lets talk about anything and everything re: symbolism and david.

have you seen a symobolic picture. have a symbolic moment to share? or what david's journey symbolizes to him, to us? to the world?

my most recent thought is the fact that he signs his first name with a lower case d. and his last name with a capital C.
look at the signature on DCO.

i actually used to do this which is why i noticed.

Hi Marlowe! I saw this strand on DCO, and I thought about the examples you gave but I couldn't think of any more (for example, David's use of AC on personal items to represent Adam). What's hard about this is, except for things DC has explained himself, we don't KNOW what's symbolic to HIM or what it means. People do a lot of things for reasons they don't think about and wouldn't call symbolic if you asked them.

He's catching on that he doesn't have to tell all -- good for him. So, for example, he just says the new EYE tattoo inside his right wrist that he got near the end of the AI tour has personal meaning for him related to the past year.

There seem to be a bunch of things that have become symbolic of David for US -- fans --even though they may have little or no special significance for him. For example, the necklace picked by an AI stylist featured handcuffs, and 10 months later the tribute mural to David in his home town is covered with handcuffs. How strange for him (I think he even said something -- tactful of course -- about how everyone thinks he likes handcuffs now). Same with pirates -- a pirate joke chosen by an AI backstory director suddenly becomes a theme associated with David, and as a result he receives more pirate stuff than Blackbeard this summer.

It's interesting to think about WHY this happens -- I think as fans we just cling to the info we've got -- things remind us of David because of the strange way his life has been edited and shown to us in bits and pieces. I think he's handling it well, but it must be very strange for him to have people putting HIS initials on their stuff, call themselves Cookies and copying his tattoos on their own bodies. It would weird me out for sure.

good points. i had not thought about the handcuffs.

one thing i think of is the songs he chose seemed to be symbolic. innocent. the world i know. all i really need is you. i'm alive. hello. dream big. they are all songs that seem to talk about higher things than ourselves. several of them, to me, have similar meanings.

for me the song my hero is symbolic as david is my hero, so it means a lot to me.

it is funny how you said his life has been edited to us. i guess it has. like you said... handcuffs, pirates, the words, the boots, the tattoos, charity bracelets, the AC, the white guitar, the mural. to us it IS JUST BITS AND PIECES HUH? but i guess that is all we have right? his music and what is symbolic to us ABOUT him.

i would love to know what is symbolic to him and his thoughts on the matter. and you know he must have some deep thoughts on the matter.

I posted this first on another thread but it really belongs here.

I was doing some thinking about David's tattoos and their significance to his journey/transformation/ascension.

First of all the number 3 is significant (David has 3 tattoos, that I'm aware of), as it relates to the trinity and has always been considered a spiritual number with a higher vibration.

We all know AC represents his brothers, and that it was Adam's struggle that provided David his opportunity to either succumb to his grief and become a broken, hollow man, or use it as an opportunity to pay off the rest of his karmic debt, thereby cleaning the slate for what's happening to him now.

The second, the heart, is obvious. It was by becoming so open and vulnerable that he was able to transcend the material and open his eyes and soul to a new reality.

The third, the eye, I believe represents his "third eye" (6th chakra) opening during TOML at the finale. When he discussed it he so much as said it was something of a spiritual nature though he didn't (and probably was wise not to) reveal exactly what it meant.


--------------------

heliotrope,
that post you made on the other thread is exactly what got me thinking about this again. so i was hoping you would make your way here! i had posted this on dco as well.

This is a really great thread, very thoughtful. I thought I should tell you that David has 4 tattoo's. The eye is his fourth. He has the AC, then the heart, then he has a gray cancer ribbon right in the middle of his chest so it was the third, sorry to mess up your theory, but thought you should have the facts. I can't really think of my own right now, I will have to come back when I can think on it some more, I've gotta jet right now.

Wow, that was a new one for me. Learn something new everyday.

Marlowe, this isn't just you -- you're right about the song choices and songs that seem to attract him. We'll get even more answers about this when the new "record" as David calls it, comes out. In interviews he says he wants to do "anthemic" rock -- the new word seemed to throw one generic entertainment interviewer after another, who just nodded and looked at him funny but music folks seemed to get it. So he's already said he likes songs that mean something important.

I think the best example from your list is The World I Know. I think I remember the vocal coach saying that he'd wanted to do it before, but changed his mind (in an earlier week) and then the possibility came back again and he committed to it. I wish I could find that interview -- it's the AI vocal coach talking to the TV Guide people -- maybe even Kim Caldwell but I don't think so -- anyway, she also goes on to talk about what he had to do to Dream Big to make it performable (for him), etc.. Her comments on TOML are telling, too.

OMG, Marlowe, you must have good karma alright -- can't tell you how many times I've looked for that interview, and this time I found it! Here's the link for the interview with the AI vocal coach Debra Byrd, the week of the AI finale:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdiPXrwv9sI

Anyway, clearly TWIK has special meaning -- he keeps choosing to perform it acoustically, and beautifully, at various occasions. It was such a daring and leap-of-faith thing to do on AI-- still when I hear the live recording from that last night of competition I just shake my head -- can hardly believe he chose it and performed it that way -- everything depending on HIM and his guitar, not back up musicians or vocals, knowing it was for high stakes. What Paula said was dead on (I see you there standing in your truth) and it was amazing.
NEMO Cougar

Thanks for posting this video. I had no idea this wasn't the first week David had wanted to perform TWIK. It just goes to show that sometimes our hearts know what will work best. Simon wanted him to sing a reprise of BJ or Hello. Clearly, he didn't have a clue.

I didn't think anything could beat "Hello" and "Billie Jean" but David proved me wrong. It's become my favorite performance. I've never seen a song sung so tenderly, so delicately, in such a controlled manner (you can hear the tears behind the vocals)...and at the same time bursting at the seams from such intense emotion. He broke my heart in a gazillion and forty three pieces and I love him for that. That song still makes me cry. Even Collective Soul's version.

Has anyone noticed that the main necklace he has been wearing since the tour is the one that looks like a record. Silver disc with a hole in it on a chain? I think that he's doing that because he's focused on the record right now. It's all about the record. He probably has some deeper meaning and insight to it, but I really think that. I was glad to see the Lindsay orange and Adam gray bracelets in the airport shots because I had been missing those. I am glad they are not lost.

I think that eye tattoo has several meanings to him. None the least of which is that the whole world's eyes are upon him now, so he won't forget it. He says that he wants to enjoy this with his eyes wide open. Probably means even more to him and that's why it was important to him to get it so quickly.

^Interesting..(bump)

When he sang Hello it was symbolic for me. It took me back to the 80's when I was a little girl and things weren't that bad and my Dad was still around and I didn't have to worry about anything and I wasn't quite as sick either. I don't why I love Hello so much, that was when I knew David was gonna win and he hooked most everybodyelse when he sang it, so I'm not the only one. I keep meaning to send him a letter or email and ask him if he would record it to release as a single, I would love to have it, but I'll just have to make do with the short iTunes version and the you tube videos I guess.

When I first saw that tat, my first thought was that it was a reminder of how many eyes are all over him at any given time. I'm sure that's a crappy thing to have to deal with some days. I certainly don't envy him that.
I'm going to agree with what was said above thread. The TWIK performance has taken on huge significance for me re: David. It's sort of a transcendent performance. It transcended the trivialities of competition, and the trivialities of the silly singing reality show. Because I'm going to guess the very notion of real music as being competitive is kind of anathema to David. And I realize that "transcend" is a kind of heavy word for a situation like this, but oh well; such is David's magic. And far be it from me to try to guess what he was thinking, but some of this I've concluded based on his comments in interviews. I think at that point it wasn't about competing anymore at all for him. It was about actually saying something. It was about using the platform he had to do more than just fill a role and do what he was expected to. And more importantly, it was something that he needed to do for himself, I think. The lyrics were significant and meant something to him. And it was gorgeous. And perfect. And he understood the moment and what it was and was slowing down to actually live the moment. And witnessing that degree of self-awareness from a person, even from afar, was a beautiful thing. Was I crying when he was done singing? You betcha. And I am not a crier by any stretch.
And then there were the judges. What pissed me off? That totally harshed that gorgeous moment. There's something almost perverse about judging a moment like that. First you had Randy in his utter cluelessness saying that it was a "nice sensitive performance," which, understate much? The man is standing in front of you, overwhelmed with emotion and that's the best you can come up with? Really? And sure, Paula was nice, but she said the same sort of stuff to Archuleta, and yes, the kid can sing, but he's simply too young to have had the capacity to pull off something akin to that particular performance of TWIK from David. And then there was Simon. The fact that Simon didn't get that performance shows you how he's kind of....well, shallow. Same for Randy. This is such a business to them and it's all about $$$ that they can't even recognize actual artistry. Oddly Paula is only one of the three that wasn't shallow, which is kind of staggering. David's expression when Simon was expressing one of his patented Simon Cowell "opinions" to me, was almost as if he was indulging a child. And when Ryan asks him what he meant by "yes and no" you can almost see the wheels in David's head turning. Do I say this? Do I not? And then you can almost see him conclude: this isn't about votes anymore, if it ever was, and stands up for himself, simply and eloquently. And shut's Cowell's mouth.
And to me, the whole thing was just so David Cook, and it's symbolic in that the whole performance and exchange afterward demonstrates what it is about him that sucked me in. The talent, the emotion, the self-awareness (which I certainly lacked at 25, to that degree, anyway) and the complete and utter balls of the man (sorry for the vulgarity, but that's what it is). Full disclosure. I had watched AI for years, but I never once voted for a singer on the show. I never cared once the episode was over; it was just about being entertained for an hour. But I had never seen someone on that show like David before. And I don't think I will again.
Ok. Sorry for the tangent. That's enough of me.

i love the meaning this song has for you. that is very sweet. *waves to GA girl from the TN state line* HI*


i saw a shot where the necklace looked like a disc with a star cut out of the middle of it. what do you think? is it a circle cut out or a star?


mammamia, it is so funny the things we are teaching you!

