from SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
Written by Billy Preston & Bruce Fischer
Co-written by the late Billy Preston (1946-2006) with songwriter/producer, Bruce Fischer, “You Are So Beautiful” was a beautiful ballad that became an evergreen. Preston was acknowledged as the “Fifth Beatle” for his fabulous organ playing on “Get Back” found on The Beatles’ Let It Be album.
This exquisite serenade was first released by Preston on his 1974 album, The Kids & Me. Later that year, legendary UK singer, Joe Cocker (1944-2014), recorded the definitive version of “You Are So Beautiful” on his I Can Stand A Little Rain album. It was released as a single in the fall of 1974 and reached #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100, thus becoming one of Cocker’s signature songs and a timeless pop classic. “You Are So Beautiful” was covered by dozens of singers including the wonderful Kenny Rogers (1938-2020), the amazing Michael Bolton and the fabulous Diana Ross.
Another great version of “You Are So Beautiful” came in 2016 by newcomer Jordan Smith, the winner of NBC’s singing competition,The Voice ninth season. Smith recorded a stunning version of “You Are So Beautiful” for his debut cd, Something Beautiful. David Foster produced this track along with three others for Smith’s record. Foster’s and Smith’s version of “You Are So Beautiful” was focused on Smith’s angelic voice with the delicate support from Foster’s gorgeous acoustic piano. This stripped down arrangement kept the emotional power of the classic composition although Smith’s pure and crystal-clear performance was the opposite of Cocker’s aching and gritty one. Something Beautiful was an out-of-the-box success, debuted at #2 on Billboard Top 200 and reached #1 in the iTunes Store.
- Lead Vocals: Jordan Smith
- Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
- Produced & Arranged by David Foster
- Co-Produced by Jochem van der Saag
Lyrics
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
Everything I need
You are so beautiful
To me