) I asked about the 14 tatto and someone metioned it was the last # on his shirt for the idol audition so that could also be a possibility :]

No one is banned from any topic (unless you actually are by moderators, but they must have good reasons to do so). There's just no need to argue over things that we have no control over. Anyone can post anywhere they want, and being unable to discuss something just because someone dislikes that topic is unreasonable. Everyone has different aspects of David that they love. Also, there is a section here on The Dash for "The Band Members," which I would assume is also for their other endeavors and such. And most fans of David Cook also like MWK, which falls into the category of The Band Members. If you're one of the few that don't and don't want it discussed, not to be rude, but I have nothing other to tell you then get over it. Same goes for David's appearance. It's going to be talked about; it can't be help helped.

Back on topic... I've come to love all David's tattoos, even if I didn't at first. They each have their own meaning and beauty.

I've never been a big fan of tatoos but, somehow, on David they just work. It's just part of him. I'm not one to take part in the looks threads although I don't object to people doing them. Whatever makes different fans happy.

Honestly, to me, tattoos are just another simple art form of expression. I think it's beautiful any way you try to turn the tables, and also, in a way, brave. Think about it, whatever tattoos are shown to the public eye are put under a bit of speculation and sometimes scrutiny for what they either are or represent. But to that person who wears that importance of art for the crowd means that they willingly welcome you into their world of emotions and lifestyle expressions. Its amazing to be able to do that, and I think David does it beautifully, both lyrically through his poetic verses, to his poetic art forms showcased above..Let him be free to express himself, no matter how he wants to show it, becuase either way, he does it flawlessly

His tattoos are sexy. His bare skin was too.
He will always look good to me.
But it wouldn't matter if he was the ugliest man on earth
he is an amazing musician and an amazing person.

His looks are just a plus I guess haha

Tatoos have been a public form of expression since the begging of time. Its just another form of Art, and art is a form of expression and ULTIMATELY discussion. Primitive cultures used them to display who you were, what you were, where you were from and what you had to say without saying it! It's just another form of how to express yourself and what you have to say. David is an artist, it dosen't surprise me in the least that he would choose an artful form of expression. Artists always have something to say. Tattos can have personal meaning yet be just another way for the person to express themselves publicly without speaking....ART. Look at Angileina Joline and her grorgeous Tibetian prayer tats. They have personal meaning to her yet she is more than willing to display them where they are seen, admired and questioned... and then it gives her an oportunity to discuss and talk about them. She is more than willing to tell you their meaning. David seems to enjoy this form of Art and express himself in that way because he has them where they are seen and "flashes" them from time to time. lol. As for fans wanting to know about them, it goes back to the reasoning for tats. Their a form of expression and influence. Many of us relate share and enjoy the fact that David is willing to express himself in such an artisitc way that many of us do in the same way. We can relate with him that way. It is part of who he is so it is part of the discussion.

You said it beautifully....."David does it beautifully, both lyrically through his poetic verses, to his poetic art forms showcased....." xxxx Art is a form to be discussed and I gladly relate to the discussion.




PS>>>> A Cookie friend on facebook told me about his "Bleeding Heart" tat and when I saw a picture of him flashing it, it made me giggle...Bleeding Heart...totally fits David! xxx

Robin

Tats are fine; however one should know when to stop.

Nice post, thanks. I've been familiar with all of Dave's tattoos, but it's nice to see them all in once place in such an organized manner.

As for whether or not he should or shouldn't get more tattoos... his body, his skin, his business. You can not like it, but at the end of the day he'll do whatever the heck he wants to do. So just... accept it. It is what it is.

damnnn! how many tats does he have?...last time i saw him he had like 3 or 4 now he has like 10 .....w/e its still hott xDD

As the proud recent owner of 3 tattoos (and at least 4 more planned), I can say that knowing when to stop is as personal a decision as getting them in the first place.

I love his tats - some more than others. Some look better in person (like the wrist one), and some are gorgeous both in design and meaning (the AC and Dash Poem ones). I love that David hasn't revealed what the 14 tattoo is, it's nice that he can keep private what he deems private in his life.

I'd hate for him to cover both arms with wall-to-wall color that fades into black nothingness, but so far it seems his sleeves are being tastefully done. JMO

Here's something to picture. Before David had any tattoo's he had both ears pierced with 10g plugs then stretched them to 8's. One the the plugs fell out 2 weeks after he pierced them so he removed the other one and called it quits on piercings

Wow interesting. I don't know anything about plugs, do you mean it's something like what Neal has? Well it really healed up well because I can't detect any marks or holes or scars or anything with pictures of Dave. Personally I'm glad he gave it up. I think it works well for Neal but I can't imagine Dave with them. I do like his tatoo's though. Thanks for the tidbits. Can't wait to hear more. Thank you.

The piercings did not fit him for some reason. He got pierced with hoops then took them out hours after and put plugs in. That's what Neal has, then one fell out at a party and he just took them out. He did it soon enough to wear they healed up really good.