On December 11, 1964, Cooke was allegedly shot to death by the manager of the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles, California at the age of 33. At the time, the courts ruled that Cooke was drunk and distressed, and the manager killed Cooke in what was later ruled a justifiable homicide. Since that time, the circumstances of his death have been widely questioned.
Sam Cooke (he added an "e" onto the end of his name because he thought it added a touch of class) was one of eight children of Rev. Charles and Mrs. Annie Mae Cook. The family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1933.
Cooke began his musical career as a member of a quartet with his siblings, the Singing Children, followed by a turn as a teenager as a member of the Highway QCs, a gospel group. In 1950, at the age of 19, he joined The Soul Stirrers and achieved significant success and fame within the gospel community.
His first pop single, "Lovable" (1956) was released under the alias of "Dale Cooke," in order to not alienate his fan base; there was a considerable taboo against gospel singers performing secular music. However, the alias failed to hide Cooke's unique and distinctive vocals. No one was fooled. Art Rupe, head of Specialty Records, the label of the Soul Stirrers, gave his blessing for Cooke to record secular music under his real name, but was unhappy about the type of music Cooke and Bumps Blackwell, Cooke's pop producer, were making. Rupe expected Cooke's secular music to be similar to that of another Specialty Records artist, Little Richard. When Rupe walked in on a recording session and heard Cooke covering Gershwin, he was quite upset. After an argument between Rupe and Blackwell, Cooke and Blackwell left the label, and Cooke signed with Keen Records in 1957. His first release was "You Send Me", which spent six weeks at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart but which also had massive mainstream success, spending three weeks at #1 on the Billboard pop chart.
As if a R&B performer writing his own songs and achieving mainstream fame was not innovative enough, Cooke continued to astonish the music business in the 1960s with the founding of his own label, SAR Records, which soon included The Simms Twins, The Valentinos, Bobby Womack, and Johnnie Taylor. Cooke then created a publishing imprint and management firm, then left Keen to sign with RCA. One of his first RCA singles was the hit "Chain Gang." It reached #2 on the Billboard pop chart. This was followed by more hits, including "Sad Mood", "Bring it on Home to Me" (with Lou Rawls on backing vocals), "Another Saturday Night" and "Twistin' the Night Away".
Like most R&B artists of his time, Cooke focused on singles; in all he had 29 top 40 hits on the pop charts, and more on the R&B charts. In spite of this, he released a critically acclaimed blues-inflected LP in 1963, Night Beat. He was known for having written many of the most popular songs of all time in the genre, and is often uncredited for many of them by the general public.
Cooke died at the age of 33 under mysterious circumstances on December 11, 1964 in Los Angeles, California. Though the details of the case are still in dispute (see below), it seems he was shot to death by Bertha Franklin, manager of the Hacienda Motel in South Los Angeles, who claimed that he had threatened her, and that she killed him in self-defense. The verdict was justifiable homicide, though many believe that crucial details did not come out in court, or were buried afterward. Cooke was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Glendale, California.
Some posthumous releases followed, many of which became hits, including "A Change Is Gonna Come", an early protest song which is generally regarded as his greatest composition.
After Cooke's death, his widow, Barbara, married Bobby Womack. Cooke's daughter, Linda, later married Bobby's brother, Cecil.
The song "A Change Is Gonna Come" was played upon the death of Malcolm X, and was memorably featured in Spike Lee's film Malcolm X. Barack Obama's presidential victory speech paraphrased the song: "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America."
Rapper Tupac Shakur references Cooke in a line of the song "Thugz Mansion", and Nas references him in the song "We Major" with Kanye West. The Roots song "Stay Cool" suggests, "I got the soul of a young Sam Cooke". Mike Doughty's song "Sweet Lord in Heaven" evokes the memory of Cooke, as does the Wallflowers 2000 song "Sleepwalker": "Cupid don't draw back your bow, Sam Cooke didn't know what I know". The Irish rock-group Jetplane Landing have a song named "Sam Cooke".
A fictional version of Cooke (portrayed by Paul Mooney) appeared briefly in the 1978 film, The Buddy Holly Story, leaving the stage at the Apollo Theater before Buddy and The Crickets got on. After being featured prominently in the 1985 film Witness, the song "Wonderful World" gained further exposure. "Wonderful World" was featured in one of two concurrently running Levi's Jeans commercials in 1985 and became a hit in the United Kingdom because of this, reaching #2 in re-release. Other notable movies that featured his music are Animal House ("Wonderful World" and "Twistin' the Night Away"), American Werewolf in London, and Cadence ("Chain Gang").
Cooke's songs "Bring It on Home to Me" and "Change is Gonna Come" were both featured in the movie Ali. The opening scene of the movie consisted of a live reenactment of "Bring It on Home to Me".
Posthumous honors
Shortly following his passing, Motown Records released We Remember Sam Cooke, a collection of Cooke covers recorded by The Supremes.
In 1986, Cooke was inducted as a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1999, Cooke was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2004 Rolling Stone magazine ranked him #16 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
In 2008, Cooke was named the fourth "Greatest Singer of All Time" by Rolling Stone magazine."
Covers
John Lennon included a medley of two Cooke songs, "Bring It On Home to Me" and "Send Me Some Lovin'," on his 1975 oldies album, Rock 'n' Roll.
Cooke's songs are covered in a tour-available EP from Decemberists frontman, Colin Meloy. It is the third installment of his solo-tour Colin Meloy Sings...!
Johnny Nash covered the song "Cupid" in 1969 with chart success in the US and UK, and it was included as the B-side on some versions of his 1972 hit single I Can See Clearly Now.
The Animals covered the song "Bring It On Home To Me" in 1965.
Amy Winehouse also covered the song "Cupid" for the BBC Radio 1 album Radio 1 Established 1967.
British soul singer Adele covered the song "That's It, I Quit, I'm Movin' On" as B-side to her single "Chasing Pavements" a bonus track for the Asian release of her studio album 19.
Richard Marx covered "Bring It On Home To Me" and "Wonderful World" during his earlier concerts.
"A Change Is Gonna Come" has been covered several times. Solo, Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, The Fifth Dimension, The Neville Brothers, Otis Redding, The Fugees, Cold War Kids, Seal, Bill Frisell, and The Band featuring the vocals of Rick Danko have all recorded versions of the song. Seal's version debuted on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (Billboard, Nov. 2008) shortly after the election of Obama-Biden.
Gene Vincent, who was a big fan and a close personal friend of Sam Cooke's, recorded "Another Saturday Night" in 1964 and "Bring It On Home to Me" shortly before his own death in 1971.
Cat Stevens released his Greatest Hits album (1975) with a cover of Sam Cooke's "Another Saturday Night", only the second song he released that he didn't write himself. He had also released it as a single (July 12, 1974) which reached No.4 in the U.S.
Cooke was an influence on punk vocalist Mia Zapata of The Gits, who honored him with a cover of "A Change Is Gonna Come" on their album Enter: The Conquering Chicken.
In spring 1965 the British group Herman's Hermits reached no. 5 in the US charts and no.7 in the UK charts with their version of "Wonderful World".
In 1978, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon, and James Taylor sang "Wonderful World" which hit the Top 40 in the US charts.
In 1966, the now cult 60s British pop show Ready Steady Goes Live, the live version of Ready Steady Go!, devoted a whole programme to a live performance of Soul singer Otis Redding, who regularly covered many of Cooke's songs. One of the highlights was a rousing version of "Shake" on which Redding was joined by British Soul legends Eric Burdon, lead singer of The Animals, and chart topper Chris Farlowe.
Jimmy Buffett covered "Another Saturday Night" on his album Margaritaville Cafe Late Night Menu, in 1993.
Good News
Sam Cooke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
Baby is comin' home tomorrow
Ain't that news
Man, ain't that news
I got a letter just the other day
And she wants me to meet her at the station
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
In the letter she told me he still loved me
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
In the letter she told me she loved me
Ain't that news
Man, ain't that news
She said he's sorry that she left
Found out she don't want nobody else
She said he wants me all to herself now
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
Ain't that news
Ain't that good news
Man, I know that's good news
My baby's coming home tomorrow
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
I'm gonna have her a party at the station
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
Have a party at the station
Ain't that news
Man, ain't that news
And I can't wait to get her home
Where we can finally be alone
Disconnect my telephone now
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
Ain't that news
Ain't that good news
Man, man, man ain't that news
My baby's coming home tomorrow
Ain't that good news
Man, ain't that news
Good news
Good news
Ain't that good news
Ain't that news
The song Good News by Sam Cooke is a heartfelt celebration of the return of the singer's lover after a period of separation. The lyrics describe the joyous anticipation of the singer as he awaits his lover's arrival at the train station. He has received a letter from her in which she expresses her love for him and her regret for leaving, promising to be faithful to him from now on. The singer is overjoyed and plans to throw her a party at the station to celebrate her return. He can't wait to be alone with her and disconnect from the world around him.
The song is a classic example of Cooke's unique blend of soul, gospel and R&B. His smooth, powerful vocals convey the deep love and excitement he feels about the upcoming reunion with his lover. The song is upbeat and optimistic, with a catchy melody and memorable lyrics that have remained popular to this day. It's a testament to Cooke's mastery of the art of songwriting and his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my baby's comin' home tomorrow
Sam's significant other is returning home tomorrow.
Ain't that good news
Sam is ecstatic about the news of his partner's return.
Man, ain't that news
Sam can't contain his excitement and keeps repeating the same thing over and over again.
I got a letter just the other day
Sam received a letter from his partner recently.
Telling me that she was on his way
The letter informed Sam that his partner was on her way.
And she wants me to meet her at the station
His partner requested Sam to meet her at the station on her arrival.
In the letter she told me he still loved me
His partner wrote in the letter that she still loves him.
Ain't that good news
Sam perceives his partner's love for him as something great.
Man, ain't that news
Sam can't help but express his joy and enthusiasm about the news.
She said he's sorry that she left
His partner apologized for leaving him.
Found out she don't want nobody else
His partner realized that she doesn't want anyone else but Sam.
She said he wants me all to herself now
His partner expressed her desire to have Sam all to herself now.
I'm gonna have her a party at the station
Sam plans to throw a party for his partner at the station upon her arrival.
Have a party at the station
Sam reiterates his plan to throw a party for his partner at the station.
And I can't wait to get her home
Sam is eagerly looking forward to taking his partner home.
Where we can finally be alone
Sam and his partner can finally be alone after her return.
Disconnect my telephone now
Sam is so excited about his partner's return that he wants to disconnect his phone temporarily.
Good news
Sam received a piece of good news about his partner.
Man, I know that's good news
Sam is confident that the news he received is good news.
Good news
There is a recurring theme of good news throughout the song.
Ain't that good news
Sam is continuously emphasizing and rejoicing in the good news he received.
Ain't that news
Sam repeatedly expresses his excitement and happiness about the news he received.
Man, man, man ain't that news
The excitement and joy of the news leads Sam to repeat himself again in a slightly modified way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Sam Cooke
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jjrj8568
it's a horrid tragedy he died in 1964, when his talent was reaching the next and highest level; he would have released masterful albums in 1965-69
@israelfreenation2
You just love to be entertained
@patriciahartless2095
I was raised up listened. To Sam Cooks music. Great Artists of his time. And his music will always live on.
@miltonlevant2290
No one can play or sing like sam a movie would not do him justice he was a one of a kind rest in peace sam👏👏👏
@sharonjones7533
There’s a guy named Beau Williams that’s as close as anyone to Sam Cooke!
@musicaddict432
I just met Sam Cooke thanks to Steve Perry. Now I understand the influence. I've been listening to Sam Cooke for 2 hours and can't get tired of him. Beautiful music and voice.
@claudiolopez5776
A timeless classic, brings me way back into my childhood.👍
@israelfreenation2
How old are you?
@sansankudo
Sam Cooke reminds me of my late dad. RIP Harry Samson 11/6/1945-8/25/2013
@Chasemorefit
I’m 21, this been my ish for 4 years now lol