# With A Little Help From My Friends - you prefer the Beatles, or Joe Cocker? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820 "2015-06-18T02:36:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/41 "2015-06-18T21:22:52Z")
So anyone care to weigh in with other Beatles songs that they feel were done better by others? I am a fan, and can’t think of any for me right off, but maybe… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/42 "2015-06-18T21:25:05Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Joe Cocker overwrought? Isn’t that kind of the point? Next question then: Elton John’s “Rocket Man” or William Shatner’s “Rocket Man”? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/43 "2015-06-18T21:28:43Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > So anyone care to weigh in with other Beatles songs that they feel were done better by others? I am a fan, and can’t think of any for me right off, but maybe… I’ve got a slight preference for the Rufus Wainwright version of “Across the Universe.” ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/44 "2015-06-18T21:38:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Next question then: Elton John’s “Rocket Man” or William Shatner’s “Rocket Man”? Joe Cockers “Darling be home soon” or Sebastian Cabots “Mr Tambourine Man” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/45 "2015-06-18T21:53:56Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > So anyone care to weigh in with other Beatles songs that they feel were done better by others? I am a fan, and can’t think of any for me right off, but maybe… Fiona Apple – “Across the Universe” Pat Benatar - “Helter Skelter” The Breeders – “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” Calamity Jane - “I’ve Just Seen a Face” Johnny Cash- “In My Life” Fats Domino - “Lady Madonna” Echo and the Bunnymen – “Ticket to Ride” Al Green – “I Want to Hold Your Hand” Jimi Hendrix - “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” Alison Krauss – “I Will” Willie Nelson - “Yesterday” Elliott Smith – “Because” Peter Tosh - “Here Comes The Sun” Link Wray - “Please Please Me” ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/46 "2015-06-18T21:55:35Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > So anyone care to weigh in with other Beatles songs that they feel were done better by others? I am a fan, and can’t think of any for me right off, but maybe… Your taste determines the answer. If you love Sinatra, you’ll prefer his version of _Something_; Ray Charles fans like his version of Eleanor Rigby. Richie Havens version of\* Here Comes the Sun\* got a big boost because of Woodstock. Personally, I’ve always been fond of Judy Collins’[In My Life.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ4wz5OnST8) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/47 "2015-06-18T22:12:31Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > So anyone care to weigh in with other Beatles songs that they feel were done better by others? I am a fan, and can’t think of any for me right off, but maybe… Johnny Paycheck did a [pretty nice version of “Something”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MESY8YljuVM). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/48 "2015-06-18T22:21:33Z")
Covers are a compliment for songwriters and artists. It says a lot that so many great artists want to record Lennon-McCartney songs. Here is their catalog. Quite a body of work. > **[Category:Songs written by Lennon–McCartney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_Lennon%E2%80%93McCartney)** > > . > The following 193 pages are in this category, out of 193 total. This list may not reflect recent changes. I like some of the covers. Fats Domino - “Lady Madonna” Bon Jovi Here Comes the Sun But the originals by the Beatles are my favorites. The one exception is Cocker’s Little Help From My Friends. Jimmy Page on lead guitar, and Joe’s vocals. Great combination. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/49 "2015-06-18T23:10:47Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > So anyone care to weigh in with other Beatles songs that they feel were done better by others? I am a fan, and can’t think of any for me right off, but maybe… Roll Over Beethoven 😃 I like the Richie Havens one mentioned. I don’t know most of the others. However I heard a Muzak version of Goodnight which was not significantly worse than the one on the White Album. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/50 "2015-06-18T23:20:11Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Fiona Apple – “Across the Universe” > Pat Benatar - “Helter Skelter” > The Breeders – “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” > Calamity Jane - “I’ve Just Seen a Face” > Johnny Cash- “In My Life” > Fats Domino - “Lady Madonna” > Echo and the Bunnymen – “Ticket to Ride” > Al Green – “I Want to Hold Your Hand” > Jimi Hendrix - “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” > Alison Krauss – “I Will” > Willie Nelson - “Yesterday” > Elliott Smith – “Because” > Peter Tosh - “Here Comes The Sun” > Link Wray - “Please Please Me” It’s hard to believe you’re a Beatles fan if you’re saying all those are better than the originals. Elliot Smiths is a carbon recreation. Johnny Cashs and Al Greens are a completely whole other ball of wax. i think that johnny did it on suggestion of the record producer, not that he isn’t great and got his own ideas. I haven’t heard one yet. It’s not so easy to best an original. Look, how many people did a Chuck Berry song better than Chuck? To me only one: The Rolling Stones Route 66 (Chucks version). The Beatles never came close. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/51 "2015-06-21T19:38:47Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Cocker’s version is overwrought. The Beatles knew very well what they were doing with their version. Rock and Roll is overwrought, dude. The Beatles were usually not rockers, especially not by that point. > [@drad\_dog](#): > > Incredible. It’s so myopic to dis the beatles version of their own song. I see later Lennon and McCartney like I see Dylan, as songwriters who made a few bucks on the side with what sometimes seem like demo albums. Songwriting is where the royalties lie. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2015, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/52 "2015-06-21T20:34:37Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I see later Lennon and McCartney like I see Dylan, as songwriters who made a few bucks on the side with what sometimes seem like demo albums. Songwriting is where the royalties lie. I would disagree. I think making their albums was where the Beatles put the primary focus of their attention. There are performers who take a haphazard approach to recording; but by all accounts the Beatles were the opposite. They were very deeply concerned and involved with minute details of the process. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/53 "2015-06-22T00:39:29Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I would disagree. I think making their albums was where the Beatles put the primary focus of their attention. There are performers who take a haphazard approach to recording; but by all accounts the Beatles were the opposite. They were very deeply concerned and involved with minute details of the process. Paul was very concerned. 😛 I’m not sure the others shared his [DEL]obsession[/DEL] passion for studio work. Didn’t the endless days in the studio contribute to their breakup? ---
**Author:** ![Dibbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/54 "2015-06-22T01:25:38Z")
Cocker’s whining, tortured, raspy voice is the pits. The Beatle’s version is totally perfect. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/55 "2015-06-22T01:52:21Z")
> [@Dibbs](#): > > Cocker’s whining, tortured, raspy voice is the pits. The Beatle’s version is totally perfect. You know Joe’s widow is a member here, right? ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/56 "2015-06-22T03:05:35Z")
Joe Cocker all the way!~ ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/57 "2015-06-22T03:18:35Z")
Somewhat recently I saw an interview with someone – I forget who it was – and they were talking about how Beatles were essentially studio musicians because they couldn’t play live. Not that they were incapable, of course, but every time they tried they were drowned out by the incessant cacophony of teenage girls screaming bloody murder. So they never really honed any stagecraft. (They have what, one live album, which is almost impossible to get because it sucks?) I believe it was in this same interview they talk about how the Joe Cocker version was played for Paul, who responded very positively to it. It could conceivably have been an interview with Paul himself, but I can’t remember who it was. Or I could have dreamed the whole thing for all I can remember. I personally voted Joe Cocker, and it wasn’t even close. But I’m a jam-band kind of guy, having gone to countless Grateful Dead (until Jerry died) and Phish shows. Joe’s version is right in my wheelhouse, and the video of him doing the song at Woodstock is practically my nirvana. (The paradise, not the band.) ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/58 "2015-06-22T03:21:47Z")
Actually, the note about Paul liking Cocker’s version was from press when Cocker died. [Here’s an article](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2883993/Singer-Joe-Cocker-dies-age-70-battle-lung-cancer.html) with the quote I was thinking of: > [@](#): > > 'I was especially pleased when he decided to cover With A Little Help From My Friends and I remember him and (producer) Denny Cordell coming round to the studio in Savile Row and playing me what they’d recorded and it was just mind-blowing, totally turned the song into a soul anthem and I was forever grateful for him for doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/59 "2015-06-22T03:25:43Z")
I’ll say one thing: maybe it’s because I heard it first, but “do” sounds so much better to me in that first line than “think”. ---
**Author:** ![Dibbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2015, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820/60 "2015-06-22T14:37:36Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > You know Joe’s widow is a member here, right? But I wasn’t talking about her, and I doubt you’re being serious.😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends-you-prefer-the-beatles-or-joe-cocker/722820.md?page=4)