About the song
“You Send Me,” a seminal track by Sam Cooke, was first recorded in December 1956 and released as a single in 1957 by Keen Records. This song, which marked Cooke’s debut single, swiftly rose to prominence, reaching number one on both Billboard’s Rhythm & Blues chart and the Billboard Hot 100. Its immediate success was significant, selling approximately 1.5 million copies and establishing Cooke as a crossover star. This track is celebrated not only for its commercial success but also for its enduring impact on the music industry, making it one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Cooke, who originally wrote “You Send Me,” chose to credit his younger brother L.C. Cooke as the songwriter to prevent his own publisher from profiting off the song. Initially intended as a demo featuring just Cooke’s guitar, the song was recorded in a more polished version in Los Angeles in June 1957. Despite “Summertime” being the planned A-side, “You Send Me” quickly garnered the most attention from disc jockeys, propelling it to national prominence and establishing Cooke’s reputation as a groundbreaking artist.
The song’s success was mirrored by its international appeal, where it also performed well on the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 29. Cooke’s “You Send Me” was significant for its smooth blend of gospel and secular music, reflecting the burgeoning soul genre that Cooke was instrumental in shaping. Its acclaim was solidified when it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and ranked No. 115 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2005.
The B-side of the single featured Cooke’s rendition of the classic “Summertime,” which also garnered attention and reached number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100. With René Hall’s arrangements, Clifton White’s guitar work, and a tight backing band including Earl Palmer on drums and Ted Brinson on bass, the track exemplified the quality of Cooke’s recordings and his ability to cross genres.
“You Send Me” has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including Teresa Brewer, Aretha Franklin, and The Manhattans, further cementing its place in music history. Its influence extends beyond its initial success, demonstrating Cooke’s profound impact on soul and popular music.
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Lyrics
Darling, you send me
I know you send me
Darling, you send me
Honest, you do, honest, you do
Honest, you do, whoa
You thrill me
I know you, you, you thrill me
Darling, you, you, you, you thrill me
Honest, you do
At first I thought it was infatuation
But, woo, it’s lasted so long
Now I find myself wanting
To marry you and take you home, whoa
You, you, you, you send me
I know you send me
I know you send me
Honest you do
Whoa-oh-oh, whenever I’m with you
I know, I know, I know when I’m near you
Mm hmm, mmm hmm, honest, you do, honest, you do
Whoa-oh-oh, I know-oh-oh-oh
I know, I know, I know, when you hold me
Whoa, whenever you kiss me
Mm hmm, mm hmm, honest you do
At first I thought it was infatuation
But, woo, it’s lasted so long
Now I find myself wanting
To marry you and take you home
I know, I know, I know you send me
I know you send me
Whoa, you, you, you, you send me
Honest you do