Joe Cocker Songs Ranked
John Robert “Joe” Cocker OBE (20 May 1944 – 22 December 2014) was an English singer known for his gritty voice, spasmodic body movement in performance, and distinctive versions of popular songs of varying genres.
Cocker’s recording of the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends” reached number one in the UK in 1968. He performed the song live at Woodstock in 1969 and performed the same year at the Isle of Wight Festival, and at the Party at the Palace concert in 2002 for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. His version also became the theme song for the TV series The Wonder Years. His 1974 cover of “You Are So Beautiful” reached number five in the US. Cocker was the recipient of several awards, including a 1983 Grammy Award for his US number one “Up Where We Belong”, a duet with Jennifer Warnes.
n 1993, Cocker was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male, in 2007 was awarded a bronze Sheffield Legends plaque in his hometown, and in 2008 he received an OBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music. Cocker was ranked number 97 on Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest singers list. Here are all of Joe Crocker’s songs ranked.
Don’t miss out on the TIMELESS music of Joe Crocker below! Click to experience great songs coming from one of the world’s greatest singers!
15. Have a Little Faith In Me (Have a Little Faith, 1994)
“If you like Joe Cocker, then you will love this song. It has always been one of my favorites! Easy listening while sitting around with your friends.”
14. Don’t You Love Me Anymore (Cocker, 1986)
“Don’t You Love Me Anymore” is as catchy as the devil and a great outcry for a lost love. Joe Cocker is gone but not forgotten. His stage performances, even into his mid to late sixties, were legendary.”
13. N’Oubliez Jamais (Across from Midnight, 1997)
“Not the first father-to-son lyric sung by Joe Cocker, “Noubliez Jamais” (translates as “Never Forget”), written by ace-sessions Russ Cunkel and Jim Cregan, is a pleasant, winsome number approximately delivering the message that this year’s rebel is next year’s old fogie and encouraging acceptance of the new.”
12. Many Rivers to Cross (Sheffield Steel, 1982)
“Joe Cocker at his best. Performed in his immutable style; filled with angst and soul. An expressive and heart rending ballad that should not be lost in time.”
See more: Joe Cocker Albums Ranked
11. Love is Alive (Night Calls, 1991)
“He takes the disco era pop groove completely out of the song & reinvents it with a driving beat & big powerful guitars for what I consider one of the best cover tunes I’ve ever heard.”
10. You Can Leave Your Hat On (Cocker, 1986)
“Joe Cocker has one of the most unique voices in Pop /Rock music history. The gravelly voice is really one of a kind. Better than Tom Waites and Louis Armstrong. They have a unique voice too, but Joe’s voice is a little smoother and with that better. He is one of a kind in music history. “You can leave your hat on”, ” You are so beautiful” are and always be classic Joe Cocker !!”
9. Black Eyed Blues (Joe Cocker, 1972)
“If you like a singer with a raspy voice, WOW this guy is for you. This song is medium paced. Its a bluesy type song. If you like Joe then this is a must for your collection. I like Rock music, so this one is perfect for me.”
8. Up Where We Belong (An Officer and a Gentleman, 1982)
“Certain songs are “grown-up” songs. Songs that seem to skew a lot older demographic-wise when they first hit, while the kids all roll their eyes and bitch and moan whenever those songs pop up on the radio.”
7. Delta Lady (Joe Cocker!, 1969)
“Great swinging version by Joe Cocker of Leon Russell’s ode to Rita Coolidge. Joe restrains the histrionics and follows the melody pretty faithfully, just for once, letting go a little in the chorus with the female backing vocalists giving ample support.”
6. Love Is On the Fade (Cocker, 1986)
“Wanted this one for a long time I am a real Blues fan and when it has a good beat I am hooked. Love Joe Cocker and this one is one of his best.”
5. The Letter (Mad Dogs & Englishmen, 1970)
“Terrific cover version of the short and sweet Box Tops original and why wouldn’t it be with the likes of Leon Russell on piano and Bobby Keyes on sax in this vibrant live version. Cocker and band infuse the song with a gospel feel, with that pounding piano, the choir in the background and the man’s own committed if frazzled out-front vocal.”
4. Darling Be Home Soon (Joe Cocker!, 1969)
“While Joe did have a previous album, it’s right here that Joe made his bones, shortly after his legendary performance at Woodstock and marking his claim to fame, with Joe Cocker! splashing its way into more homes than anyone could have ever imagined.”
3. You Are So Beautiful (I Can Stand a Little Rain, 1974)
“It would be so easy to power-ballad this tender Billy Preston song to death, but Joe’s take is refreshingly understated, almost piano and vocal. The last note will either crack you up or break you up, depending on your constitution.”
2. With a Little Help From My Friends (With a Little Help From My Friends, 1969
“An awesome vocal performance by the young greaser… so different to the original in his delivery, he makes the version a magnificent joy to hear. The Beatles’ original stands as a perfect combination of recording, writing, and production as it slots seamlessly into the world of Pepperland but Joe’s version exists on a different plain and stands as a masterpiece in it’s own right.”
1. Cry Me a River (Mad Dogs & Englishmen, 1970)
“Joe Cocker and his band pulled into the Fillmore East, March 27, 1970. One of the results was a live single release of “Cry Me A River.” Joe Cocker was at the height of his popularity, mainly due to his performance at WOODSTOCK. His soulful and ragged voice was one of the unique instruments in rock music.”
