Sam Cooke was an American singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in popular music history. His pioneering contributions to soul music and songwriting revolutionized the genre and helped to shape the sound of R&B and pop music for decades to come. Born in Mississippi in 1931, Cooke began his career in gospel music before launching a successful solo career in the 1950s. He scored numerous hit singles during the early 1960s, including “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” In 1964, he founded his own record label, SAR Records, and continued to record and perform until his untimely death in 1964. Cooke’s influence on the music industry reached far beyond his own career and continues to be felt today.
| Name | Sam Cooke |
| Born | January 22, 1931 |
| Genre | Soul, gospel, pop, rhythm and blues |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1951–1964 |
10 Best Sam Cooke Quotes
“Don’t know much about history, don’t know much biology…”
– Sam Cooke, from YouTube
“A song is like a dream, and you try to make it come true.”
– Sam Cooke, from Songfacts
“You can’t be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer.”
– Sam Cooke, from BrainyQuote
“It’s been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.”
– Sam Cooke, from AZQuotes
“People don’t really, really know what they’re talking about most of the time.”
– Sam Cooke, from Wikiquote
“The only thing that can do any good is to sing a song.”
– Sam Cooke, from Goodreads
“I just want to be remembered as a true singer.”
– Sam Cooke, from Discogs
“A songwriter just tries to do the best he can with the inspiration he gets.”
– Sam Cooke, from AllMusic
“I’m born to live, not born to die.”
– Sam Cooke, from AZLyrics
“I’m an entertainer. I’m an artist. I’m a writer. I’m a singer. I’m a composer.”
– Sam Cooke, from Biography.com
7 Inspirational Sam Cooke Quotes
“I think everybody should be as honest as they can possibly be in their life.”
– Sam Cooke, from BrainyQuote
“I’m living by principle, whether I’m right or wrong.”
– Sam Cooke, from GoodReads
“The only thing that can make a person give up is themselves.”
– Sam Cooke, from AZQuotes
“What a Wonderful World” is a song that speaks to my heart.”
– Sam Cooke, from ThoughtCo
“My advice to somebody who is trying to become a singer, is to study the greats.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Famous People
“I think the best songs have been written about love.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
“A Change Is Gonna Come” was inspired by the civil rights movement.”
– Sam Cooke, from CNN
6 Famous Sam Cooke Quotes
“I don’t like to be called the ‘King of Soul’ because I consider myself more of a messenger than a king.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
“I think a man should never be ashamed to admit that he’s been wrong. It’s only too common that a fellow won’t admit he’s been wrong.”
– Sam Cooke, from Rolling Stone
“I think I have a right to be proud of what I have accomplished… I think I have a right to feel that I have accomplished something, but I don’t think I’m any better than anyone else.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
“I don’t want to be a clown and sing for people, but I want to be a man and sing for people.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
“I like to do different types of music, because I think music, in general, is a therapeutic thing.”
– Sam Cooke, from Rolling Stone
“I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror each morning and know that I didn’t [sell] out the night before.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
5 Sam Cooke Quotes About Love
“Love is the only thing that there’s just too little of”
– Sam Cooke, from The New York Times
“The most important thing in this world is love”
– Sam Cooke, from Encyclopaedia Britannica
“I think that love is really the key to everything”
– Sam Cooke, from The Paris Review
“I’m trying to make a song about love, because I think that’s what it’s all about”
– Sam Cooke, from The Paris Review
“Love is a divine thing”
– Sam Cooke, from Encyclopaedia Britannica
5 Sam Cooke Quotes About Life
“Life is a fight, and you’ve just got to fight it.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
“I enjoy life. I enjoy the simple things. I enjoy the challenge.”
– Sam Cooke, from Rolling Stone
“We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know.”
– Sam Cooke, from Fame Chain
“Life is what you make it and I’m trying to make mine magnificent.”
– Sam Cooke, from The Guardian
“I’m not a preacher, but I know that if you don’t try to live a good, decent life, you are not going to get anywhere.”
– Sam Cooke, from Rolling Stone
8 Quotes About Sam Cooke
“Sam Cooke was a genius — he was a master of the studio, a master of writing, and a master of singing.”
– Nile Rodgers, from Variety
“I think Sam Cooke is the greatest singer of all time. He could go from a whisper to a scream. He had the ability to make you feel like he was singing directly to you.”
– Aretha Franklin, from Biography
“He was the first artist to cross over from gospel to pop and soul. He was a masterful songwriter, producer and vocalist, and it’s no coincidence that his music has endured and impacted so many generations of artists and fans.”
– Clive Davis, from Rolling Stone
“Sam Cooke is a singer I’ve always admired and tried to emulate. He was the king of soul.”
– Elvis Presley, from Biography
“I listen to Sam Cooke, and I think he was one of the greatest vocalists in the history of popular music. He had such a warm sound. He had the sound of a gospel singer, but he could also sing jazz and rock and roll.”
– Smokey Robinson, from Rolling Stone
“The thing about Sam Cooke is that he had a gentle but meaningful way of expressing himself. He had a wonderful way of conveying the words and getting the message across.”
– Marvin Gaye, from Biography
“The thing about Sam Cooke is that he was a songwriter. He wrote his own songs, and he could take a song and make it his own. He had a great voice, but he was really a songwriter.”
– Stevie Wonder, from Biography
Interview with Sam Cooke
Frequently Asked Questions About Sam Cooke
1. What influential songs did Sam Cooke write?
Sam Cooke was an American soul singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur who had a huge influence on popular music. He wrote some of the most recognizable and influential songs in the history of music. Some of his most popular songs include:
- A Change Is Gonna Come (1964)
- You Send Me (1957)
- Cupid (1961)
- Twistin’ the Night Away (1962)
- Another Saturday Night (1963)
- Bring It On Home To Me (1962)
- Good Times (1959)
- Chain Gang (1960)
- Wonderful World (1960)
- Having A Party (1962)
Sam Cooke’s songs have been covered by many other artists and continue to inspire people today. He is a major influence in soul, R&B, and pop music.
2. What other genres did Sam Cooke explore during his career?
Sam Cooke was a true master of his craft and his influence on popular music is undeniable. During his career, he explored a number of different genres and left an indelible mark on each one.
- Rock & Roll – Sam Cooke wrote and recorded numerous Rock & Roll classics, including “You Send Me”, “Twistin’ the Night Away”, and “Having a Party”.
- Soul – Sam Cooke was one of the founding fathers of Soul music, and his iconic hits, such as “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Bring It On Home To Me”, have become enduring anthems.
- Gospel – Sam Cooke began his career in gospel music and continued to record gospel albums throughout his career. His gospel recordings are some of the most beloved of all time, including “Touch the Hem of His Garment” and “Peace in the Valley”.
- R&B – Sam Cooke was one of the first artists to embrace and popularize the R&B sound. His hits such as “Chain Gang” and “Cupid” are still played regularly on radio stations around the world.
- Pop – Sam Cooke also achieved tremendous success in the pop music realm with songs such as “Wonderful World” and “Cupid”.
Sam Cooke was a musical pioneer and his influence on popular music is still felt today. His multi-genre approach to music allowed him to reach a vast audience and his legacy continues to inspire generations of music fans.
3. What messages do Sam Cooke’s quotes convey?
Sam Cooke’s quotes have a variety of themes, but many of them express optimism, joy and resilience in the face of adversity. Here are some of the messages that are shared through Sam Cooke’s quotes:
- The power of hope and resilience: “A change is gonna come. It’s been too hard living, but I’m afraid to die.”
- The importance of believing in yourself: “Don’t give up on your dreams. You can make them come true.”
- The beauty of music: “A song can take you back in time, like a time machine.”
- The importance of staying positive: “It’s been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.”
- The power of love: “I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since.”
Sam Cooke’s quotes are inspiring reminders of the power of hope, resilience and positivity. His words remind us that anything is possible if we believe in ourselves and never give up.
4. How have Sam Cooke’s quotes been used in popular culture?
Sam Cooke’s quotes have been used in popular culture for decades, often to convey a feeling of optimism or to inspire people to reach their goals. His quotes have been quoted in numerous works of literature, television shows, and movies. His famous line, “A change is gonna come” has been used to represent the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for equality.
Here are some of the ways his quotes have been used in popular culture:
- In the movie “Remember the Titans”, the coach uses the line “A Change is Gonna Come” to encourage his players to keep pushing forward.
- The television show “The West Wing” quotes Sam Cooke’s line “It’s been a long time coming” to describe the administration’s efforts to pass a new law.
- In the Netflix series “Dear White People”, the character Reggie uses the quote “A Change Is Gonna Come” as a rallying cry for racial justice.
- The book “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, the main character Starr uses Sam Cooke’s line “A Change Is Gonna Come” to express her hope for a better future.
Sam Cooke’s quotes continue to be an inspiration to many, and they have been used to convey a message of hope in popular culture. They remind us that we can still strive to make a positive change in the world.
5. What is the legacy of Sam Cooke’s music and quotes?
Sam Cooke’s music and quotes have left an indelible mark on the world. His music was a mix of gospel, soul, R&B, and pop, which made him a pioneer in the music industry. His lyrics were both meaningful and uplifting, and his voice was one of the most recognizable in the industry. His messages about love, togetherness, and justice have stood the test of time, and continue to inspire people today.
In addition to his music, Cooke’s quotes are equally memorable. He was known for his wise words on topics such as self-love, success, and freedom. His most famous quote, “A change is gonna come,” has become a rallying cry for civil rights activists around the world.
The legacy of Cooke’s music and quotes is one of love, hope, and resilience. His words have become a source of encouragement and inspiration to many, and his music continues to be celebrated by fans of all ages. Here are some of his most memorable quotes:
- “It’s been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will.”
- “I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river I’ve been running ever since.”
- “Don’t know much about history, don’t know much biology, don’t know much about a science book, don’t know much about the French I took.”
- “If you can’t be with the one you love, honey, love the one you’re with.”
- “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is just to love, and be loved in return.”
Conclusion
Sam Cooke was an influential artist and songwriter whose music has been enjoyed by generations of listeners. His legacy as an artist will live on through his timeless music and inspiring quotes. Sam Cooke’s music has been an influence on many different genres, from soul to funk to R&B and beyond. His inspirational quotes about love, success, and perseverance have also served to motivate and encourage countless people around the world. Sam Cooke’s music and words will continue to inspire us for years to come.
