His first album featured a recording of the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends", which brought him to near-instant stardom. The song reached number one in the UK in 1968, became a staple of his many live shows (Woodstock and the Isle of Wight in 1969, the Party at the Palace in 2002) and was also known as the theme song for the late 1980s American TV series The Wonder Years. He continued his success with his second album, which included a second Beatles song: "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window". A hastily thrown together 1970 US tour led to the live double-album Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which featured an all-star band organized by Leon Russell. His 1974 recording of "You Are So Beautiful" reached number five in the US, and became his signature song. Cocker's best selling song was the US number one "Up Where We Belong", a duet with Jennifer Warnes that earned a 1983 Grammy Award. He released a total of 22 studio albums over a 43-year recording career.
In 1993, Cocker was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Male. He was awarded a bronze Sheffield Legends plaque in his hometown in 2007, and received an OBE the following year for services to music. Cocker was ranked number 97 on Rolling Stone's 100 greatest singers list.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Cocker
Studio albums
With a Little Help from My Friends (1969)
Joe Cocker! (1969)
Joe Cocker (1972/EU: 1973)
I Can Stand a Little Rain (1974)
Jamaica Say You Will (1975)
Stingray (1976)
Luxury You Can Afford (1978)
Sheffield Steel (1982)
Civilized Man (1984)
Cocker (1986)
Unchain My Heart (1987)
One Night of Sin (1989)
Night Calls (1991/US: 1992)
Have a Little Faith (1994)
Organic (1996)
Across from Midnight (1997)
No Ordinary World (1999/US: 2000)
Respect Yourself (2002)
Heart & Soul (2004/US: 2005)
Hymn for My Soul (2007/US: 2008)
Hard Knocks (2010/US: 2012)
Fire It Up (2012)
Hitchcock Railway
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One round trip the other way
Oh, I get the feelin' when forever calls
I get the feelin' when forever calls
Home trip, ticket to sail away
Hand grip, Hitchcock railway
Soft ride, made for comfort
Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway, please don't fail to pay
Hey, I'm gonna ride, I'm gonna testify
Get my soul, lift my mind
Good stop, good day
Hitchcock railway
Free fare, conductor's comin'
Prepare, better start runnin'
On time, hold you through now
State line, I've been convicted
Quick stop, good day
Hitchcock railway
Please hold on
Ooh, somebody take a train ride
Ooh, leap on
Two train tickets into L.A.
One round trip the other way
Oh, I get the feelin' where the river falls
I get the feelin' where the river falls
Home trip, ticket to sail away
Hand grip, Hitchcock railway
Soft ride, made for comfort
Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway, please don't fail to pay
Hey, I'm gonna ride, I'm gonna testify
Get my soul, lift my mind
Quick stop, good day
Hitchcock railway
I'm gonna take the safe way home, oh, alright
I'm gonna ride a train back home
I'm gonna buy me a ticket at a station
Don't want to go on a train tonight
On a train tonight
On a train tonight
On a train tonight
The singer of Joe Cocker's song Hitchcock Railway seems to be yearning for escape and adventure, and he finds solace in traveling by train. He has two tickets, one to Los Angeles and one for the return trip, indicating that he has the option to stay in L.A. or return home, but he isn't quite sure which he wants to do. He "gets the feelin' when forever calls," suggesting that he is searching for something more than the life he currently leads. He wants to "ride" and "testify," indicating that he wants to experience something profound and perhaps spiritual through his travels. He describes the train ride as a "soft ride" that is "made for comfort" and has a "guaranteed passport," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fact that the journey will be easy and he will be protected along the way.
However, the singer also acknowledges that there are potential dangers along the journey. He warns that the passengers need to "prepare" and "better start runnin'" because the "conductor's comin'." He references getting "convicted" at the state line, which could indicate that he has faced legal troubles in the past or that he is worried about being stopped by authorities. Nevertheless, he remains undeterred, insisting that he will pay his way and take the journey, ultimately ending with the repetition of the phrase "on a train tonight" which further emphasizes his desire to escape and find something new.
Overall, this song could be interpreted as an expression of wanderlust, a yearning for adventure and new experiences, but with an acknowledgment that there are potential risks and pitfalls along the way. The train itself is a metaphor for the journey of life, with its ups and downs, and the singer ultimately seems to be embracing that journey head-on, regardless of what obstacles may arise during the trip.
Line by Line Meaning
Two train tickets into L.A.
Purchased two tickets to Los Angeles
One round trip the other way
One ticket is for a round trip and the other is for a one-way trip
Oh, I get the feelin' when forever calls
Whenever fate is calling, I recognize it
I get the feelin' when forever calls
Whenever fate is calling, I recognize it
Home trip, ticket to sail away
Ticket to return home and sail away
Hand grip, Hitchcock railway
Grasping onto Hitchcock railway handle for support
Soft ride, made for comfort
A pleasant and comfortable ride
Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway has been tested and approved, like a passport
Hitchcock railway, please don't fail to pay
Payment for the Hitchcock railway ticket is required and essential
Hey, I'm gonna ride, I'm gonna testify
I'm going to ride the train and convey my message
Get my soul, lift my mind
The train ride will have a positive influence on my soul and mind
Good stop, good day
A pleasant stop and a good day
Hitchcock railway
Referencing the Hitchcock railway
Free fare, conductor's comin'
Conductor is checking tickets but I have a free fare
Prepare, better start runnin'
Preparing to run away from the ticket checker
On time, hold you through now
Train is on time and will take you where you need to go
State line, I've been convicted
Crossing the state line while guilty of something
Quick stop, good day
A brief stop but still a good day
Please hold on
Asking passengers to hold on
Ooh, somebody take a train ride
Encouraging someone to take a train ride
Ooh, leap on
Jump on the train
Oh, I get the feelin' where the river falls
I recognize the feeling when life takes a downward turn
I get the feelin' where the river falls
I recognize the feeling when life takes a downward turn
I'm gonna take the safe way home, oh, alright
I'm going to take a safe and secure route home
I'm gonna ride a train back home
Going to take a train to return home
I'm gonna buy me a ticket at a station
Going to purchase a train ticket at the station
Don't want to go on a train tonight
Not interested in taking the train tonight
On a train tonight
Mention of going on a train ride tonight
On a train tonight
Mention of going on a train ride tonight
On a train tonight
Mention of going on a train ride tonight
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: DONALD LEWIS DUNN, TONY L MC CASHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind