"You Might Need Somebody" is a song written by Tom Snow and Nan O'Byrne, first recorded in 1979 by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards. In 1981, 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.
The first version of the song was released in 1979 by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards from his album Therfu. The single peaked at No. 54 on the BillboardHot 100 in early 1980.[1] In the same year, Anna Oxa released an Italian version titled "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] It also peaked at No. 39 on the Belgian (Flanders) Ultratop 50 singles chart in October 1981[3] and on the New Zealand singles chart in January 1982.[4]
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.[11]
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".[12] Swedish Göteborgs-Tidningen declared it as a "truly delightful, generous electric piano-garnished Randy Crawford-cover".[13] 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".[14]
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."[15]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."[16] 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."[17] Dave Fawbert from ShortList deemed the song as "absolutely massive".[18] 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'".[19]
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."[20]
↑ You Might Need Somebody (UK & European CD1 liner notes). Shola Ama. WEA Records. 1997. WEA097CD1, 0630 18641 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
↑ You Might Need Somebody (UK & European CD2 liner notes). Shola Ama. WEA Records. 1997. WEA097CD2, 0630 18642 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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