Ten Years After started around 8.15 pm; played for a little over an hour. While the huge crowd had dwindled quite a bit, those who remained enthusiastically responded to the great performance.
“A little blues to warm us up” and the band begins their cover of Willie Dixon‘s Spoonful (made famous by Howlin’ Wolf), though many in the crowd would have been more familiar with Cream’s cover.
Ten Year After’s cover had appeared on the band’s first album, Ten Years After, that the Deram label had released in September 1967.
Lee explains, “This has been banned all over the country for one word–ball–it’s called Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.” Sonny Boy Williamson wrote it in 1937. The song was on the band’s Ssssh album, their third, that had just been released.
This video is from the Groupies 1969 film
Good morning little schoolgirl Can I go home, home with you? Good morning little schoolgirl Can I go home, home with you? Tell your mama and your papa Big be schoolboy, too
I won’t bore you, yeah Baby, I won’t bore you all night long Yes, I do Baby, I want to ball you I want to ball you all night long Tell your mama and your papa Baby, baby, doing nothing wrong, child I’m doing nothing wrong, yeah
I won’t bore you, yea, yea, huh Baby, I want to ball you all night long Yes, I do, child I won’t bore you, darling, yea I won’t bore you all night long Tell your mama and your papa Baby, baby, we’re gonna do nothing wrong Wrong , wrong, wrong Baby, I want to ball you every night Oh, yeah, come on now
Ten Years After Woodstock
Hobbit
An instrumental written by drummer Ric Lee. Not surprisingly, it mainly features Lee. A live version of the song recorded in January 1973 was included on the band’s third live album, Recorded Live.
This video is. from August 4, 1975 at Winterland:
Ten Years After Woodstock
I Can’t Keep from Crying Sometimes
Al Kooper‘s song that the band had also included on its debut album. As with many songs, Lee doesn’t necessarily follow the “official” lyrics.
Also from Winterland (must have been a hell of a concert)…
I can’t keep from crying sometimes I can’t keep from crying sometimes Oh momma she’s dead and gone And I know I’m all alone I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Early in the morning About the break of day I fall down on my knees child I fall down and I pray I think about my woman My woman who’s long gone
I can’t keep from crying sometimes I can’t keep from crying sometimes Oh momma she’s dead and gone And I know I’m all alone I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Later in the evening I watch the sun go down I think about my woman But my woman Lord she ain’t around My heart is filled with sadness And my eyes are filled with tears
I can’t keep from crying sometimes I can’t keep from crying sometimes Oh momma she’s dead and gone And I know I’m all alone I can’t keep from crying sometimes
Ten Years After Woodstock
Help Me
The third song from their debut album and another blues cover. Ralph Bass, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson wrote the song. In 1987, “Help Me” was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in the “Classic of Blues Recordings” category.
This video is from the Marquee in London, 1983…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A19OMJ1Q9iU
As deservedly well-known as “Goin’ Home” is, Lee’s performance on this song may outdo it.
You got to help me, now; I can’t do it all by myself You got to help me, now; I can’t do it all by myself You know if you don’t help me, darling, I’ll have to find myself somebody else I my have to wash, I may have to sew, I may have to cook I might mop the floor; but you help me baby If you don’t help me, darling, I’ll have to find somebody else When I walk, you walk with me; and when I talk, you talk with me Oh, baby, I can’t do it all by myself Bring my nightshirt; put your mornin’ gown Bring my nightshirt; put your mornin’ gown You know if you don’t help me, darling, I’ll have to find myself somebody else
You’re talking about your woman, I wish to God man that you could see mine You’re talking about your woman, I wish to God man that you could see mine Every time the little girl starts to loving she bring eyesight to the blind
Ten Years After Woodstock
I’m Going Home
At the end of Help Me, MC Chip Monck asks the crowd to allow the show to continue given how late things are running. But the crowd is loud and insistent.
Albert “tunes the ol’ axe up…,” thanks the crowd, and says that the song is “I’m Goin’ Home…by helicopter.” Lee wrote the song and it was on their second album, Undead, which the Deram label had released just a year before. While Woodstock fans sometimes feel this is their song, it was a staple of Lee’s performances.
Goin’ home, my baby Goin’ home, my baby Goin’ home, to see my baby
Our baby, how good My baby, be good I’m goin’ home, my baby Home to see my girl
Oh baby, baby, I’m coming home Baby, baby I’m coming home Tell me Mama, baby, I’m coming home
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine Gonna take my baby, want to take my baby mine Gonna take my woman treats me real kind
I’m goin’ home, my baby I’m goin’ home, to see my baby Goin’ home, my baby
Gonna see my baby, see my baby fine Take my baby, take my baby mine Gonna tell your mama how good that love of ours
I’m goin’ home, to see my baby I’m goin’ home, to see my baby Oh, baby ooh
Want to take you back, take where love belong Treat me baby, treat, don’t treat me wrong
After the rain delay, Country Joe and the Fish started around 6.30 pm and played a little over an hour. It was, of course, the second time that Joe McDonald had performed after his initially low key performance that finished with a rousing and historic “Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag. The Fish will do the same, but with so many wet, tired, muddy, hungry attendees having to leave, the second time was less rousing than the first.
McDonald’s solo performance of Fixin’ will be included in and a highlight of the Woodstock movie released the following year.
Band personnel:
Country Joe McDonald: guitar, vocals
Barry “the Fish” Melton: guitar
Mark Kapner: keyboards
Doug Metzner: bass
Greg “Duke” Dewey: drums
Setlist:
Rock & Soul Music
(Thing Called) Love
Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine
Sing, Sing, Sing
Summer Dresses
Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife
Silver and Gold
Maria
The Love Machine
Ever Since You Told Me That You Love Me (I’m a Nut)
Crystal Blues
Rock & Soul Music (Reprise)
“Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Rock & Soul Music
Together album cover. Album recorded in November 1967 and released on Vanguard Records in August 1968.
From the band’s “Together” album, the song was written by the band as it existed in 1967: Joe McDonald, Barry Melton, David Cohen, Bruce Barthol, and Gary Chicken Hersh.
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We’re certainly delighted to be here today. Like to start off our portion of the show by giving you a taste of a little something we call rock and soul music.
Your love is like a rainbow
Your love is like a rainbow now
Your love is like a rainbow, I said
Falling all around my shoulders…
Marijuana!
(Thing Called) Love
Written by Joe McDonald and recorded in 1966 for an EP. In 1980 released on “The First Three EP’s.”
Well, now deep in my heart baby I know that you care, Deep in my heart, babe, the feelin’ is there, ‘Cause I got somethin’ money can’t buy, I got somethin’ that you oughta try, I got love, love, I said love, love, I got love, baby. Well, I can tell by your smile what you wanna do, I can see in your eyes you got the feeling, too. So come on, baby, it’s time to move, ‘Cause I’ve got somethin’ that’s a stone groove, I got love, love, oh love, sweet love, I got love, baby. Well, now deep in my heart baby I know that you care, Deep in my heart, baby, the feelin’ is there, ‘Cause I got somethin’ money can’t buy, I got somethin’ that you oughta try, I got love, love, I said love, Sweet love, love, yeah!
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine
From “Electric Music For The Mind And Body” written by Joe McDonald. it had been released as a single. It only made it to #98. According to the Vancouver Pop Music site, “ It was a psychedelic song about a reclusive, intense, esoteric woman who is unpredictable and obsessed with death. The song’s abstract lyrical content caught on in Vancouver and the song climbed to #5.”
She hides in an attic concealed on a shelf Behind volumes of literature based on herself And runs across the pages like some tiny elf Knowing that it’s hard to find Stuff way back in her mind Winds up spending all of her time Trying to memorize every line Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine
Sweet lady of death wants me to die So she can come sit by my bedside and sigh And wipe away the tears from all my friends eyes Then softly she will explain Just exactly who was to blame For causing me to go insane And finally blow out my brain Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine
Well you know that it’s a shame and a pity You were raised up in the city And you never learned nothing ’bout country ways Ah ’bout country ways
The joy of life she dresses in black With celestial secrets engraved in her back And her face keeps flashing that she’s got the knack But you know when you look into her eyes All she’s learned she’s had to memorize And the only way you’ll ever get her high Is to let her do her thing and then watch you die Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine
Now she’s the one who gives us all those magical things And reads us stories out of the I Ching Then she passes out a whole new basket of rings That when you put on your hand Makes you one of the Angel Band And gives you the power to be a man But what it does for her you never quite understand Sweet Lorraine, ah sweet Lorraine
Well you know that it’s a shame and a pity You were raised up in the city And you never learned nothing ’bout country ways Oh ’bout country ways, oh ’bout country ways Yeah about country ways, oh country ways …
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Sing, Sing, Sing
The band recorded the album in January 1970. Vanguard released the album in May 1970.
Written by Barry Melton, the song appeared on their CJ Fish album.
Open my eyes i’ve been dreaming, Open my eyes i’ve been dreaming, After all this time it seems so strange; I woke up today and changed my way of living. Sing, sing, sing, Sing, sing, sing, Sing me a love song, Sing me a love song. Last night while lying in our bed Was you who turned to me and said: “Is it really me you love? Tell me what you’re thinking of! Are you thinking thoughts of loving me?” My love for you is something warm, Like silver drops of laughter Giving life and taking form Dreaming dreams of unborn Children by our side. Open my mind i’ve been sleeping Open my mind i’ve been sleeping After all this time it seems so strange; I woke up today and changed my way of living. Sing, sing, sing (sing, sing, sing) Sing, sing, sing (sing me a love song) Sing, sing, sing (sing me a love song)
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Summer Dresses
Apparently this was the only time the band played this song and I cannot find who wrote it. One can guess it was McDonald, but…
Girls in their summer dresses you know they’re lookin’ fine
Couples walkin’ hand in hand havin’ a good time.
Everybody’s smilin’ it seems like a dream
Everybody’s groovin’ you know what I mean
Let’s get it together, come on and beat the heat
Summer is the time for dancin’ in the street.
Mama Papa told me sister brother, too
Everybody’s dancin’ they know what to do
Now’s the time for livin’ we won’t hesitate…
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Friend, Lover, Woman, Wife
This song appeared on a McDonald 1970 solo album called Tonight I’m Singing Just For You.
The song is unusual in that no band member wrote this song. Well-known singer songwriter Mac Davis did. Davis would later be a Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee as well as a recipient of the BMI Icon AwardMac Davis did.
Well, she’s a friend, she’s a lover, She’s a woman, she’s a wife, She’s the answer to the prayer that every lonely man dreams of. She’s a temptress, she’s a lady, She’s the mother of my baby And I thank God that I’m the lucky man she loves.
Sometimes I lie awake and watch her sleeping And I just want to bust and love drops fill my eyes I wonder what she’d think if she woke up and caught me weeping, ‘Cause daddy’s heroes ain’t supposed to cry.
You know the morning always seems to catch us laughing, We got the baby in the bed between us safe and warm. And I thank the Lord above for all the good times I’m having Wrapped up in my woman’s loving arms.
‘Cause she’s a friend, she’s a lover, She’s a woman, she’s a wife, She’s the answer to the prayer that every lonely man dreams of. She’s a temptress, she’s a lady, She’s the mother of my baby And I thank God that I’m the lucky man she loves.
When the load gets heavy on my shoulders I can’t keep the pace and I need a place to hide, I run home to my own little world and take her in my arms and hold her And I soon forget that there’s another world outside.
Well, she’s a friend, she’s a lover, She’s a woman, she’s a wife, She’s the answer to the prayer that every lonely man dreams of. She’s a temptress, she’s a lady, She’s the mother of my baby And I thank God that I’m the lucky man she loves.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Silver and Gold
Also from “C. J. Fish” (1970) by Joe McDonald
Dress my baby in silver and Dress my baby in silver and Dress my baby in silver and gold Now, now, now, now, now.
Rubies, sapphires and diamonds Rubies, sapphires and diamonds Rubies, sapphires and diamonds on her hands Now, now, now, now, now.
She don’t never tell me lies She don’t go with other guys She just wants to keep me high Oh my baby drives me crazy.
Oh my baby drives me crazy.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Maria
From their then most recent album. Here We Go Again had been recorded in from January to March 1969 and Vanguard released it in July
From “Here We Are Again” (1969) by Joe McDonald.
Maria, I’m growing so tired of fighting this war, Maria, I feel like I just can’t go on anymore. The sounds we make as they’re dying Hearing their screams and their crying The children, their eyes are weeping We filled them with pain.
You know the reason I joined up to fight in this war. You know the reason I refuse to fight anymore.
Maria, please help me, I feel like I’m going insane. Maria, at night in my dreams I keep calling your name. After the battle is over And I am just another soldier Maria, I’m longing to hold you again in my arms.
You know the reason I joined up to fight in this war. You know the reason I refuse to fight anymore.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
The Love Machine
From “C. J. Fish” (1970) by Barry Melton
In the middle of the daytime, in the middle of the night Comes a new kind of engine from way out of sight. She’s good looking, and her lines are mighty clean The name of that engine is the Love Machine.
Put some fuel in her tender and turn up the steam, You can hear, you can hear that whistle scream. You can see her coming on down the track, She’ll send little shivers up and down your back.
I know you’ve heard of old ninety-nine Perhaps the red caboose But they will all be left behind When the Love Machine gets loose.
In the middle of the daytime, in the middle of the night Comes a new kind of engine from way out of sight. Now she’s good-looking and her lines are mighty clean, And the name of that engine is the Love Machine And the name of that engine is the Love Machine.
I know you’ve heard of old ninety-nine Perhaps the red caboose But they will all be left behind When the Love Machine gets loose When the Love Machine gets loose.
Now people I’m talking about love And I’m talking about a machine yeah, huh! It’s a clean machine and a fine machine When that Love Machine gets loose When that Love Machine gets loose I’m gonna get loose too, yeah.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Ever Since You Told Me That You Love Me (I’m a Nut)
I’ve got to see a doctor I’ve got to see a doctor Cause there’s something wrong with me What can it be? What can it be?
I know it isn’t indigestion It isn’t indigestion It’s just my poor old brain It feels so queer Since you’ve been near, dear!
Ever since you told me that you loved me I’m a nut, I’m a nut! Ever since you said these words, sweetheart I’m a bug, I’m a bug!
Can’t sleep nights, can’t even eat Something’s wrong with both my feet I bump into people on the street Like a fool Like a fool Like an awful fool
Ever said you said you’d like to kiss me I’m a bug, I’m a bug Darling, I’m as happy as can be Oh, can’t you see?
I lie awake all evening ’til the dawn begins to peep The druggist gave me something But I can’t begin to sleep Ever since you told me that you loved me!
The song ends with the band briefly launching into an extremely loud and heavy rock riff.
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Crystal Blues
From “Here We Are Again” (1969) by Joe McDonald. Continuing the loud guitar motiff…
She told me that she loved me, She said she’d make my house a home. She told me that she loved me, Oh she said she’d make my house a happy home, Ah, but living with that woman now Yeah, it’s just like living all alone Oh, living all alone, Yeah, living all alone. You know i love you baby, Oh, you know that i tried to be your man oh, Man yeah, i tried so hard to be your man. You know i love you baby, You know that i tried so hard to be your man, But your heart has turned to stone, girl. There’s nothing but the devil crawling through your veins. Ah, play the blues, come on. Ah, crystal’s got my woman, Ah, dope is driving her insane, yeah Dope is driving her insane, yeah Dope is driving her insane. Crystal’s got my woman, Ah, dope is driving her insane, yeah. She used to be so pretty, Now she can’t remember her own name, Now she can’t remember her own name
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
Rock & Soul Music (Reprise)
Bookending their opening song, this time the band jams for 13 plus minutes. Here are the approximate lyrics.
We’d like to take this opportunity now to play you a little thing that we learned from Mr. James Brown the King of soul music. Now this ain’t soul music, mind you, this is rock music. But it’s got soul to it, if you can dig that. And now the band would like to play a new riff they just learned, we call a sockin’-it-to-you riff. And it-uh goes something like this. Alright are you ready boys? Let me hear you do it one time just once c’mon Huh! Ah that’s it, do it again! Huh! Oh come on! Oh it feels so good, do it again! Alright, come on! Huh! One more time, come on! Huh! Now let me hear you do it two times if you can. Huh huh! Alright, that’s good, do it again! Huh uh. Hmm alright, come on. Huh. Oh yeah, do it again now. Huh uh. Feels so good, once more! Huh uh. Oh let me hear you do it three times now, huh! Ah yeah, come on! Alright! Four times now! Ahhhh! come on now. Oh, when you hold me, ah Oh, when you kiss me Oh, when you love me It’s alright, outasite, Ahhh! you know that you’re just d-d-d-d-d-dynamite! Huh! I guess you’ve heard all about rock and roll, You’ve heard about the music that they call soul. Well, I’m here to tell you what I’ve been told ’bout the brand new music called the rock
Country Joe Fish Woodstock
“Fish” Cheer > I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag
The third time the song was done that weekend. “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die” (1967) written by Joe McDonald
Give me an F
Give me an U
Give me an C
Give me an K What’s that spell? Fish! What’s that spell? FUCK What’s that spell? FUCK
Photo by David Marks who worked on Bill Hanley’s sound crew at Woodstock and many other venues. His accompanying statement: “For Joe’s set I was way up ‘higher’ than anybody at Woodstock ’69… on the O/P speaker tower (I had to take up covers for the loudspeakers in case of rain)… I had my 35mm camera with me… I took a few shots… and just as The Grease Band hit the last chord of ‘With a Little Help…’ and somebody down below, shouted “… look behind you,… look behind you…” the heavens opened up… showering the Flower Children in the Garden down below. True tale. 🌹✌🏾🎶 3rd Ear Music.”
The Airplane had ended what was basically a 22-hour concert from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning. Now people wandered, slept, sought food, found relief, or tried to figure out what was next.
A bubble floats over Sunday morning at Woodstock
Max Yasgur
On Friday, I wasn’t at Woodstock to hear Sri Swami Satchidananda and on Sunday I didn’t know who Max Yasgur was. The Swami had spoke to and chanted with the crowd for about 17 minutes.
Max spoke for less than 2.
I’m a farmer…(interrupted by a cheer from the audience)…I don’t know how to speak to twenty people at one time, let alone a crowd like this. But I think you people have proven something to the world — not only to the Town of Bethel, or Sullivan County, or New York State; you’ve proven something to the world. This is the largest group of people ever assembled in one place. We have had no idea that there would be this size group, and because of that you’ve had quite a few inconveniences as far as water, food, and so forth. Your producers have done a mammoth job to see that you’re taken care of… they’d enjoy a vote of thanks. But above that, the important thing that you’ve proven to the world is that a half a million kids — and I call you kids because I have children that are older than you are — a half million young people can get together and have three days of fun and music and have nothing but fun and music, and I – God Bless You for it!”
Like Quill was and Sweetwater was supposed to be, Joe Cocker was the opening act and opening acts have that slot because they are typically less known. Such was the cast for Cocker, but he was a bit better known in the American east than Quill or Sweetwater had been.
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Joe Cocker and the Grease Band
How did Joe get an invite to begin with?
Joyce Mitchell was an assistant to Michael Lang. In a message exchange with her, she mentioned this story.
The only performer I brought to Michael’s attention was Joe Cocker and John signed him up. He was performing in a club on the upper west side and someone I had worked with at my previous job had brought my attention to his great blues performance. I went to the club hoping Michael would join me but he never showed. It was a club on Columbus or Amsterdam Ave. They did not serve liquor, but Joe shook the club up.
It always amazes me how such a little thing can lead to such a huge difference in someone’s career path.
Sunday 17 August
Now it was about 2 PM on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The band would play for nearly 90 minutes, quite a long time for an opening act, which turned out to be a good thing for the crowd who didn’t realize they were in for a soaking soon after the set finished.
Setlist (the first two songs were instrumentals that the Grease Band played before Joe Cocker joined them on stage)
Rockhouse
Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
Dear Landlord
Something’s Coming On
Do I Still Figure in Your Life
Feelin’ Alright
Just Like a Woman
Let’s Go Get Stoned
I Don’t Need No Doctor
I Shall Be Released
Hitchcock Railway
Something to Say
With a Little Help from My Friends
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Rockhouse/Who Knows What Tomorrow May Bring
The Grease Band was a separate group formed just before Joe Cocker hired them (briefly) as his back up band. The band members each went on following Cocker’s departure to have long careers, sometime with Cocker again.
They would later release two of their own albums, The Grease Band in 1971 and Amazing Grease in 1975.
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Dear Landlord
Joe Cocker was the only Woodstock performer to have a band open for him. Not sure why. In any case, Cocker is best known for songs he covered and covered in such a way that the songs became his. While Dear Landlord may not be the best example of that, he certainly makes Bob Dylan’s song his own.
The song would appear on his second album, Joe Cocker, in November 1969. Unlike his first album, With A Little Help From My Friends, which did not feature the Grease Band, the Joe Cocker album did.
The following lyrics are Dylan’s. Joe takes a bit of poetic license with his version.
Interestingly, he introduced the song by comparing the title to Max Yasgur: “That farming guy who came out. He seemed like a nice little bloke”
Dear landlord Please don’t put a price on my soul My burden is heavy My dreams are beyond control When that steamboat whistle blows I’m going to give you all I got to give And I do hope you receive it well Depending on the way you feel that you live
Dear landlord Please heed these words that I speak I know you’ve suffered much But in this you are not so unique All of us, at times we might work too hard To have it too fast and too much And anyone can fill his life up With things he can see but he just cannot touch
Dear landlord Please don’t dismiss my case I’m not about to argue I’m not about to move to no other place Now, each of us has his own special gift And you know this was meant to be true And if you don’t underestimate me I won’t underestimate you
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Something’s Coming On
Written by Joe Cocker and keyboardist Chris Stainton, the song. He says “This explains the whole situation.”
Something coming on, don’t know what it is but it’s getting stronger Feeling in my bones, hope you let it last a little bit longer Breaking out my head, doing things I never even dreamed of Rolling down my spine, turning on the things that’d never been turned on Suddenly she came in Looked like she’d been gaming Doing things with everybody else When I yelled out loudly She answered kind of proudly That she spent her life upon the shelf
Something coming on, Now I understand Its getting better I’ve got a feeling in my bones what ever happens now it just don’t matter Breaking out my head I’ve been doing things I never even dreamed of rolling down my spine, turning on my things that’d never been turned on
Suddenly she came in Looked like she’d been gaming Doing things with everybody else When I yelled out loudly She answered kind of proudly That she spent her life upon the shelf
Talk about the woman
Something coming on, don’t know what it is but it’s getting stronger Feeling in my bones, hope you let it last a little bit longer Breaking out my head, doing things I never even dreamed of Rolling down my spine, turning on the things that’d never been turned on Suddenly she came in Looked like she’d been gaming Doing things with everybody else When I yelled out loudly She answered kind of proudly That she spent her life upon the shelf
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Do I Still Figure in Your Life
“A Sunday afternoon ballad.” written by Pete Dello appeared on Cocker’s first album With A Little Help From My Friends released in May 1969.
Hey there, what’cha gonna do now You made yourself some new friends, knocking around But all those wild people, you know they make me nervous
When the things you said cut me like a knife Do I still figure in your life Hey hey hey Do I still figure in your life
Hey there, well I hardly even know your face It’s got a brand new look about it that’s hard to trace The tender way you look the way you’re smiling, yeah
To think I once took you for my wife Do I still figure in your life Hey hey hey Do I still figure in your life
Hey there, well I hardly even know your face It’s got a brand new look about it that’s hard to trace The tender way you look the way you’re smiling
To think I once took you for my wife Do I still figure in your life Hey hey hey Do I still figure in your life
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Feelin’ Alright
Dave Mason of Traffic wrote the song which also appeared on Joe’s first album.
Seems I got to have a change of scene Every night I have the strangest dreams Imprisoned by the way it could have been Left here on my own or so it seems I got to leave before I start to scream ‘Cause someone locked the door and took the key
You feelin’ alright? I’m not feelin’ too good myself Yes, you feelin’ alright? I’m not feelin’ that good myself
Boy you sure took me for one big ride And even now I sit and I wonder why That when I think of you I start myself to cry out I just can’t waste my time, I must keep dry Gotta stop believin’ in all your lies ‘Cause there’s too much to do before I die, hey
You feelin’ alright? I’m not feelin’ too good myself You feelin’ alright? I’m not feelin’ too good, little girl
Don’t get too lost in all I say Yeah by the time I really felt that way But that was then, and now you know it’s today I can’t get off, I guess I’m here to stay ‘Til someone comes along and takes my place, yeah With a different name, oh, and a different face
You feelin’ alright? I’m not feelin’ that good myself You feelin’ alright? Hey, not feeling that good myself Woah, not feelin’ alright Yeah, not feelin’ that good myself Oh, woah, I’m not, well I’m not feelin’ good myself You can turn away, feelin’ alright I’m not feeling too good myself
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Just Like a Woman
Another Dylan tune (of course) that also appeared on his first album. Joe refers to the fact that Dylan is on his way to the Isle of Wright Festival in England which was part of the reason he didn’t appear at Woodstock. That and the fact that Dylan wasn’t doing shows to begin with.
The song also appeared on his first album.
Nobody feels any pain Tonight as I stand here in the rain Everybody knows that baby’s got new clothes But lately I see her ribbons and her bows And the problems from her curls
She takes just like a woman She makes love just like a woman And then she aches just like a woman But she breaks just like a little girl
Queen Mary, she’s my friend Yes I believe I’ll go and see her again Ain’t no one has to guess that baby can’t be blessed ‘Til she finds out, she’s like all the rest With her fog, her amphetamines, and her pearls
Well she takes just like a woman And she makes love just like a woman And then she aches just like a woman But she breaks just like a little girl
It was raining down at first, but I was dying there of thirst So I came in here And your long-time curse, it hurts, oh and what’s worse Is the pain in here Oh, I can’t stay in here Ain’t it clear
Oh I must admit I believe it’s time for us to quit And when we met again and are introduced as friends Please don’t let on that you knew me when I was hungry, and it was your world
Well you take just like a woman And you make love to me just like a woman Say that you’re fair just like a woman Well but you break up like a little girl
Breaking like a girl I don’t know what I’m gon’ do ‘Cause it’s just like a little girl Seems like I don’t know what I’m gon’ do with you Hey, my little girl
Let’s go get stoned Let’s go get stoned When your baby won’t let you in Got a few pennies, a bottle of gin Just call your buddy on the telephone Let’s go get stoned
Let’s go get stoned Let’s go get stoned When you work so hard all the day long And everything you do seems to go wrong Just drop by my place on your way home Let’s go get stoned
It ain’t no harm You’re taking just a taste But don’t blow your cool And start messing up the place It ain’t no harm you’re faking just a nip But make sure you don’t fall down bust your lip Let’s go get stoned Let’s go get stoned
Joe Cocker Woodstock
I Don’t Need No Doctor
Also written by written by Valerie Simpson, Jo Armstead, and Nick Ashford and also made famous by Ray Charles.
I don’t need no doctor ‘Cause I know what’s ailing me I don’t need no doctor ‘Cause I know what’s ailing me
I’ve been too long away from my baby, yeah I’m coming down with a misery I don’t need no doctor For my prescription to be filled (I don’t need no doctor) (I don’t need no doctor)
No, no, no, I don’t need no doctor For my prescription to be filled, yeah Only my baby’s arms could ever Could ever take away this chill
Now the doctor say I need rest For I need is her tenderness He put me on the critical list When all I need is her sweet kiss
He gave me a medicated lotion But it didn’t soothe my emotion, yeah I don’t need no doctor For my hope to live is gone (I don’t need no doctor) (I don’t need no doctor)
No, no, I don’t need no doctor For my hope to live is gone All I need is my baby, please! Won’t you please just come on home? Come on home
Joe Cocker Woodstock
I Shall Be Released
In for a penny, in for a pound. Another Dylan tune and also on Cocker’s first album. The Band will include the song in their set later.
They say everything can be replaced They say every distance is not near So I remember every face Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released
They say every man needs protection They say that every man must fall Yet I swear I see my reflection Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd A man who swears he’s not to blame All day long I hear him shouting so loud Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining From the west down to the east Any day now, any day now I shall be released
Two train tickets into L.A. One round trip the other way Oh, I get the feelin’ when forever calls I get the feelin’ when forever calls
Home trip, ticket to sail away Hand grip, Hitchcock railway Soft ride, made for comfort Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway, please don’t fail to pay Hey, I’m gonna ride, I’m gonna testify Get my soul, lift my mind
Good stop, good day Hitchcock railway
Free fare, conductor’s comin’ Prepare, better start runnin’ On time, hold you through now State line, I’ve been convicted
Quick stop, good day Hitchcock railway
Please hold on Ooh, somebody take a train ride Ooh, leap on
Two train tickets into L.A. One round trip the other way Oh, I get the feelin’ where the river falls I get the feelin’ where the river falls
Home trip, ticket to sail away Hand grip, Hitchcock railway Soft ride, made for comfort Been tried, guaranteed passport
Hitchcock railway, please don’t fail to pay Hey, I’m gonna ride, I’m gonna testify Get my soul, lift my mind
Quick stop, good day Hitchcock railway
I’m gonna take the safe way home, oh, alright I’m gonna ride a train back home I’m gonna buy me a ticket at a station Don’t want to go on a train tonight
On a train tonight On a train tonight On a train tonight
Joe Cocker Woodstock
Something to Say
Written by Cocker and Peter Nicholls, (the band’s road manager) Something to Say appeared on Cocker’s third studio album, Joe Cocker. A & M released it in November 1972.
And so, what can I say, I thank you, dear To share the few things you have And oh, I’d like to say, I’m glad you’re here And hope your leaving is not sad Soon I’ll have to go an’ get back on the road Then I’ll have no reason left at all
In times it’s hard to say the things I feel To wonder while I’ve known so long Oh, you still remain so sure and real But ev’rything is going wrong But soon I’ll have to go an’ get back on the road Then I’ll have no reason left at all
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it for me, please Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I leave Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it from your heart Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I part
And so, what can I say, I thank you, dear For sharing what few things you have And oh, I’d like to say, I’m glad you’re here And hope your leaving is not sad Soon I’ll have to go an’ get back on the road Then I’ll have no reason left at all
Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it for me, please Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I leave Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it from your heart Oh, have you somethin’ to say, say it before I part …. Oh let it roll, right from your heart now Oh let it roll, right from your heart now Have you got somethin’ to say Have you got somethin’ to say Have you got somethin’ to say Let it roll, yeah ….
Joe Cocker Woodstock
With a Little Help from My Friends
And the closing is THE closing. While the Woodstock album could have included other songs from this great set, this is the one and it became the one.
And while none of the Beatles were at the festival, their spirit and many of their songs were.
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 I will try not to sing out of key
Oh, baby I get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends) All I need is my buddies (Ah, with a little help from my friends) I say I’m gonna get high (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Oh yeah (Ooh)
What do I do when my love is away? (Does it worry you to be alone?) No no How do I feel at the end of the day? (Are you sad because you’re on your own?) I tell ya I don’t get sad no more
Gonna get by with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Yeah yeah, I’m gonna try (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Keep on getting high, oh Lord (Ooh)
I need somebody to love (Could it be anybody?) All I need is someone That’s just where I’m going, yeah Somebody knows that’s where I’m showing Baby
Said I’m gonna make it with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Oh, I’m gonna keep on trying (Ah, with a little help from my friends) I’m gonna keep on trying (Ooh)
I’m certain it happens all the time, yeah (What do you see when you turn out the light?) I can’t tell you but it sure feels like mine
Don’t you know I’m gonna make it with my friends? (Ah, with a little help from my friends) I promised myself I’d get by (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Said I’m gonna try and not work too hard (Ooh)
Well I, yeah yeah yeah (Could it be anybody?) Oh there’s gotta be somebody Don’t treat me wrong Lord Oh yeah yeah
Said I’m gonna get by with my friends, yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Oh, yes I’m gonna keep trying, now (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Keep on trying with my friends (Ah, with a little help from my friends) Oh, I’m never gonna stop there, oh (Ah, with a little help from my friends) I’m gonna keep on trying, yeah yeah (Ah, with a little help from my friends) I’m getting high, I’m gonna make time, oh Lord (Ooh) Gonna get by with my friends Oh, I’m gonna get on by, yes I’m gonna get on by, my Lord I’m gonna tell them all about it, I’m gonna tell them all, yeah yeah
Joe Cocker Woodstock
And then the rains came…
A couple of hours later with everything soaked, Country Joe and the Fish continued day 3 as thousands had to head home.
Joe Cocker Woodstock
What's so funny about peace, love, art, and activism?
