''Hard Knocks'' is the twenty-first and penultimate studio album by

Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker (20 May 1944 – 22 December 2014) was an English singer known for his gritty, bluesy voice and dynamic stage performances that featured expressive body movements. Most of his best known singles were recordings of son ...

, released on 1 October 2010 by

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...

in Europe. It features nine new songs produced by

Matt Serletic Matthew Michael Serletic II (born 1970 or 1971) is an American record producer, songwriter, and music executive. Career As a teenager, Serletic joined a band with members of Collective Soul, a group for which he would later produce. Serletic h ...

plus Cocker's version of the

Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and E ...

number "I Hope", which was produced by Tony Brown. Apart from a regular CD release, the album was also released on vinyl. The album reached number 1 on ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

''s Independent Albums chart and number 2 on the same magazine's European Albums chart. A ''Limited Live Edition'' (CD/DVD) version of the album was released in December 2010 in Europe with live tracks off the album recorded at Le Zenith in Paris in 2010.

Track listing

# "Hard Knocks" (

Marc Broussard Marc Broussard (born January 14, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter. His style is best described as "Bayou Soul", a mix of funk, blues, R&B, rock and pop, matched with distinct Southern roots. He has released eight studio albums, one liv ...

, Maxwell Aaron Ramsey,

Shannon Sanders Drew and Shannon is an American record producer and songwriting duo, from Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Collaboration Drew Ramsey and Shannon Sanders met while both were on the Contemporary Christian music circuit. Finding common interest ...

) – 3:24 # "Get On" (

, Danny Myrick,

Stephanie Bentley Stephanie Kay Bentley (born April 29, 1963) is an American country music artist. She made her debut in 1996 as a duet partner on Ty Herndon's single "Heart Half Empty", which peaked at No. 21 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles & Track ...

) – 3:28 # "Unforgiven" (

Mitch Allan Mitchell Allan Scherr, known professionally as Mitch Allan, is an American record producer, songwriter, and musician. He has written and produced songs for artists such as Demi Lovato, Third Eye Blind, Miley Cyrus, Carlie Hanson, Jason Derulo, Pi ...

Kara DioGuardi Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi (; born December 9, 1970) is an American songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, and singer. She writes music primarily in the pop rock genre. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; sales o ...

Nick Lachey Nicholas Scott Lachey ( ; born November 9, 1973) is an American singer, actor, television personality, and host. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the multi-platinum-selling boyband 98 Degrees, and later starred in the reality series '' Newl ...

, Dave Hodges) – 4:14 # "The Fall" (Matt Serletic, Danny Myrick, Aimée Proal) – 3:49 # "So It Goes" (Matt Serletic,

Jeffrey Steele Jeffrey LeVasseur (born August 27, 1961), known as Jeffrey Steele, is an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with recording his own material, Steele has become a prolific Nashville songwriter, having co-written more than 60 hit ...

, Danny Myrick) – 3:21 # "Runaway Train" (Ollie Marland) – 3:27 # "Stay The Same" (Matt Serletic, Danny Myrick, Stephanie Bentley) – 4:39 # "Thankful" (Matt Serletic, Kara DioGuardi) – 3:59 # "So" (

Chantal Kreviazuk Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk (; born May 18, 1974) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist. Born in Winnipeg, she played music from a young age before signing with Columbia Records in the 1990s. Her debut studio album, ''Under These ...

, Thomas "Tawgs" Salter) – 3:56 # "I Hope" (

Keb' Mo' Kevin Roosevelt Moore (born October 3, 1951), known as Keb' Mo', is an American blues musician and five-time Grammy Award winner. He is a singer, guitarist, and songwriter, living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been described as "a living link ...

Martie Maguire Martha Elenor Maguire (née Erwin, previously Seidel; October 12, 1969) is an American musician who is a founding member of both the all-female alternative country band The Chicks and country bluegrass duo Court Yard Hounds. She won awards in na ...

Natalie Maines Natalie Louise Maines (born October 14, 1974) is an American singer. She is the lead vocalist for the all-female country band The Chicks. In 1995, after leaving Berklee College of Music, Maines was recruited by the Dixie Chicks to replace thei ...

Emily Robison Emily Burns Strayer ( Erwin, previously Robison; born August 16, 1972) is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and a founding member of the country band The Chicks, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks. Strayer plays banjo, dobro ...

) – 4:46 # "Forever Changed" – 3:51 – ''iTunes bonus track'' ''Limited Live Edition'' additional tracks # "Hard Knocks" (Marc Broussard, Maxwell Aaron Ramsey, Shannon Sanders) # "Get On" (Matt Serletic, Danny Myrick, Stephanie Bentley) # "Unforgiven" (Mitch Allan, Kara DioGuardi, Nick Lachey, Dave Hodges) # "Thankful" (Matt Serletic, Kara DioGuardi) # "

You Are So Beautiful "You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, ''The Kids & Me''. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English singer ...

" (

Billy Preston William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he ba ...

Bruce Fisher Bruce Fisher (born January 8, 1954) is an American songwriter, record producer, playwright best known for his collaborations with Billy Preston. Fisher's best-known songs include "You Are So Beautiful", "Will It Go Round In Circles", and " Nothin ...

) # "

With a Little Help from My Friends "With a Little Help from My Friends" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, from their 1967 album '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band''. It was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and sung by drummer Ringo Starr (as Sgt. Pe ...

" (

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

)

Personnel

* Joe Cocker – lead vocals *

Jamie Muhoberac Benjamin Edward "Jamie" Muhoberac is an American session keyboardist with numerous credits. He is best known for his work with Seal and Was (Not Was). Biography Muhoberac has worked with acts including The All-American Rejects, Fleetwood Mac, Bob ...

– keyboards (1-9) *

– keyboards (1-9), programming (1-9) *

Steve Nathan Steven Jay Nathan is an American keyboardist. He is known for his session work in Muscle Shoals and Nashville studios. Biography Nathan was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. In 1977, Nathan moved to Muscle Shoals, Alabama. After touring wit ...

– synthesizers (10),

Wurlitzer organ The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to as simply Wurlitzer, is an American company started in Cincinnati in 1853 by German immigrant (Franz) Rudolph Wurlitzer. The company initially imported stringed, woodwind and brass instruments ...

(10) *

Ray Parker Jr. Ray Erskine Parker Jr. (born May 1, 1954) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. As a solo performer, he wrote and performed the theme song to the 1984 film '' Ghostbusters''. Previously, Parker achieved a US top-10 h ...

– guitar (1-9) *

Tim Pierce Tim Pierce (born 1959 in Albuquerque) is an American session guitarist. He has worked for artists such as Joe Cocker, Crowded House, Goo Goo Dolls, Michael Jackson, Beth Hart, Roger Waters, Alice Cooper, Johnny Hallyday, Phil Collins, and the C ...

– guitar (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9) * Joel Sherear – guitar (2, 5, 7) *

Tom Bukovac Tom Bukovac is an American session musician and producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in nearby Willowick, Ohio. He has been a Nashville-based musician since 1992. He previously owned 2nd Gear, a used music consignment shop in Sou ...

– electric guitar (10) *

Kenny Greenberg Kenneth S. "Kenny" Greenberg is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and session musician. He is known for bringing a rock-and-roll sensibility to Nashville recording sessions. Biography Greenberg was born in Cleveland, Ohio but attend ...

– electric guitar (10) *

Chris Chaney Christopher A. Chaney (born June 14, 1970) is an American musician. He is best known as the former bassist of alternative rock band Jane's Addiction, and as a member of Alanis Morissette's touring and recording band for six years. Chaney was a ...

– bass (1-9) *

Glenn Worf Glenn Worf is an American bassist known mainly for his work as a session musician. He has recorded with many major country music acts and also tours with Mark Knopfler. Early life and education Worf was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up in Madis ...

– bass (10) *

Josh Freese Joshua Ryan Freese (born December 25, 1972) is an American session drummer. He is the son of tuba soloist Stan Freese and the older brother of musician Jason Freese. He is a member of the Vandals (since 1989) and Devo (since 1996), having forme ...

– drums (1-3, 5, 7) *

Matt Chamberlain Matthew Chamberlain (born April 17, 1967) is an American session musician, drummer, producer and songwriter. Biography Life and career Chamberlain was born in San Pedro, California on April 17, 1967. He began learning how to play the drums ...

