Cooper is a self-made, self-taught musician who manages to exist effortlessly within two scenes generally considered to be at varying ends of the sonic spectrum. Learning his craft on the Indie Rock scene, but later connecting with the Sing Out Gospel Gospel Choir, Cooper’s exquisite vocal and adroitly played guitar seamlessly encompasses the best of both worlds. It’s Indie with soul, soul with heart. This is meaningful music from the mind of a man who’s lived life, loss and longing. He defines the idea of what it is to be a truly singular artist who both defies convention and resists comparison. “I don’t want to be seen as a singer/ songwriter because people lump you into that sulky troubadour box,” points out JP with a quick laugh. “I want to be a bit more than that. I want to make great music and grow. I’ve always loved and admired artists that evolve; people like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Björk. Hopefully I can be an artist who will explore and transform in a similar way.”
Though it might seem like music is in his DNA, JP wasn’t bought up in a particularly musical household. However, his Granddad, a commercial artist and dad, also an artist, taught him something that would prove invaluable to his own artistic endeavors in years to come. “My dad went to study at art school and my Granddad told him, ‘Never get a job in art ‘cause it’ll be something that you don’t love anymore. It’ll be a job not a hobby’. That really stuck with me years later when I began to teach myself guitar. You need to know your a,b,c’s, but the main thing is to have fun with it, to play with it like a child would, ignore the rules. The fact I’m completely clueless about what chords I’m playing works in my favour. I’m a complete blagger! But that’s really nice I think; I can stay wide-eyed about it.”
Bought up during the guitar-laden years of Britpop, like many young Manchester teens, JP played in various bands throughout school. Broadening his musical tastes beyond Oasis by regularly visiting eponymous record store, the Vinyl Exchange, it was there the young music enthusiast discovered everything from Björk to Aphex Twin, Donny Hathaway and Rufus Wainwright. Deciding to go solo while at college, JP was finally able to fully draw on his various influences and begin to experiment with the sort of artist he wanted to be. “I realised that I didn’t want to have to rely on anybody – as long as I could play and I could write then I’d be pretty self-sufficient. And I could make the music I wanted to make without having to compromise.” Teaching himself guitar, JP began testing his sound out at Open Mic nights and quickly started getting booked to play all over Manchester. Within a year he rose to selling out 250 capacity venue, the Deaf Institute. However, because he was a white guy with a guitar, he found himself increasingly booked at folk / indie / band nights. Ill at ease in a scene into which he was thrust, slowly his audience began to diversify as the subtleties in his music began to emerge. He joined Manchester’s Sing Out Gospel Choir and released a series of three mixtapes, noticing a growing fanbase within the urban world. Soon he was not only selling out venues like the Gorilla in Manchester, but he was hitting capacity at shows in London too. “As soon I found an outlet into the soul and urban world, everything changed overnight. Since then it’s grown and grown and I’ve found my audience. It’s really nice to be embraced by that world.”
Three years ago, he became a dad for the first time and a year later faced a difficult decision. Supporting himself by working in a bar so he could be with his son every morning and night, when Island Records offered him a development deal, he knew it would mean a lot of travel to London. “I didn’t want to miss any of my son growing up, but I also had to build a future for us both. It got to the point where I’d had this massive dream of doing music and all this amazing stuff was happening, but at the same time I was away from all of the things that are home to me.”
It’s a subject he covers on Closer, found on his 2015 EP, When The Darkness Comes. After signing to Island Records 18 months ago, JP released two EP’s, which combined have had over 5 million plays. The first, Keep The Quiet Out, was produced by the Confectionary [Bonkaz, Jacob Banks]. The most recent (When The Darkness Comes), produced by the duo One-Bit, features six perfectly executed vignettes. The EP is deeply personable yet utterly relatable. “It’s about relationships, people’s struggles, family and the human mind, the weirdness of it, the complexities of it,” explains JP.
He not only has a large online following, but he has a large and loyal live fanbase too. Last year, he sold out four headline shows in London, including the The Scala the Village Underground and Koko. The EP’s, along with his engaging live performances, have won JP a legion of fans as disparate as his sounds; the likes of Boy George, The Cast Of EastEnders, Maverick Sabre, Sean Mendez and Stormzy have all sung his praises, while recent collaborations with the likes of George the Poet have seen Cooper diversify a little into the spoken world arena. “It’s not my world at all but it’s taught me loads,” he muses. “The whole imagination behind it all inspires me to want to be better.”
