You Are So Beautiful (1975) 7/8/20

Today's “Great Song of the '70s” was written by Billy Preston with help from his long-time collaborator, Bruce Fisher. That much is certain. What ISN'T certain is whether or not Beach Boy Dennis Wilson also had input.

Dennis sang “You Are So Beautiful” as a solo during Beach Boys concerts and would tell everyone he helped write it. Billy Hinsche, a long-time member of the Beach Boys backup band (and the “Billy” in the '60s group, Dino, Desi and Billy) has always maintained he was present when Dennis and Billy Preston were working on it. On the other hand, Dennis was never officially credited, and brother Brian Wilson says that while Dennis certainly sang it, he didn't help write it.

In the end, however, the HIT version of the song belonged to Joe Cocker. In 1975, Joe took it to #5 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #12 on the Adult Contemporary Chart. In Canada, the matching chart numbers were 4 & 10.

His distinctive version is noted for the crack in his voice near the end. Some people found it distracting, while others considered it a show of real emotion. But no matter how you hear it...or who wrote it...“You Are So Beautiful” is a “Great Song of the '70s.”Joe Cocker:

And here's Dennis Wilson: