You Send Me – Sam Cooke

About the Song

Some songs simmer with slow-burning intensity, others explode with raw emotion. But then there are those special melodies that capture the pure, giddy joy of new love, and that’s exactly what Sam Cooke’s You Send Me delivers. Released in 1957, the song became an instant sensation, topping both the R&B and pop charts, and solidified Cooke’s place as a rising star.

You Send Me is a masterclass in simplicity. The lyrics are straightforward, with Cooke confessing his adoration for his sweetheart: “Darling, you send me / I know you send me / You thrill me / I know you, you, you, you send me.” There’s no complex wordplay or hidden metaphors, just a heartfelt expression of being smitten.

But what truly elevates the song is Cooke’s vocal delivery. His voice, smooth as silk yet brimming with an infectious energy, carries the weight of every playful “you send me.” He effortlessly glides between playful declarations (“At first I thought it was infatuation”) and utter conviction (“Now I find myself wanting / To marry you and take you home”).

The arrangement is equally key. A driving backbeat lays the foundation, punctuated by the rhythmic stabs of a piano and the gentle hum of a saxophone. It’s a soundscape that perfectly complements the song’s carefree spirit, making you want to tap your foot and sway along.

You Send Me wasn’t just a love song, it was a sign of a changing musical landscape. Cooke, along with other artists like Ray Charles and The Drifters, were ushering in a new era of Soul music. You Send Me captured the essence of the genre – the raw emotion, the infectious rhythms, and the undeniable groove.

The song’s influence extends far beyond its chart success. It’s been covered by countless artists, from Stevie Wonder to Otis Redding, each adding their own spin to Cooke’s timeless melody. You Send Me remains a feel-good classic, a reminder that sometimes the simplest expressions of love can be the most powerful. So, put on your dancing shoes, turn up the volume, and let Sam Cooke whisk you away to Cupid’s groove.

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Lyrics: “You Send Me”

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 wooh, it’s lasted so long
Now I find myself wanting
To marry you and take you home, woah

You, you, you, you send me
I know you send me
I know you send me
Honest you do

Whoa, whenever I’m with you
I know, I know, I know when I’m near you
Mmm hmm, mmm hmm, honest you do, honest you do
Whoa, I know

I know, I know, I know, when you hold me
Whoa, whenever you kiss me
Mmm hmm, mmm hmm, honest you do

At first I thought it was infatuation
But wooh, 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