The 20 Best Sam Cooke Songs, from You Send Me to A Change Is Gonna Come

What are Sam Cooke's five most famous songs?

Sam Cooke's five most famous songs are "You Send Me", his 1957 number one; "A Change Is Gonna Come", the civil rights anthem released after his death; "Wonderful World"; "Chain Gang", a number two hit; and "Bring It On Home to Me". "Twistin' the Night Away" and "Cupid" are close behind.

Sam Cooke's greatest songs

1. "You Send Me", 1957: his first pop single and a three-week number one.
2. "A Change Is Gonna Come", 1964: a soaring song of hope that became an anthem of the civil rights movement.
3. "Wonderful World", 1960: a charming, much-loved love song.
4. "Chain Gang", 1960: a rhythmic number two hit.
5. "Bring It On Home to Me", 1962: a gospel-style call and response with Lou Rawls.
6. "Twistin' the Night Away", 1962: a joyful dance-floor hit.
7. "Cupid", 1961: a sweet, gentle love song.
8. "Another Saturday Night", 1963: a playful, upbeat top ten hit.
9. "Having a Party", 1962: a warm, easygoing party song.
10. "Shake", 1965: a high-energy top ten hit on both the pop and R&B charts.

More Sam Cooke favorites

11. "Send Me Some Lovin'", 1963: a tender ballad.
12. "Only Sixteen", 1959: a sweet teenage love song.
13. "Sad Mood", 1961: a bluesy ballad.
14. "Good Times", 1964: a laid-back celebration.
15. "Nothing Can Change This Love", 1962: a devoted love song.
16. "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha", 1959: a playful dance song.
17. "Little Red Rooster", 1963: his take on the blues classic.
18. "Summertime", 1957: his version of the Gershwin standard.
19. "Touch the Hem of His Garment", the Soul Stirrers, 1956: a gospel classic he wrote and sang.
20. "Jesus Gave Me Water", the Soul Stirrers, 1951: one of his first recordings with the group.

Who was Sam Cooke?

Sam Cooke was born on January 22, 1931, in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and grew up in Chicago, the son of a minister. As the lead singer of the Soul Stirrers from 1950 to 1956, he became a gospel star, then crossed over to pop, a controversial move at the time. His smooth, effortless voice and songwriting helped create soul music, and he was also a businessman, co-founding his own label, SAR Records, and owning his publishing. He died on December 11, 1964, at the age of 33, shot at a Los Angeles motel in circumstances that are still debated. In 1986 he was among the first artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The story behind A Change Is Gonna Come

Cooke wrote "A Change Is Gonna Come" in 1963, moved by the civil rights movement, by his own experience of being turned away from a whites-only motel and by Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind", which he admired. Its sweeping strings and his vulnerable vocal made it unlike anything else he recorded. Released as a single shortly after his death, it became an anthem of the civil rights movement and is now considered one of the greatest songs ever written. For more, see our anti-war songs and songs about peace.

From gospel to soul

When Cooke left the Soul Stirrers for pop, many in the gospel world felt betrayed, but his move opened the door for Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye and the soul singers of the 60s, who brought church singing into popular music. Otis Redding, Rod Stewart and many others recorded his songs, and generations of singers have studied his phrasing. For more, see our gospel songs.

Sam Cooke albums to start with

• Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964: the best single collection of his gospel and pop recordings.
• Night Beat (1963): a late-night blues and soul album often called his finest.
• Ain't That Good News (1964): with "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "Good Times".
• Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963: a raw, electrifying live show released decades later.

Sam Cooke songs for a wedding

"You Send Me" is one of the most romantic first dance songs ever recorded, "Wonderful World" and "Cupid" are sweet, playful choices, and "Bring It On Home to Me" and "Twistin' the Night Away" get every generation dancing at the reception. For more, see our old love songs and first dance songs.

More 50s and 60s soul

For more from the era, see our 50s songs, 60s songs and Motown songs.

A soulful song about them

Sam Cooke's songs make love sound simple and true. A personalized soul or R&B song can do the same for someone you love: their name, your story and a warm, classic sound. It makes a heartfelt anniversary, wedding or birthday gift.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: R&B, jazz, pop and more.
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5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them a song of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.