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)
You Got To Hide Your Love Away
Joe Cocker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn my face to the wall
If she's gone I can't go on
Feelin' two-foot small
Everywhere people stare
Each and every day
I can see them laugh at me
And I hear them say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
How could I even try
I can never win
Hearing them, seeing them
In the state I'm in
How could she say to me
Love will find a way
Gather round all you clowns
Let me hear you say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
Hey you've got to hide your love away
The lyrics of You Got To Hide Your Love Away by Joe Cocker are about unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The singer is at a loss after losing his lover, feeling small and inadequate as people stare and laugh at him. He expresses his feelings of hopelessness, knowing that he can never win her back, and feeling like he is in a constant state of embarrassment. The lyrics suggest that love can be challenging, especially when it's not returned, and hiding that love away may protect us from the judgment and ridicule of others. The chorus repeats the idea that the singer needs to keep his emotions hidden, implying that his love for her is not socially acceptable or reciprocated.
The song was written by John Lennon and released in 1965 as part of the Beatles' album Help! It was later covered by Joe Cocker in 1971, and his version became popular in many countries, including the UK, where it reached No. 26 on the charts. The song is famous for its emotive melody, intricate acoustic guitar work, and poignant lyrics, which spoke to a generation of listeners who identified with the anguish of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand head in hand
I am standing here alone, helpless and desperate
Turn my face to the wall
I am trying to hide my emotions from the world
If she's gone I can't go on
If the person I love is gone, I feel like I cannot continue living
Feelin' two-foot small
I feel insignificant and weak
Everywhere people stare
People are constantly watching my every move
Each and every day
This happens every day
I can see them laugh at me
I feel like people are making fun of me
And I hear them say
I can hear them whispering about me
Hey you've got to hide your love away
They are telling me that I need to keep my love hidden because it is not accepted by society
How could I even try
I do not see the point in trying anymore
I can never win
I feel like I am destined to fail
Hearing them, seeing them
Their words and actions are affecting me deeply
In the state I'm in
I am currently in a fragile emotional state
How could she say to me
I cannot understand how the person I love could tell me that everything will work out
Love will find a way
She believes that love will conquer all
Gather round all you clowns
I am addressing the people who are making fun of me
Let me hear you say
I want to hear what they have to say
Hey you've got to hide your love away
They are still insisting that I hide my love away
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charlotte Fairchild
I want to sing this song. Joe did the best version I have heard. I love it.
BP
Yes. Joe’s version is certainly the best!
Dixen Cider
Better than Eddie Bedder?
Better than Elvis Costello?
Ernie Johnson
This is a nice version. Joe is anazing. Nice interpretation here.
Sara Decapua
@Beatles Best Band Beatles are fine but I LOVED Joe.
Beatles Best Band
Sara Decapua Beatles is better.John Lennon voice is way better.
1979lenochka
Rest in peace, Joe--you've always been my inspiration...
wilmer herrera
Que maravilloso escuchar a este gran músico y artista, y conectar con él a un día de mi cumpleaños, sabiendo que también cumple el mismo día de mayo... Una bonita inspiración son sus canciones. Dios lo tenga en la gloria!
Massimiliano Guidotti
From the 1965 Beatles album Help to the 1991 Joe Cocker album Night calls... it has been a long journey. Lovely beautiful powerful cover. With a little help of our friends , everything is possible. Thanks a lot dear Joe for all the good times you have given me and for the strong emotions you still give me.
José Alberto Vianna Coelho
um lindo cover