Top 5 Favorite Joe Cocker Songs in Honor of His Passing

The great rock legend Joe Cocker, passed away from lung cancer on December 22, 2014, at the age of 70. However, in true rocker fashion, we want to celebrate his wonderful life, rather than mourn his passing.

Cocker was truly an emotional artist that put his whole heart and soul into singing and performing. From his gritty voice to his eccentric arm movements, Cocker had something unique that set him apart from any other artist. His legacy will continue to hold strong in the music world, as the only artist who could ever sing a Beatles song better than the Beatles themselves. He had one hell of a ride, and his impact will forever inspire future artists. RIP brother, you will be missed.

We picked our top 5 favorite Joe Cocker songs as a tribute to the late rocker. You can watch the music videos by clicking the song titles.

1. With A Little Help From My Friends

Cocker's cover of the classic Beatles song might just go down as one of the most notable covers ever. People were blown away by his rendition when he first debuted it at Woodstock in 1969, and it was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Many remember singing along to this song on the intro of The Wonder Years. 

2. You Are So Beautiful

Talk about an emotional song. You can really see the passion in Cocker as he performs this timeless tune. A moment to remember will always be when Joe played "You Are So Beautiful" alongside Ray Charles on the piano for a soulful 1983 television special. He may have been the one to make this song famous, but newer artists are still choosing to cover it to this day, and that definitely says something.

3. Up Where We Belong

This is such a powerful duet featuring Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. The Grammy-Award winning hit song has been featured in quite a few movies and TV shows, including South Park, Family Guy, and the Simpsons.

4. When The Night Comes

We picked this as a favorite because it was Cocker's last U.S. Top 40 hit song. Released in 1989, "When The Night Comes," ultimately reached a spot at #11 on the charts.

5. Have A Little Faith In Me

This song is a perfect example of the rasp and grit that Joe Cocker was most known for. Released in 1994, this tender yet tough ballad topped charts in the United Kingdom, but never in the U.S.