John Lennon and Paul McCartney originally wrote this song that Joe Cocker covered. The Beatles recorded it a year earlier, but never released it as a single. The Beatles were so impressed with Joe Cocker’s version of this that they sent him a telegram of congratulations and placed an ad in the music papers praising it. That’s some high praise from across the ocean.
Joe Cocker sang his devotional version of this song at Woodstock, giving his career a huge boost. The 25-year-old Cocker, wore a tie-dyed T-shirt and was drenched in sweat throughout the performance, securing his reputation as an entertainer who would give his all on stage. This performance appears in the Woodstock documentary.
(Source)
Joe Cocker Performing at Woodstock
Had you ever seen that footage of Joe Cocker performing at Woodstock?
Lyrics
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
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
Written by John Lennon, John Winston Lennon, Paul Mccartney, Paul James Mccartney • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Joe Cocker was the best!
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