In 1960 Cooke signed for the RCA-Victor label and it was with his first single release for that label that he scored his first big hit in the UK. This was 'Chain Gang', written by Cooke after he saw a real chain gang of prisoners working on a highway while he was on tour. He and his brother Charles felt sorry for them and gave them several cartons of cigarettes. Cooke's 1961 release 'Cupid' was his biggest UK hit so far, reaching number 7 in the charts (although only number 17 in the US). The distinctive sound of the arrow was made by backing vocalists Kenneth and Bobbie Simms who were twins. Sam Cooke's biggest UK hit came in 1962 with 'Twistin' the Night Away' which reached number 6 in the UK and number 9 in the US. Again penned by Cooke, the song's inspiration was TV footage of the Peppermint Lounge in New York - where the twist craze originated. Today Cooke is regarded as one of the handful of artists who single-handedly created the soul music genre. So whether you're 'Only Sixteen' or a lot older, then sit back and bask in the 'Wonderful World' of Sam Cooke.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, watch or play, look no further than the musicMagpie Store. We sell over half a million new and used CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, Games and Vinyl, spanning all kinds of genres and consoles, with prices starting from just £1.09! We also sell a wide range of refurbished Mobile Phones and Tech from major brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony, Microsoft and much more. With a 12 month quality warranty, you can save with total confidence.