Civilized Man
Joe Cocker · 1984
36 min · 10 tracks · blues
A smooth blend of rock and blues, laced with soulful vocals and introspective themes that explore love and vulnerability.
Top tracks — play these first
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Tempted — This track features a catchy melody and poignant lyrics about desire and longing, showcasing Cocker's emotive vocal delivery that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Civilized Man Start here — The title track serves as a reflective centerpiece, exploring themes of emotional vulnerability amidst societal expectations, presented through Cocker's powerful, gravelly voice.
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There Goes My Baby — With its soulful arrangement and heartfelt lyrics about loss, this song highlights Cocker’s ability to convey deep emotion, making it stand out in his repertoire.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks a strong cohesive flow throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a slow build, layering instruments gradually before Cocker's vocals enter.
- Several tracks incorporate prominent horn sections, adding a rich texture to the arrangements, particularly in 'Tempted'.
- The last three tracks shift towards more introspective themes, with softer instrumentation and slower tempos, creating a reflective closing.
- Cocker's vocal delivery varies from powerful belting to softer, more vulnerable moments, especially in 'Long Drag Off a Cigarette' and 'I Love the Night'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo grooves
- soulful reflections on love
- for evening relaxation
- warmth in smoky atmospheres
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer shorter, punchy songs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Includes hit single 'Tempted', solidifying Cocker's radio presence in the mid-80s.
- Themes
- societal expectations· longing and desire
- Career context
- Released on May 1, 1984, Civilized Man was Joe Cocker's tenth studio album, following the commercially successful Sheffield Steel in 1982. At this stage in his career, Cocker was navigating a resurgence in popularity after overcoming personal struggles, showcasing his ability to adapt to the changing music landscape while maintaining his unique vocal style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Leonard Cohen· Rod Stewart· Paul Rogers
Tracklist
- 1 Civilized Man Start here 3:55
- 2 There Goes My Baby 3:47
- 3 Come On In 3:49
- 4 Tempted 4:15
- 5 Long Drag Off a Cigarette 2:34
- 6 I Love the Night 3:48
- 7 Crazy in Love 3:52
- 8 A Girl Like You 3:09
- 9 Hold On (I Feel Our Love Is Changing) 3:41
- 10 Even a Fool Would Let Go 3:52
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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