Joe Cocker’s 8 Greatest Jewish Hits
![](https://images.forwardcdn.com/image/970x/center/images/cropped/cocker-1425563183.jpg)
As Seen in 1977: Joe Cocker has died at the age of 70. Image by Getty Images
Joe Cocker, the English vocalist who has died at the age of 70, is perhaps best known for his electrifying performance at Woodstock. Or, perhaps, for the Grammy-winning monster hit “Up Where We Belong,” featured in the film “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Throughout his illustrious career, though, Cocker had more than a few encounters with Jewish songwriters. Here we remember 8 of the best.
“Catfish”
By Bob Dylan and Jacques Levy
“First We Take Manhattan”
By Leonard Cohen
“You Can Leave Your Hat On”
By Randy Newman
“Walk Through the World With Me”
By Marc Cohn and John Leventhal
“There Goes My Baby”
By Leiber and Stoller
“Every Time It Rains”
By Randy Newman
“Bird on a Wire”
By Leonard Cohen
“I Shall Be Released”
By Bob Dylan
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
![](https://forward.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jodi-Headshot.jpg)
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief