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Sam Cooke Popular Song Rankings [2025]
Sam Cooke was a leading R&B singer who rose to stardom in the United States during the 1950s.
He is said to have brought gospel into the R&B genre, and many stylistic elements that now sound standard in R&B were pioneered by him.
Here is a roundup of rankings of Sam Cooke’s popular songs.
Sam Cooke Popular Song Rankings [2025]
Bring It On Home to MeSam Cooke1rank/position
In the history of soul music, sadly, legendary singers who passed away young are not few, and Sam Cooke, the subject of this article, is one of them.
Having met a tragic end at the age of just 33, Cooke possessed striking good looks, a natural singing voice, and a distinctive vocal style, with which he produced many hit songs from the late 1950s to the early 1960s.
More than just a musician, he was highly conscious of racial issues: he founded a music publishing company and a record label to manage the rights to his own works and to protect the rights of Black musicians, and he was actively involved in the civil rights movement.
The influence Cooke exerted on later artists thus extended far beyond musical style.
One notable example is his 1962 release and hit “Bring It On Home to Me,” which was covered just three years later by the British rock band The Animals and, in the same year, by fellow Britons The Zombies—evidence that the song was embraced by white groups from the start.
Since then, countless artists and bands have covered it, and it has become a famous standard number that continues to be loved across generations.
Cooke himself wrote both the lyrics and the music, and the song’s beautifully wistful melody has never lost its luster—once again highlighting Cooke’s outstanding talents as a songwriter.
A Change Is Gonna ComeSam Cooke2rank/position
Sam Cooke, the great singer known as the Father of Soul.
With his urban, sophisticated vocal style and handsome looks, he was a legendary soul singer who enjoyed immense popularity from the very start.
Born in Mississippi in 1931, Cooke originally made his mark as a gospel singer, but in 1956 he made his full-fledged debut as a pop/soul singer with “Lovable.” The following year’s release, “You Send Me,” became a massive hit, reaching No.
1 on the U.
S.
charts and catapulting him to stardom.
He went on to create numerous classics, including “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Wonderful World.” Beyond his musical achievements, he is also known for working to elevate artists’ rights, including founding his own record label.
Though his life ended tragically far too soon, he remains an enduring figure who profoundly influenced generations of musicians.
If you start listening in your sensitive teenage years, you’ll surely feel the depths of music.
Another saturday nightSam Cooke3rank/position
A song Sam Cooke wrote while touring the UK with Little Richard in 1962.
It became the first track he released after the tragic drowning of his 18-month-old son, Vincent.
Cat Stevens’ 1974 cover version also reached No.
6 on the U.
S.
charts.
Good TimesSam Cooke4rank/position
The track used in KFC’s 2017 Christmas commercial “Roll Together, Feast Together.” It was released in 1964 by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke and has been covered by artists such as The Rolling Stones.
That’s It, I Quit, I’m Movin’ OnSam Cooke5rank/position
A track released in 1961 by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke.
It’s an R&B track with elements of soul that reached No.
25 on the U.
S.
charts.
It has been covered by artists such as Adele.
Touch the Hem of His GarmentSam Cooke6rank/position
Sam Cooke’s classic “Touch the Hem of His Garment.” It’s one of my personal favorites.
When I listen to this song, even hardships and pain feel lighter.
There are songs with that kind of power, aren’t there? I think that’s especially true in gospel music.
At first listen, this track may sound like ordinary soul music, but it’s actually a song themed around Jesus Christ.
It was released in 1956, yet it continues to be loved by people all over the world to this day.
Twistin’ the Night AwaySam Cooke7rank/position
Sam Cooke is a quintessential soul singer.
Having learned vocal technique in a church choir from a young age, he’s known for a powerful, gospel-influenced singing style.
He’s also famous for his active involvement in the Civil Rights Movement.
His song “Twistin’ the Night Away,” released in 1962, was covered by Japanese artists including Tortoise Matsumoto.
Be sure to check it out!