The Best of Sam Cooke

by Sam Cooke

The Best of Sam Cooke cover art
  • Type: Compilation
  • Released: December 1962
  • Label: RCA Victor
  • Country: United States
  • Length: 36:03
  • Community rating: 4.3/5 from 3 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Released at the height of his unprecedented crossover popularity, this compilation summarizes the vocalist's masterful transition from gospel superstar to definitive pop-soul architect. The collection gathers his phenomenally successful string of RCA singles, perfectly demonstrating his incredibly smooth phrasing and undeniable melodic charm. It remains an essential overview of the profoundly influential, deeply accessible sound that helped build the foundation of mainstream soul music.

Genres

Descriptors: soulful, crooning, vocal-driven, orchestral, string arrangements

Tracklist

  1. You Send Me (2:44)
  2. Only Sixteen (2:03)
  3. Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha (2:42)
  4. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons (2:39)
  5. (What A) Wonderful World (2:09)
  6. Summertime (2:22)
  7. Chain Gang (2:36)
  8. Cupid (2:38)
  9. Twistin' the Night Away (2:43)
  10. Sad Mood (2:40)
  11. Having a Party (2:37)
  12. Bring It On Home to Me (2:44)
  13. Another Saturday Night - Alternate Take (2:44)
  14. Nothing Can Change This Love (2:37)

Credits

  • Sam Cooke - primary artist, written-by
  • Glenn Osser - conductor
  • Rene Hall - conductor
  • Sammy Lowe - conductor
  • L.C. Cook - written-by
  • Barbara Campbell - written-by
  • Deek Watson - written-by
  • William Best - written-by

More from Sam Cooke: full discography