Next up is JP’s debut album proper which promises to be bigger and bolder affair, while retaining a sense of simplicity and honesty. Featuring elements of Hip Hop, stand-up soul and Country-inflected guitar, there will also be some unexpected twists and turns. JP isn’t an artist that deals in the formulaic, the predictable or the conventional. “It’s going to be bold,” he decides. “I’ve enjoyed some spot plays on Radio and I know I’m lucky to have those because what I do really doesn’t sound like anything else on there. I’d like to carry on down that route. I don’t want my music to sound like everything else that’s being put out at the minute.”
JP Cooper isn’t the sort of artist to list his ambitions as being awards and accolades. That’s not why he makes music. He’s isn’t here to make cookie-cutter sounds that cynically appeal to a mass market. Rather he wants to challenge the idea’s of what music people should – and shouldn’t – be making. “There’s no façade. I’m just somebody who lives life and writes about it. It’s a human experience. I’m not untouchable,” he points out. “I think people trust what I do because of the way that I am; there’s no front. I think that makes people want to find out more. Hopefully when they do find out more, they’ll like what they hear. I know nothing’s promised, and I know I’ve been doing this for a few years now, but it feels just like the beginning. And that’s really exciting.”
However, he was hailed as ‘Future Sound of 2015’ by BBC Radio One’s Zane Lowe, supported soul singer Angie Stone, sold out a UK tour of his own, and had a coveted slot at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
His EP 'When The Darkness Comes' was reviewed in 2015 as "combining folk, blues, soul and gospel, ... [showcasing] Cooper’s talent for both songwriting and lyricism which releases true emotion – not only for himself but also the listener."
Sources:
This info was taken from when he was featured in The Telegraph and listed for his gig at The Cluny in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Good Friend
JP Cooper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, I've been feeling like I'm swimming upstream
Never thought you'd still be swimming with me
Anytime I feel like I was breaking down
Didn't even pick the phone up, but you came around
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
Yesterday I woke up in a bad way
If I didn't have you, I'd be losing my faith
Never did you stop believing in me
When they got me feeling like my life was a joke
You'd be at the window with a bucket of hope
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
Good friend
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
Since you sat and smiled with me [?]
I can't find a smile within
I can't help the time [?] for [?]
Oh when, since showed your light on me, brother
I can't finally see further
Just lift up your hands and say
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
Got my whole family
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
The lyrics to JP Cooper's song Good Friend is a powerful ode to friendship, referring to a friend who was there for him during difficult times in his life. The opening verse tells of a time when they lived like a dream, but now he feels like he's swimming upstream. Despite this struggle, his friend is still there for him, even when he didn't ask for help. In the chorus, Cooper repeats the phrase "My oh my, I got a good friend" to emphasize how grateful he is for having his friend by his side.
The second verse tells of another tough time when Cooper woke up feeling bad, and he'd have lost his faith if it wasn't for his friend. He describes his friend's unwavering belief in him, even when he feels like his life is a joke. As the song ends, Cooper acknowledges how his friend's presence has helped him to see further and encourages listeners to lift up their hands in gratitude.
Overall, the message behind the song is that having good friends is crucial for our mental and emotional well-being, and we should never take them for granted.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember when we used to live like a dream
Reflecting on a past time when life felt perfect and effortless
Baby, I've been feeling like I'm swimming upstream
Struggling to keep up and feeling like life is difficult and overwhelming
Never thought you'd still be swimming with me
Grateful that a supportive friend has stuck by one's side through challenging times
Anytime I feel like I was breaking down
Recognizing moments of vulnerability and struggle
Didn't even pick the phone up, but you came around
Appreciating an intuitive and caring friend who knows when to step in and offer support
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
Realizing that past privilege and blessings went unnoticed
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
Celebrating and expressing gratitude for a loyal and supportive friend
Yesterday I woke up in a bad way
Acknowledging a difficult day with a negative mood
If I didn't have you, I'd be losing my faith
Recognizing the importance of a friend who reinforces one's belief in oneself and provides hope and comfort
Never did you stop believing in me
Feeling reassured by a friend's unwavering belief in one's abilities and worth
When they got me feeling like my life was a joke
Expressing a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness when facing criticism or ridicule
You'd be at the window with a bucket of hope
Grateful for a friend who offers encouragement and inspiration, even in difficult times
Since you sat and smiled with me [?]
Unclear - this phrase may be unsolvable, as it is difficult to determine what is being sung here
I can't find a smile within
Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless and unable to find happiness internally
I can't help the time [?] for [?]
Unclear - this phrase may be unsolvable, as it is difficult to determine what is being sung here
Oh when, since showed your light on me, brother
Receiving support and love from a close, trusted friend who helps to brighten one's perspective and outlook
I can't finally see further
Gaining clarity and insight with the help and guidance of a close friend
Just lift up your hands and say
Encouraged to express one's gratitude and appreciation for a good friend by extending one's hands and expressing thanks
Got my whole family
Expressing a deep connection, appreciation, and love for a supportive friend who feels like a member of one's family
My-my-my, oh, my
Expressing excitement, happiness, or awe
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: BENJAMIN ROSS ASH, DAVID BAYLEY, FREDRIK BALL, JOHN PAUL COOPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@juberahmedsahel3033
I remember when we used to live like a dream
Baby, I've been feeling like I'm swimming upstream
Never thought you'd still be swimming with me
Anytime I feel like I was breaking down
Didn't even pick the phone up, but you came around
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
[Chorus]
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
[Verse 2]
Yesterday I woke up in a bad way
If I didn't have you, I'd be losing my faith
Never did you stop believing in me
When they got me feeling like my life was a joke
You'd be at the window with a bucket of hope
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
[Chorus]
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
[Post-Chorus]
Good friend
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
[Bridge]
Since you shared your smile with me
Since then, I can finally smile with you
I can't help but shine today
Oh, when since showed your light on me, brother
I can finally see further
Just lift up your hands and say
[Chorus]
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
[Outro]
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
Got my whole family
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
@hibacovers7334
Good Friend
JP Cooper
Lyrics
I remember when we used to live like a dream
Baby, I've been feeling like I'm swimming upstream
Never thought you'd still be swimming with me
Anytime I feel like I was breaking down
Didn't even pick the phone up, but you came around
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
Yesterday I woke up in a bad way
If I didn't have you, I'd be losing my faith
Never did you stop believing in me
When they got me feeling like my life was a joke
You'd be at the window with a bucket of hope
That's the kind of thing I took for granted back then
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
Good friend
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
Since you sat and smiled with me [?]
I can't find a smile within
I can't help the time [?] for [?]
Oh when, since showed your light on me, brother
I can't finally see further
Just lift up your hands and say
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my, I got a good friend
My, oh, my, I got my own disciples here
Got my whole family
My, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
Got my whole family
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
My-my-my, oh, my
@nehasoni6265
why is he so underrated 😭 he need more recognition and deserves the world 💖💕
@deboxadosgo6921
Neha S
ony
@wayne7071
Well I agree . But I don’t think he’s under rated . Any one who knows of jP would absolutely admire his music . But he does need to be put more into the public eye . More people need to see him and hear such a beautiful voice. Every track I’ve heard of his is breath taking
@RiseandShinePodcast
Explosive! Life changing encounter, thank you for your gift ! It’s amazing to know the life changing effects of just being LOVE to one another rather than seeking love! I’m so thankful to have #goodfriends through Christ and I accept this song as a song from a good friend, thank you God for your understanding and faithfulness
@georgeholliday123
Had so much fun playing on this! The man is a LEGEND on and off camera 🙌🏼🎹
@flowz8483
J.P Cooper your music rocks ! thank you keep going...........I am 47 and had lost hope in today's music but listening to you has restored the faith !!
@aprilklaus2606
I love this guy and his music. His voice is so calming!
@selmastablum567
I love this voice! ❤️
@sabrina7960
I hate that he is not recognized enough but im kinda happy... I wanna keep his music to my self ITS PERFECT 😅
@s.latwood1046
Please don't ever stop making music! And don't change a thing! You have such a unique voice,it's all that you need!