David Cook – The Last Goodbye – The Today Show – VIDEO

Who’s dressing him? the jacket is 2 sizes smaller than it should be.

The song is just as bad live as it is on the CD. The song title on the other hand, very appropriate.

David sounded really good on the Today Show. I thought he and the band looked really nice. Happy release day everyone.

I think David looks great. I dvr’d this so I’ll watch it when I get home (I watched it w/o sound here…)

I’m very proud to be a David Cook fan, and I preordered his fan pak at DCO last night. I love his new single, The Last Goodbye. Love it. Catchy tune and lyrics and David Cook’s voice, what more could you want?

His hair looks strange to me.

I’m really trying to give ‘The Last Goodbye’ a chance even though David is not one of my “favs” I still hope he does succeed. But gosh darn, there is just something so frenetic about this song…it’s like the song, from the abrupt beginning to the slam bam ending, is being sung just to get it done and over with. It leaves me breathless…and not in a good way. I just don’t understand, with seemingly better material on the album, that they are hanging on to this song for all its worth. Would someone, not “knowing” David really go out and gobble up the album with this as an introduction to him. Hmmmm?

Promo fail! TLG? That song has proven that it cannot even sell itself. How is it going to sell the album? Why not try something else for this promo tour?

Still, they look good and sounded good (although, I don’t remember Cook keeping his eyes closed that much).

TLG celebrates album release day by gaining no spins and losing AI for today’s update. It’s not in the iTunes top 1000, but “Fade Into Me” and TOML are. Take the hint RCA. Try anything else.

I can’t wait to get my fan pak (from DCO preorder). I loved Fade Into Me–saw that SYTYCD use it on their show. My local radio station played the song and I had to pull over to the side of the road. I cried, it was so beautiful. David is very talented. I can’t wait to hear all the songs on his new CD. I still love TLG, and don’t get the negativity, although I acknowledge everyone is entitled to their opinions. Hopefully, some David Cook fans will blog here now…comments about his hair, seriously…

I don’t follow Cook and am only a very casual fan, but I thought that his appearance on Today was pretty subdued. Perhaps, if they had performed outside there would have been more energy?

Still, they look good and sounded good (although, I don’t remember Cook keeping his eyes closed that much).

I agree. I also prefer his hair style in the CD/promo pics that I’ve seen than the way it was styled today, sort of plastered down.

Re: The Last Goodbye – I think the song is catchy enough. It’s kind of grown on me actually.

The band sounded great this morning! Not rushed or frenetic at all, to me.

According to various tweets, David is about to take the stage at the Paramount theater.

Yay! They did a great job. :D The video’s audio/visual is a bit out of sync tho.

Favorite part of the interview was the reference to the PS22 visit being refreshing because the kids are into the music, rather than focused on the business aspect.

Seriously Kirsten and Tess. ITA. I’m banging my head right now. Nothing could help sell this song and they’re still pushing it when he needs to move albums? FAIL. Sure he sounds good, he always sounds good, but something with this song just is not clicking. Beyond stupid. Don’t get me wrong, I still like TLG, I find it catchy and don’t know WHY it hasn’t caught on but something is off.

Before heading into the city I stopped in my local Walmart to get the Idol EP’s and the display for TLM was so crappy. Like a half a row all the way at the bottom of an endcap. Really disappointing.

Personal opinions – He looks ok (hair is a bit shellaced though, I like it like it was in the picture that I saw on twitter yesterday), song sounds fine (I like it though) and Ann Curry’s dress is not my taste.
By the way, my friend is at the Paramount and live tweeting from it. I’m not sure what thread to stick her tweets in, but I’ll post here if that works for you. She just tweeted that the show has not yet begun.

Good luck to Cook and exciting day for his superfans! I am waiting to see if I get the CD for my birthday next week, lol. If not, I do plan to download it.

Favorite part of the interview was the reference to the PS22 visit being refreshing because the kids are into the music, rather than focused on the business aspect.

Yeah, and the picture they showed of him and the kids was too cute.

I liked this performance of the song.

He looks superb. I loved TLG and he has proven before that he is an album seller even more than the singles which also each sold over 1 million each. His album is the best cd I have ever owned. It is more than just a collection of random songs put together. It tells a story and I can feel the entire thought process listening to it. Starting with the gorgeous Circadian and ending with the lid fluttering REM. As the reviews stated I think he can be the most successful male idol because he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is a real artist. Not an auto tuned plastic performer.

SASCBMBBWCNHM (There is a real sentence in here).

PS Trina Cook is No. 1 and 3 on the bestsellers list at Walmart, so why should they ignore him.

