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Joe Cocker covered a Beatles Pop tune and took it to #1 in the UK as a Blues/Rock soulful lament that is, IMHO, the definitive version of the Lennon-McCartney song! For some reason it only went to #68 Pop in the States.
“With A Little Help From My Friends” appeared on England’s John Robert Cocker’s debut LP on A&M Records in 1969. Also titled “With A Little Help From my Friends, ” the LP peaked at #35 in the USA.
Enjoy Joe’s live 1969 Woodstock rendition for as long as it lasts on YouTube. I know I do every time I watch it.
And here is the Beatles’ original rendition for your listening pleasure. This is one of Ringo’s few leads and I love it.
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Ringo takes lead on yet another Lennon-McCartney song in the opening of the epic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” LP of 1967. This album went to #1 on the Pop Chart. And yet the single did not make the pop chart (#71) until 1978!
Here is a wonderful clip of Ringo performing the song in 1987 at the Prince’s Trust Concert with the help of his friends George Harrison (R.I.P) and Eric Clapton. Do you see Elton John on stage? Phil Collins on drums? etc. etc. Wow they look so young!
Now I couldn’t resist posting the version of the song, by Joe Cocker, that hit the pop charts in 1968. Cocker’s cover peaked at #68 on the US Pop Singles chart and zoomed to #1 in the UK!
I just love the great stuff on YouTube. Don’t You? I just love this music too. Don’t you? This song is so great that no matter what genre you perform it in — pop or blues -- it sounds good! That’s what make a classic songs IMHO.
Hope you enjoyed these performances as much as I do.
