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)
St. James Infirmary
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They were serving drinks as usual, and the usual crowd was there
On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy, and his eyes were bloodshot red
And he turned his face to the people, these were the very words he said
I was down to St. James infirmary, I saw my baby there
She was stretched out on a long white table,
So sweet, cool and so fair
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this whole wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me
When I die please bury me in my high top Stetson hat
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
The gang'll know I died standing pat
Let her go, let her go God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this wide world over
Never find a sweeter man as me
I want six crapshooters to be my pallbearers
Three pretty women to sing a song
Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon
Raise hell as I stroll along
Let her go Let her go
God bless her
Wherever she may be
She may search this whole wide
World over
She'll never find a sweeter
Man as me
The song "St. James Infirmary" by Joe Cocker is a cover of a traditional American folk song that originated in the 18th century. The lyrics tell the story of a man who visits the St. James Infirmary to see his deceased lover. The singer is heartbroken at the sight of her lying there and is convinced that no one could ever love her as much as he did.
The song opens with a description of a regular night at Joe's barroom, a place where the usual crowd would gather for drinks. Big Joe McKennedy stands to address the people with a somber message. He tells the crowd that he visited the St. James Infirmary and saw his lover's body lying on a table. The singer asks for God's blessings on his lover and explains that she will never find anyone as sweet as him. He then goes on to request that he be buried in his high top Stetson hat and have a twenty-dollar gold piece on his watch chain. He wants six crapshooters to be his pallbearers, three pretty women to sing a song, and a jazz band to play as they transport his body. The song ends with the singer singing that his lover will never find a sweeter man than him.
Line by Line Meaning
It was down by old Joe's barroom, on the corner of the square
The story starts at Joe's bar on the corner of the square.
They were serving drinks as usual, and the usual crowd was there
Drinks were being served as usual and the regular customers were present.
On my left stood Big Joe McKennedy, and his eyes were bloodshot red. And he turned his face to the people, these were the very words he said
Big Joe McKennedy, who had bloodshot eyes, turned to the crowd and spoke the following words:
I was down to St. James infirmary, I saw my baby there
I went to St. James Infirmary and saw my lover on display after her passing.
She was stretched out on a long white table, so sweet, cool and so fair
She was laying out on a white table and looked beautiful and peaceful.
Let her go, let her go, God bless her
May she rest in peace.
Wherever she may be
She will always be remembered.
She may search this whole wide world over
Even if she searched the entire world...
Never find a sweeter man as me
...she would never find another man as sweet as me.
When I die please bury me in my high top Stetson hat
I want my high top Stetson hat to be buried with me after I die.
Put a twenty dollar gold piece on my watch chain
Attach a gold coin worth twenty dollars to my watch chain.
The gang'll know I died standing pat
My friends will know I died without giving up or compromising.
I want six crapshooters to be my pallbearers
I want six gamblers to carry my casket.
Three pretty women to sing a song
I want three beautiful women to sing at my funeral.
Stick a jazz band on my hearse wagon
I want a jazz band to play music on the hearse carrying my casket.
Raise hell as I stroll along
I want people to celebrate my life and cause a scene.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Irving Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fidelio
It's a wonderful Version, to be sure. But the BEST VERSION EVER by Joe Cocker is the one with a hammond organ instead of the piano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICtvvIj-xyA
This is THE blues… Close your eyes and stop doing anything else… Listen, how he sings "her" in "Let her go, let her go! - God bless her …" so weak of depression.... And the solos of the other Instruments (I'm talking like his voice is an Instrument, i just realize….), especially the flute which goes double-voice at some point, but the others, too …. Gorgeous! So musical …. Uncomparable!
zuzak4341
One of the best versions I’ve ever heard. Gritty, raw, and awesome!
Katsem
Some people can sing. A few people have a voice for the ages. Thanks to God for Joe Cocker and the gift he shared with the world.
A Person
I have been going back, and forth between versions of this amazing song and I was trying to figure out which version is the best..... I think I have a winner. This was amazing
To Serve Man
Louis Armstrong version is best, one of a couple of his versions. 4:45 long
GetoFly 313
Eric Burdon bar none💯
J Pathak
A Person, try listening to Van Morrison’s rendition. I bet you you will agree with CW Ferguson and myself that Van is a tad bit better. No knock on Joe. I have always admired his style and his wonderful groggy voice. Just think what the Brits gave to America with their invasion.
Kjell Eriksson
I have 400-500 versions of this song, even two in Jiddish.
Alison Perry
Wen i was leaning to pkay this I listen to 6 or so versions I took a compilation of my favourite lyrics & made a unique version as all the greats have done .. I love the simplisity of the chords...way fun to play
Ann Smitt
Cocker's version is my favorite. We'll miss you Joe.
Иван Титов
Ann Amitt h