Don’t see my comment so posting again (if it appears twice, please forgive me). Regarding the hair, David said he wanted to grow it out, similar to Dave Grohl’s (Foo Fighters). So maybe that’s why it’s styled the way it is, since it is too long to stick up straight on his head like usual… I don’t care how long it gets. If it gets long enough, he’ll remind me of a hippie from the 70′s, which is right up MY alley! Love David Cook anyway I can get him. This is a good David Cook Day!

I like TLG. I primarily listen to HAC and think that it fits this format well. I can understand the concern of Cook’s fans about this song though, because it’s yet to have caught on in radioplay and sales. Is Cook going to have any more television promotion this week other than Regis and Kelly and Lopez Tonight?

Livestream link
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/paramount-show-6-28-11

Not a fan of TLG, there’s just a weird disconnect to me between the lyrics, the way David sings it and the music. It’s like the music is upbeat so I’m looking for something different than the kind of down lyrics and intense delivery. I was hoping he’d sing something else for the promo because there are definitely songs I like better on the album.

Congrats to the Cook fans for the media blitz! Exciting day!!

The band sounded great this morning! Not rushed or frenetic at all, to me.

I thought so, too. One of the best performances of this song. Though I’m sure as shit going to my bunker if all we get every time he performs it is “FAIL! WHY?! FAIL!” Grumble.

He has hair like my brother. Can’t do shit with it. Head too big to shave it. Needs to travel with a hair-do-er. But after three years of talking about his hair, I grow weary of it lol.

Tess says:
Would someone, not “knowing” David really go out and gobble up the album with this as an introduction to him. Hmmmm?

At least Cookie did a better job this morning than he did when he sang TLG on Idol. He seemed so disconnected then that I recall thinking he wasted a great opportunity to push the song.

Spanishfan, when he was primarily an album seller he still managed to sell a ton of singles. Along with that platinum album he also scored two platinum singles and a gold single, so he did sell singles. When he was actually selling he had just come off a huge Idol win with TWO songs getting good airplay. Right now its a very different time period. He has little buzz and a song that’s struggling to get played. Two Idol appearances and they had very little impact on sales. I’m not as overwhelmingly in love with the album as a whole as some fans but there are some amazing songs on there and something else should have been tested to try and push sales, something David can connect to live better IMO

I can’t answer why he would be #1 on Walmarts site but have a not so great display in the store. I don’t know who Is responsible for that stuff. But what I saw in the actual store was a few copies of TLM buried amongst the overload of Beyonce and Biebers girlfriend uh ick.

I saw some of the comments before watching the vid so I decided to watch and listen to the performance very intently. I agree with mj’s assessment here. I think the band did a good solid job. On the other hand, I do agree with Kirsten and Trina. Basically, this single is done. It is indeed very telling when Fade Into Me is showing up on the i-tunes singles chart and TLG isn’t. I think after this promo cycle for the album is done, the single needs to be switched out ASAP.

I, too, am wondering why the single hasn’t “taken off”. I can, somehow, understand the disconnect being an upbeat song about saying a last goodbye; but I love David and actually like the song.

I got my preordered cd & ep yesterday and I’m so-so happy. :) He’s listed the names of the fans on the cover with thank you inserted into it. What a guy to thank his fans in this special way. He does wear his heart on his sleeves and that makes me love him more.

Promo fail! TLG? That song has proven that it cannot even sell itself. How is it going to sell the album? Why not try something else for this promo tour?

I agree. Fade Into Me is sitting at #440 and nothing can get TLG into the Top 1000. I think he always sounds a little flat in the chorus when he sings TLG live, but I don’t think that’s the issue with sales. Maybe uptempo David just doesn’t work for people. Clearly ‘Fade into Me’ is resonating enough to appear on the charts.

Clearly ‘Fade into Me’ is resonating enough to appear on the charts.

My theory there is clearly TOML is still very popular… and “Fade Into Me” has a similar waltz-y feeling. So not shocked that it would work with some of the same folks. I’m assuming the sales there are because of SYTYCD?

Regarding TLG and the upbeat and down lyrics… he’s said goodbye before, they both should have known it was coming–the breakup–but this is the last time, the last goodbye. It sounds like the person didn’t have everything David was looking for in a relationship–he didn’t want to let her go, but they were miles apart no matter how hard they tried. I might even hear a little patronizing in his talking about how she can get what she needs from her next love. Love the video to this song!

Shirley, I understood the lyrics, but thanks.

I was trying to expand on why imo there was upbeat tune to down beat lyrics…

What’s up with the hair? He looks like a Lego toy man.
This song is nothing special. Very generic. Underwhelming. If this is the lead single for an album that took two years, I don’t see this album making gold.

