Excerpt from an interview David Cook did with Shirley Halperin of The Hollywood Reporter for the weekly "Idol Hangover". This interview was done following his performance of "The Last Song I'll Write For You" on American Idol top 4 results night, May 10.

 

 

Shirley Halperin: I know someone brought this up to you last night, the WGWG...

 

David Cook: Yes...

 

Shirley: The "White Guy With Guitar" Uhm.. You started that in a way...

 

David: Yeah...I didn't vote for me!

 

Shirley: *laughs* I did.

 

David: Thank you. *laughs*

 

Shirley: So I mean, if it comes out to be Phillip Phillips, I mean, is this such a bad thing? Or is this was just what America voted for?

 

David: It's only a bad thing in so much as people make of it. Honestly. I don't think it's a bad thing at all, you know, as far as Phillip winning, 'cause I think Phillip's probably one of the more unique contestants the show has ever had. i think he can do amazing things. But I think by automatically throwing him into that, you automatically kind'a dismissing him a little bit...

 

Shirley: Yeah.

 

David: ...Which sucks. You know I look at myself and Kris, and... and... a... Lee and Scotty, uhm, and I mean, yes, we're all white guys who play guitars. Yes. But, it's such a... it's such a weird thing! I... 'Cause I don't, you know, Scotty is a country artist, I don't think any of us are, and Lee kind'a sits on this singer-songwriter realm, I think Kris sits in this pop singer-songwriter realm, and I think I lean more on this pop-rock or rock and... So I feel like we all are different in that aspect. And so by lumping as all together, and I [think]... A lot of times when you hear the term anymore, there's almost a negative connotation which really bugs the hell out of me. So, uh... I... you know... I hope that if Phillip wins or Phillip doesn't win, and continues to have a career, which I'm sure he will. Uh... you know. Just give him the benefit of the doubt. Let the music be what it's gonna be before you just throw 'em into the pile like that.

 

Shirley: I agree.