I Shall Be Released - Joe Cocker - MP3 instrumental karaoke

"I Shall Be Released" is the tenth track on Joe Cocker's celebrated 1969 album With a Little Help From My Friends, which saw him take inspiration from The Beatles to deliver interpretations of the group's "Bye Bye Blackbird" and With a Little Help From My Friends. "I Shall Be Released" was originally written by Bob Dylan in 1967 but first immortalised by The Band on their classic debut album Music from Big Pink (1968). For his bluesy take on this roots rock number, Joe Cocker employed smouldering electric guitar, quivering organ, and slowly plodding percussion while soulful female backing vocals bring a touch of gospel to the proceedings. The song, written from the perspective of an innocent man, has been covered by a whole host of artists over the years, including Jeff Buckley, Joan Baez, Bette Midler, Van Morrison, The Byrds, Nina Simone, Jerry Garcia Band, The Hollies, Lisa Loeb, Michael McDonald, and Elvis Presley.