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)
Living in the Promiseland
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in the promiseland our dreams are made of steel the prayer of every man is to know how freedom feels there is a winding road across the shifting sand and room for everyone living in the promiseland
So they came from a distant isle nameless woman, faitheless child like a bad dream until there was no room at all no place to run, and no place to fall give us our daily bread we have no shoes to wear no place to call our home only this cross to bear we are the multitudes lend us a helping hand is there no love anymore living in the promiseland
Living in the promiseland our dreams are made of steel the prayer of every man is to know how freedom feels there is a winding road across the shifting sand and room for everyone living in the promiseland
The lyrics of Joe Cocker's "Living in the Promiseland" are extremely powerful and address the issue of immigration and the struggles of finding one's footing in a new homeland. The opening line itself, "Give us your tired and weak and we will make them strong," perfectly captures the essence of the song. The lyrics talk about how America is a land of promise as people come from far and wide in search of hope and a new life. However, they have to face the harsh realities of the new world, and the song highlights the struggles of these immigrants who come with nothing but their broken dreams.
"Living in the Promiseland" also talks about the dream of freedom that everyone shares, the winding road that they have to traverse across the shifting sand, and the hope that there is still love and kindness left in the new homeland. In essence, the song is an ode to immigrants and talks about their struggles, bravery, and resilience in building a new home for themselves and their families.
Line by Line Meaning
Give us your tired and weak and we will make them strong
We are willing to help those who are struggling and provide them with the support they need to become strong and successful.
bring us your foreign songs and we will sing along
We are all welcome here, no matter where we come from, and we will celebrate diversity by learning and enjoying each other's cultures and traditions.
leave us your broken dreams we'll give them time to mend
We understand that life can be difficult and sometimes dreams are shattered, but we are here to provide hope and a chance to heal and move forward.
there's still a lot of love living in the promiseland
Despite the hardships we may face, we are still a community filled with love and compassion for one another.
Living in the promiseland our dreams are made of steel
Living in this place means that we have a strong and unbreakable belief in our dreams and the determination to make them a reality.
the prayer of every man is to know how freedom feels
We all yearn to experience the feeling of true freedom and independence, which is a fundamental human desire.
there is a winding road across the shifting sand
The journey towards our goals and aspirations may not always be easy or straightforward, and we must be prepared to adapt and navigate through obstacles along the way.
and room for everyone living in the promiseland
In this place, there is always space and acceptance for everyone, regardless of their background, beliefs, or experiences.
So they came from a distant isle nameless woman, faitheless child
There are many who have come to this place seeking refuge and a better life, regardless of their past or origins.
like a bad dream until there was no room at all
The hardships and tragedies that many face may feel overwhelming and inescapable at times, but we will make space and provide support for those in need.
no place to run, and no place to fall
For those who have been left with nothing, we will provide a safe and welcoming environment where they can find stability and security.
give us our daily bread we have no shoes to wear
We understand the basic needs and struggles that some may face, and we will work to provide food, clothing, and shelter for those in need.
no place to call our home only this cross to bear
For those who have been displaced and left without a home, we will share the burden and provide a community and support system where they can find a sense of belonging.
we are the multitudes lend us a helping hand
We are a diverse and multifaceted community, and we must support and uplift one another in order to thrive as a collective.
is there no love anymore living in the promiseland
Despite the challenging times and struggles, we must never lose sight of the love and compassion that binds us together as a community.
Lyrics © Bluewater Music Corp.
Written by: David Lynn Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind