Supplied note - not independently verified
Cooke was inspired to write the song after encountering a chain gang of prisoners working on a highway while on tour.
View background statusSam Cooke
10 catalog entries, grouped by year.
ARTIST ESSENTIALS
Explore Artist EssentialsSam Cooke: a curated listening guide
Ten starting points for the easy phrasing, answering voices, dance rhythms and expansive ballad singing of the solo studio recordings.
10 selections with release evidence; 3 beyond the yearly lists.
About Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke grew up in Chicago after his family moved from Mississippi, and his early singing developed in gospel groups, including the Soul Stirrers. You Send Me brought him major solo success in 1957, followed by a pop and soul career that included Cupid and Chain Gang. He also worked as a songwriter and music-business entrepreneur, founding SAR Records with J.W. Alexander. His solo recordings and the Soul Stirrers' group performances remain different parts of that history.
Artist background sources
Sam Cooke - ABKCO artist biography
Mississippi/Chicago upbringing, gospel and Soul Stirrers career, 1957 You Send Me breakthrough, later repertoire, songwriting and SAR partnership with J.W. Alexander. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
1960
Supplied note - not independently verified
Co-written by Cooke, Lou Adler, and Herb Alpert, the song was inspired by the simple joys of young love.
View background status1961
Supplied note - not independently verified
The idea of Cupid as a matchmaker
View background status1962
Supplied note - not independently verified
Written by Cooke himself, the song became one of his most enduring hits.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Written by Cooke himself, the song captured the joy of social gatherings.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Cooke wrote the song to capitalize on the twist dance craze.
View background status1963
Artist background available
Sam Cooke grew up in Chicago after his family moved from Mississippi, and his early singing developed in gospel groups, including the Soul Stirrers. You Send Me brought him major solo success in 1957, followed by a...
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
This cover of a Willie Dixon blues song used barnyard imagery as sexual metaphors.
View background status1964
Supplied note - not independently verified
Written by Sam Cooke, blending gospel influences with pop and soul.
View background status1965
Supplied note - not independently verified
One of Cooke's last recordings before his death.
View background statusALL 66 ANNUAL COLLECTIONS
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.