2003 AUGUST 3 #215
I met Joel Cooper in 1978 when I lived in Hollywood, California, trying to break into the songwriting biz. Joel was a free lance writer, and already had many articles published in national magazines. We met when one of us answered an ad the other ran in The Recycler, a freebee advertising rag that musicians used to find band members for their fledgling groups.
Now, Joel was trying to crack the music publishing game, and although neither one of us was successful, over the years we traded many cassettes of the songs we were working on. "Cup of Jesus" jumped out of one bunch of demos he sent me in the mid-'80s, with its pseudo Paul Simon-meets-The Edwin Hawkins Singers gospel feel.
What grabbed me, was not only the songs' driving rhythm, but his unusual concept of Jesus being essentially marketed like a coffee commercial, ("The goodness of Jesus is always worth a second cup",) plus his enthusiastic vocal (especially on the choruses.) But, hard as it may be to believe, Joel was completely sincere with this song, and it was never meant to be sacrilegious at all.
When I checked with him to see if the song could be aired on 365 Days, Joel said "yes," and told me that he always envisioned it being sung by a huge, black choir. I must play it for the music director at my own church. Maybe a bunch of white folks could do something good with it, too.
Thanks, Joel, for being a pal over the years, and letting me share your tune with other folks who will get a kick out of it, the way I have for almost 20 years....
- Dana Countryman, http://www.danacountryman.com
Cup of Jesus
By Joel R. Cooper
© 1985, Joel R. Cooper, all rights reservedSome folks I know
they need their mornin' coffee
they need their mornin' coffee
to help 'em face the day
but all I need is
His sweet inspiration
in my life
to pick me up
and get me on my wayI HAVE A CUP OF JESUS
FIRST THING IN THE MORNIN'
I HAVE A CUP OF JESUS
TO GET MY SPIRIT UP
I FILL ME TO THE RIM
WITH THE LOVE THAT POURS FROM HIM
AH, THE GOODNESS OF JESUS
IS ALWAYS WORTH A SECOND CUPSome folks I know
they wrestle with the devil
they wrestle with the devil
'cause they ain't seen the light
but someday soon I'll
have 'em come for breakfast
yes, I will
and show 'em how
to start the day out rightWE'LL HAVE A CUP OF JESUS
FIRST THING IN THE MORNIN'
WE'LL HAVE A CUP OF JESUS
TO GET OUR SPIRITS UP
WE'LL FILL US TO THE RIM
WITH THE LOVE THAT POURS FROM HIM
AH, THE GOODNESS OF JESUS
IS ALWAYS WORTH A SECOND CUP(Instrumental break, repeat chorus)
YEH, THE GOODNESS OF JESUS
IS ALWAYS WORTH A SECOND CUP.© 1985, Joel R. Cooper, all rights reserved
""Travel light, and wear strong sandals." - Joel R. Cooper
(c) 2002, Joel R. Cooper, All Rights Reserved
http://artists2.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Clonal_Proliferation/
TT-2:26 / 2.8MB / 160kbps 44.1khz
(Image courtesy of Dana Countryman)