Some Guys Have All the Luck

Last updated
"Some Guys Have All the Luck"
Single by The Persuaders
from the album Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
B-side "Love Attack"
ReleasedOctober 1973
Recorded1973
Genre R&B
Length3:29
Label Atco
Songwriter(s) Jeff Fortgang
Producer(s)
  • LeBaron Taylor
  • Phil Hurtt
  • Tony Bell (The Young Professionals)
The Persuaders singles chronology
"Bad, Bold and Beautiful, Girl"
(1973)		"Some Guys Have All the Luck"
(1973)		"All Strung Out on You"
(1974)

"Some Guys Have All the Luck" is a song written by Jeff Fortgang. [1] It has been a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 twice, as the original by The Persuaders in 1973 reaching No. 39. [2] In 1982 it was covered by Robert Palmer, which was a hit in the UK peaking at No. 16. Then it was recorded by Rod Stewart in 1984 when it hit No. 10 in the U.S. and No. 32 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Contents

Background

Fortgang wrote many songs during his three years in the music industry after graduating Yale in 1971. While Fortgang eventually released a solo album in 2013, titled All the Music in the World, consisting of the demos he had created in the 1970s, "Some Guys Have All the Luck" was not one of the tracks. [3]

Original Persuaders version

The single was released from The Persuaders' album, Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me. It was their last Top 40 hit in the United States, peaking at No. 7 on the R&B chart and No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1973.

Chart history

Chart (1973–1974)Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)64
US Billboard Hot 100 [4] 39
U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles [5] 7
US Cash Box Top 100 [6] 39

Robert Palmer version

"Some Guys Have All the Luck"
Robert Palmer Some Guys Have All the Luck 1982 single cover.jpg
Single by Robert Palmer
from the album Maybe It's Live
B-side "Too Good to Be True"
Released1982
Genre
Length3:09
Label Island
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Robert Palmer
Robert Palmer singles chronology
"Looking for Clues"
(1980)		"Some Guys Have All the Luck"
(1982)		"You Are in My System"
(1983)
Music video
"Robert Palmer - Some Guys Have All The Luck" on YouTube

In 1982, English singer Robert Palmer released a version of the song as a single from his live/studio album Maybe It's Live . It reached No. 16 in the UK Singles Chart. [7]

Palmer's version has a significantly altered melody and lyrics in comparison to other versions of the song. Palmer told Max Bell in 1989:

I was working with Moon Martin when I wrote "Some Guys". I played it to him and a few days later he said he'd just heard someone singing it in the studio across the road, which seemed impossible since I hadn't finished it myself! What happened was that I must have heard it subliminally, I think it was on Australian radio, and just hadn't realised. The only thing I remembered was the title line. [8]

Reception

Upon its release, Ian Birch of Smash Hits described Palmer's version as "a great combination of limb-loosening rhythm and immediate melody" and predicted the song would reach the UK Top 5. [9] Ian Penman of NME believed it to be "merely average" as "whatever it's all about gets buried under a variety of vain vocal mannerisms", while "a dozen rhythms battl[e] against one another for foreground space and no real rush, all just sludge". [10] Sunie of Record Mirror wrote: "Palmer goes pop – straighter pop, leaving his blue-eyed soul days behind, but finding nothing as substantial as the Clues -period singles to replace them." [11]

In the US, Billboard considered it "one of Palmer's most enticing singles" since "Every Kinda People". They also noted the "offbeat rhythm" and "eccentric arrangement". [12] Cash Box commented: "This cover paints yet another picture of the ever-changing Palmer. Here he plays a jumpy electronic popper". [13]

Chart history

Chart (1982)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [14] 41
Germany [15] 52
New Zealand [16] 49
Sweden [17] 7
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [7] 16
US Billboard Top Rock Tracks [18] 59

Rod Stewart version

"Some Guys Have All the Luck"
Some Guys Have All the Luck - The Persuaders.jpg
Single by Rod Stewart
from the album Camouflage
B-side "I Was Only Joking"
Released20 July 1984 [19]
Genre
Length4:36 (Album version)
4:03 (7" version/video edit)
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Jeff Fortgang
Producer(s) Michael Omartian
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Infatuation"
(1984)		"Some Guys Have All the Luck"
(1984)		"All Right Now"
(1984)
Music video
"Some Guys Have All the Luck" on YouTube

British rock singer Rod Stewart released a cover over a decade after the original Persuaders version, released as the second single from his 1984 album Camouflage . The most successful version to date, in Stewart's native country the single climbed to No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the single peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1984, while on the US Cash Box Top 100, the single peaked at No. 16 in that same month. Stewart's version incorporated a vocal refrain from "Ain't Got No Home" by Clarence "Frogman" Henry.

Stewart began using the Palmer-style arrangement in live concerts in 2003 after Palmer's death as a tribute, with live female backup vocalists and a horn player wearing identical dresses, similar to Palmer's signature music videos.

Track listing

7-inch single

  1. Some Guys Have All the Luck (7" Edit) - 4:03

12-inch single

  1. Some Guys Have All the Luck (LP version) - 4:36
  2. Some Guys Have All the Luck (Extended Version) - 6:32

Chart history

Chart (1984)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [20] 95
Canada [21] 16
Germany [21] 58
Ireland [21] 11
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [22] 15
US Billboard Hot 100 [23] 10
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [24] 27
US Cash Box Top 100 [25] 16

Other notable cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Palmer</span> English musician (1949–2003)

Robert Allen Palmer was an English singer and songwriter. He was known for his powerful and soulful voice, his sartorial elegance, and his stylistic explorations, combining soul, funk, jazz, rock, pop, reggae, and blues. His 1986 song "Addicted to Love" and its accompanying video came to "epitomise the glamour and excesses of the 1980s".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maggie May</span> 1971 single by Rod Stewart

"Maggie May" is a song cowritten by singer Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton, performed by Stewart for his album Every Picture Tells a Story, released in 1971. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked it number 130 in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2017, the Mercury Records single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

"It Takes Two" is a hit single recorded in late 1965 by American singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye and American soul singer Kim Weston, released in 1966 on Motown's Tamla label.

"(I Know) I'm Losing You" is a 1966 hit single recorded by the Temptations for the Gordy (Motown) label, written by Cornelius Grant, Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield, and produced by Norman Whitfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Red Wine</span> 1967 single by Neil Diamond

"Red Red Wine" is a song originally written, performed and recorded by American singer Neil Diamond in 1967 that appears on his second studio album, Just for You. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a person who finds that drinking red wine is the only way to forget his woes.

The Persuaders are a New York City-based R&B vocal group best known for their gold hit single in the early 1970s, "Thin Line Between Love and Hate". It sold over a million copies, topping the Billboard R&B chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 29, 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?</span> 1978 single by Rod Stewart

"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?", also written "Da' Ya' Think I'm Sexy", is a song by British singer Rod Stewart from his ninth studio album, Blondes Have More Fun (1978). It was written by Stewart, Carmine Appice, and Duane Hitchings, though it incorporates the melody from the song "Taj Mahal" by Jorge Ben Jor and the string arrangement from the song "(If You Want My Love) Put Something Down On It" by Bobby Womack.

"The First Cut Is the Deepest" is a 1967 song written by British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, originally released by P. P. Arnold in April 1967. Stevens's own version originally appeared on his album New Masters in December 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bring It On Home to Me</span> 1962 single by Sam Cooke

"Bring It On Home to Me" is a song by the American soul singer Sam Cooke, released on May 8, 1962, by RCA Victor. Produced by Hugo & Luigi, and arranged and conducted by René Hall, the song was the B-side to "Having a Party". The song peaked at number two on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart, and also charted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has become a pop standard, covered by numerous artists of different genres. It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twistin' the Night Away</span> 1962 single by Sam Cooke

"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. It was recorded on 18 December 1961 and released as a single in 1962. It became very popular, charting in the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 (#9) and Billboard's R&B chart (#1). "Twistin' the Night Away" was successful overseas as well, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard Luck Woman</span> 1976 single by Kiss

"Hard Luck Woman" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss and the lead single from their 1976 album, Rock and Roll Over. It was originally written by Paul Stanley as a possible track for Rod Stewart, but after the success of the soft rock ballad "Beth", Kiss decided to keep it for themselves as a follow-up. Stanley has stated his admiration and love of Stewart's music numerous times, and that "Hard Luck Woman" was inspired by Rod Stewart, in particular the songs "Maggie May" and "You Wear It Well". While Stewart's music served as a partial inspiration for the song, the nautical themed song "Brandy" by American pop-rock band Looking Glass served as Stanley's main inspiration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Legs</span> 1978 single by Rod Stewart

"Hot Legs" is a single by Rod Stewart released in 1978 as the second single from his 1977 album Foot Loose & Fancy Free. The single performed moderately on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 28, but performed better on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 5. In the UK, "Hot Legs" and "I Was Only Joking" charted together as a double A-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ain't Love a Bitch</span> 1979 single by Rod Stewart

"Ain't Love a Bitch" is a song written by Gary Grainger and Rod Stewart. Stewart released it on his 1978 album Blondes Have More Fun, and it was one of four songs on the album co-written by Stewart and Grainger. The song was released as a single in 1979, reaching #11 on the UK charts, and #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It spent 8 weeks on the UK charts and 6 weeks on the US charts. The song also reached the Top Ten in several countries, including Ireland. Billboard magazine placed Stewart #7 on its list of the Top Single Artists of 1979 on the strength of "Ain't Love a Bitch" and its predecessor, "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Long (Ace song)</span> 1975 single by Ace

"How Long" is the debut single by the English band Ace, from their 1974 debut album, Five-A-Side. It reached No. 3 on both the US and Canadian charts, and No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart.

"I Don't Want to Talk About It" is a song written by American guitarist Danny Whitten. It was first recorded by American rock band Crazy Horse and issued as the final track on side one of their 1971 eponymous album. It was Whitten's signature tune, but gained more fame via its numerous cover versions, especially that by Rod Stewart. Cash Box magazine has described it as "a magnificent ballad outing."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downtown Train</span> 1985 single by Tom Waits

"Downtown Train" is a song by Tom Waits released on his album Rain Dogs in 1985. The promo video for the song was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, it features boxer Jake LaMotta and Neith Hunter.

"Reason to Believe" is a song written, composed, and first recorded by American folk singer Tim Hardin in 1965. It has since been recorded by many artists, most notably by the Carpenters on their album Close to You in 1970, and Rod Stewart first for his album Every Picture Tells a Story in 1971 and again for the live album Unplugged...and Seated in 1993.

"Nut Rocker" is an instrumental rock single recorded by American instrumental ensemble B. Bumble and the Stingers that reached number 23 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in March 1962 and went to number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1962. It is a version of the march from Tchaikovsky's 1892 ballet The Nutcracker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Have I Told You Lately</span> 1989 single by Van Morrison

"Have I Told You Lately" is a song written and recorded by Northern Irish singer and songwriter Van Morrison for his nineteenth studio album, Avalon Sunset (1989). It is a romantic ballad that is often played at weddings, although it was originally written as a prayer. The opening line is from the song "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" by William Bell.

<i>Camouflage</i> (Rod Stewart album) 1984 studio album by Rod Stewart

Camouflage is the thirteenth studio album by Rod Stewart released in 1984 by Warner Bros. Records. The four singles from the album were "Infatuation", "Trouble", a cover of The Persuaders hit "Some Guys Have All the Luck", and a cover of the Free hit, "All Right Now". The album marked a reunion of sorts between Stewart and Jeff Beck, who plays guitar on several tracks, as the two had been members of the influential 1960s group The Jeff Beck Group.

References

  1. ↑ "Some Guys Have All the Luck - Rod Stewart | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  2. ↑ "The Persuaders". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  3. ↑ Jeff Fortgang- All the Music in the World @bandcamp.com Retrieved 6-26-2015.
  4. ↑ "The Persuaders Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 457.
  6. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 29, 1973". Cash Box Magazine. December 29, 1973. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  7. 1 2 "ROBERT PALMER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  8. ↑ Palmer, Robert (1989). Addictions: Volume 1 (Media notes). Robert Palmer. UK. CID 9944.
  9. ↑ Birch, Ian (7 January 1982). "Singles". Smash Hits . Vol. 4, no. 1. p. 16. ISSN   0260-3004.
  10. ↑ Penman, Ian (23 January 1982). "Singles". New Musical Express . p. 12. ISSN   0028-6362.
  11. ↑ Sunie (16 January 1982). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 9. ISSN   0144-5804.
  12. ↑ "Top Single Picks". Billboard . Vol. 94, no. 14. Billboard Publications, Inc. 10 April 1982. p. 74. ISSN   0006-2510.
  13. ↑ "Reviews: Singles". Cash Box . Vol. 43, no. 46. 10 April 1982. p. 8. ISSN   0008-7289.
  14. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. pp. 228, 236. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  15. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer - Some Guys Have All The Luck". germancharts.de. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  16. ↑ Steffen Hung. "charts.org.nz - Robert Palmer - Some Guys Have All The Luck". Charts.nz. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  17. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Robert Palmer - Some Guys Have All The Luck". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  18. ↑ "Robert Palmer Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-10-11.
  19. ↑ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 14.
  20. ↑ "Australian Chart Books". Austchartbook.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 "Song artist 18 - Rod Stewart". Tsort.info. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  22. ↑ "Official Charts". Official Charts . July 28, 1984. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Rod Stewart - Chart history". Billboard . October 27, 1984. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Rod Stewart Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  25. ↑ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending October 27, 1984". Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 2018-02-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Cash Box magazine.
  26. ↑ "Yankee Reggae - Shakers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  27. ↑ "Some Guys Have All the Luck - Junior Tucker | Song Info". AllMusic . Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  28. ↑ "Consumer Guide Album - Reggae Greats: Strictly for Lovers". The Village Voice . Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  29. ↑ "Consumer Guide Album - Robert Palmer". The Village Voice . Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  30. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 214.
  31. ↑ Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts from 1954 to the Present Day (5th ed.). San Francisco: Backbeat Books via Hal Leonard Corporation. 2004 [1994]. ISBN   9780879308087 . Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  32. ↑ "MAXI PRIEST; full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.