I actually heard Time of My Life playing in McDonald’s Sunday morning in Franklin, TN. I’ve heard it last week also. So it’s still getting a lot of play here in TN..I guess because the writer is from here.

The last I checked, there are now two versions (album and single) of TLG on the pop chart. I don’t have the ranks, but the album version was close to the single version. It is making it appear the song isn’t rising in sales when it is.

Sure he sounds good, he always sounds good, but something with this song just is not clicking. Beyond stupid. Don’t get me wrong, I still like TLG, I find it catchy and don’t know WHY it hasn’t caught on but something is off.

Yeah.

That said, I agree with MJ and tierbee, thought it was a great performance!

I will not comment on the hair… except to say, why? (I realize I kinda just did by saying that, heh).

I actually heard Time of My Life playing in McDonald’s Sunday morning in Franklin, TN. I’ve heard it last week also.

I hear it in all kinds of random places. I walked into Applebee’s here in Northern VA to meet my mom for lunch and it came on just as I got to the table. And of course she laughed at me. “Hey, your guy just came on! Just in time!”

Supposedly they just did REM at the Paramount. I am too snobby about audio quality to try and finish the vid (but thanks to the person who recorded it).

Lots of questions about Dave’s hair–he said on VH1 Top Twenty Countdown interview that he’s growing his hair out–similar to Dave Grohl’s…

I actually heard Time of My Life playing

This song is almost a staple on some AC stations…and it is part of the elevator music that is played at restaurants, casinos, elevators, and telephone “hold” systems. In fact the radio plays for the song were bigger than what Cook’s latest single got last week.

And this is probably why Cook might be having a bit of a problem stirring up come of his idol fanbase for his latest endeavors. There is still a large segment of idol fandom that is solidly in the Susan Boyle/Jackie Evancho camp where ‘Time of My Life’ fitted in nicely. But since this is really not Cook’s bailiwick, and he has proven that with his other releases, these AC fans may be on the fence with Cookie. Once an idolette has shown a true genre in the real world there are idol fans who will move on.

I thought David sounded really good on this…but the hair Wow MAJOR Fail!

But since this is really not Cook’s bailiwick, and he has proven that with his other releases, these AC fans may be on the fence with Cookie. Once an idolette has shown a true genre in the real world there are idol fans who will move on.

I think that’s exactly why he refuses to play TOML live. He wants to move past that and make it clear that it is *not* the music he’ll be doing… but you’re right, when the Idols move off into their real musical direction they definitely lose Idol fans who aren’t going to go with them. He’s always walked that line; I remember the first show I went to the women sitting in front of me who were aghast that a) it was much more of a rock show than they expected and b) he didn’t do any of his Idol songs OR TOML. Heh. If they had access to earplugs they would’ve put them in. Their daughters had a blast, though :)

Tess, I certainly hope the some AI fans haven’t moved on. This truly is a great cd and so much better than the first one. They really, really need to give this one a try. I know he will have great success if they will listen. Maybe some more promos with a different song will be the key. Who knows……

Maybe I’m misunderstanding you, Tess, but are you telling Idol fans to move on, as in, find another heartthrob? Seriously, I’m not going anywhere. I can love TOML and everything else this genius David Cook puts out there. Hopefully, David doesn’t share the view that Idol fans need to “move on”.

Hopefully, David doesn’t share the view that Idol fans need to “move on”.

I don’t think he does, but Tess is making a fair point: Cook is, despite the charges being laid at his feet by people who think anything other than early Aerosmith and the Stones isn’t really rock, not a soft-rocker. TOML is a soft rock song. FIM is the closest to that on this album, but plenty of other moments are a lot stormier. Some people bought DCTR for TOML and were kind of okay with LO and Lie but didn’t care for the rest. Those people might download FIM (or not) and skip the rest.

It doesn’t make them bad people, or Cook a poor artist. It’s just a disconnect between expectations and preferences and actuality. In the long run, he’s honestly better off making the music he wants and attracting fans who appreciate that.

I actually heard Time of My Life playing in McDonald’s Sunday morning in Franklin, TN. I’ve heard it last week also.

I hear it in all kinds of random places

I heard Light On playing really low at an IHOP once, and I had to pretend to pay attention to my friends. I also heard Permanent at a casino, which was extremely random– not one where David was having a show or anything. I also heard Adam Lambert’s remixed Aftermath at an Austrailian clothing store (it’s like an H&M).

Reminder:

Now I’m banning people.

