Joe Cockerwas born in Sheffield, England on May 20, 1944, the youngest son of a civil servant. In 1961 Joe by day, worked as an apprentice gas fitter and by night, in dark suit and bow tie, became singing with Avengersin rough Sheffield pubs. The set included songs by mentor Ray Charles"What'd I Say" and "Georgia On My Mind." Vance Arnold and the Avengers biggest moment came in 1963 when they supported The Rolling Stones at Sheffield City Hall, and brought the house down. The following year Joe left the Gas Board and released his first single, a cover of The Beatles "I'll Cry Instead." His band, Joe Cocker Big Blues, built up a large following in the north of England and ventured to France for a two month stint, playing on American airbases. The servicemen, many from America's deep south, loved Joe.
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Hell And Highwater Lyrics

Joe Cocker

Well I was standing at the junction
Trying to kill some time
She was sitting high on a bar stool
Drinking some cheap red wine
I asked how she was doing
She said she was doing fine
When she asked me for a cigarette
I recognised the signs
Well I knew just what she wanted
And I swear it wasn't love
She just needed something to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
Try and make it through the night
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it don't feel right
Hell and highwater
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
A rainy night at a station
In an old half way hotel
The kind of place to make you feel
One stop away from hell
Where the angels meet the drifters
Where many strong men fell
I asked her if she had a name
She said call me Jezebel
Well I knew just what she wanted
And I swear it wasn't love
She just needed something to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
Try and make it through the night
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it don't feel right
Hell and highwater
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
I picked up my suitcase
I was heading for the door
When a voice behind with a scarlet smile
Said honey you'll be back for more
I knew just what she wanted
And I swear it wasn't love
She just needed something to keep her head above
Hell and highwater
Try and make it through the night
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it's hard to keep your head above
Hell and highwater
Sometimes it don't feel right
Hell and highwater
Well the girl's just trying to keep her head above
Hell and highwater