I totally agree with you. Randy and Simon's comments to David almost desecrated the performance in a sense. You'd be sitting there, stunned senseless and speechless by the purity and intensity of emotion that emanated from him, and then Randy comes up with his clueless understatement. I actually think Randy gets embarrassed when a male contestant cries. He is kind of grinning after the performance and during the reaction, and what sort of person would sit there grinning like a fool after a performance like that? I'm surprised they didn't have to send in FEMA!

As for Simon, I've always felt that his comments were inapprioriate and hurtful, but not intentionally so. I'll stand by my opinion that Simon actually wanted Cook to win and was trying to spur more people to vote for him because Archie had done so well and he was scared. The vids of the finale show that Simon was ecstatic when Cook won.

But his comments to him did hurt him. In the videos, if you watch his face during Simon's comments, David is holding his jaw very tightly, pursing his lips, which are things he always does (and most people do) when trying not to cry. I think he succeeded this time--but only barely. But you could tell he was using everything he had to hold it all together. He was always the most deeply affected by Simon's comments. Even watching the videos without sound, you can always tell which judge is talking to him because David's most intense reactions are when Simon is talking to him. He cannot hide what he feels. He's the Cellophane Man.




Paula was the only judge that I felt really got him, and got that performance. I think she was Cookified as early as his audition. I think she was very likely in fullblown hardcore crushland by TWIK, but that doesn't make her comments to him any less spot-on perceptive. "You're standing in your truth..." says it all.

And the man's talent is immense. He's going to be the new gold standard for male singers on the show. AI will raise its standards. He's quite likely the most talented contestant the show's ever had, or will have for quite a while.

That is a fascinating observation about Randy, Heliotrope! I had never thought of it that way. He did stort of have this stupid, awkward smile on his face the whole time he was talking.
And I love Cellophane Man. It's so true and the fact that he managed to bear his heart and soul so effectively in one minute and thirt seconds is probably why he managed to suck in the people like me who otherwise wouldn't have cared, and thus why he won.
And I completely agree that he changed that show. Someone said this near the final. No clue if it was a professional writer, or a blogger or a board poster, because I read a lot during that time, but there will be two sorts of AI winners. The pre-david winners and the post-david winners. Just having a voice will no longer be enough, but it still will be necessary.
Re: Simon, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that one I'm going to be honest here. He actually hurt me during the judging of that performance, which is stupid and weird and kind of lame that someone I don't even know could do that to me, but he actually did. (Altough, it's not like I know David and look how he affects me - I'm just a sensitive person, I suppose) But my point is that my reactions to Simon are no longer rational. I don't think Simon is anywhere near as smart as he's made out to be, and I don't think he gives a flying crap about any of the contestants as long as what he perceives as "good TV" is being made. YMMV though.

Actually, I am David's aunt and "The World I Know" is my favorite. David did want to sing it for top 3, but changed his mind. It was so emotional and it breaks my heart every single time I listen to it, because he was so visibly upset. That vision of him pulls at my heart. Simon gave him no credit for his finale choices and I think that along with being his final competition song was emotionally draining on him. I think his finale choices were fantastic and so did millions of others. Although, I always get weepy everytime I hear him on the radio or see him on TV and seeing him perform live in LA, he is just David to us and we are so proud of him.

From day one of Top 24 on AI, David had the scarf hanging from his back jeans. I think that is his style...genuinely David Cook. And I think he carries that look very well....not too much, not lame, not fashion slave. I certainly won't mind him continue to carry that style with him ...now that he's a true rock star.

I personally feels that his best symbol so far is the huge "AC" on his white Gibson Les Paul guitar.

And since the topic has gone on to discussing about his AI performances, I dare say that Collective Soul The World I Know is one of my all time favourite songs.....way before David sang it. I've never own that Collective Soul CD because I couldn't find the album here in my country. I've searched high and low for that song back then. My bro-in-law whose from Europe had finally gotten me the song. That was many many years ago. I LOVE THAT SONG TO DEATH. The fact that I love David so much, and then he went on to perform that song....in the FINALE and by doing so, went against the AI tradition of choosing a popular song performed in the past weeks. All that add up together = I was BLOWN AWAY by that David Cook's performance. Nothing can beat that night's performance. It was the most stunning performance ever in my living memory!

I really love that fact that David did not choose Hello or BJ (eventhough those two performances were fantastic)! I love the fact that he went against all odds, broke the tradition and introduced some anarchy in the Finale.

Abigail, thank you. He is such a gift. Be proud of him. We all are.

I was also hurt by Simon's comments, because whatever David feels, I feel. When he's happy I'm happy, his smile makes me smile, I laugh with him, cry with him. He just does something to my soul. I wasn't sure what was going on with him at that time but it didn't matter because I felt it.

But the rational part of my mind knows that Simon didn't mean to be mean. He's insensitive perhaps, but not mean. His intentions weren't bad. So I forgive him. His criticisms of David pre-Hello, however, probably were meant to be mean. He probably picked up that David's a sensitive guy and it might have brought out the bully in him. I'm speaking specifically of his comments after ARN. Having nothing to criticize about David's performance, instead he chose to attack his character, and it took me a very long time to forgive him for that, because the way David is holding his jaw tightly during Simon's comments and when he's standing with Ryan, it's obvious he's trying with everything he's got to hold it all together.

Symbolism? How's this for a symbol?

Marlowe suggested I put this here. What are the chances of his picture being taken right in front of the wings on the mural in such a manner?

The part about ARN performance.....that is the only part of the entire AI season I couldn't bare to watch again. I've been repeating every DC's performances and the judges comments but that comment by Simon is the one thing I can't tolerate. I feel David tried very hard to hold back and after he defended himself, Simon was pretty pissed off...which I think was all wrong. ARN is one of my fav DC AI performances and the ending just spoils everything.

I think David felt he was hit hard on the face by that night's comment but I think David was genuinely HURT by Simon's comments after TWIK. I do agree with you that Simon did not mean to be mean. And I still believe that Simon wanted DC to win so badly and hence, he tried to turn it around to make it a blessing in disguise. IMHO, I think Simon was genuinely afraid that DC might lose the competition because he didn't sing Hello/BJ. From Simon's reaction after Seacrest announcement, one can see that Simon was estatic, it was written on his face "phew...Cook won". Deep deep deep down...........Simon wanted DC to win badly.

And that is precisely why I couldn't stay angry with Simon, in spite of the way he almost desecrated the mood Cook had set and almost made him dissolve into fresh tears. He wanted the boy to win as much as I did and acted out of desperation. I also think that explains his comment to David about him being "one of the nicest, most genuine guys we've ever had on the show." Simon knew a lot of people (partly due to his own comments early in the season) still thought of David as arrogant or smug, and wanted them to know, once and for all, how wrong he'd been and how nice David really was. He didn't want people to not vote for him based on an earlier erroneous personality assessment. That's really the only thing that explains his remark. Since when does Simon say someone is "nice" or "genuine" in his critiques? I actually thought what he said was very sweet even if it had nothing to do with the actual performance. It might also explain the wink at the end of the critique, as if he was saying "I said that because I'm trying to save your ***, Cook." Well, it worked, even though Cook probably would have won anyway. But maybe not by 12 million votes.

There was something else that I didn't notice until the last time I watched the video. Simon actually looks like he had tears in his eyes at the time he winked. He looks a little sad actually.

I know Simon really, really wanted him to win because he said so much on LKL and "Ellen," and because of the ecstatic look on his face after the win. He also told an interviewer at RealityTVWorld a couple of days later that Cook's win made him "emotional." Simon emotional? That's saying a lot. I can post the link if you want to see it.

I do think that Simon "got" the performance when he went home and watched it again, and I knew without a doubt Cook was the winner when Simon delivered his famous apology. He says he didn't know, but I think he did.

Just chiming in again to say: oh gosh (TM Archie), the ARN judging was agonizing. I can't watch it back. It was literally uncomfortable to watch. David's comment was so relatively innocuous and Simon's reaction to it was just so over the top. Even Ryan was like, "you seem a little angry," as if to say, "what gives?" And then Simon took that as an opportunity to pile more on. Eeee. So uncomfortable.

That would be great Heliotrope if you could post the link. . .Thank you!

I also am so uncomfortable watching the critique after ARN...Simon seemed so pompous ...and he calls DC smug??? Go figure. ARN is one of my top favorite performances...love it when Paula makes her comment about all the girls in love with the guitar player, and Cook, with that adorable grin say, "I'm all right with that." So cute. But, I agree, Simon wanted DC to win and was ecstatic when he actually won. How can you not fall under the spell of David Cook. Amazing as it may seem, Paula got it from the very beginning.

Thank you wheezie. You pretty much nailed it on the head. It is the general consensus that TWIK meant something. More than any of us could ever understand in relation to him, and to ourselves. I usually don't really believe it so much when they get to that stage and say it's just about having fun. But with Cook and Archuleta, I did. I know both David's wanted to win, but when it came down to it, you could really see, it was just about, as you said, using the platform he had been given.


I also felt the moment was desecrated by the judges. I mean, I know, it's a reality show and that's the format, but I wish that they'd have got it and simply been wow-ed speechless so I could have just basked in that moment.

David has a very level head on his shoulders, and he knows to take a moment just to breathe. But yes, you could see at that point that he was a bit tired, that he was barely holding it all in, and he was exhaling, feeling it all and at once. But I loved that he explained himself, and I also thank Ryan for giving him that chance.






Thank you for sharing your opinion, Abigail. =) I think Simon really wanted him to win, and he was deliberately hard on him, but he was perhaps too harsh. He upset David, anyone could see it, and you're right of course, that song did emotionally drain him. It's so nice to see such a supportive family. We're all really proud of him too. =)





Hear hear! He made it his own. He is unique, original, and everything he does, he puts his stamp on it.




Oh I know right? I love that picture. It's so perfectly centered. So beautiful.






Took the words right out of my mouth. Looks like we're on the same page, Helio. =) When I saw that, that night itself, I just knew. After all, most of us had seen Simon go on Ellen and declare his favorites. Simon's words were meant to do two things, I strongly believe:

1. To spur die hard fans to vote twice as hard.
2. To bring all the swinger voters (people who had previously voted for Syesha, Jason, Brooke, etc) over to DC, because obviously, everyone wants the 'underdog' to win. Especially when D.Archuleta seemed to be showered with praises and D.Cook was given a hard time when in reality their performances were BOTH outstanding in their respective genres.


And the symbolism... David, Andrew, and Beth, at line in Omaha, and at the end on stage in LA. Excuse me, but in the history of 7 seasons, which winner has had their family up on stage???

My Mom was there with my sister for "Alright Now" and it was something David wished he hadn't said. He was sorry and apoligized to Simon when he finally seen him. Simon said it was no big deal and everything was good. If he only knew what David was going through, then to say, no big deal (remember this was just the second song of the live competition). Anyway, David learned a lot by that little encounter. David is so kind-hearted and doesn't like to hurt anyone unjustly and has found out through this experience that people can be mean-spirited and no I am not referring to Simon. Simon is Simon and he is what makes the show and often times what he says serves a purpose to inspire a contestant to improve their perfomances. David always listened intently and took it seriously and it paid off. David was a whole different personality and performer, different than any other contestant AI has experienced and it paid off. Of course, I think he is fantastic and he has been gifted since he could talk.

Abigail, as much as he wished he hadn't said it, I think you are very right in saying that he learned a lot by it. Simon Cowell is not... I mean to put things in perspective, he doesn't control the music industry, but his opinions on the show matter because like it or not, viewers respect Simon's view. When a contestant mouths off at Simon (not that David did any such thing, he was perfectly respectful, actually) they think they are being cool, or that they will gain cool votes, but in reality, they lose them.

While that whole experience must have been a smudge for David, and certainly uncomfortable for us to watch, it served as a very good lesson for him and us in general. A simple one: Listen.

And like you said, it paid off. He listened. This is most evident after TWIK. When after explaining his stand, David says, "But I understand where you're coming from." There is a full circle, the progression, you can see he has grown tremendously in a span of a few months.

As for people being mean-spirited. Well... some people just enjoy raining down on other's. That's why we have family and friends. =) And in addition to that, David has his fiercely loyal Word Nerds.

Thank you for sharing.

Doesn't the eye have a tear coming from it as well, I imagine that represents something given the number of times he was openly emotional on the show.

Here's the link...and the article.
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/simon-c...n-idol-7169.php

Simon Cowell explains David Cook apology, didn't know he'd won 'Idol'

By Christopher Rocchio, 05/22/2008

Simon Cowell continued to be in an apologetic mood the morning after American Idol's live seventh-season finale -- further explaining his desire to repent for why he felt his Tuesday night criticism of David Cook was "verging on disrespectful."

"I was almost horrified when I went back home and watched [Tuesday night's performance show]. It was literally like watching and listening to a whole new show. What you thought was good wasn't very good and what you thought was bad actually was a lot better," said Cowell as a guest on Thursday's broadcast of Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM radio show.

"[Idol's live finale] is the only opportunity I got to sort of say something publicly, because he's quite a proud man, David. That felt like the right time to say it."

Cowell's apology to Cook came moments before Seacrest revealed home viewers had crowned the 25-year-old Tulsa, OK resident Idol's seventh-season champ over 17-year-old David Archuleta.

"I didn't know at that point who was going to win -- but win or lose, it had to be said," Cowell told Seacrest about the timing of his apology.

An Archuleta vs. Cook finale was both forecasted and anticipated by Cowell, who only predicted Cook as his favorite to take home the title during a Tuesday appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. However during that night's live performance episode he awarded all three rounds to Archuleta and said the teenager scored a "knockout" over Cook.

Cowell told Seacrest he was only thinking of one word when Cook was revealed to be the champ -- "justice."

"I thought it was the right thing," said Cowell. "You always think in a situation like this where someone who's cute like David Archuleta, that it's going to be carried by young girls or grandmothers or [whoever] vote for people like David Archuleta. But actually the person who I thought did the best performances over the 11 or 12 weeks actually deserved to win and he did win. It was good."

In addition, Cowell said he was "actually quite emotional" after Cook was crowned, however he couldn't tell if it was because the seventh-season's resident rocker had won or because the latest installment of the Fox mega-hit had come to a close.

"A bit of both I think," he said with a laugh. "As soon as the announcement [of the winner] comes in, you realize how long its been. It's quite a relief when it's over."









No, I heard that too, but actually it doesn't. Maybe he'll get that as his 5th tattoo. I'm not sure why he had the tattoo put on his wrist, maybe so he can always look at it?

His frequent tears are one of the things I love best about him. I never saw a man, especially not one his age, so unafraid to cry openly (except maybe Josiah Leming, but he was obviously depressed). It's so manly and cool, and is definitely not a sign of weakness.

Thanks for the article link, Heliotrope.

And ABIGAIL, thanks for clearing the part on ARN night. I know Simon's words can be hurtful and I knw that David didn't mean to defend himself that night in that manner. Still, that AI episode will go down as the most uncomfortable episodes to watch, for me! Just for the records, I still believe at the end of it, Simon really wanted DC to win. I guess Simon never really got it wrong before, and he did say DC will win on LKL and Ellen. His comments was a clear indicator to voters that he didn't want the popularity votes to win, he clearly wanted a deserving stand-out talent to win.

This thing has been sitting on my chest for a very long time now. Hell yeah, it hurts. I still feel upset when I read about articles which constantly refer to David Cook's win as the most shocking upset in the history of a singing competition.

I've actually written something about this, after watching and analysing David's AI performances repeatedly. I've never gotten the chance to post my write-up but I think I will after this thread had brought up the subject. I will do anything to justify that it was never an upset win. If anyone have noticed, on 3 separate performances, Simon, Randy and Paula have pointed out that DC might win the competition.

We all know as fans that he deserves to win but God knows...there's alot of explanation to do in the "outside world". DC is seriously being misunderstood by alot of people. Trust me ...I know because I am still getting alot of nasty comments about his "upset" win.

Just a side note, James_padfoot.....your pick for David's symbolism "David, Andrew, and Beth, at line in Omaha, and at the end on stage in LA" is very sweet. And i totally agree with you that no other winners have had their families on stage with them. And also, no other past winners have actually shared their final winning moment+song with the rest of the contestants. The final moment of TOML with David and the rest of the Top 12 was magical. That is one DC's symbolism to consider.

I agree, it was no upset and when that was said I couldn't understanding their reasoning. David Cook's performances were so good throughout the competition. It wasn't about one night, it was about the whole season. Actually, I thought David took a risk in the finale and I respect him for it. That is exactly what he did week after week, he took risks. He didn't want to sing what he had sung before and I say, good for him. I love TWIK and I am glad he did it his way and he won by over 12 million votes. Everyone in the family was so upset watching David give it his all and then Simon chose the final competition to give his personal score for that one night, but I was very calm and confident all day (until they said "and the winner is"). When they said the winner won by 12 million, I knew it was our David. We had a large party in a relative's barn with a huge TV and we were ecstatic. It was crazy and to see David so gracious and his mom and Andrew on stage was so gratifying. It had come full circle. Myself and my family are so proud of him (and Andrew), yet sad that we will not be seeing him much, because his life has changed and he is so busy, which is a good thing.

Boy, I so agree! It hurt me to the core when Simon repeatedly gave the "round" to Archie. Even after DC's brilliant TWIK performance.

That's a fun story to hear about the party in the barn! I can't even imagine how excited the family was that night.

Helio - I've always loved that shot of DC with the wings and halo, what are the chances that that photo was composed so perfectly? One in a million?!


If you do write up your analysis, please post it here for us to read, I'd personally love to hear your thoughts. It made me angry too, to hear DC's win constantly referred to as an upset. But maybe b/c Simon kept calling the "rounds" to DA, people expected DA to win the thing. But 12 million votes is not a margin that represents an "upset" it's a landslide.

As I've mentioned earlier, I wrote this thing down quite sometime ago....after watching all of David's AI performances repeatedly. Initially, i was quite upset and angry at one point, after reading again and again on what they call "an upset win". I wanted so much to post my thoughts to my local newspaper/entertainment magazine....to do justice for David. But i didn't...............i know i have to let it go cause all that do not matter anymore, right? David is proving his worth with a very solid single (LO) and of course, the highly anticipated album.

Here's what I wrote a while back:

I was watching the repeat of American Idol Season 7 …yes, again. It just suddenly hit me that I have got to write some of my thoughts down. I can’t rest till I put them into words.

Since the day David Cook was announced the winner of American Idol Season 7, every article which surfaced has since called it an upset win and the sentence “Cook pulled off one of the greatest upset wins in a singing competition”. Wait a second! I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that people are still calling it an upset win.

Give me one good reason why is that so?

It was a talent singing competition. David Cook can sing. He’s got amazing vocals; even hard-rockers like Chris Cornell and Switchfoot frontman, Jon Foreman think he has go great vocals.

Let’s see…what is talent apart from the fact that he can sing? That man can make music. He can do his own arrangements to pop songs which were written in the 80s and made them sounding like a rock song in the new millennium. Have anyone been capable of doing that in the history of American Idol?

Whatever said above can be proven as well. Take a look back to all the episodes from Top 24 and watch his performances and listen to the judges’ opinion. If you put them into perspective and analyse them, you would not call David Cook’s win an upset win. I’ve noted some important points from the show, especially what the judges commented to David Cook after his performances:-

1. Top 12 Week – Eleanor Rigby. Simon said “If this show remains a talent competition rather than a popularity competition, you could actually win this thing”.

2. Top 10 Week – Billie Jean. Randy said “Dude, you might be the one that win the whole lot”.

3. Top 5 Week – All I Really Need Is You. Paula said “I feel like I am already looking at the American Idol, I really do”.

4. Out of all his performances from Top 24 onwards, Simon only had serious bad comments on 2 of his performances, Day Tripper and Innocent performances.

5. Randy only stood up once for the entire season and it was for David Cook after his performance on Mariah Carey Always Be My Baby.

Another point to note was Simon said on the Ellen Degeneres Show that he thinks David Cook will win because he’s more talented and he’s the better performer. After all, American Idol was looking for a star, an artiste who can do more than just stand still and sing.

There you go. I’ve put “pen to paper” of what I wanted to say for a very long time now. I can sleep well now. It just drives me mad every time I see the words “upset win” associated with David Cook. Well, he was labelled the dark horse at the beginning of the show but David was consistent, unpredictable, and as Simon had said it, some of his performances are in a different league from anything he’d heard throughout the season. IT WAS NOT A SHOCKING UPSET WIN.

Thank you for posting this. I also wondered why everyone kept calling it an "upset win." Cook got so many more kudos from the judges overall, really, or at least the judges were more excited about his performances, even if they thought Archuleta was technically better on some nights.

It kind of annoyed me when I kept seeing that term after the win, because even though Simon had declared (before his apology) that Archuleta "won all three rounds," it was Cook's TWIK that was SO good it beat out ALL the other performances of all the contests for the whole season. Yes, even Archie's "Imagine" and Castro's "Halleluiah." Simon was very clear who he thought would win on at least two popular talk shows, and Simon is the most popular judge. So how was it an upset? Maybe only to those who were "upset" about Archie not winning, and they did seem to comprise many of the entertainment reporters the next day.



It was like bookends. The very first picture of David's AI journey he was flanked by his mother and brother in that crowded room in Omaha, and also during the last few minutes of the season, when they joined him on stage. Andrew was the last person you saw before the final credits finished, proudly declaring "that's my brother." David came full circle. It was like a family reunion.

I loved the way he tried to make winners out of everyone too, and had his arm protectively around Archie the entire time, who looks so ecstatic you'd never know he just LOST. I think he was just happy to be in the final two with Cook, and happy to be in his "big brother"'s presence. The way he smiles up at Cook is just beautiful. Frankly, I think Archie's DAD wanted him to win more than Archie did himself.

I don't have anything substantive to add right now, but I just wanted to thank everyone for a fascinating discussion thus far and for some great insights.
And also, ITA with Heliotrope and all, that moment when David pulls Archie into him for a one armed hug while he's singing TOML is just such a wonderful, warm, genuine moment.

also, one of the lyrics to light on is "I feel it like a naked eye, a fire to keep me warm."

I wondered if he got the tat when he knew about that song or that that song would be the first single. seems like a DC thing to do.

thanks heliotrope! now that is symbolism!

and does no one want to talk about his signature?
lower case d, capitol C?



i agree about the scarf - good point.

and abigail, it is so interesting to see that family are just as afffected as us all and by the songs we are affected by. as i always say, it is because his soul shines.

Hey wheezie, don't go apologizing for being profound! I think you TOTALLY got this right. There wasn't anything accidental about TWIK -- David knew the stakes and chose not to take the safe path -- just like Andrew Lloyd Webber advised (you don't win by not taking chances), although I don't mean to suggest that made any difference.

He was in tears by the end of the song -- the moment was huge. It was the ending of an amazing, exhausting, and dream-come-true kind of experience, on a huge stage with a cheering audience. He chose to sing a song that said "this is me." Not just that, but like I said above, he chose to do it with very little support (like background singers/band) -- given the situation, another brave choice.

I don' t think that anything the judges said upset him or made any difference to him at that moment, except maybe what Paula said about standing in his truth, which I think was exactly what he was trying to do. Throughout the season, he was more moved by NICE things judges said than upset by criticism, and I think the same is true here. His goal was to leave it on the stage and he did. And I agree -- and have written elsewhere -- that what he said to Simon was perfect.

I thought he handled Simon really well. He stood up for his choice, without giving any attitude, which Simon would have deserved (but could have lost Cook votes). He even acknowledged Simon's opinion when he said "but I understand what you're saying..." or whatever it was. You can tell he's trying hard not to start crying again after Simon's comments, by the tightness in his jaw (he had that same look after Simon's comments after ARN), but he manages to hold it together. He showed a lot of class.

TWIK was a huge moment for him on several levels. Not only was he saying goodbye to "the world I know" of obscurity and being a non-famous person (even if he hadn't won I have no doubt he would be a huge success), but he is also saying goodbye to himself--he went through an ascension process spiritually, and was saying goodbye to the old, pre-transformation David. Not that he's really changed inside, he's just so much MORE now.


On a slight tangent, I was thinking about the scarf he wears dangling from his pants. I think it may actually be a reference to his being a bartender before Idol. Bartenders often have a rag stuck in their back pocket for wiping up counters, and the scarf might symbolize that he really hasn't changed, he's still the same goofy and loveable guy he always was when he tended bar and played weekend gigs for a few beers and a few bucks.

Here's that lovely moment when he includes Archie in his win:

I love the way you put this for some reason. So true.
And thanks for the pic Heliotrope! Another thing I love about the winning moment was his interaction with MJ. And everyone looks so genuinely happy for him.

Interaction with MJ? I loved watching the Bromance.
Here's one of my favorite Mavid pics. I love the tender look on DC's face, like what a little brother feels for a big brother. I think MJ's relationship to David was much like David's relationship to Archie, sort of a little/big brother bond. And I think MJ lightened Cook's load a lot. He could make him laugh and be more silly than he probably can by himself without someone to balance all the heaviness. Not that Cook has no sense of humor (he has an awesome sense of humor), just that I think MJ brought it out more.


Here's another sweet Mavid moment from the finale. I love how MJ has his arm almost protectively around David.

Everyone likes being near DC. He draws people to him.

Yeapsss....i mentioned about the scarf being one of his symbolism. I love the scarf....its a David Cook's trademark for me! Thanks for letting me know about the connection with his bartending. Amazing....how can I not love this gentleman!?

And as I've also mentioned earlier, another symbolism to point out is the finale of the finale. Winning moment+TOML with the rest of the Top12 with him on stage! That was SOME moment! It was really like "magic rainbow" ....as corny as it might sound! Archie, MJ, Jason, etc all close to him...everyone seems so genuinely happy cause I can see from their smiles. The song fits perfectly for that moment.
Thanks for attaching the pictures! I love that TOML final winning moment picture...capturing Archie, MJ and Jason!

DC for PS - thanks for posting your very insightful thoughts as to the reasons why DC's win was termed an "upset" by many. You did a great job of listing your points and I had forgotten that Randy only stood up once during season 7 and it was for Cook! I still think that Simon's influence had something to do with it. The world heard him declare DA the winner of all three rounds, so hey - it was an UPSET! Not! But that's what the media grabbed and ran with. Shrugs... Marlowe - I'd love to discuss this, so I've been searching for a while now on the web looking for answers to your thoughts about DC's signature. Most of the handwriting sites that I went to only seem to cover slant, pressure on the page and letter size. In order to get a more detailed analysis, you need to pay for it!!! So unless someone knows the answers to your question from experience or learning, the question will remain a very good one, but unanswered! I found the picture below (so adorable) that has a little more writing than just DC's signature on it. Notice that he prints everything but his signature. So, as I was poking around on the handwriting sites, I found this (below) and immediately thought of Heliotrope and her observations about David's transformation over the season. I thought it was interesting.

What about people who print? A: It is a generality, but worth answering. People who print have put up a barrier to keep the world from getting to know them. They do not easily express their inner-most feelings. People who print take longer to experience intimacy and tend to have a strong external protective mental shell that is often seen as confidence. It is estimated that over half of men in the United States prefer to print rather than write cursive. This is the same tendency that says "I'd rather sit here in pain rather than express my feelings." Some men learn at an early age to keep their insecure feelings hidden from the world. And yes, they do often have to print because of their messy handwriting, but the answer still applies.

TWIK is probably my favorite also, for most of the same reasons. I (stupidly)missed out on getting it as a ringtone for my phone, so I got Collective Soul's version. Everyone always looks when they hear it.

That picture, that's it!! What ARE the chances that would happen? I would love to hear form the person who took the photo. Did they notice that when they took it? It sums up all I feel about David. I always say "everything happens for a reason, so just believe". Think of all the people you have met & know in your own personal lives. I have many instances where my world & others would be so dramatically different if we hadn't met. Same with David. It all just fell into place. I can't wait to see what he brings forth in the journey!

just wanted to say how much i've enjoyed all your entries.

I agree with so much of what's been said about TWIK that I don't know what to add. I never liked that song when it was popular. When DC sang it, I finally realized what a beautiful song it was.

It's my favorite performance by DC and my favorite moment on Idol of all time.

My favorite part is at the end when he realized that he needs to "man up" (for lack of a better term) before he falls apart completely. The look on his face after he gathers himself together just does me in.

I also noticed (or someone else did way back in May when I started hopping on boards to discuss DC) that he doesn't react to Paula saying what she said, which was so beautiful. He looks away as though he knows he'll lose it if he looks at her and takes it in.

In an odd way, Simon helped him by being such a jerk. He didn't have to hold himself together. It was like a switch went off in his head, which I think was a mercy.

There were only two times DC talked back to Simon and it was when Simon attacked him as a person. TWIK meant so much to DC that to say it was the wrong song was personal. It was about his integrity as an artist; that's the line for DC. You can mock his music, his clothes, his hair, anything, but not who he is. I <3 him. *sigh*

Oh! Look I've gone and rambled away anyway.

Well, now I feel this burning need to go re-watch TWIK and the reaction. Like I haven't seen it about 100 times already, LOL.
Both times Simon attacked him it had nothing to do with his performance; it was personal--after ARN (attacked him for being a word nerd and liking crossword puzzles), and after this (wrong song choice when it was anything but). I still can't hate Simon though for all the reasons I mentioned earlier. But I was pretty mad at him both times.

i totally agree with your apology analysis!



padfoot, i know, right? i dont remember anyone being up there. its like david said, they are his bookends. i couldnt have written a better script (to borrow a line from dave)



or sadness that the world wil