Joe Cocker, With A Little Help From My Friends - THIS first listen really made my day!

[@kawonnowak]

Amy, it doesn't matter if we don't see you doing it, but you MUST (that's MUST) watch his performance of this at Woodstock. Once watched, never forgotten.

[@sundoga4961]

Personally, I think it's the better sung version too.

[@antidote7]

I think the mad dog and Englishman performance is even better live. Back ground vocals, larger band, and gutteral!

[@jedislap8726]

@@antidote7 I agree, the Woodstock one is iconic but the overall quality is poor in comparison and just lacks something. Love the Mad Dogs version so much, it's almost spiritual.

[@linnightl9277]

The performance in Cologne 2013 is deeply emotional as well. Just months before he died, 45 years after he first recorded it. The whole Cologne concert is amazing. Saw him three times 70s - 82, at his best and at his worst (which was still amazing), though the stage face-plant was sad, then on a mighty come back with the Sheffield Steel tour.

[@antidote7]

@@jedislap8726 With the Mad Dogs performance, Leon Russel was the musical director/guitar, and I believe he likely came up with the arrangement. amazing version. Even the audience is mesmerized, as if in a trance. Incredible to watch.

[@dcmtrader]

You can't fully appreciate him without watching him and the emotion he puts in to it.

[@sweisbrod6109]

Years . went to a Tina Turner concert and Joe Cocker "opened" for her. Joe Cocker's last encore song was With A Little Help From My Friends. He had three female "backup" singers. One of them was Tina Turner but no one noticed. Toward the end of the song she stepped forward and did a duo with Joe. For the last chorus, Joe stepped back and Tina continued. She then continued on with ger concert seamlessly. Coolest thing ever!

[@IamClapham]

Wow!!

[@zappafranknanuk2529]

Woodstock! Please watch it. Epic…😮‍💨

[@Moonie804]

I agree with a lot of your watchers: the Woodstock performance is the perfect rendition of With A Little Help From My Friends, never surpassed, unforgettable...❤

[@davidsavage6910]

The Woodstock version is raw, passionate and spontaneous. The band singing falsetto to compensate for the missing backing singers is iconic. This one is thoughtful and you can hear the craft and deliberate control designed to be impactful.

[@michaellk9587]

His performance of this song at Woodstock is epic. A very passionate performance. Love this song 😊

[@michaelgraalum381]

the best version.

[@timfeeley714-25]

John Belushi impersonating Joe and doing this song on SNL was epic, as was the time that Joe was the musical guest on the show and John came out dressed exactly like him and they performed Traffic's, Feeling All Right together.

[@zredband]

Joe Cocker gives you everything, he leaves nothing on the table, he just pours his heart out in the song and we love him for it.

[@kishka7]

When the Beatles heard Joe do the song they simply loved it and said IT'S YOURS!!!

[@riko3766]

They even congratuleted him by telegram.

[@shave-a-thon3415]

He said that he and his band were planning to go on tour when a message arrived that The Beatles requested the pleasure of his company at their Apple Records offices because they loved his rendition. Cocker said he dropped everything because at that time, an invitation from The Beatles was the equivalent of being invited to Buckingham Palace!

[@ericwilliams1031]

Love this version. He's takin' us to church. Music like this makes me think of my late mother, who played all these classic songs during the 70s when I was a child. R.I.P. mom.

[@richdiddens4059]

Every performance he did of this song was different and yet perfect for the setting. I don't know if he changed to fit the setting or the setting became perfect to fit the performance.

[@thomaswilliams2273]

I heard someone else suggest that, and you can definitely hear him as preaching a sermon.

[@BILLYMORGAN1971]

Don't think you can truly listen to this song without first seeing him perform it in his very unique contorted way. Then you won't be able to unsee him performing it. This version is right before he died I think, just before 2014, probably 2013 when he toured Europe. He certainly sang it different than Ringo, who Paul had to coax and convince to do the big ending. As a kid I used to think he is what happens when you take too much acid but he was taking a lot of things and no doubt was listening to a lot of blues or r&b. Definitely a concoction of sorts. Song is still loved because he earned every note he uttered and drenched each one with blood sweat and tears.

[@Yes_Jorge_Yes]

You need to watch Joe Cocker performing this song in Woodstock it will give you a total understanding of Joe Cocker's passion for singing.

[@tinahorne6018]

Every song Joe Cocker covered he made better! Huge fan and am usually moved to tears by JC🙏💜💪🏾

[@mranster]

It's cool to keep saying you love it. We love it, too. His voice has been blowing us away for decades. He had a great comeback hit in the 90s, You Can Leave Your Hat On, well worth a listen.

[@jenewbee]

The Wonder Years

[@douglasg.9271]

It’s magical how different this is from the original. It turned a catchy classic rock song, into a bluesy, soulful anthem. ❤

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction, Amy! Joe was a rock and roll treasure! RIP.

[@michalmoszczynski]

The Wonder Years... That's what I see, hearing this song.

[@colinforsyth7828]

Yes thank you ❤❤❤❤❤

[@richardcurley5798]

I think that in order to fully appreciate Joe Cocker, you have to watch him perform. He was unique, with his playing air guitar & spastic body movements. RIP

[@fromchomleystreet]

It’s amazing how much simply changing the time signature instantly transforms the song from something very twee (deliberately so) into something much more serious and cool. I know there’s a lot more to it than that, but that simple change alone really does do a lot of the heavy lifting. It automatically takes it to an entirely different place, and they built from there.

[@lejoe48]

It's not cool. It's serious.

[@billn7183]

Joe Cocker is one preformer that must be watched!

[@michaelfrank2266]

Joe Cocker's cover is to me the definitive version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends' Joe puts so much energy into it. I agree with others. You need to see Joe perform. He adds a new dimension.

[@Bassman2353]

My introduction to this song was while watching the Woodstock documentary film, and it was devastating. There is a pathos to it that sears, a man desperate for romantic connection during what seemed like a complete emotional breakdown onstage, barely held together by his few mates. Soul music brought to the level of rock, utterly unforgettable.

[@shyshift]

Yes Woodstock version is the best one must see.

[@sweisbrod6109]

He also covered the Beatles song She Came In Through The Bathroom Window. Its great fun.

[@robertpearson8798]

I was hoping you’d be watching the Woodstock performance.

[@jameshagaman4624]

Another great Joe is "Feeling Alright". I believe you would like it also!

[@syater]

Much better than Traffic's original version and I say that as a big fan of Traffic.

[@josephmilitello647]

He was very much channeling Ray Charles' singing style. He later recorded covers of Ray Charles songs, which Ray praised.

[@Pomdownuder]

The greatest cover artist ever, even the original artist often thought Joe made better versions "he really made it his own" was a common comment. Joe was friends with many of the artists that he covered.

[@Diovanlestat]

My Best friend died today. Thank you Joe Crocker for singing the words that my lips are frightened to speak. Goodbye my little sunshine, I hope you've gone to that better place. I'll miss you forever. 😢

[@himbo754]

The Woodstock version is a must -- gritty, live, crazy -- crazy good. I watched it when the Woodstock movie was released back in 1970 or so. Saw the movie 4 times in the cinema. Joe Cocker is one of the outstanding performances that is still watchable more than fifty years later. Go watch it -- it is on KZbin. Not sure whether Joe was drunk or high (or both), but he nailed it.

[@debrajacobs2499]

Joe said that he wasn't 'turned on' that day, but was angry when he found out later that his band was. (They didn't share.)

[@denisyoung5804]

Hi Amy, I have been listening to this version since Woodstock and it still stirs my emotions to the same degree every time. I love your interpretation and the joy and emotion you express throughout the song. Thankyou so much for posting your review.

[@simonwatkins3236]

Joe Cocker never sounds the same twice and every version is worth playing.

[@CharlyDS]

One of the top rock covers ever! Totally owned, and the original IS amazing, but this is totally different soulful thing.

[@bretsalyer]

We got some love in our hearts, and heart in our soul. Thanks Amy!

[@TheWeezyOfOz]

I've really been enjoying your adventures in music. Videos like this where the piece so clearly delights you are my favourite!

[@brianboye8025]

Your smiles says it all.

[@stevedockeray]

Seeing him live he sings with his body as much as he does with his voice

[@shiva1742]

Joe was a big fan of Ray Charles, as you can hear. This is a very R and B version. Pure joy!

[@Laura_Martin42]

Watching Joe Cocker sing is the experience, you have missed so much of it by just listening.

[@lsbill27]

What a great reaction! The power of music to lift us (and our friends) up!

[@riverrail]

Great drummer, perfect backing vocals and a man with blues in his heart.

[@gerrymclean7901]

It was awesome to see that purely joyous reaction!

[@johncarr8684]

You must See him do this song. Passion personified!

[@dstonetprs]

I agree with all the comments which say “watch him live”. To get the full impact of the Joe cocker version you have to se him perform it. As always, love your reaction,Amy!

[@scott3744]

Just wait until you see the Woodstock performance. The band members (guys, singing falsetto) have to substitute for the female backup singers, and the performance Joe gives is unbelievable... he puts every ounce of energy into that performance, every fiber of his being, his whole spirit, everything. He gives it all. Holds nothing back. It's breath-taking and awesome in every way 👍😁

[@Drewnah]

I wish she would have done the live Woodstock version. It’s incredible.

[@simonkoster]

How to turn a straightforward pop tune into a soul classic.

[@jurgenschmidt2759]

His nickname was the "Singing Windmill", so of course you have to watch him perform!

[@timrussell9869]

Saw Joe live a couple of times. The music electrifies him. He did several Beatles covers, and owned them.

[@StevesTubes]

Watching Joe is a big part of the experience!

[@Liisa3139]

I can see you putting up a party and dancing with friends in a circle with this song playing. Probably celebrating an anniversary of this channel. Congrats for finding a good chair. They are rare! I have had the chair of my life in an office where I was working for several years. Since then I have been regretting that I did not demand or buy or whatever the chair to leave with me.

[@andywilkinson486]

That's the happiest I've ever seen you during a review.

[@seangates1451]

Joe had a great soul voice. I’ve never heard this particular performance- I’m used to the more inebriated, mushmouthed 60’s version, which I adore.

[@colinslant]

You can love both versions, it's allowed! 😄 I think this is the perfect example of how to do a cover version - take the song and make it your own.

[@neilphelan145]

Joe Cocker adds soul to the song

[@skajohncarter]

His is a must see performance.

[@catsara9114]

😍 A beautiful soul and singer! You were really feeling this one! 😄😀

[@scottzappa9314]

I think Joe pretty much took over the song after he did this. Fine with the Beatles. Oh please do the Woodstock video, just fantastic.

[@daveking9393]

I'm so disappointed I read the comments and you didn't do the Woodstock or Mad Dog live versions I hope you one day go back and watch BOTH on your own. thanks so much for all you do!

[@bevklayman4158]

I must admit I did not expect your positive reaction to Cocker's soulful, raucous gospel rendition! You are beginning to get a sense of the amazing range of 60s music. His Mad Dogs and Englishmen troupe were awesome. Let's not forget the presence of Leon Russell, who no doubt arranged this in his inimitable way. P.S. I stopped watching some KZbin reactors because they unconsciously say "I love..." so often that it drove me away! You have good self-awareness, and this is really important when your medium is auditory as well as visual, no matter your musical expertise. Kudos to you for this and your musical open-mindedness.

[@StormyPeak]

I'm 61 years old, I heard the Beatles version first, and later Joe Cocker's version. I loved both versions. I like how the Beatle's version trips lightly along. While Joe's version is more like the roll of thunder...crashing and fading away.

[@tomratcliff3755]

I appreciate how involved you were in the music. Your tangible excitement for the passion that Joe brought to his performance was moving in itself. That is, after all why people perform, right?

[@sambirch6784]

The Beatles version is a perfectly listenable song but Joe Cocker took the song and injected soul into it. You hear The Beatles' version but you feel the Joe Cocker version.

[@joshuafreedman7703]

That's only because JC doesn't just sing this song, he bludgeons you with it, and you still come away feeling better for having ...experienced... it.

[@Michael-px9rw]

You've got to see him live ❤

[@Gr3g3r9]

This is soul music!

[@MyAtlan]

The theme was used in the introduction for "The Wonder Years". An amazing TV series telling the story of a few suburban kids growing up through the Vietnam war. I watched it as a kid in the 80s, when I was the same age as the protagonist. Learned a great deal about life watching it. So, to me ,the song brings back a lot of memories from that time, which makes it very special and I undesrtand it as a chant to life and friendship

[@yellowtruckproductions7502]

He always had the best backup singers!

[@PatrickBrown924]

One of the two greatest cover versions ever, totally reinvented the song and made it his own. Really enjoyed seeing you experience it for the first time. The other one is Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness", which was originally a fairly low-key 1930s dance band number, first recorded by Ray Noble and his Orchestra, but Otis, along with Isaac Hayes and Booker T and the MGs, transformed it into an r&b epic.

[@tomvenner6030]

I;d add Manfred Mannn"s cover of Springsteens "Blinded by the Light" to that list.

[@embezzledpretzel]

Um, All along the watchtower?

[@Williamottelucas]

Joe OWNS this song!

[@rogerhennie8939]

Genious to transform this song from 4/4 to 3/4!

[@BKKMekong]

The funny thing is his female backing singers got stuck in traffic heading to Woodstock so the backing vocals are his roadies filling in, Classic

[@jayestahnke9917]

This isn't the Woodstock performance.

