You Might Need Somebody

Last updated
"You Might Need Somebody"
You Might Need Somebody 1981.jpg
Dutch release
Single by Randy Crawford
from the album Secret Combination
B-side "You Bring the Sun Out"
Released1981
Genre R&B
Length4:17
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Nan O'Byrne, Tom Snow
Producer(s) Tommy LiPuma
Randy Crawford singles chronology
"When I Lose My Way"
(1981)
"You Might Need Somebody"
(1981)
"Rainy Night In Georgia"
(1981)

"You Might Need Somebody" is a song written by Tom Snow and Nan O'Byrne, and first recorded in 1980 by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards. The following year, American jazz and R&B singer and songwriter Randy Crawford released her version which reached No. 11 in the United Kingdom and was a modest hit in Flanders (Belgium) and New Zealand. In 1997, English singer Shola Ama's version reached the top-10 in the UK and in several other countries including Ireland, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.

Contents

Early versions

In 1980, a version by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards peaked at No. 54 in the Billboard Hot 100. [1] In the same year, Anna Oxa released an Italian version "Metropolitana" with Italian lyrics written by Marco Luberti for her studio album "Controllo totale".

In 1981, Randy Crawford covered the song for her album Secret Combination . It was the second single released from the album. Her version reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth highest-charting single on that chart. [2] The version also peaked No. 39 in the Flanders region of Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles chart in 1981 and on the New Zealand music chart one year later. [3] [4]

Charts

Chart (1981–1982)Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [5] 39
Ireland (IRMA) [6] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [7] 39
UK Singles (OCC) [8] 11

Shola Ama version

"You Might Need Somebody"
You Might Need Somebody 1997.jpg
Single by Shola Ama
from the album Much Love
Released7 April 1997 (1997-04-07) [9]
Genre
Length
  • 4:51 (album version)
  • 3:51 (radio mix)
Label WEA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) D'Influence
Shola Ama singles chronology
"You're the One I Love"
(1996)
"You Might Need Somebody"
(1997)
"You're the One I Love" (re-issue)
(1997)
Music video
"You Might Need Somebody" on YouTube

In 1997, English singer Shola Ama recorded a version of the song featured on her debut album, Much Love (1997). Her version was produced by D'Influence and released in April 1997 by WEA. The song reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit also in France, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. It was additionally a top-20 hit in Iceland, Scotland, and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at No. 25 in October 1997. The accompanying music video, directed by Jake Nava, was put at heavy rotation on MTV. [10]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as a "curious little number" and a "jazzy, Brand New Heavies-ish type of track that reeks of a classic soul production akin to a Ray Parker Jr. orchestration". He added that "while that sounds confusing, once programmers and listeners key into the lyrics, which are well written and well executed, Shola Ama's influences are of no consequence". [11] Swedish Göteborgs-Tidningen declared it as a "truly delightful, generous electric piano-garnished Randy Crawford-cover". [12] A reviewer from Music & Media said that "there's little doubt that that Shola Ama has a fantastic voice", noting that "radio has already warmed to this familiar cover, which is reproduced almost note for note from the Randy Crawford original". [13]

British magazine Music Week rated it four out of five, adding that the singer "breathes new life" into the 16-year-old hit, "with a classy, understated performance." [14] Music Week editor, Alan Jones, said it is "still sounding superb", stating that "the backing is looser and less urgent, as the song ploughs an R&B furrow." [15] Ralph Tee from the Record Mirror gave it three out of five, stating that it is "given a crisp clean street soul production by D-Influence". He concluded that "its definitely their mix that cuts it the best, despite it sounding so close to the original. It just sounds great." [16] Dave Fawbert from ShortList deemed the song as "absolutely massive". [17] A reviewer from the Sunday Mirror stated that Ama's "got such an amazing voice. She's the best British female R&B singer," and added, "I really liked 'You Might Need Somebody'". [18]

Live performances

Ama performed "You Might Need Somebody" in three successive Top of the Pops performances. She said in a 1997 interview, "After the first couple of shows, people wouldn't believe that I had sung live; they all thought I'd been miming. So on the third one, I missed a bit out to prove it was for real." [19]

Track listings

CD single (CD1), UK and Europe (1997) [20]
No.TitleLength
1."You Might Need Somebody" (DI Classic radio mix)3:51
2."You Might Need Somebody" (DI Classic radio mix with rap)3:52
3."You Might Need Somebody" (C&J Lovers mix)4:02
4."You Might Need Somebody" (Mousse T's Mellow Dub mix)5:48
5."You Might Need Somebody" (Ill-In-Ton's club mix)6:20
CD single (CD2), UK and Europe (1997) [21]
No.TitleLength
1."You Might Need Somebody" (Paul Waller Dirty Bass mix with rap)5:41
2."You Might Need Somebody" (Mousse T's Soul Train with rap)4:04
3."You Might Need Somebody" (Brockpocket mix)4:32
4."You Might Need Somebody" (Basement Jaxx Night dub)5:56

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP) [45] Gold250,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ) [46] Gold5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [47] Silver200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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