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)
Change in Louise
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smiling at men who are never impressed
Always working hard down on bended knee
Who else but me can see the change in Louise
Ride Louise, ride (yeah) let me be your guide
I'll take you any place you want to go, (yes I will)
Ride Louise, ride (yeah) let me be your guide
Living her life at a speed all her own
Talking to people where ever she goes
Always working hard she won't disagree
Who else but me can see the change in Louise
Ride Louise, ride (yeah) let me be your guide
I'll take you any place you want to go, (yes I will)
Ride Louise, ride (yeah) let me be your guide
And I'll show you all the things you want to know (if I can)
The lyrics of Joe Cocker's song Change in Louise seem to capture the life of a woman named Louise, who is constantly working hard, never receiving the recognition she deserves. The first verse portrays her as someone who takes pictures of people at rest, smiles at men who are never impressed and is always working hard on her knees. The second verse talks about how Louise lives life in her own unique way, talking to people everywhere she goes, constantly working hard and never disagreeing. The chorus, "Ride Louise, ride, let me be your guide," is almost like a plea from the singer, asking Louise to let him help guide her to where she wants to go in life.
The song could be interpreted in many ways, but it seems to be a commentary on the unnoticed struggles and hard work of everyday people, particularly women who are often overlooked and underappreciated. The repetition of the line "who else but me can see the change in Louise" might be the singer's way of asking why no one else seems to care or notice the hard work that Louise is putting in. He wants to be her guide, to show her that she can achieve her dreams and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Still taking pictures of people at rest
Louise is always observing people in their moments of calm.
Smiling at men who are never impressed
Louise is friendly towards men who are unresponsive in return.
Always working hard down on bended knee
Louise is constantly exerting herself in strenuous tasks.
Who else but me can see the change in Louise
The artist is the only one who notices the internal transformation occurring within Louise.
Ride Louise, ride (yeah) let me be your guide
The artist offers to accompany Louise on her journey through life.
I'll take you any place you want to go, (yes I will)
The singer promises to support Louise's aspirations and goals.
And I'll show you all the things you want to know (if I can)
The singer is willing to impart knowledge and experience to Louise, if possible.
Living her life at a speed all her own
Louise moves through life at her own pace, not conforming to external expectations.
Talking to people where ever she goes
Louise is sociable and engages with individuals she meets.
Always working hard she won't disagree
Louise puts forth her best effort willingly and without complaint.
Who else but me can see the change in Louise
Again, the singer is the only person who perceives Louise's personal evolution.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CHRIS STAINTON, JOE COCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind