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)
Wayward Soul
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out on my own
I'm a wayward soul
Comin' home
Something so sweet
At the end of the road
yes I'm a wayward soul
Comin' home
Some people got money
Some people got fame
All I had was confusion
Calling out my name
Found a new direction (found another direction)
Don't have to be alone
Just a wayward soul comin' home
Been kicked around
Like you kick a stone
Life has shown me things I've never known
But there's something so sweet
At the end of the road
I'm just a wayward soul
Comin' home
Some people got money
Some people got fame
All I had was confusion
Calling out my name
Found a new direction (found another direction)
Don't have to be alone
Just a wayward soul comin' home.
The lyrics of Joe Cocker's song "Wayward Soul" are about a person who has been through a lot in life and has faced different challenges. The person is portrayed as a wayward soul who has been on their own, trying to find their way through the tumultuous journey of life. The person is coming home, where there is something sweet waiting at the end of the road, giving them hope and making them feel accomplished.
The opening lines of the song refer to strange days, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the uncharted territories of life that the person has to navigate on their own. The person is described as wayward, which could mean that they are restless and have been wandering aimlessly, trying to find their footing. The lines, "All I had was confusion Calling out my name," reveal that the person was lost and looking for direction in their life. However, they were eventually able to find a new direction, and they no longer have to be alone.
The chorus emphasizes the point that not everyone has the same journey in life. Some people have money, some people have fame, but the person in the song only had confusion calling out their name. It seems that the person has learned from their experiences and has found a new direction in life. The song conveys the message that no matter how challenging life may be, there is always hope, and with determination and hard work, one can overcome obstacles and succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Strange days
I am experiencing unfamiliar and unpredictable times
Out on my own
I am alone and have no one to depend on
I'm a wayward soul
I am lost and have no clear direction in life
Comin' home
I am returning to a place where I belong
Something so sweet
There is something delightful waiting for me
At the end of the road
After a long journey, I will find what I am looking for
Yes I'm a wayward soul
I am still lost, but I have hope that I will find my way
Some people got money
Some people have wealth and financial security
Some people got fame
Some people are famous and have public recognition
All I had was confusion
I was lost and uncertain about my life
Calling out my name
I was searching for my identity and purpose
Found a new direction (found another direction)
I have discovered a clearer path in life
Don't have to be alone
I don't have to face my struggles by myself
Been kicked around
I have faced hardships and difficulties
Like you kick a stone
These hardships have left me feeling insignificant and overlooked
Life has shown me things I've never known
My struggles have taught me valuable lessons about life
Just a wayward soul comin' home
I am still trying to find my way, but I am coming back to where I belong
Contributed by Maria B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tim Rivard
Outstanding!
Jax Teller
I LOVE JOE COCKER 🎤🎸😎😍😉
Wolfram Harms
Never used to be much of a fan of Joe cocker, but heck, now I get older, and this song makes me chicken skin - no, not the song; the song is quite simple.
It is the voice and the way Joe sang it. Great!
SuperAram111
just love this song......he was never better a great movie too
Азат Есильбаев
Такие вещи творились относительно недавно. Нынче искусство на спаде, приходится слушать старые неувядаемые произведения. Джо бунтарь.
John M
Superb
Paolo Bon
Canzone stupenda...likes chi ascolta nel 2019
John M
Superb XO
michael99745
remember the king
Blues Rain
Wayward Soul.............