– drums (4, 9) * Dorian Crozier – drums (6, 8) * Cleto Escobedo III – saxophone (1, 2) * Jeff Babko – trombone (1, 2) * Ron King – trumpet (1, 2) * Stevie Blacke – cello (3, 4), viola (3, 4), violin (3, 4) * Sheree Brown – backing vocals (1-4, 7, 9) * Mabvuto Carpenter – backing vocals (1-4, 7, 9) * Robyn Troup – backing vocals (1-4, 7, 9) *

– backing vocals (7) *

Ashley Cleveland Ashley Cleveland (born February 2, 1957) is an American singer/songwriter best known as a background vocalist and gospel singer. Ashley Cleveland was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has been married to Kenny Greenberg since April 27, 1991, and ...

– backing vocals (10) * Kim Keyes – backing vocals (10) *

Judson Spence Judson Spence (born 29 April 1965, Pascagoula, Mississippi) is an American pop music singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville, Tennessee. He originally gained fame when he released his eponymously titled debut solo effort on A ...

– backing vocals (10) Choir on "Thankful" * Jennifer Bailey * Mabvuto Carpenter *

* Erica Dowd * Dorian Ford * Nomisha Jackson * Renee Jackson * Robyn Troup * Niomisha Wilson

Production

* Matt Serletic – producer (1-9) * Tony Brown – producer (10) * Mark Dobson – recording (1-9), Pro Tools editing (1-9) * Doug Trantow – recording (1-9), Pro Tools editing (1-9) * Jeff Balding – engineer (10) * Alex Arias – additional engineer (1-9), assistant engineer (1-9), Pro Tools assistant (1-9) * Mike Leisz – assistant engineer (1-9) *

Chris Lord-Alge Chris Lord-Alge is an American mix engineer. He is the brother of both Tom Lord-Alge and Jeff Lord-Alge, both of whom are also audio engineers. Chris and Tom are known for their abundant use of dynamic compression for molding mixes that play wel ...

– mixing * Andrew Schubert – additional mixing * Brad Townsend – additional mixing * Keith Armstrong – mix assistant * Nik Karpen – mix assistant *

Bob Ludwig Robert C. Ludwig (born c. 1945) is an American mastering engineer. He has mastered recordings on all the major recording formats for all the major record labels, and on projects by more than 1,300 artists including Led Zeppelin, Lou Reed, Qu ...

– mastering * Ryan Corey – art direction, design * Jeri Heiden – art direction, design * Olaf Heine – photography Studios * Tracks 1-9 recorded at Emblem Studios (Calabasas, California). * Track 10 recorded at Sound Stage Studios (Nashville, Tennessee). * All songs mixed at Mix LA (Los Angeles, California). * Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine).

Charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Personnel

*Joe Cocker – vocals *

, Joel Shearer,

– guitar *

– bass guitar *

Dorian Crozier Dorian may refer to: Ancient Greece * Dorians, one of the main ethnic divisions of ancient Greeks * Doric Greek, or Dorian, the dialect spoken by the Dorians Art and entertainment Films * ''Dorian'' (film), the Canadian title of the 2004 film ' ...

Greg Morrow Greg Morrow is an American drummer, percussionist, session musician, mixing engineer, and vocalist. Biography Morrow was born in Ripley, Tennessee and raised in Memphis. At age 11, Morrow and his band performed on a local TV show, and he par ...

– drums *

– keyboards *

– keyboards, programming *

– synthesizer,

Hammond organ The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert and first manufactured in 1935. Multiple models have been produced, most of which use sliding drawbars to vary sounds. Until 1975, Hammond organs generated s ...

, piano *Jeff Babko – trombone *Cleto Escobedo III – saxophone *Ron King – trumpet * Robyn Troup, Sherree Brown, Rich King, Mabvuto Carpenter,

, Kim Keys,

, Judson Spence – backing vocals *Stevie Blacke – cello, violin, viola

References

{{Authority control 2010 albums Joe Cocker albums Albums arranged by David Campbell (composer) Albums produced by Matt Serletic Columbia Records albums