Joe Cocker – “You Are So Beautiful” Live

You’re Everything I Need!

“You Are So Beautiful” was written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher. The single was released in 1974 for Joe Cocker’s fourth studio album “I Can Stand a Little Rain.” Preston grew up as an organ player in church which is why the words in the song talk basically about God. He’s the one who first recorded it but it was Cocker who popularized it with a slowed-down arrangement.

Though not officially credited as the song’s writer, Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys and Preston spontaneously collaborated on the words and music to the song at a party. Wilson never sought to reclaim his share of the song’s authorship. The song’s tone has been related to the style of his solo material

Despite not having any songwriting credit, Wilson still performed this track during The Beach Boys concerts. He would sing it as an encore and without the use of any instrumental accompaniment. In 1975, Cocker’s single peaked at number in the singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Released as a single, the Joe Cocker version reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1975 and helped the album become a hit. It would be his biggest hit until his duet with Jennifer Warnes, “Up Where We Belong”, which reached #1 in 1982.

Here’s a beautiful classic from one of the greatest entertainers ever!