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)
Tempted
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A flannel for my face
Pajamas, a hairbrush, new shoes and a case
I said to my reflection, "You'll be out of this place"
Past the church and the steeple
The laundry on the hill
Billboards and the buildings, memories of it still
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on
Since you've been gone, there's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
I'm at the car park at the airport
The baggage carousel
The people keep on crowding, wishing I was well
I said it's no occasion, no story I could tell
At my bedside empty pocket
A foot without a sock
Your body gets much closer, I fumble for the clock
Alarmed by the seduction and I wish that it would stop
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on
Now that you have gone, there's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
Bought a novel, some perfume
A fortune all for you
But though it's not my conscience that hates to be untrue
I asked of my reflection, "What is there to do?"
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
What's been going on
Now that you have gone, there's no other
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
[Incomprehensible]
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
Tempted by the fruit of another
Tempted but the truth is discovered
The song "Tempted" by Joe Cocker tells the story of a man who has recently gone through a breakup or lost a lover. He busies himself with everyday tasks, buying items like a toothbrush, pajamas, and shoes, and reflecting on how he is going to move on from the past. He tries to ignore the constant reminders of his lost love, such as the church and steeple and memories of the buildings and billboards around him. But despite his best efforts to move on, he finds himself "tempted by the fruit of another," which could mean that he is considering being unfaithful or starting a new relationship too soon. He acknowledges that he is making a mistake and that "the truth is discovered," but he is still struggling with his feelings and the temptation.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that they represent the internal struggle that someone can face after a breakup. The man is trying to move on with his life by focusing on mundane tasks, but he can't escape the memories and feelings of his previous relationship. He knows that pursuing a new romance too soon is a mistake, but he is still tempted. The line "What's been going on now that you have gone, there's no other" shows that he is still stuck on his past relationship and hasn't found anyone else to fully replace his lost love.
Another interpretation is that the song represents the universal temptation to cheat or give in to desires that are not aligned to long-term committed relationships. The song could potentially be a warning about the dangers of making bad choices, and that the truth about one's actions will ultimately come out.
Line by Line Meaning
I bought a toothbrush and toothpaste
I am preparing to leave this place and start anew.
A flannel for my face
I am taking care of myself and my appearance.
Pajamas, a hairbrush, new shoes and a case
I am getting everything I need to be comfortable in my new life.
I said to my reflection, "You'll be out of this place"
I am reminding myself that I have the strength to leave and start a new life.
Past the church and the steeple
I am leaving behind the ideals and values that no longer serve me.
The laundry on the hill
I am leaving behind the mundane tasks that kept me trapped.
Billboards and the buildings, memories of it still
I am leaving behind the memories of my old life.
Keep calling and calling but forget it all I know I will
I know that my old life will continue to tempt me, but I am determined to move forward.
Tempted by the fruit of another
I'm tempted to pursue a new relationship.
Tempted but the truth is discovered
But I know that the truth is that I cannot find true happiness in another person.
What's been going on
I am reflecting on the past and how it led me to this moment.
Since you've been gone, there's no other
I have not found anyone else since you left.
I'm at the car park at the airport
I am leaving town to start a new life.
The baggage carousel
I am aware of the baggage and memories I am leaving behind.
The people keep on crowding, wishing I was well
People are wishing me well on my journey, but I feel alone and uncertain.
I said it's no occasion, no story I could tell
I don't have any exciting new beginnings or stories to share. I am just leaving.
At my bedside empty pocket
I have nothing left after leaving my old life behind.
A foot without a sock
I am alone and unprepared for this new journey.
Your body gets much closer, I fumble for the clock
I am tempted to contact my old lover, but I know it would be a mistake.
Alarmed by the seduction and I wish that it would stop
I am struggling to resist the temptation of going back to my old life.
Bought a novel, some perfume
I am trying to distract myself from the temptation to go back to my old life.
A fortune all for you
I am willing to spend anything to stay distracted from my past.
But though it's not my conscience that hates to be untrue
I am remaining true to myself and my convictions.
I asked of my reflection, "What is there to do?"
I am trying to find a new purpose and direction in life.
[Incomprehensible]
Unknown
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Christopher Difford, Glenn Tilbrook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind