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Joe Cocker — With a Little Help from My Friends
Album: With a Little Help from My Friends
Avg rating:
8.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2474









Released: 1969
Length: 5:01
Plays (last 30 days): 1
What would you do if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away
(Does it worry you to be alone?)
How do I feel by the end of the day,
(Are you sad because you're on your own?)

No, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody
I need somebody to love
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.

Would you believe in a love at first sight
Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time
What do you see when you turn out the light
I can't tell you but I know it's mine,

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Do you need anybody
I just need someone to love
Could it be anybody
I want somebody to love.

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
with a little help from my friends.
Comments (216)add comment
Dropped everything to concentrate on listening to this sublime cover, then immediately went to Youtube to watch the Woodstock performance. I've always loved watching the Grease Band doing the falsetto backing. 

Watching Joe Cocker perform reminded me of Janis Joplin. If your face doesn't look like hell when you're singing, you're not really trying. 
 hagz21 wrote:

Has to be in the conversation for one of the best covers ever.




It is definitely in the conversation. Patti Smith's Gloria, Sinead's Nothing Compares 2 U, Janis's Me and Bobby McGee, and Johnny Cash's Hurt all might be higher on my list, but this one is right in there in my top 5. So sad I never go to see this guy live.
ya man
Just a lovely cover, better than the original. 

Maybe the only time you can say that about a Beatle's song.
 IrieTom wrote:

Here's a subtitled version for those of us without enough LSD in our bloodstreams- I did some wonder loaf.



i hope this link is still good because it''s good fun.
In the UK there are many folk with knighthoods who sure as shit did not deserve nor earn them and many, many folk who have been disgracefully passed over..
I'm wondering about the fact he's never honored "Sir", although who deserved it more than he?
Has to be in the conversation for one of the best covers ever.
 LowPhreak wrote:

The way I understand it, there is no "true" alcoholic (as opposed to..."not really" or "sorta" alcoholic?). You either are or you aren't. But so what if he was or wasn't drunk at the time? Joe's vocals came out just fine for this.




Speaking of alcohol, I've wondered for years how much raw talent it must have taken to overcome the prodigious amount Steven Stills appears to have drunk before probably his strongest solo work, "Black Queen".  
Kudos to SRV for having the guts to quit alcohol and keep playing guitar like he did.

Look at that song ID:
 
songinfo&song_id=14
 
#14 out of tens of thousands.  RP's earliest years were built around Joe Cocker, among other bands.  A bit of RP history here.
 ppopp wrote:

He took a mediocre Beatles song and made it horrible. 



Respectfully disagree, but this comment is totally hilarious... 
 MargoMallen wrote:

Outstanding




I Agree!!
"Do you need anybody?"

"Whaaaaaaaeeeeerrrh bleeehhhhhghrrrr yeh yah ya"

Brilliant.
Those of you on desktop, look at that URL.... song_id=14.  This is #14 in a database that goes all the way up to 40,000 or so.  This must have been one of the early tunes Bill started with (a lot of other Joe Cocker tunes are in this low range).
He took a mediocre Beatles song and made it horrible. 
Awesome Joe✌️
 NastyStuff wrote:

Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 

Well said, Bruce.
I have more than 10 years on you but feel the same about the music we experienced starting in the 60s and some before that.  Mad Dogs and Englishmen had some of the best.
I have never seen a comment on RP that got 55 likes so you really hit a chord there.
Stay well!

I can't help but just grin like a fool listening to this. 
Outstanding
 NastyStuff wrote:

Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 


Have a safe and peaceful journey.
 kcar wrote:

Yes! "Sloppy" : that pretty much nails whether a listener likes or hates Joe. Janis Joplin had the same guts-on-display approach. Nuance and polish be damned. This is the exact opposite of Playing It Cool. 

Another thought: Eddie Vedder has a similar shaggy, shambolic style, but he'll never come close to Joe's power. 

Third thought: my God, those backup singers.   {#Hearteyes}    They had better be in "Twenty Feet From Stardom."


Those backup singers appeared with him on Top of The Pops, just about the only way you could hear pop music in the UK in the mid 60s.  They had figures and presence to match their vocal chords.  Along with JC the effect on a 14yr old was visceral...
Great cover song ... One of the best ever. Horribly bad album cover. One of the worst ever.
Although the Beatles wrote this song, it will always be a Joe Cocker song in my mind.   
Nailed It!
His debut album, May 1969.
That's Jimmy Page on guitar.

 NastyStuff wrote:
Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 
I'm within a year of you in age and feel a lot the same way, but! Thanks to Radio Paradise, as the musicians we grew up with fade away, we have amazing new talent taking us on new musical journeys.  Keep listening and growing! ( I sincerely assume your reference to dying away is metaphorical?)
 NastyStuff wrote:
Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 
 
Consider yourself fortunate that your parents found Elvis hip gyration hilarious.  My grandparents made my dad turn it off because they were so offended!
 sjccroquet wrote:

Are you sure about Winwood? I know Cocker performed with him later, but I don't remember him being credited on this track. AFAIK, the band in this recording was:

Jimmy Page
Chris Stainton
B.J. Wilson
Tommy Eyre
 
You're right.  Maybe he noted Winwood as he did play on other tracks on this album.  It was a hell of a group of musicians on the album...
 Kort wrote:


Not only
Steve Winwood
Chris Stainton
 
Are you sure about Winwood? I know Cocker performed with him later, but I don't remember him being credited on this track. AFAIK, the band in this recording was:

Jimmy Page
Chris Stainton
B.J. Wilson
Tommy Eyre
 black321 wrote:
Best cover ever!?
 
Took it to a whole new level!
Whenever i see that cover i think of this:
 Nurs wrote:
With Jimmy Page on Guitar....{#Propeller}
 

Not only
Steve Winwood
Chris Stainton
Wavering on upgrading from a 9 to a 10.... must be the Coffee and doughnut I have just consumed.. Definately a 10 I've decided.
 NastyStuff wrote:
Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 
Thanks for your post man!!
No, it may feel like like you're fading away (and who am I to tell you otherwise?) but you're not entirely, for sharing with us younger guys. I truly believe that passing on beats passing away
. As for the music, it's still pretty much there for us to listen to. Nice one with the tapestry, Carole King wouldn't disagree


Thanks again and keep sharing

Edit: re-reading this, I'm chuckling to myself. Younger? In relative terms, possibly, but being 43 I hardly qualify as young Then again, I think my mental age wavers between 8 and 17 (on good days!) so that must be OK then :-)
My Mom was at Woodstock. Grew up with  a rich tapestry of music in my family. So grateful for being the daughter of hippies/rockers. Shaped my world view. I used to blare this album on our old school kick-ass stereo. Along with a few others from their vinyl collections.

Blessings to your memories. That's the fabric of life. Keep on Rockin'

-EE

 
NastyStuff wrote:
Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 
 

 pixel-pusher wrote:
Nobody covered a song like Joe Cocker. Without peer.
 
And nobody covered Joe Cocker like John Belushi. Also without peer!
Where are the anthems that encapsulate a zeitgeist in 2019? Are there no poets, or is there no zeitgeist?

 
NastyStuff wrote:
Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 
 

Saw him live 30 years ago...he was tired and shallow in voice compared to Woodstock 69.

I enjoyed the show, but the years and the road had clearly taken their toll. That was then and this is now.

I will never forget seeing him in the movie for the first time. I thought " how brave this guy is...a spastic cripple with his movements, belting out this tune....what an amazing performance".

Performances of a lifetime...Joke Cocker and his band in Woodstock 69 movie"....along with many others, think ....Santana....Richie Havens....Sly and the Family Stone....and so many others at that magical moment.

Now at 66 years old with tears in my eyes, I reflect on how blessed that I was to be a young teenager living through it all...how being born in 1952....I saw elvis on black and white tv for the first time while my parents howled in laughter at his movements...

Now I fade away, but I will always cherish the rich tapestry of music that my generation lived through...and now...it is all dying away as I am.

Regards,

Bruce Smith
Ottawa, Canada
Jan. 10. 2019

PEACE 
How can this man not be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Shame that when it happens (and it will) he won't be there to be acknowledged for what he brought to the stage.
I'll never tire of watching the Woodstock performance of this song.
 jmsmy wrote:
The BEST Beatles cover ever.

 
 
 
Ever heard Wilson Pickett's "Hey Jude" with Duane Allman on slide guitar? Apparently Clapton approved.  The Wicked Pickett could scream with the best of 'em.
Top Ten Scream
THE song that introduced me to music as a kid in the 70s. Could have received a worse education, isn't it?
One of the finest covers I've ever heard. He totally made this version his own. Outstanding!
Saw Joe Cocker do this song at The Boston Tea Party in November 1969..opening act for Fleetwood Mac. Forever etched in my memory...
Where'd that white man git all that soul, huh?
Man, I had the hots for Winnie Cooper.

There was a girl in High School that looked an awfully lot like Winnie Cooper.  I had the hots for her, too.

There was a special ed kid in school that was pretty sure she was Winnie and he was also pretty sure that he was Kevin.
The BEST Beatles cover ever.
All this pabulum for the masses with the 'War on Drugs' and yet, in the end, tobacco and alcohol took out more pop stars than any other recreational drugs.

For Frank Zappa, tobacco was an essential food group.
The album and song that convinced me of Cocker's brilliance.  Although I loved version on the Woodstock soundtrack even more. 
So sad he was damaged by alcohol,, and left us too early. RIP Joe!
yes He probably was - and doped - but hes version is far better than the orginal
 mdfergy wrote:
I think this cover sucks big time, and I have no idea how people could like it.. Being the true alcoholic he was, he was probably drunk when he sang it.

 
The way I understand it, there is no "true" alcoholic (as opposed to..."not really" or "sorta" alcoholic?). You either are or you aren't. But so what if he was or wasn't drunk at the time? Joe's vocals came out just fine for this.



the BEST cover of this song

 

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=ie8&p=john+belushi+i+get+by+with+a+little+help#id=1&vid=c57c4646236bf934ff18a0bd03f10f43&action=view


I think this cover sucks big time, and I have no idea how people could like it.. Being the true alcoholic he was, he was probably drunk when he sang it.
 I 'll agree with Joe Cocker cover, but Elton' cover like fingers on a blackboard.  Never heard an Elton cover I liked, though he has many originals I love.    sjoelbb wrote:
A cover that's better than the original Beatles:  you could apply that same comparison to Elton John's "Lucy in the Sky", Bill.

 

Wonder Years. Loved that show!
A cover that's better than the original Beatles:  you could apply that same comparison to Elton John's "Lucy in the Sky", Bill.
 STEVIE1 wrote:
In my humble opinion this and "Soul Sacrifice" by Santana were the highlights from Woodstock.

 
I could go along with that, but I'd put "Handsome Johnny" by Richie in there too.
OMFG greatest song of all time

of course, if you ask me again in an hour, I might not think so, but for now .. . {#Cheesygrin}
In my humble opinion this and "Soul Sacrifice" by Santana were the highlights from Woodstock.
Nobody covered a song like Joe Cocker. Without peer.
 
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/92/Joe_Cocker-With_a_Little_Help_from_My_Friends_(album_cover).jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/84/In_the_Court_of_the_Crimson_King_-_40th_Anniversary_Box_Set_-_Front_cover.jpeg
Best cover ever!?
With one face - one side
Excellent energy !  Mad Dog
move over Ringo
there's a new guy in town 
 pfreet wrote:
I'm probably in the minority here, but I think the choir just ruins this song. Would love to hear a version without it.

 
It might not be the choir by itself, maybe just a crappy sound engineering?
 pfreet wrote:
I'm probably in the minority here, but I think the choir just ruins this song. Would love to hear a version without it.

 
Agreed.
 Steely_D wrote:
As a teen, I really disliked this when it first came out. It was sloppy and I loved the Sgt Pepper album.

Watching him do it on stage, it's easier now to see the amount of emotion he contained in this. Now, it's a 9.

 
Yes! "Sloppy" : that pretty much nails whether a listener likes or hates Joe. Janis Joplin had the same guts-on-display approach. Nuance and polish be damned. This is the exact opposite of Playing It Cool. 

Another thought: Eddie Vedder has a similar shaggy, shambolic style, but he'll never come close to Joe's power. 

Third thought: my God, those backup singers.   {#Hearteyes}    They had better be in "Twenty Feet From Stardom."
As a teen, I really disliked this when it first came out. It was sloppy and I loved the Sgt Pepper album.

Watching him do it on stage, it's easier now to see the amount of emotion he contained in this. Now, it's a 9.
Would be nice to listen to sheffield steel' album
With Jimmy Page on Guitar....{#Propeller}
Imagine having to follow this at a concert...
I'm probably in the minority here, but I think the choir just ruins this song. Would love to hear a version without it.
Beautiful Joe, beautiful      great photo too
Godlike
"I did some wonder loaf"

lily34 wrote:

i just watched that this past weekend and laughed and laughed just like the first time i saw it.

 


Great vocal performance and I love Jimmy Page's guitar work on this.

 Paddir wrote:
When the cover is better than the original, and the original was by the Beatles, you know you've got something. RIP Joe. 
 
That bears repeating!  Best cover ever.
 dragon1952 wrote:
"said I'm gonna get by without Fred!"

 
i just watched that this past weekend and laughed and laughed just like the first time i saw it.
"said I'm gonna get by without Fred!"
Awesome man
We were all your friends, Joe, and you gave us all a little help.
The 14th song added to RP. 

I suspect Mt Cocker is very high on Bill's all time fave artist list.  
When the cover is better than the original, and the original was by the Beatles, you know you've got something. RIP Joe. 
 Rest In peace Joe.
RIP, Joe. Thanks for giving us heart and soul in every performance.
Joe Cocker pencil by IgnacioRCJoe Cocker pencilby IgnacioRC
©2014 IgnacioRC

One of the greatest



I bow to the man, the singer.
I only grew to like him in relatively recent times.

Some 10 days ago, I was in awe watching him, a young lion roaring godlike at Woodstock.
Now recent pictures of him are everywhere. How weird; I know it's the same man, but it's weird. Age is weird. (I'm just saying what I felt... not trying to add a line to anything.)
Whoah, another sad loss on this plane, but, a quantum exchange on another, higher level of Light and Energy. Thanks, Joe for BEING!
Sad news today. RIP
Danke Joe für die wunderbaren Jahrzehnte vollkommen gelebter Musik!
RIP Joe - you'll be missed, very much so.
Rest in peace, Joe. Thank you for the music, and the passion.
Amen!
 
Greatest cover ever? 

Love the Woodstock version...particularly the part when the hairy shirtless dude offstage swings when the band hits it!
RIP Joe Cocker. Thanks you for giving us your music.
This song was a bit of a musical epiphany for my teenaged self...RIP.
Thanks for playing this now.  Bittersweet,
Rest in Peace The Legend!!!
Sad news.  RIP
Long Live Joe,,,,RIP....
Rest in Peace, Mr. Cocker!
Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of homeless camps loves this cover...
 norbertZ wrote:

Yep. That's it.

Normally I prefer the original version of a song, but this one is one of the rare covers even better than one of my favourite songs ever.

Original:       9 {#Bananajam}
Joes cover: 10 {#Bananapiano}

 
fully agree! (only for me a 9)
 lemmoth wrote:
Joe did the most fantastic original interpretations of some very good songs, this being the best of the bunch. 

 
Yep. That's it.

Normally I prefer the original version of a song, but this one is one of the rare covers even better than one of my favourite songs ever.

Original:       9 {#Bananajam}
Joes cover: 10 {#Bananapiano}
 bachbeet wrote:
Never liked Joe.  His covers were always inferior.  This one is really inferior.  I'll take the Beatles' original any day.  Ringo was far better.

 
1. Beatles are by far my favorite band ever. They are the greatest, amazingly so even after 40 plus years.

2. Your comment is absurd.  I will gladly loan you all that you need to buy a clue. Joe did the most fantastic original interpretations of some very good songs, this being the best of the bunch. 
Greatest interpretation of a Beatles song ever, bar none.
Aye!
Joe Cocker, Tom Waits.  There's a litany of singers with voices like 10 miles of the worst road imaginable...yet...somehow...they pull it off and stand out for singing from the heart and soul of that which drives them.  And somehow, it connects....you start of vaguely winching at what you're hearing...but by the middle and towards the end you find yourself singing along in equal fashion.  Music...what a wonderful thing in this world, eh?
{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Drummer} ........ most excellent 

 treatment_bound wrote:

Everybody under the covers with me loves The Church!
 

You are welcome in my mushrooming multitude of churches anytime!

Love this cover...  we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners....
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my churches loves this classic cover...
 

 
Everybody under the covers with me loves The Church!
 philinnz wrote:

Indeed, back in the time this was recorded we went to a concert of his in a town called Hamilton, (downunder in little NZ) - JC was TERRRIBBLLLEEE, drunk, couldn't remember lines, out of tune -

but i do like this song and glad he cleaned up his act


So he did sing out of tune. Did you stand up and walk out on (him)?
 




Everybody in my churches loves this classic cover...
 
Always liked his spastic movement 
This has to be one of the greatest songs where backing vocals play a huge part.
This reminds me of the film "Barfly" - I wouldn't mind a glass of Woodford...or two
 Dlo2 wrote:
Memorable artist
 
Indeed, back in the time this was recorded we went to a concert of his in a town called Hamilton, (downunder in little NZ) - JC was TERRRIBBLLLEEE, drunk, couldn't remember lines, out of tune -

but i do like this song and glad he cleaned up his act