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)
Hell and Highwater
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to kill some time
She was sitting high on a bar stool
Drinking some cheap red wine
I asked how she was doing
She said she was doing fine
When she asked me for a cigarette
I recognised the signs
Well I knew just what she wanted
And I swear it wasn't love
She just needed something to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
Try and make it through the night
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it don't feel right
Hell and highwater
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
A rainy night at a station
In an old half way hotel
The kind of place to make you feel
One stop away from hell
Where the angels meet the drifters
Where many strong men fell
I asked her if she had a name
She said call me Jezebel
Well I knew just what she wanted
And I swear it wasn't love
She just needed something to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
Try and make it through the night
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it don't feel right
Hell and highwater
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
I picked up my suitcase
I was heading for the door
When a voice behind with a scarlet smile
Said honey you'll be back for more
I knew just what she wanted
And I swear it wasn't love
She just needed something to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
Try and make it through the night
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it don't feel right
Hell and highwater
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
The lyrics of Joe Cocker's song "Hell and Highwater" tell the story of a man who meets a woman at a bar while trying to kill some time. The woman, who is drinking cheap red wine, asks for a cigarette and the man recognizes the signs of what she wants. They talk and the man learns that the woman's name is Jezebel, and they end up in a half-way hotel. The man knows that it's not love that Jezebel wants but something to keep her head above water while she navigates her difficult circumstances. The man leaves but is told by Jezebel with a knowing smile that he’ll be back.
"Hell and Highwater" is a metaphor for the difficulties of life that we all face at some point. The title implies that sometimes we must go through hell and high water to survive or get what we want. Jezebel represents those who may not have the easiest time in life but are doing what they must to survive. She is a reminder to the man that in life, sometimes it's just about keeping your head above water.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I was standing at the junction
I was standing at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take
Trying to kill some time
I was looking for a way to pass the time
She was sitting high on a bar stool
There was a woman sitting on a tall bar stool
Drinking some cheap red wine
She was drinking an inexpensive red wine
I asked how she was doing
I inquired about how she was feeling
She said she was doing fine
She responded that she was doing well
When she asked me for a cigarette
She requested a cigarette from me
I recognised the signs
I was familiar with the signs of someone in need
Well I knew just what she wanted
I understood what she was looking for
And I swear it wasn't love
I was certain that she didn't want love
She just needed something to keep her head above
She needed something to get by
Hell and highwater
Despite the difficult circumstances
Try and make it through the night
The goal is to survive until morning
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
It can be difficult to stay afloat
Sometimes it don't feel right
Sometimes it feels wrong or unjust
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
The woman is struggling to get by
A rainy night at a station
It was a wet night at a train station
In an old half way hotel
It was an outdated hotel along a travel route
The kind of place to make you feel
It was the type of place that evokes emotions
One stop away from hell
It felt like one step from the worst possible situation
Where the angels meet the drifters
It was a place full of contrasts
Where many strong men fell
It was a place where resilient people became vulnerable
I asked her if she had a name
I inquired about her name
She said call me Jezebel
She requested to be called by a particular name
I picked up my suitcase
I picked up my luggage
I was heading for the door
I was on my way out
When a voice behind with a scarlet smile
Suddenly, a woman's voice with a sly grin called out to me
Said honey you'll be back for more
She expected me to return
Contributed by Jason E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Elizabeth Santos
Adoro Joe Cocker,voz deliciosa, jeito de cantar é incomparável,e os gritinhos dele amo!!
alan james heidemann
He'll & High Water just trying to make it through the night but yes indeed your music makes me feel Alright! Great song!
Janice Rockwell
I want love !❤
Jonathan Hatfield
I will send the rescue swimmer by the Grace of the LORD OF HOSTS
Janice Rockwell
I want love !