The Last Song I'll Write for You
| "The Last Song I'll Write for You" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by David Cook | ||||
| Released | May 4, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
| Genre | [1] | |||
| Length | 3:31 | |||
| Label | Analog Heart Music | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | John Fields | |||
| David Cook singles chronology | ||||
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"The Last Song I'll Write for You" is a song recorded by American Idol season 7 winner and singer-songwriter David Cook. It was released independently as a single through Cook's imprint Analog Heart Music on May 4, 2012, following his departure from RCA Records.[2][3]
Content[edit]
"The Last Song I'll Write for You" is a mid-tempo rock ballad that draws on elements of both pop rock and alternative rock. Kevin Rutherford of Billboard described the song's style as "adult alternative."[1] Its lyrics describe a breakup and moving on from a relationship that is no longer healthy, which, given the timing of its release, has led critics to speculate that the song refers to Cook's split from his record label.[4][5] Cook, however, has dismissed this theory, explaining to Yahoo! Music that the ballad was inspired by "an ex from long, long, long ago."[5][6]
Background and release[edit]
"The Last Song I'll Write for You" was written by Cook, Andy Skib, and Daniel James, and was produced by John Fields.[7] It was released to digital retailers on May 4, 2012 before Cook premiered the song on the May 10, 2012 episode of the eleventh season of American Idol.[2][8]
Reception[edit]
Commercial performance[edit]
The single sold 15,000 copies in its first week of release,[9] debuting and peaking at number 45 on the Billboard Pop Digital Songs chart.[10]
Critical reception[edit]
Grady Smith of Entertainment Weekly says "the slow-burn hook on this self-released breakup ballad is earnestly catchy."[11]
Chart performance[edit]
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Pop Digital Songs (Billboard)[10] | 45 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Rutherford, Kevin (11 May 2012). "Hollie Cavanagh's Time Runs Out on 'American Idol'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ a b "The Last Song I'll Write for You - Single by David Cook". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 10, 2012). "'American Idol's' David Cook and RCA Records Part Ways (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Franklin, Mark (16 May 2012). "David Cook talks WGWG and life after RCA". Idol Chatter. YD Talk. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ a b Parker, Lyndsey (11 May 2012). "David Cook Talks Life After 'Idol' & The "WGWG" Phenomenon". Yahoo! Music. Yahoo!. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ THR Staff (11 May 2012). "'Idol Hangover': David Cook Talks New Music, Old Label and What the Future Holds (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ Shirley Halperin (May 11, 2012). "'Idol Hangover': David Cook Talks New Music, Old Label and What the Future Holds (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 3, 2012). "David Cook to Perform on 'American Idol' May 10 (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (May 16, 2012). "'Idol' performance boosts J-Lo's sales". USA Today.
- ^ a b "Chart Search". Billboard Pop Digital Songs for David Cook. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
- ^ "David Cook". Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