If you don’t like the conversation and you are heading off somewhere else? Just do it, please. Don’t post about it. Bitching about the thread is off-topic.

Well, the second album is where the rubber hits the road. If this is the musical statement he wants to make, this is where Idol people get to make the final decision as to whether they are on board. That’s just the way it is. It’s part of the process I guess.

Per RCAPromo he’s singing The Last Goodbye on Regis & Kelly tomorrow.

Tess, but are you telling Idol fans to move on, as in, find another heartthrob?

Sorry if I was misunderstood. But my point is that I have been sensing something of a tempering of expectations for the latest Cook ablum from some…and this seems to be perfectly natural for many sophomore idol albums. I was trying to point out (when TOML was brought up) that a certain part of an AI generated fan base may have moved on just because of TOML. No reflection on Cook, more a reflection of the songs issued as coronation songs (in fact). As good as the song is and as well as it is sung, it just isn’t where Cook wants to go, irregardless of its popularity.

Per RCAPromo he’s singing The Last Goodbye on Regis & Kelly tomorrow.

Not sure I agree with this, but it won’t be the first or last time I disagree with RCA.

My theory there is clearly TOML is still very popular… and “Fade Into Me” has a similar waltz-y feeling. So not shocked that it would work with some of the same folks. I’m assuming the sales there are because of SYTYCD?

I assume so. When he performed it last week, you couldn’t download the track individually, the album was still in pre-order.
It was in the 600s this morning, now it’s at 347.

Perhaps this song would sell the album better than TLG which is getting no response.

I wanna comb his hair..that’s all..LOL

And this is probably why Cook might be having a bit of a problem stirring up come of his idol fanbase for his latest endeavors. There is still a large segment of idol fandom that is solidly in the Susan Boyle/Jackie Evancho camp where ‘Time of My Life’ fitted in nicely. But since this is really not Cook’s bailiwick, and he has proven that with his other releases, these AC fans may be on the fence with Cookie. Once an idolette has shown a true genre in the real world there are idol fans who will move on.

I think that TOML could hurt him in terms of making new fans outside of the AI bubble, but I don’t think it hurts him with the ones that he already had. AC listeners aren’t big album buyers, but if they purchased his album based on hearing TOML, CBTM and LO, they were probably shocked by the rest of the album, since those songs don’t really fit who David is. TOML’s success is nice, but it’s a great example of why AI and the labels need to find songs that fit the artists, and not just throw anything out there.

Per RCAPromo he’s singing The Last Goodbye on Regis & Kelly tomorrow.

So they are sticking with it as a single. May be they are hoping that good album sales will make PDs see this era in a more positive light.

I think that a lot of David Cook fans are buying the album instead of single songs. I know I do. I hardly ever purchase I-tunes singles. And why would you think Idol fans wouldn’t appreciate David’s new CD? I love everything I’ve heard so far. I do love David’s ballads the best because that is where he shows off how good his voice truly is. I loved every single song on DCTR1 and I can’t wait ’till I receive my new CD in the mail. I wonder if TLG sales will increase now that the album has been released and TLG is in the VH1 Top Twenty Countdown with a TLG video (best one yet) for the second week! The only way David Cook would lose his Idol fans was if he put out a statement that he didn’t appreciate us and didn’t want us to attend his concerts. I don’t think that is going to happen. I’m sure there will be one or two who won’t like the direction of his music, but for me all I can see is pure genius in David’s music. Genius.

And why would you think Idol fans wouldn’t appreciate David’s new CD?

Every idol, except for Kelly, has seen the numbers for their second album drop. It’s not just that people are buying fewer albums, it’s also a case of AI fans who supported someone because they were on the show, but don’t like the music that they are producing. It’s the reason why it’s so important for alums to break out of the bubble with their first albums, and establish their musical identities.

As far as the single goes, I think the problem isn’t whether or not hardcore fans are buying it, but whether or not casual fans and potential fans are, and if the airplay and video are resulting in people getting the single.

I kind of agree with Elliegrll. I’m convinced if people who aren’t familiar with David could actually hear all of his songs, there would be something they would love. David’s music is diverse, even on his albums you can find diversity. Also, some of his music grows on you, while some of it hits me like a brick in the head (in a good way) as fabulous right away. I remember I didn’t care for “Lie” until I saw David perform it on Carrie’s special. Everybody is different, but imo David is special. He has the ability to convey deep feelings and thoughts in such a way that I can’t deny I’ve been touched by someone special. His voice is effortless. It’s eerie how he can control his breathing and support his high notes and go without taking a breath. I’m going to start gushing if I continue. I’ve tried to be levelheaded, but I’m really just a David Cook fangirl. Please don’t shoot down David for my saying this, but I really believe in my heart he will be bigger than the Beatles. I know David would never say that, but I’m saying that. I see genius and talent in David in so many ways.

Every idol, except for Kelly, has seen the numbers for their second album drop. It’s not just that people are buying fewer albums, it’s also a case of AI fans who supported someone because they were on the show, but don’t like the music that they are producing. It’s the reason why it’s so important for alums to break out of the bubble with their first albums, and establish their musical identities.

As far as the single goes, I think the problem isn’t whether or not hardcore fans are buying it, but whether or not casual fans and potential fans are, and if the airplay and video are resulting in people getting the single.

(bolded part) That’s why the sophomore album is so critical for Idol alums. Its level of success usually shows if the Idol has transitioned beyond the show and its fans. I also agree that they are looking for the single to resonate with casual/new fans, not just Cook’s current fans.

IMO David’s worst is better than what is playing out there. I like David, think he’s a nice guy, he has manners, he’s worked for charities, he has a heart. I wish him the best. I think he worked hard and deserves success. I’m happy that his new CD is doing so well. I hope his single gets more airplay, because that is what I think it needs to be successful. That means David’s fans need to call their local radio stations and request the song. Whatever song David releases next, I’ll get behind that one, also. Call/online request your local radio stations and David’s new single TLG will do just fine. David’s fans want him to succeed.

Well, on the positive side, maybe TMAIM isn’t the next single afterall (it is, perhaps, my least favorite on the album–the lyrics are so sappy it doesn’t even seem like a DC song). But, why didn’t RCA have him sing something else? I really don’t get it. Unless RCA truly believes TLG has the best chance for success.

David sounded good, though. I’m just not into this song. I am not as big a David fan as I once was, but it is still an exciting week. I didn’t preorder, so I will be picking up the CD sometime this week.

All Idols have fans that move on. Its the sad nature of the beast. The girls I camped out with in the cold for the DCTR release party didn’t even know he had an album coming out this week. Since David won Idol there have been three more seasons and a lot of fans lost interest in favor of the new Idols. It happens all the time. Its up to David now to re-build his fanbase and try and gain new fans. This is why some of us are annoyed a new song isn’t being showcased, because maybe if a new song from TLM is promoted it will help. TLG is clearly not doing it and neither has the VH1 Countdown.

I will say that “Fade Into Me” is gorgeous, and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings none if it were to be the next single after TLG. The only way I even heard the song was my local radio station discovered it on SYTYCD and went ahead and played it on the air. I actually pulled my car over–I was so overcome with emotion. The song is beautiful, intimate. Reminded me of how I felt when I heard “Avalanche” for the first time. If you have never heard Avalanche, you really need to listen to it. So many songs from DCTR that should have been released as singles…

Poor Cookie, always a lot said about the hair. I guess since he got it he wants to grow it out, it’s his, he paid for it. :) Better than no hair. I’m glad he got it, no matter how.

The single thing. I’m not sure why they haven’t changed it. I guess because it’s mostly going up a bit or holding steady. If it starts falling they will switch I guess.

I don’t feel sorry for Cookie. He’s living his dream. This is what it is all about. His CD is doing very well. I hope it all continues. At least he’s getting some promo now on his new single. His music tends to grow on people. TOML is STILL being played, as well as LO and Come Back To Me. Actually, I’m hearing them more now. The DJs are like, oh yeah, I liked that other song he did…and so now all of his songs are getting airplay. I think it is all good. I wonder how his DCTR1 is doing now. I’ll bet he’s selling more of his DCTR album, as well.

It doesn’t make them bad people, or Cook a poor artist. It’s just a disconnect between expectations and preferences and actuality. In the long run, he’s honestly better off making the music he wants and attracting fans who appreciate that.

All Idols have to face this issue. They come from a show where their popularity was built on singing a variety of covers (many of which are decades old and have strong nostalgic value), then after the show they release a CD trying to become current artists and appeal to non-Idol fans, as well as retain as many of their Idol fans as possible. No wonder so many of them have experienced a disconnect with their Idol fans.

All Idols have fans that move on. Its the sad nature of the beast.

All artists have fans that move on- it’s not an Idol only phenomenon.

Yay!

I don’t believe I have EVER commented on David Cook’s hair, in all these years. OK, maybe the prominent combover during the early Idol days. But, uhm, this do will not do. ;-)

I’m over it. On to the fabulous new music. Thanks to all who added to my pleasure today. Thanks for recording and sharing!

His hair was perfect when he played at Six Flag three days ago. Don’t know why he changed it. I am not complaining though :)