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)
Darling Be Home Soon
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And talk of all the things we did today
Here
And laugh about our funny little ways
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Then I know that it's time you must leave
But darling be home soon
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
And now
A quarter of my life is almost past
I think I've come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
So darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Go
And beat your crazy head against the sky
Try
And see beyond the houses and your eyes
It's okay to shoot the moon
So darling
My darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Joe Cocker's "Darling Be Home Soon" is a song about longing and the relief of being with the one you love. The song starts with the singer reminiscing about the day and wanting to talk about it with his loved one. He wants to laugh about the “funny little ways” they have and enjoy the few minutes they have before she leaves. The singer cannot bear the thought of waiting an extra minute if she dawdles and is anxiously waiting for her to return home. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and desperate longing, but also a deep love and appreciation for the other person.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on his own life, realizing that he has spent almost a quarter of his life without his loved one. He has come to understand that the time he was confused was the time he spent without her. He feels himself in bloom as he waits for the great relief of having her to talk to. When she returns, he urges her to go and try new things, even if it means shooting the moon, but he still wants her to be home soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Come
Let's spend some time together
And talk of all the things we did today
Let's catch up on each other's day
Here
Right now, in this moment
And laugh about our funny little ways
Let's reminisce on our shared quirks and unique humor
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Let's enjoy this moment of relaxation together
Then I know that it's time you must leave
But I understand that you have to go
But darling be home soon
I miss you and can't wait for you to come back
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
I miss you too much to wait any longer than necessary
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
I've been anticipating our time together for a long time
For the great relief of having you to talk to
I feel most comfortable and understood when I'm with you
And now
As things stand currently
A quarter of my life is almost past
I am reaching a significant milestone in my life soon
I think I've come to see myself at last
I am beginning to understand myself better as a person
And I see that the time spent confused
I realize that the times I felt lost were when I was on my own
Was the time that I spent without you
I feel more grounded and centered when I'm with you
And I feel myself in bloom
I am experiencing personal growth and development
Go
Follow your dreams
And beat your crazy head against the sky
Pursue your goals with fervor and determination, no matter how difficult
Try
Make an effort
And see beyond the houses and your eyes
Look past the mundane and explore the deeper aspects of life
It's okay to shoot the moon
It's okay to take risks and aim high
So darling
My dear love
My darling be home soon
Please come back to me soon
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN SEBASTIAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aud Husa
Come
And talk of all the things we did today
Here
And laugh about our funny little ways
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Then I know that it's time you must leave
But darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
And now
A quarter of my life is almost past
I think I've come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
So darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
[Instrumental break]
Darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
Go
And beat your crazy head against the sky
Try
And see beyond the houses and your eyes
It's ok to shoot the moon
So darling
My darling be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling be home soon
It's not just these few hours but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to
blondwiththewind
Such a great artist...when this guy sings a love song with that soulful voice...you gotta believe him. I'm not a big fan of "covers" in general...but I've never heard Joe do anything but miraculous renditions with the covers he chooses. Awesome sound here....lucky girl that gets this sung to her :-)
Tom Paul
I'll sing it to you but I'm afraid I'd sing out of tune and you'd stand up and walk out on me 🤪
Moopy
I found this song on my mom's old joe cocker record today. Its the day before my 25th birthday. And a quarter of my life has almost past. Sometimes a song can capture a moment in life so perfectly that you never want it to end. It feels so personal yet universal. Emotions that reverberate through generations.
And now i realize the time i spent confused. Was the time i spent without you. So darling be home soon.
djclay33
This is the original version here. I'm SURE your Mom loved it too.❤🙏
https://youtu.be/pAur4CWJIPw
valli pherson
What a delightful comment! If you haven’t yet, I hope you find someone to talk to.
creating chaos
Youre expecting to live to 100 ?
Dont bet on it.. live like its 50.. anything else is a bonus
Holly Boyer
Finally someone else that luvs him too ..
spankywzl
"...and I see that the time spent confused
was the time that I spent without you"
Thank you John Sebastian for writing this beautiful song, and Thank you Joe Cocker for bringing out its brilliance as only you could do.
Deb Sweet
I love Joe Cocker.So weird just sitting out on my porch having a drink with my man.All of a sudden the song popped into my head.Took a few minutes to figure out who sung it.I said to my man I believe it's Joe Cocker.I listened to it on YouTube.I was 13 when I first started listening to Joe Cocker.That was 52 years ago.Oh my I'm getting old .lol.🤟
djclay33
I was 13 too. 65 now. We were Blessed to have such Wonderful music.🙏❤🇺🇲👌🐕