Somebody's Baby

Last updated
"Somebody's Baby"
Somebody's Baby.jpg
Single by Jackson Browne
from the album Fast Times at Ridgemont High: Music from the Motion Picture
B-side "The Crow on the Cradle"
ReleasedJuly 1982
Recorded1982
Genre Rock
Length4:05 (album/single version) 4:22 (extended version)
Label Asylum
Songwriter(s) Jackson Browne, Danny Kortchmar
Producer(s) Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne singles chronology
"Hold On Hold Out"
(1981)
"Somebody's Baby"
(1982)
"Lawyers In Love"
(1983)

"Somebody's Baby" is a song written by Jackson Browne and Danny Kortchmar [1] and recorded by Browne for the 1982 Fast Times at Ridgemont High movie soundtrack. Reaching No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after debuting at No. 73 on July 31, 1982, the track would be Browne's last top ten hit, as well as the highest-charting single of his career, spending a total of nineteen weeks on the chart.

Contents

The song reached No. 14 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, as well. [2] [3] In Canada, "Somebody's Baby" peaked at #16. [4] The single was also released in Italy, Spain and Japan. [5]

Cash Box said that "Browne has come up with a most appealing first single from the soundtrack to Fast Times At Ridgemont High." [6] Billboard called it a "midtempo rocker" which was not one of Browne's "most arresting compositions" but would still "appeal to pop and AOR formats." [7]

Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it as Browne's 3rd greatest song, calling it "one of his most unlikely songs, a sweet, and surprisingly despair-free, love song." [8] Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it as Browne's 5th greatest song, saying that "There is no better soundtrack song in the genre of teen movies than Jackson Browne’s 'Somebody’s Baby'" and that although it's "the most pop-oriented hit of his career...it was pop music perfection that was all substance." [9]

It has since been released on several of Browne's greatest hits albums, including The Next Voice You Hear: The Best of Jackson Browne and The Very Best of Jackson Browne . An unplugged acoustic version appears on Browne's album entitled Solo Acoustic, Vol. 2 (2008).

Personnel

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1982)Peak
position
Australia KMR [10] 26
Canada RPM Top Singles [4] 16
US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 7
US Billboard Mainstream Rock 4
US Billboard Adult Contemporary [12] 14
US Cash Box Top 100 [13] 5

Year-end charts

Chart (1982)Rank
US Billboard Hot 100 [14] 68
US Cash Box [15] 33

Other versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Livin' Thing</span> 1976 single by Electric Light Orchestra

"Livin' Thing" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and performed by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It appears on ELO's 1976 album A New World Record and was also released as a single. Patti Quatro sang uncredited vocals, particularly the "higher and higher" parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feelin' Satisfied</span> 1979 single by Boston

"Feelin' Satisfied" is a song by American rock band Boston, released on their 1978 studio album Don't Look Back. The song was written by Tom Scholz and released as a single in 1979. The single peaked at #46 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It reached #84 in Canada. It was the band's last release for 7 years, until Third Stage in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stay (Maurice Williams song)</span> 1960 song by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs

"Stay" is a doo-wop song written by Maurice Williams and first recorded in 1960 by Williams with his group the Zodiacs. Commercially successful versions were later also issued by the Hollies, the Four Seasons and Jackson Browne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Matter What (Badfinger song)</span> Single by Badfinger

"No Matter What" is a song originally recorded by Badfinger for their album No Dice in 1970, written and sung by Pete Ham and produced by Mal Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evil Woman (Electric Light Orchestra song)</span> 1975 single by Electric Light Orchestra

"Evil Woman" is a song written by lead vocalist Jeff Lynne and recorded by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was first released on the band's fifth album, 1975's Face the Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telephone Line (song)</span> 1977 single by Electric Light Orchestra

"Telephone Line" is a song by English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in May 1977 through Jet Records and United Artists Records as part of the album A New World Record. It was very successful, reaching the Top 10 in Australia, US, and UK, and number 1 in Canada. The song appears in the 1995 Adam Sandler film Billy Madison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urgent (song)</span> 1981 single by Foreigner

"Urgent" is a song by the British-American rock band Foreigner, and the first single from their album 4 in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running on Empty (song)</span> 1978 single by Jackson Browne

"Running on Empty" is a song by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. It is the title track of his 1977 live album of the same name, recorded at a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on August 27, 1977. A number 11 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 when it was released as a single, it spent seventeen weeks on the chart after debuting on February 11, 1978 at position 72. Rolling Stone ranked it at number 496 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2010 and number 492 in 2004 and it is one of Browne's signature songs. "Running on Empty" was most popular in Canada, where it spent two weeks at number four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanna (song)</span> 1982 single by Toto

"Rosanna" is a song written by David Paich and performed by the American rock band Toto, the opening track and the first single from their 1982 album Toto IV. This song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 1983 ceremony. "Rosanna" was also nominated for the Song of the Year award. It is regarded for the half-time shuffle which drummer Jeff Porcaro developed for the song. The groove has become an important staple of drum repertoire and is commonly known as the "Rosanna shuffle".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor, My Eyes</span> 1972 single by Jackson Browne

"Doctor, My Eyes" is a 1972 song written and performed by Jackson Browne and included on his debut album Jackson Browne. Featuring a combination of an upbeat piano riff coupled with lyrics about feeling world-weary, the song was a surprise hit, reaching number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in spring 1972, after debuting on the chart at number 80. Browne would not see the chart's Top 10 again until 1982's soundtrack hit "Somebody's Baby", although "Running on Empty" just missed the Top 10, reaching number 11. Billboard ranked "Doctor My Eyes" as the No. 92 song for 1972. In Canada, the song peaked at number four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Load-Out</span> 1977 single by Jackson Browne

"The Load-Out" is a song co-written and performed live by Jackson Browne from his 1977 album Running on Empty. It is a tribute to his roadies and fans. The song was recorded live at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on August 27, 1977, as part of the tour in support of the album The Pretender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawyers in Love (song)</span> 1983 single by Jackson Browne

"Lawyers in Love" is the first single and title track of Jackson Browne's 1983 album of the same name, Lawyers in Love. Though not as successful as Browne's previous single "Somebody's Baby", nonetheless at #13 it became Browne's fourth-highest peaking hit on the Hot 100 as well as his final top 20 hit on the American pop charts, while in Canada peaking on RPM at #13. Browne wrote most of the songs on the album, including the title track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feels Like the First Time</span> 1977 single by Foreigner

"Feels Like the First Time" is the debut single by British-American rock band Foreigner. It was written by Mick Jones and released in 1977 from the band's eponymous debut album. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pretender (Jackson Browne song)</span> 1977 single by Jackson Browne

"The Pretender" is a song written and performed by American rock performer Jackson Browne and featured on his 1976 album The Pretender.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold On Hold Out</span> 1980 single by Jackson Browne

"Hold On Hold Out" is a song written by Jackson Browne and Craig Doerge and performed by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. It is from his 1980 album Hold Out. It was released as the third single from the album, but due to its slightly over-eight-minute length, it was released as a "specially priced" 12-inch 45 rpm record instead of the traditional 7-inch 45, Asylum records possibly hoping to repeat the 12-inch airplay success of "The Load-Out/Stay" medley from the previous album. However, "Hold On Hold Out" only reached number 103 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)</span> 1973 single by The Moody Blues

"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" is a 1973 hit single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, written by the band's bassist, John Lodge. It was first released in 1972 as the final track on the album Seventh Sojourn and was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady" as its B-side. It was the second single released from Seventh Sojourn, with the first being "Isn't Life Strange", which was also written by Lodge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulevard (song)</span> 1980 single by Jackson Browne

"Boulevard" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne. It is from his 1980 album Hold Out. When it was released as a single, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at position number 72 on July 5, 1980. It peaked at number 19 and spent 16 weeks on the chart, the fifth-biggest hit of Browne's Top 40 career. Besides the United States, the song was also released as a single in Spain, Japan, the U.K., Italy and Germany. In Canada, "Boulevard" reached number four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minute by Minute (The Doobie Brothers song)</span> Single by The Doobie Brothers

"Minute by Minute" is a song written by Michael McDonald and Lester Abrams originally released by The Doobie Brothers on their 1978 album Minute by Minute. The single was released in April 1979, debuted at number 67 on 5 May 1979, and reached number 14 on 23–30 June 1979 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, but lost out to The Doobie Brothers' own "What a Fool Believes". "Minute by Minute" did win a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus at the 22nd Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Love the Thunder</span> 1978 single by Jackson Browne

"You Love the Thunder" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne from his 1977 live album, Running on Empty, recorded at a concert at Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, on September 6, 1977. Released as the third single a full year after the album came out, it only reached #109 on Billboards Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, though it received increased Album-Oriented Rock airplay. The B-side of the U.S. single was "The Road"; however, the B-side for the British single was "Cocaine".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here Come Those Tears Again</span> 1977 single by Jackson Browne

"Here Come Those Tears Again" is a song co-written and performed by American singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and included on his 1976 album The Pretender. Released as a single, it reached #23 one year to the week after the death of Browne's wife, Phyllis Major, spending nine weeks on the chart, after entering the Billboard Hot 100 on February 5, 1977, at position #64, the highest debut of the week. It also reached #15 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The single was the eighth-highest charting of his Hot 100 career. It was also released as a single in the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

References

  1. "Somebody's Baby - Jackson Browne | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  2. Billboard.com Jackson Browne Chart History. Accessed July 11, 2012.
  3. Whitburn, Joel. Billboard Hot 100 Charts - The Eighties. Wisconsin: Record Research, 1991.
  4. 1 2 Canada, Library and Archives (2013-07-17). "Image : RPM Weekly". www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  5. Paris, Russ. The Jackson Browne Fan Page, COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY. Archived 2012-02-25 at the Wayback Machine Accessed July 11, 2012.
  6. "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 31, 1982. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  7. "Top Single Picks". Billboard. July 31, 1982. p. 51. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  8. Gallucci, Michael (October 9, 2012). "Top 10 Jackson Browne songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  9. Kachejian, Brian. "Top 10 Jackson Browne Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  10. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  11. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  12. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 35.
  13. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 30, 1982".
  14. "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". www.musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  15. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 25, 1982". Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  16. Rettig, James (March 28, 2019). "Sidney Gish Covers Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby"". Stereogum . Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  17. Harrington, Richard (April 5, 1998). "'TITANIC,' MUSICALLY HUGE". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  18. "Not Another Teen Movie". Billboard . December 22, 2001. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  19. Breihan, Tom (September 13, 2023). "Free Energy – "Somebody's Baby" (Jackson Browne Cover)". Stereogum . Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  20. Sacher, Andrew (February 23, 2015). "stream Have Mercy and Somos' new split EP". BrooklynVegan . Retrieved August 30, 2023.