Millions of people around the country fell in love with rock belter David Cook while watching him make other people’s songs his own week after week on the seventh season of American Idol. Cook won the competition handily thanks to viewers connecting with his rich, unfettered voice and passionately intense performances, not to mention his down-to-earth Midwestern charm. Now, with the release of his self-titled major-label debut, this gifted 25-year-old is eager to show those fans what he can do when he’s in the driver’s seat.
This is David Cook’s list of music you should hear.
“Anodyne” – MWK
“This was one of the few songs I helped write while I was in this band, and it’s one of my favorites that I’ve ever been involved in. It’s interesting but still very melodic.”
“Ladylike (Album Version)” – Big Wreck
“Look, the idea of making a rock track out of a banjo riff…that’s thinking outside the box. I love Big Wreck for the sheer fact that they never got too entwined in the typical rock band idea, and this song is very representative of that.”
“Potato Girl” – Our Lady Peace
“This song always gets me, I think, for it’s sheer haunting quality. The verses all build gradually, sweeping into this huge breakdown pre-chorus, and then an anthemic chorus. This is a “feel-good” song for me.”
“Stockholm Syndrome” – Muse
“Amazing guitar riff. Even more amazing chorus. I remember hearing this for the first time, and being floored. Just the sheer musicianship of this song was awe-inspiring.”
“Different” – Acceptance
“Just a very beautiful melody wrapped in a catchy song. I love the earnestness in the vocal.”
“Calling You” – Blue October
“I love the uniqueness of this song. It’s not your average love song. Great lyrics.”
“Drive” – The Cars
“Some songs stand the test of time, and this one fits that bill. I remember seeing Our Lady Peace cover this on a live DVD, and it reaffirmed the original for me. GREAT song.”
“Why Pt. 2″ – Collective Soul
“This song is one of my favorites because the guitars on it really portray this attitude in the verses. It’s raunchy, almost. But then they open up into the chorus and really make the song soar.”
“Stolen” from Dusk and Summer – Dashboard Confessional
“A very simple, yet poignant song. Chris Carrabba is one of the best at taking the most basic feelings and turning them into these amazingly sincere musical moments.”
“The Most Beautiful Girl [In The Room]” – Flight Of The Conchords
“What can I say? Sometimes a great song is a great song. 
“
“Eternal Life” – Jeff Buckley
“I was introduced to this record by my friend, Monty, and this song just had such a swagger. Plus, who can deny Buckley? A true musician who never got the flourish the way he should’ve. That fact really gives this song, for me, a whole different level of meaning.”
“Dizzy” – Jimmy Eat World
“Off of their new record, Chase This Light, this song was buried near the end, but it is one of their more beautiful songs. The lyrics are very interesting and romantic. I love it.”
“Mars Hotel” – The Mayfield Four
“I love Myles Kennedy. He’s in my favorite movie, Rock Star. This song is full of hook, and Myles does a great job of emoting the song vocally. His voice mixed with the song’s internal melody, really brings you in.”
“Yellow Brick Road” – Raine Maida
“What makes this song so great for me, is the video for it. Raine goes out for a day and plays sidewalks to raise money to build a school in Africa. It’s just a very gritty, but gorgeous treatment, and accentuates the song to a T.
“Pretty Handsome Awkward (Album Version)” – The Used
“Another riff-rocker. It just has such a piss-in-the-wind attitude to it, and as with most of their songs, Bert really pushes the envelope vocally and brings out some amazing moods throughout the song.”
“Movies” – Alien Ant Farm
“Great upbeat, workout kind of song. Great melody and a really interesting song lyrically.”
“Southern Weather” – The Almost
“Aaron Gillespie’s solo foray was something I was looking forward to long before the record came out. This song has two amazing features for me. The first is the verse. The guitars have such an angry vibe to them, it’s easy to really get into the vibe of it. Then the chorus is so U2-esque in it’s anthemic qualities, and so the song almost brings me through two different emotions simultaneously.”
“Darling Nikki” – Foo Fighters
“My manager, Michelle, is a huge Prince fan, and is quite upset that I’m listing this version over the original, but relax, Mich. I love Dave Grohl’s swagger on this song. He really took Prince’s vibe on this track and made it his own. I think that’s why I like it so much.”
“Ape Dos Mil (Album Version)” – Glassjaw
“Daryl Palumbo is one of the most versatile, and also one of the most underrated vocalists in music today, and this song really drives that point home. That’s about all that needs to be said about this one. You should buy it.”
“Hell Bent” from New Sacred Cow – Kenna
“This song was actually one of the songs I referenced when discussing the vibe for my new record. This song has such a mood. Amazing.”
“Jaded” – Phil Marshall
“One of my good friends, this was the first song of his I ever heard, and it drew me in immediately. A very stripped down, earnest song, and it doesn’t hurt that it was recorded at Abbey Road.”
“Come Again” – Thornley
“Ian Thornley, the singer for Big Wreck, put out a great solo record, and this was the single. A great guitar song.”
“Assassin” – Muse
“Another great, guitar riff song from Muse. The drums on this a very intricate too.”
“Latest Thing” – The Nixons
“I love this song purely for the fact that the verse guitar riff is so disjointed, but still instills an amazing melody in the vocals.”
“Used Up” – Injected
“I’m sensing a theme in this playlist…another guitar riff rocker. This whole album has amazing guitars, and the lyrics are very intelligent and unique. I’d actually recommend this whole album.”
“Belief System” – Doubledrive
“I love this track more for the drums in the beginning. You listen, not really knowing where the song is gonna go, then the guitars come in and it just kicks you in the face. Love it.”
“Angel” – Sarah McLachlan
“I remember listening to this song in high school on the radio after Derrick Thomas, the late KC Chiefs player, passed away. I was so moved by this song at that moment, and ever since, its always been a favorite.”
“With Or Without You” – U2
“This song, as with most U2 songs, just hits your core immediately. I wish I could write songs this honest.”
“Live Again [Explicit]” – Sevendust
“Individually, I love the guys in this band. They’re all amazing musicians in their own right, but to see them together is truly an experience. This song, for me, encapsulates their talents in a very apt fashion.”
“Question Everything (Album Version)” – 8stops7
This song has a special meaning for me, as the singer in this band, Evan Sula-Goff, was the first BIG musician to tell me that I had the talent to do this.”
