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"You Send Me"
Single by Sam Cooke
from the album Sam Cooke
B-side"Summertime"
ReleasedSeptember 7, 1957
RecordedJune 1, 1957
StudioRadio Recorders, Hollywood
Genre
Length2:41
LabelKeen
SongwriterSam Cooke (mistakenly credited to L.C. Cook)
ProducerBumps Blackwell
Sam Cooke singles chronology
"You Send Me"
(1957)
"I'll Come Running Back to You"
(1957)

"You Send Me" is a song written and originally recorded by American singer Sam Cooke, released as a single in 1957 by Keen Records. Produced by Bumps Blackwell and arranged and conducted by René Hall. The song, Cooke's debut single, was a massive commercial success, becoming a No. 1 hit on both Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Records chart and the Billboard Hot 100, his only number one on the latter chart.

It was named as one of the 500 most important rock and roll recordings by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In April 2010, the song ranked No. 115 in Rolling Stone magazine's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[1]

In addition to the original version of Sam Cooke, "You Send Me" has received numerous covers over the years, the most important being the versions of Teresa Brewer (1957), Aretha Franklin (1968), Ponderosa Twins Plus One (1971) and The Manhattans (1985).

Sam Cooke version (1957)

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Background

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Cooke wrote "You Send Me" but gave the writing credit to his younger brother L.C. (who used the original family spelling "Cook") because he did not want his own publisher to profit from the song.[2] He had also hoped L.C. would record the song himself.[3] Cooke made a demo recording of the song featuring only his own guitar accompaniment in the winter[clarification needed] of 1955. The first recording of the track was made in New Orleans in December 1956 in the same sessions which produced "Lovable", the first release outside the gospel field for Cooke (credited on that single as Dale Cook). The classic version of "You Send Me" was cut in Los Angeles in June 1957 and was issued as a single with another track from the same session: a version of "Summertime", as the debut release on the Keen label[4] founded by two brothers, John and Alex Siamas; this release marked the first single credited to "Sam Cooke" (whose true surname was Cook). Although "Summertime" was the intended A-side, disc jockeys favored "You Send Me", which broke nationally that October to reach No. 1 for a two-week stay in December 1957, with sales estimated at 1.5 million units. "Overnight, with a single song, Sam Cooke"—who had spent the summer of 1957 living in his producer's apartment—"became a secular superstar, with audiences consisting of black and white, men and women, young and old."[5]

As was common practice in the 1950s when it was unusual for hits in the black R&B market to crossover to the Pop charts, a cover version of "You Send Me" aimed at the Pop charts was cut by the white singer Teresa Brewer[4] and released in October 1957. Symptomatic of the changing music scene, Cooke's original was able to repeat its No. 1 R&B chart performance in the Pop field, eclipsing Brewer's version. Brewer's version of "You Send Me" reached as high as No. 8 on the Hot 100, her first and only top 10 hit since "Mutual Admiration Society" the year before, and her final Top 20 hit.[6]

Acclaim

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Since its release, the song has become a landmark record of the soul genre, which Cooke helped create. It was named as one of the 500 most important rock and roll recordings by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2005, the song was voted No. 115 by representatives of the music industry and press in Rolling Stone magazine's The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[7]

B-side

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The B-side of Sam Cooke's original single "You Send Me" contains a cover version of the song "Summertime", which was also recorded by Cooke in 1957 for the album Songs by Sam Cooke. It was written between 1933 and 1934 by George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward (also co-credited to Ira Gershwin). The song was originally recorded in 1935 by Abbie Mitchell for the musical opera Porgy and Bess. Sam Cooke's version for "Summertime" was also released as a single and reached No. 81 on the US chart Billboard Hot 100.

