Light On

Album: David Cook (2008)
Charted: 17
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This power ballad was penned by former Soundgarden and Audioslave vocalist Chris Cornell along with Brian Howes, who has written for Daughtry, Hinder and Puddle of Mudd. Rob Cavallo, who is best known for his work with Green Day and Kid Rock, produced the track.
  • This song is about someone having to leave his family to go on the road. It could refer to a soldier who has to return to Iraq and leave his wife behind and how he misses her. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Krista - Carbondale, PA
  • This was the first official single to be released from the 2008 American Idol winner's debut major label album.
  • David Cook first came across this song after he did a version of Cornell's cover of "Billie Jean on American Idol. Cook told MTV News what happened next: "Chris went into the media and said some really, really nice things. And this song actually got pitched to us, which I take as another huge compliment, the fact that he saw something in me with a song of his. Just the fact that somebody of his caliber takes the time out of their day not just to mention my name, but to say something nice, it's kind of out of this world."
  • David Cook told Entertainment Weekly that he considers this to be an interesting song. He explained: "It encompasses almost all of my range. It's all over the place. That's Chris Cornell at his finest. It's got some Zeppelin influence in it; it's got some '80s hair-metal influence; it's got some grunge influence. To me it's like a rock history lesson put into about a four-minute lecture. It's fun to play, but it is definitely an intimidating song."
  • Veteran producer Rob Cavallo, the man behind hit albums for Green Day, My Chemical Romance and Kid Rock among many others, helmed this tune, along with the rest of the set. Cook commented on the album's press release: "Rob did a great job of tuning in to who I am as a person. He really made the songs fit me, as opposed to tailoring them to fit someone else's perception of me."

Comments: 4

  • Scott from Reading, Pathis song is awesome
  • Krista from Carbondale, PaWoooott to all the above people! You have great taste! This is bound to be a hit! It's on it's way! :) Amazing video as well.
  • Jayme from Catonsville, MdThis my new favorite song!!!! And I usually don't change my favorite songs very often!!!!
  • Katie from Los Banos, CaThis song is SO freakin' AWESOME!
    David Cook is amazing singing this!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Vince Clarke

Vince ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.