"Cocker" is Joe Cocker's tenth studio album, released in April 1986, marking his second release on Capitol Records. The album features notable singles such as "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "Don't You Love Me Anymore," with the former gaining significant attention due to its use in the film 9½ Weeks. The single "You Can Leave Your Hat On" reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The album is distinguished by its diverse production team, with five different producers involved, and recording sessions taking place across multiple studios in London, Memphis, Los Angeles, and New York. This approach was part of Capitol Records' strategy, inspired by the success formula used for Tina Turner.
In addition to the varied production, the album features Cocker's touring band for the first time since Stingray (1976), contributing to five tracks on the album. The album's opening track, "Shelter Me," is notable for its energetic performance by guitarist Cliff Goodwin and saxophonist Mel Collins.
Cocker is dedicated to Joe Cocker's mother, Marjorie (Madge) Cocker, who passed away during the recording sessions. The album blends Cocker's soulful voice with a mix of rock, blues, and R&B influences, continuing the evolution of his sound in the mid-1980s.