Chart Positions

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Year Chart Position
1957 Black Singles Chart 1
Pop Singles Chart 1
1958 UK Singles Chart 29

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[8] Gold 15,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[9] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Personnel

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On "You Send Me" and "Summertime":

The Manhattans version (1985)

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"You Send Me"
Single by The Manhattans
from the album Too Hot to Stop It
B-side"You're Gonna Love Being Loved By Me"[11]
ReleasedFebruary 1985[11]
Recorded1985
at Celestial Studios[12]
Genre
Length4:10 (Album full version)[12]
3:50 (Single edited version)[11]
LabelColumbia Records[11]
SongwriterSam Cooke[11]
ProducersMorrie Brown[11]
Mighty M Productions Ltd.[12]
The Manhattans singles chronology
"Forever by Your Side"
(1983)
"You Send Me"
(1985)
"Don't Say No"
(1985)
Music video
"You Send Me" by The Manhattans
(Official Music Video)
on YouTube

"You Send Me" was covered in 1985 by popular American R&B vocal group The Manhattans, whose version was recorded for the album Too Hot to Stop It, released the same year. This new version of the song was also released as a single and charted on the major music charts of the United States, Canada and New Zealand. The Manhattans version peaked No. 8 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 11 on the US Cash Box Black Singles, as well as in the RPM Adult Contemporary chart in Canada.

Chart Positions

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Chart (1985) Peak
position
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[13] 11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 48
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 8
US Jukebox Programmer R&B (Cash Box)[16] 6
US Top 100 Black Singles (Cash Box)[17] 11
US R&B Chart (Billboard)[18] 20
US The Hot 100 (Billboard)[19] 81

Personnel

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  • Lead vocal – Gerald Alston[12]
  • Backing vocals – Winfred "Blue" Lovett, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, Kenneth "Wally" Kelly[12]
  • Writer – Sam Cooke[12]
  • Producer – Morrie Brown[12]
  • Arranged By (Background Vocals) – Morrie Brown, Winfred Lovett[12]
  • Arranged By (Rhythm), Drum Programming – Lloyd Landesman, Morrie Brown[12]
  • Keyboards, Synthesizer – Lloyd Landesman[12]
  • Soloist, Saxophone – Chris Cioe[12]
  • Synthesizer (Strings) – Morrie Brown[12]
  • Recorded at Celestial Studios[12]
  • Produced for Mighty M Productions, Ltd.[12]

B-side

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The B-side of the 7" single contains the song "You're Gonna Love Being Loved By Me"[11] which was also recorded by The Manhattans in 1985 for the album Too Hot to Stop It[12] It was written by lead vocalist Gerald Alston, with Barbara Morr and Mark Chapman,[11] and produced by the musicians John V. Anderson and Steve Williams,[11] authors of "Crazy".[20]

Track listing

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7" Single

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Side Song Length Interpreters Writer/composer Producers Original album Recording year
A-side "You Send Me"[11] 3:50[11] The Manhattans[11] Sam Cooke[11] Morrie Brown[11] Too Hot to Stop It[12] 1985[12]
B-side "You're Gonna Love Being Loved By Me"[11] 3:50[11] The Manhattans[11] Gerald Alston,
Barbara Morr,
Mark Chapman[11]
John V. Anderson,
Steve Williams[11]
Too Hot to Stop It[12] 1985[12]
  • The full length of "You Send Me" on the album Too Hot to Stop It is 4:10.[12] The length of 3:50 on the single is an edited version of the song.[11]

12" Single

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Side Song Length Interpreters Writer/composer Producers Original album Recording year
A-side 1 "You Send Me"[21] 3:50[21] The Manhattans[21] Sam Cooke[21] Morrie Brown[21] Too Hot to Stop It[12] 1985[12]
A-side 2 "You're Gonna Love Being Loved By Me"[21] 3:50[21] The Manhattans[21] Gerald Alston,
Barbara Morr,
Mark Chapman[21]
John V. Anderson,
Steve Williams[21]
Too Hot to Stop It[12] 1985[12]
B-side 1 "Kiss and Say Goodbye"[21] 3:29[21] The Manhattans[21] Winfred Lovett[22] Bobby Martin,
The Manhattans[22]
The Manhattans[22] 1976[22]
B-side 2 "Hurt"[21] 3:02[21] The Manhattans[21] Jimmie Crane,
Al Jacobs[23]
Bobby Martin,
The Manhattans[23]
The Manhattans[23] 1976[23]
B-side 3 "Shining Star"[21] 3:48[21] The Manhattans[21] Leo Graham,
Paul Richmond[24]
Leo Graham[24] After Midnight[24] 1980[24]

Other cover versions

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Overview

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"You Send Me" has been covered by a number of artists across different fields of music, including Jesse Belvin (1957), Nat King Cole, Teresa Brewer, Michael Bolton, The Drifters, The Everly Brothers, The Four Seasons, Bobby Vee (1960), José Feliciano, Aretha Franklin, Steven Houghton, Nicolette Larson, Steve Miller Band, Van Morrison, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Percy Sledge, Roy Ayers, Paul & Paula (1963), The Supremes, The Manhattans, Rachelle Ferrell, Fairground Attraction, Marcia Hines, Whitney Houston, Gregory Porter (2016), the Chicks, Ponderosa Twins Plus One, Lynda Carter from At Last (2009) and Judie Tzuke on The Beauty Of Hindsight (2003).[citation needed]

In the United Kingdom, Rod Stewart released "You Send Me" as part of a medley with "Bring It On Home to Me" and charted it on the UK Singles Chart at No. 7 as a double A-side with "Farewell". Stewart later recorded the song with Chaka Khan for his 2005 album Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV.

Other chart performance

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Teresa Brewer version
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Year Chart Position
1957 Pop Singles 8
Aretha Franklin version
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Year Chart Position
1968 R&B Singles 28
Pop Singles Chart 56
Ponderosa Twins Plus One version
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Year Chart Position
1971 Best Selling Soul Singles 23[25]

See also

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References

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Bibliography

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"You Send Me" is a written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter , released as a single in September 1957 by Keen Records. The song marked Cooke's breakthrough into mainstream pop success, transitioning him from his roots with to a secular solo career, and it topped the for three weeks while also reaching number one on the R&B chart, spending a total of 26 weeks on the pop chart. Recorded in in June 1957 under the production of Bumps Blackwell, the track features Cooke's smooth vocals accompanied by a minimal ensemble including Cliff White and Earl Palmer, creating an intimate and emotive sound that highlighted his innovative phrasing and emotional delivery. As Cooke's first major pop hit, "You Send Me" exemplified his ability to blend influences with pop sensibilities, influencing the development of and establishing him as a pivotal figure in 20th-century . The song's enduring legacy is evident in its ranking at number 335 on 's 2021 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, where it is praised for launching into stardom. Over the decades, "You Send Me" has been covered by numerous artists, including a 1968 version by on her album and a 1985 rendition by that peaked at number 81 on the and number 20 on the chart, demonstrating its lasting appeal across genres.

Overview

Songwriting and composition

"You Send Me" was written solely by in 1957, although initially credited to his brother L.C. Cook to avoid potential backlash from his fanbase, marking his deliberate shift from performances with groups like to secular songwriting aimed at broader pop and R&B audiences. This composition represented Cooke's first major foray into original romantic material outside religious themes, drawing on his vocal techniques honed in church settings while adapting them to a more intimate, secular expression. Musically, the song is structured as a mid-tempo R&B/soul ballad in G major, set in 4/4 time with a duration of approximately 2:41, employing a simple verse-chorus form interspersed with a solo section for instrumental contrast. Its arrangement incorporates doo-wop influences through harmonized backing vocals and gospel-derived phrasing in Cooke's lead delivery, creating a flowing, emotive melody that builds gradually without complex harmonic shifts. The overall form follows an AA-BA pattern repeated after a brief guitar solo, emphasizing repetition and accessibility typical of late-1950s R&B ballads. Stylistically, the track highlights Cooke's smooth vocal runs reaching into higher registers, supported by minimal instrumentation including , upright bass, light , , and handclaps to accentuate the backbeat, all designed to foreground his voice as the central element. These choices reflect influences from earlier R&B ensembles like , whose group harmonies and rhythmic simplicity shaped the song's understated yet captivating production.

Lyrics and theme

"You Send Me" features a straightforward lyrical structure comprising two verses and a repeating chorus, employing simple, repetitive phrasing to convey the intensity of romantic attraction. The chorus centers on the hook "You send me, honey, you send me," which repeats to underscore the singer's emotional surrender, while the verses build from immediate thrill to deeper commitment. This repetition draws from and early traditions, where idealized courtship is expressed through harmonious, heartfelt declarations of love. The central theme revolves around joyful romantic obsession and the transformative power of love, portraying as an irresistible force that evolves into a desire for lasting union. In the second verse, lines like "At first I thought it was / But wooh, it's lasted so long / Now I find myself wanting / To and take you home" illustrate this progression from fleeting excitement to profound devotion. Unique phrases such as "Darling, you send me" and "I know you thrill me" highlight the singer's vulnerability and ecstasy, evoking a sense of ecstatic surrender without venturing into explicit sensuality. Notably, despite Sam Cooke's roots, the maintain a purely secular tone, free of religious undertones, focusing instead on earthly romance. The song reflects youth culture's emphasis on innocent romance, capturing the era's idealized notions of amid broader in music charts, as "You Send Me" became a crossover hit bridging Black and white audiences. This cultural resonance stems from its portrayal of love as pure and uplifting, aligning with the period's pop sensibilities while subtly challenging segregation through widespread appeal.

Sam Cooke version (1957)

Background and recording

In 1956, left his role as lead singer of the gospel group , with whom he had recorded since 1951, to pursue a career amid growing ambitions for broader commercial success. This transition was guided by producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, who had joined in 1955 and recognized Cooke's potential for pop after being impressed by his gospel performances, including live shows that showcased his emotive delivery. Blackwell encouraged Cooke to pivot from gospel, noting the viability of adapting his style to secular themes following hits like the Soul Stirrers' "Nearer to Thee." After tensions arose with owner Art Rupe over creative control—particularly during a session where Rupe objected to the use of female backing vocalists—Cooke and Blackwell departed the label in early , taking several completed recordings with them. They signed with the newly founded Keen Records, an independent label established that year by in to promote R&B and emerging pop talent in the vibrant post-World War II music scene. "You Send Me" originated from Cooke's early solo demos; Cooke had recorded a sparse version of the song as early as winter 1955, which he later presented to Blackwell during their collaboration at Specialty. The track was recorded on June 1, 1957, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, , in a session produced by Blackwell with instrumental arrangements by René Hall. Cooke delivered his lead vocals in a focused performance backed by session musicians, including Clif White and René Hall on guitars, Ted Brinson on bass, on drums, and the Lee Gotch Singers providing subtle vocal harmonies. The straightforward session captured the song's intimate, doo-wop-inflected essence, reflecting Keen's role as a nimble indie operation that prioritized raw R&B energy over elaborate production in the competitive scene.

Release and chart performance

"You Send Me" was released as a single on September 7, 1957, by Keen Records with catalog number 34013, marking Sam Cooke's debut as a secular solo artist after his career. The B-side, a cover of "Summertime," achieved minor success, peaking at No. 81 on the Hot 100. The single became a massive commercial hit in the United States, topping the for three weeks and remaining on the chart for a total of 26 weeks. It also held the No. 1 position on the Billboard R&B chart for six weeks, underscoring its dominance in both pop and markets. Sales exceeded one million copies during its initial run, a significant milestone that helped break barriers for Black artists crossing over to mainstream pop success. The (RIAA) later certified the single gold, recognizing shipments of 500,000 units. In the , "You Send Me" entered the UK Singles Chart in January 1958 and peaked at No. 29. The track has appeared on various reissues and compilations, including the 2003 release Portrait of a Legend 1951–1964, which features the original recording and peaked at No. 135 on the 200.

Critical reception and legacy

Upon its 1957 release, "You Send Me" was lauded for Sam Cooke's smooth, velvety vocals that seamlessly blended roots with pop accessibility, marking a pivotal shift in his career from sacred to . Contemporary critics highlighted the track's emotional intimacy and crossover potential, positioning it as an early blueprint for music's fusion of rhythmic drive and heartfelt expression. The song's enduring acclaim is evidenced by its induction into the in 1998, recognizing its historical and artistic significance. It ranked No. 115 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004 and was included in the magazine's 2021 update. Additionally, it was named one of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock & Roll in 1995. "You Send Me" played a foundational role in pioneering , integrating R&B's rhythmic elements with gospel's profound emotional depth and influencing artists like and , who drew from Cooke's expressive style in their own work. Its legacy extends to hip-hop, where it has been sampled in various tracks, underscoring its timeless melodic appeal across genres. Culturally, the song epitomized mid-1950s racial crossover success, topping both the pop and R&B charts and appealing to integrated audiences, thereby paving the way for African American artists in mainstream pop. This breakthrough highlighted Cooke's role as the first major soul singer to achieve such broad in chart dominance.

Personnel and B-side

The recording of "You Send Me" was produced by Bumps Blackwell and arranged by René Hall. It took place at Radio Recorders in on June 1, 1957. The personnel included lead vocals by , guitars by Clif White and René Hall, bass by Ted Brinson, and drums by , with background vocals provided by the Lee Gotch Singers. The track was recorded in mono and mastered at 45 RPM for jukebox play. The B-side of the single was a cover of George Gershwin's "Summertime," with a length of 2:15 and a soulful similar to the A-side. It peaked at No. 81 on the Hot 100.

Cover versions

The Manhattans version (1985)

In 1985, R&B vocal group The Manhattans released a cover of "You Send Me" as the lead single from their album Too Hot to Stop It, issued by Columbia Records. The single, which debuted in February of that year, reinterpreted Sam Cooke's 1957 classic through the lens of mid-1980s R&B, emphasizing the group's signature smooth harmonies while incorporating contemporary production elements. Lead vocalist Gerald Alston delivered a heartfelt performance that echoed Cooke's soulful delivery but adapted it for a more polished, radio-friendly sound. The track was produced by Morrie Brown for Mighty M Productions Ltd. at Celestial Sounds Studios in . The album version runs 4:10, featuring lush backing vocals from the group and subtle synth layers that gave it a modern edge over the original's minimalist arrangement. The single edit, shortened to 3:50, streamlined these elements for airplay, highlighting Alston's emotive phrasing and the ensemble's tight vocal interplay. On the charts, "You Send Me" peaked at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 20 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 8 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It also reached No. 11 on the Cash Box Top 100 Black Singles chart, marking one of the group's final moderate successes in the R&B market during their Columbia era. The single was backed by "You're Gonna Love Being Loved By Me," a group original produced by Steve Williams and John "Skip" Anderson, running 5:06 on the B-side. The personnel featured lead vocals by Gerald Alston, with harmonies from Winfred Lovett, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, and Kenny "Wally" Kelly. Track listings for the release included:
7" single (Columbia 38-04754):
  • A: "You Send Me" – 3:50
  • B: "You're Gonna Love Being Loved By Me" – 5:06
A 12" promotional single (Columbia 12AT-04754) offered an extended mix of "You Send Me" alongside dubs and the B-side edit, catering to club and formats popular in the .

Other notable covers

Otis Redding recorded a soulful rendition of "You Send Me" for his 1964 debut album Pain in My Heart, infusing the track with his raw, emotive vocal style that emphasized longing and vulnerability. Released as an album cut rather than a single, the cover highlighted Redding's ability to reinterpret R&B standards, contributing to the album's success in establishing him as a rising star in soul music. The Supremes offered a harmonious interpretation on their 1965 tribute album , where lead singer delivered the song with polished group vocals and orchestral backing typical of the label's sound. This version, part of a collection honoring Cooke's legacy shortly after his death, showcased the group's versatility in blending pop and soul elements, helping the album resonate with fans of both artists. Aretha Franklin's 1968 cover appeared as the B-side to her hit single "Think" and on her album , transforming the song into a powerful, gospel-tinged performance that aligned with her emerging "Queen of Soul" persona. The track reached number 28 on the R&B chart, underscoring Franklin's skill in elevating covers through her dynamic phrasing and emotional depth. Percy Sledge included a tender, heartfelt take on "You Send Me" on his 1967 album The Percy Sledge Way, shortly after his breakthrough with "When a Man Loves a Woman," adding to his reputation for romantic soul ballads. Recorded in a style reminiscent of his signature slow-burn delivery, the cover emphasized themes of devotion and captured the era's Southern soul essence without achieving standalone chart success. Later interpretations include the Dixie Chicks' (now ) country-infused version on their 1992 album , where the trio's close harmonies and accents brought a fresh, rootsy flavor to the classic, appealing to crossover audiences in the early scene. This recording highlighted the song's enduring adaptability across genres.

References

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