Complete List Of Sam Cooke Songs From A to Z

Feature Photo: RCA Victor Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sam Cooke, raised in Chicago, Illinois, began his iconic music career singing gospel with the renowned group the Soul Stirrers, where his emotive vocal style gained widespread attention. Transitioning to secular music, Cooke achieved immediate success with his debut solo single “You Send Me” in 1957, topping both pop and R&B charts. He quickly became recognized for his smooth, soulful voice, effortlessly blending gospel, pop, and R&B.

Throughout his career, Cooke released fourteen studio albums, earning him widespread acclaim and significant commercial success. He produced numerous timeless hits including “Chain Gang,” “Twistin’ the Night Away,” “Cupid,” “Another Saturday Night,” and “Bring It On Home to Me.” These songs became staples of American music, showcasing his talent for capturing relatable, heartfelt experiences within engaging melodies.

One of Cooke’s most enduring works, “A Change Is Gonna Come,” was released in 1964 and became a poignant anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Reflecting deep social consciousness, this song solidified his legacy not only as a beloved artist but as a vital voice for equality and justice. Its powerful message remains relevant, demonstrating Cooke’s profound impact beyond the realm of music.

Cooke was a pioneering figure who took control of his career at a time when African American artists often faced exploitation. He founded SAR Records, a groundbreaking independent label that provided opportunities to many African American musicians, including Bobby Womack and Billy Preston. His entrepreneurial spirit and determination to own his creative output inspired generations of artists who followed.

Tragically, Cooke’s life and flourishing career were cut short at age 33 when he was fatally shot in 1964 under circumstances that remain controversial. Despite his untimely death, his influence has only grown. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, recognized as one of rock and soul’s foundational artists. Additionally, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, further cementing his essential contributions to music history.

Outside of music, Cooke used his platform to actively support the Civil Rights Movement, performing benefit concerts and donating funds to various causes advocating racial equality. His involvement in these efforts demonstrated his commitment to using fame for meaningful social change. This humanitarian legacy complements his musical contributions, adding depth and enduring significance to his life story.

Widely revered for his innovative artistry and charismatic stage presence, Cooke is frequently cited among the greatest singers of all time. His smooth vocal delivery and profound emotional resonance influenced countless musicians, including Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. His pioneering blend of gospel and secular music opened doors for future generations of soul and R&B artists.

In the decades following his passing, Cooke’s catalog continues to inspire and resonate with new listeners. Numerous compilations, documentaries, and biographies highlight his extraordinary life and career, reinforcing his place in American cultural history. His enduring popularity underscores the timeless quality of his music and the universal appeal of his messages of hope, love, and resilience.

Sam Cooke’s life represents a remarkable journey characterized by groundbreaking artistic achievements and courageous social advocacy. His rich, emotionally resonant voice transformed American popular music, and his efforts for equality and fairness solidified his legacy as an artist of profound social conscience. Decades after his death, Cooke’s influence remains profound, his music timeless, and his contributions to culture and society undeniably significant.

Complete List Of Sam Cooke Songs From A to Z

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive – Encore – 1958
A Change Is Gonna Come – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
A Whole Lotta Woman – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Ain’t Misbehavin’ – Sam Cooke – 1958
Ain’t That Good News – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
All the Way – Mr. Soul – 1963
Along the Navajo Trail – Encore – 1958
Another Saturday Night – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Around the World – Sam Cooke – 1958
Arrivederci, Roma (Goodbye to Rome) – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Bali Ha’i – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
But Not for Me – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Camptown Twist – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Canadian Sunset – Sam Cooke – 1958
Chain Gang – Swing Low – 1961
Chains of Love – Mr. Soul – 1963
Comes Love – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Crazy She Calls Me – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Cry – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
Cry Me a River – Mr. Soul – 1963
Danny Boy – Sam Cooke – 1958
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Driftin’ Blues – Mr. Soul – 1963
Exactly Like You – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Falling in Love – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Far Away Places – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Fool’s Paradise – Night Beat – 1963
For Sentimental Reasons – Mr. Soul – 1963
Galway Bay – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Get Yourself Another Fool – Night Beat – 1963
God Bless the Child – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Goin’ Home – Swing Low – 1961
Good Morning Heartache – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Good Times – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Grandfather’s Clock – Swing Low – 1961
Hey There – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
Home – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
I Cover the Waterfront – Encore – 1958
I Lost Everything – Night Beat – 1963
I’m Just a Country Boy – Swing Low – 1961
I’m Just a Lucky So and So – My Kind of Blues – 1961
I’m Walking Behind You – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
I’ve Got a Right to Sing the Blues – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
I Wish You Love – Mr. Soul – 1963
If I Had You – Swing Low – 1961
It’s the Talk of the Town – Encore – 1958
Jamaica Farewell – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair – Swing Low – 1961
Laughin’ and Clownin’ – Night Beat – 1963
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Little Girl – Mr. Soul – 1963
Little Girl Blue – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Little Red Rooster – Night Beat – 1963
London by Night – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Long, Long Ago – Swing Low – 1961
Lost and Lookin’ – Night Beat – 1963
Lover Come Back to Me – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Lover Girl (Man) – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Mary, Mary Lou – Encore – 1958
Mean Old World – Night Beat – 1963
Meet Me at Mary’s Place – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Mona Lisa – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
Moonlight in Vermont – Sam Cooke – 1958
Movin’ And A’Groovin’ – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
My Foolish Heart – Encore – 1958
Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen – Night Beat – 1963
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out – My Kind of Blues – 1961
No Second Time – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Nothing Can Change This Love – Mr. Soul – 1963
Oh! Look at Me Now – Encore – 1958
Ol’ Man River – Sam Cooke – 1958
Out in the Cold Again – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Please Don’t Drive Me Away – Night Beat – 1963
Pray – Swing Low – 1961
Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Running Wild – Encore – 1958
Secret Love – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
Send Me Some Lovin’ – Mr. Soul – 1963
Shake, Rattle and Roll – Night Beat – 1963
She’s Funny That Way – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Since I Met You Baby – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Sittin’ in the Sun – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
Smoke Rings – Mr. Soul – 1963
So Long – Sam Cooke – 1958
Solitude – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Somebody Have Mercy – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Somebody’s Gonna Miss Me – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Someday – Encore – 1958
Soothe Me – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Sugar Dumpling – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Summertime – Sam Cooke – 1958
Sweet Leilani – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot – Swing Low – 1961
‘T’aint Nobody’s Bizness (If I Do) – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Tammy – Sam Cooke – 1958
Tennessee Waltz – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
That Lucky Old Sun – Sam Cooke – 1958
That’s It—I Quit—I’m Movin’ On – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
The Bells of St. Mary – Sam Cooke – 1958
The Coffee Song (They’ve Got An Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil) – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
The Great Pretender – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
The Gypsy – Encore – 1958
The House I Live In – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
The Japanese Farewell Song – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
The Lonesome Road – Sam Cooke – 1958
The Riddle Song – Ain’t That Good News – 1964
The Song from Moulin Rouge – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
The Song Is Ended – My Kind of Blues – 1961
The Twist – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
The Wayward Wind – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
These Foolish Things – Mr. Soul – 1963
They Call the Wind Maria – Swing Low – 1961
They Can’t Take That Away from Me – Tribute to the Lady – 1959
Today I Sing the Blues – Encore – 1958
Too Young – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
Trouble Blues – Night Beat – 1963
Trouble in Mind – My Kind of Blues – 1961
Twilight on the Trail – Swing Low – 1961
Twistin’ in the Kitchen with Dinah – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Twistin’ in the Old Town Tonight – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Twistin’ the Night Away – Twistin’ the Night Away – 1962
Unchained Melody – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
Under Paris Skies – Cooke’s Tour – 1960
Venus – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
When I Fall in Love – Encore – 1958
Willow Weep for Me – Mr. Soul – 1963
You Belong to Me – Swing Low – 1961
You Gotta Move – Night Beat – 1963
You Send Me – Sam Cooke – 1958
You, You, You – Hits of the 50’s – 1960
You’re Always on My Mind – My Kind of Blues – 1961