[@3DJapan]

They did a pretty good job too! (in the Woodstock performance)

[@DaveReynolds-y3v]

@@jayestahnke9917 Yea, I was wondering if this was from the mad dogs tour.

[@5ilver42]

I love this cover so much. So much soul.

[@jst427]

Much better versions indeed. Great song

[@chrisb.2178]

The greatest cover version of all times!

[@SteveMenardDesignDXM]

Joe Cocker's backing band for this studio cover song included Jimmy Page on lead guitar, who was just about to form Led Zeppelin.

[@owenlester3519]

Wrong! Despite what it says on the album cover Jimmy Page didn't turn up to the session and the guitar part was actually played by Big Jim Sullivan........ 🤗

[@SteveMenardDesignDXM]

@@owenlester3519 Well you got me there big guy. 😘

[@mightyV444]

I admit I was a bit disappounted at first that this wasn't the original studio recording, but then this much later live version turned out to be truly outstanding, including _three_ great screams instead of just one, and that drummer was on 🔥, too! 🤩 Jack Bruno, I assume!? 🙂

[@DanielGomez-rq6bx]

Amy, if you loved this one, you must see the original 1969 Woodstock version live. I was 16 years old and it blew me away! Truly enjoy your videos. Daniel from Albuquerque New Mexico 🇺🇸

[@Vrealita]

This wonderful arrangement is by Jimmy Page, from Led Zeppelin

[@donkorte80]

I absolutely love “unchained my heart.” Also watch cocker and belushi doing “feeling alright” on Saturday night live…

[@markoconnor995]

Cocker's performance at Woodstock is wild, and without his usual backup singers, his guys have to sing falsetto. Leon Russell is playing with him as well. Cocker's back story is interesting as well. Other Cocker greats are: The Letter Cry Me a River Feelin' Alright

[@Irishringo]

Feelin Alright from this album is a banger

[@LeeKennison]

I loved this reaction, although I had a feeling I would even before I watched it. I am glad it will be paired with your Beatles reaction, which I am guessing is coming next week. I personally would have released this after releasing the Beatles version first, but close enough.😉 At least you watched them in that order which is what matters. Such great commentary on what you were hearing and how you interpreted it, particularly in terms of that sense of friendship it conveyed. And of course I love your reaction to his voice with its bluesy and soulful delivery, along with the incredible assist from the band, chorus, and the overall composition. Great reaction!

[@jeffreypowell1656]

I enjoy your reactions and musical sensibilities in your reviews so much!

[@renepeterse1884]

I like the original more, but this is good. And I agree, you have to listen to (and watch) the Woodstock version

[@ilionreactor1079]

Never stop saying "I love it!" Your journey has just begun...

[@ianmoffat4460]

Hi Amy and Vlad. Amy, you will now have to listen to Joe's "Delta Lady" and also his version of "The Letter". 2 more excellent tracks. Love your analyses. So interesting. 😊😊

[@bernhardkrickl3567]

For me, it's always the Joe Cocker Version. He showed the world how this song needs to be played. Imo, this is the greatest cover of all time.

[@keithpattison6763]

The arrangement of this recording is brilliant and the girls backing are superb.

[@sootikins]

Call & response vocals, 6/8 time, relatively simple and low-key instrumentals (except for the ending) accompanying a strong and up front lead vocal... I'd call it a Blues/Gospel fusion. And a damn good fusion it is!! (yes I know Blues has roots in gospel)

[@paulkazakoff9231]

Saw Joe 4 times and was always great with all the different bands he played with !

[@valdas420]

the Woodstock performance is legendary

[@maxfowler9476]

This performance at Woodstock was the absolute pinnacle of the hippie culture, love conquering all. It was all downhill from this exact moment

[@dougoneill7266]

Joe took a pop song and turned it into a soul classic. I understand that you don't do many vids but Joe's performance of this song at the Woodstock festival is legendary.

[@duaneketchen1362]

I love it!

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The live version by Rockwiz (Australia) is phenomenal, based on Joe's Woodstock performance, but with a brass section and the 3 Wolfgramm sisters on backup vocals. All Rockwiz covers are amazing ' their performance with Beth Hart of Id Rather Be Blind has about 40 million views.

[@scott3744]

The version from Woodstock (with video) is THE one, it's visceral, the performance that towers above all others 👍😎🙂

[@marcelqueiroz8613]

I'm in tears of joy right now Amy!

[@fromchomleystreet]

The use of dynamics in this version are amazing.

[@randybass8842]

"It would brighten my day. It would get me up off the couch." Yes, very much so. A very uplifting rendition. I had not heard this version before. The Woodstock performance is considered the quintessential one, although it it very similar to this one.