Put Out the Light

Album: I Can Stand a Little Rain (1974)
Charted: 46
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Alternately titled "Somebody I Trusted (Put Out The Light)," this song was written by Daniel Moore, who was Joe Cocker's choir director on his 1970 Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour. The song was also recorded by Three Dog Night and David Clayton Thomas, but Moore tells us that Cocker's version is his favorite.

    Talking about how he came up with the song, Moore said: "The inspiration for writing the song was my impatience with people that put a sour note on any situation. Especially recording or performance situations. Negativity ruins the creative process as a general rule. So I won't usually stand for it." (Here's our full Daniel Moore interview.)
  • This was issued as the first single from Cocker's I Can Stand a Little Rain album, but it quickly became clear that the B-side of the single, "You Are So Beautiful," had more chart potential. After a few weeks, A&M Records issued the single with the sides flipped, and "Beautiful" became a big hit.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Gary LeVox

Gary LeVoxSongwriter Interviews

On "Life Is A Highway," his burgeoning solo career, and the Rascal Flatts song he most connects with.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?