Joe Cocker's voice suits this song perfectly.

Here's a re-listen, - may Joe Cocker rest in peace.

if I am not allowed to post this video in this case.

Then just delete it..... (- but I still hope its allowed).

I have to say that there are only about two or three songs where I prefer another artist's version to Prince's and this is top of the list. That world-weary, gravelly voice just added a great deal of authenticity to the song and worked so well for the song. A truly great artist.

I didn't know JC had died

His version is brilliant. I prefer 's though, if only for MBN's horn arrangements.

http://www.princevault.com/index.php/5_Women


I enjoyed this, from princevault :

".. The track was sent to Joe Cocker for consideration in 1991, and Cocker re-recorded it with his band in 1991-2 at A&M Studios, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Cocker asked Prince to play guitar on this version, but Prince was busy at the time, and told Cocker that it was now "his baby".

I like both versions, Joe just seems more into the song and it's just a good song for a grown man with a grovely voice. He was a terrific vocalist.

Joe's version is nice, but nowhere near Prince's. Imagine how muich better the Gold Experience would've been with this instead of Shy, and Interactive instead of We March. Then I'd have to get in a discussion about how overproduced it was, and how the interludes were so corny and stupid...oh well, at least we have the version of Endorphinmachine without all the keyboards.

databank said:

I didn't know JC had died

His version is brilliant. I prefer 's though, if only for MBN's horn arrangements.

Yep .................. http://prince.org/msg/8/413171

Prince's version is cool, I play it often. But his vocal delivery is weak in some parts, as if he didn't put much heart in the recording.

stillwaiting said:

Love both versions, guess I kind of favor Joe's version a little more if I had to choose... RIP Joe, you were an amazing musical force!

I love this song. Joe's version is far superior, but I always wished that Prince would release a version like Joe's. NPG trio kind of production to it.

Lyrically one of the best songs Prince has ever written imo. Joe did it a lot of justice.

RIP Joe Cocker.

BobGeorge909 said:

Sorry I had to vent here, I was at work today & was telling someone Joe Cocker passed away, & they were like "Who?" I was like Joe f'n Cocker... Nothing but blank stares... Ah man, this guy had like 20 years on me easy, WTF people! Hello, Woodstock! Nevermind Woodstock, it's Joe Cocker, man, people know nothing about music anymore, not for real

iZsaZsa said:

BobGeorge909 said:

I love Joe Cocker's (RIP) voice on this one but I don't like the unnecessary key change for the guitar solo. Ruins the groove and intensity of the song for me.

Noodled24 said:

I love this song. Joe's version is far superior, but I always wished that Prince would release a version like Joe's. NPG trio kind of production to it.

Lyrically one of the best songs Prince has ever written imo. Joe did it a lot of justice.

RIP Joe Cocker.

He did record one like this, it was bootleged before the original version was released in 99. IDK why it's not listed at Princevault

I second the calls that say Prince owns this song due to selling the humour or should I say wit of the lyrics. I prefer the Prince version. The keyboard is nice at the start - and actually sounds quite Princey with the Jazzy voicings at the end. The guitarist is talented but he shows off too much, and ends up sounding like a talented session player ( which in all likelihood he was). The Prince guitar is a nice BB Kingesque blues and fits the song. The horns on the Prince version kick like vegas in c.

This is the adult contemporary Joe Cocker and unlike his earlier stuff has the rareness cauterised out of it. Prince has more soul even in his subdued version. Not saying that Prince could have outdone Cocker on the letter, marjorie or With a Little Help From My Friends, but that is just the way I see it.

databank said:

Noodled24 said:

I love this song. Joe's version is far superior, but I always wished that Prince would release a version like Joe's. NPG trio kind of production to it.

Lyrically one of the best songs Prince has ever written imo. Joe did it a lot of justice.

RIP Joe Cocker.

He did record one like this, it was bootleged before the original version was released in 99. IDK why it's not listed at Princevault

Yeh the version on Deposition is different (and to me) sounds better (although it's poorer quality) than on TVOFFS. Perhaps in better quality it'd have something more of the live feel to it.