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)
What's Going On
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Father, father
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
The lyrics of Joe Cocker's song "What's Going On" are a powerful statement on the state of the world during the time it was released. The opening lines, "Mother, mother, there's too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there's far too many of you dying" immediately set the tone of the song as a reflection on the civil unrest and suffering happening around the world. The lyrics then move into a plea for peace, with the lines "We don't need to escalate / You see, war is not the answer / For only love can conquer hate".
The song then goes on to criticize the use of force and violence in protests, with the lines "Picket lines and picket signs / Don't punish me with brutality / Talk to me so you can see / Oh, what's going on". The song ultimately ends on a hopeful note, with the repetition of "Right on, baby" and a call for understanding and unity among people.
Overall, the lyrics of "What's Going On" are a poignant commentary on the state of society and politics at the time and continue to be relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, mother
Addressing women as the source of our nurturing and protection.
There's too many of you crying
The pain and suffering of society, particularly women, is too much and it needs to stop.
Brother, brother, brother
Addressing men specifically as protectors and defenders of their families and communities.
There's far too many of you dying
Too many families have lost loved ones due to violence and conflict.
You know we've got to find a way
It is imperative that we work together to find a solution to these problems.
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
We need to spread love and kindness in order to heal the wounds of our society.
Father, father
Addressing men specifically as protectors and defenders of their families and communities.
We don't need to escalate
We need to de-escalate conflicts and find non-violent solutions to our problems.
You see, war is not the answer
Thinking that war will solve our problems is a mistake.
For only love can conquer hate
The only thing that can overcome hate is love.
Picket lines and picket signs
Protests and demonstrations are a form of social activism.
Don't punish me with brutality
Violence and brutality are not effective ways to deal with unrest.
Talk to me, so you can see
Communicating with empathy and understanding is the best way to work towards a resolution.
Oh, what's going on
Trying to understand the root causes of our problems.
Ya, what's going on
Asking what is happening and why it is happening.
In the mean time
While we are trying to figure out what's going on.
Right on, baby
Positive reinforcement and encouragement to keep fighting for what's right.
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
The perception that our message is not resonating with others.
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Why should we care what others think of us when we are fighting for a just cause?
Simply because our hair is long
Long hair, a symbol of counterculture in the 60s and 70s, was often ridiculed by mainstream society.
You know we've got to find a way
It is imperative that we work together to find a solution to these problems.
To bring some understanding here today
We need to seek to understand each other's experiences and perspectives to find common ground.
Tell me what's going on
Requesting information and insight into the issues that are impacting our society.
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Sharing information and insights that can help us better understand the issues and work towards a solution.
Right on baby
Positive reinforcement and encouragement to keep fighting for what's right.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jose Carlos Ovejero
Épico! dueño de un estilo y esa voz tan particular , si hicieran la película de la vida de Joe Cocker, el protagónico seria para Woody Harrelson no? no hay otro
Nina Brazil
Joe Cocker is Heart & Soul!Great voice, great version , great singer! I love Joe Cocker!
Dan SG
🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
joe barriga-
magnifico, que voz tan distinta. canta con muchoo soul, feeling, joe cocker para siempre.
Bete Romao
Amo Joe Cocker!.Ele teve uma longa e fantástica carreira!JOE Cocker foi extremamente abençoado por Jeová Deus!
Bete Romao
Amo esta música e a interpretação do Joe Cocker! Excelente!
Nina Brazil
Na voz do Joe Cocker ,todas as músicas ficam muito mais bonitas,sem contar a forma como ele as interpreta! Sensacional!
LUIZ CARLOS SILVA
SEJA EM QUE PLANO TE ENCONTRARES SEMPRE HAVERÁ ALGUÉM PARA TE OUVIR CANTAR.
Marcos Antônio Paulo Da Silva
Amém
Henry Paz
Genio total..dueño de ese bosarron inigualable y estilo unico!!!Forever joe...