Joe Cocker Rocks Out Awesome “Heard It Through The Grapevine” Cover

Loreley, Germany 1983

Covering Marvin Gaye’s “Heard It Through The Grapevine,” Joe Cocker gave Loreley, Germany the show of a lifetime in 1983. With his signature soul gracing the German stage, Joe has everyone in a non-silent chant/ daze as he puts a serious spin on the Motown classic.

Interesting Fact: This is the longest running Motown #1 hit in the US, where it topped the Hot 100 chart for 7 weeks. It was a sensation in the UK as well, where it was #1 for 3 weeks.

Interestingly enough, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” made it through the Motown “grapevine” at the time when Marvin had it in the works back in 1968. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” was placed on the Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

As Joe was well known to “cover” songs, AKA make them better than before with more soul than a human being can even fathom, he puts a little bit more of rock and roll in this Marvin Gaye classic. We unfortunately said goodbye to this iconic soul in 2003, but Joe’s ability to better songs was something we all took for granted and this performance is proof of that.

+ I Heard It Through The Grapevine Lyrics +

I bet you’re wonderin’ how I knew
‘Bout your plans to make me blue
With some other guy you knew before
Between the two of us guys
You know I loved you more
It took me by surprise I must say
When I found out yesterday
Don’t you know that I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh I heard it through the grapevine
Oh I’m just about to lose my mind

Honey, honey yeah.
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine baby

I know a man ain’t supposed to cry
But these tears I can’t hold inside
Losin’ you would end my life you see
‘Cause you mean that much to me
You could have told me yourself
That you loved some one else
Instead I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine
Oh, I heard it through the grapevine
And I’m just about to lose my mind

Honey, honey yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine, baby

People say believe half of what you see
Son and none of what you hear
But I can’t help but be confused
If it’s true please tell me dear
Do you plan to let me go
For the other guy you loved before?

Don’t you know I heard it through the grapevine
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah
I heard it through the grapevine
I’m just about to love my mind
Honey, honey, yeah
I heard it through the grapevine,
Not much longer would you be mine, baby yeah