Whenever You Need Somebody (song)
"Whenever You Need Somebody" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, which became successful for two of their artists.
O'Chi Brown version[]
"Whenever You Need Somebody" | ||||
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Single by O'Chi Brown | ||||
from the album O'Chi | ||||
Released | November 1985 | |||
Recorded | 1985 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 3:26 | |||
Label | Magnetic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stock Aitken Waterman | |||
Producer(s) | Stock Aitken Waterman | |||
O'Chi Brown singles chronology | ||||
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The song was originally written for English singer O'Chi Brown, and released in November 1985 on Magnetic Records. It became a minor hit for Brown in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 97 there.[1]
The single was later released in 1986 in the US, where it became a #1 hit on the dance charts. It failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, however. The song was later included in Brown's studio album O'Chi, released in 1986.
When the song was covered by Rick Astley in 1987, Magnet reissued the single in 12" format with new mixes in late 1987.
Chart (1985-1986) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 97 |
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 1 |
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 88 |
Rick Astley version[]
"Whenever You Need Somebody" | ||||
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Single by Rick Astley | ||||
from the album Whenever You Need Somebody | ||||
Released | 26 October 1987 (UK) | |||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Genre | Dance-pop | |||
Length | 3:26 | |||
Label | RCA | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stock Aitken Waterman | |||
Producer(s) | Stock Aitken Waterman | |||
Rick Astley singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Whenever You Need Somebody" on YouTube |
In 1987, Rick Astley covered the song, and it would become the title track and second single from Astley's multi-million selling debut album Whenever You Need Somebody, also written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman. It was a successful European hit for Astley, reaching No. 1 in seven countries, continuing the success of his previous smash single "Never Gonna Give You Up". Though not released as a single in the U.S., it was released as the 4th single in Canada. The girl part of the music video was shot at Las Canteras beach and at the adjacent Hotel Reina Isabel, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
In 2019, Astley recorded and released a 'Reimagined' version of the song for his album The Best of Me, which features a new piano arrangement.[2]
Track listing[]
- 7" single
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" — 3:26
- "Just Good Friends" — 3:45
- 7" single - Picture-disc
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" — 3:26
- "Just Good Friends" — 3:45
- 12" maxi
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) — 7:34
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental) — 3:50
- "Just Good Friends" — 3:45
- 12" and cassette single
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" – 7:52
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental) – 4:38
- "Just Good Friends" – 3:40
- 12" promo
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) – 7:34
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (7" version) – 3:27
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Remix) – 7:57
- "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Remix Dub) – 4:39
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
Chart (1987–88) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 3 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] | 4 |
Denmark (IFPI)[5] | 2 |
France (SNEP)[4] | 11 |
Germany (Media Control Charts)[6] | 1 |
Iceland (RÚV)[7] | 17 |
Ireland (IRMA)[8] | 3 |
Norway (VG-lista)[4] | 2 |
Spain (AFYVE)[9] | 2 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[4] | 1 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[4] | 1 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[10] | 3 |
Year-end charts[]
Chart (1987) | Position |
---|---|
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[11] | 46 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[12] | 26 |
Chart (1988) | Position |
Australia (ARIA)[13] | 12 |
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[14] | 69 |
Germany (Media Control Charts) | 28 |
References[]
- ^ "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 8: It's A Man's Man's Man's World to Whenever You Need Somebody on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ^ Brungardt, Leah (12 November 2019). "An Interview with 'Never Gonna Give You Up' Singer Rick Astley on His Iconic Hit Song, His Newest Album and Much More!". All Access Music. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 20. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Whenever You Need Somebody", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 14 February 2008)
- ^ Danish Singles Chart 27 November 1987
- ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved 10 April 2008)
- ^ "Rick Astley Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 14 February 2008)
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved 8 August 2008)
- ^ "Single top 100 over 1987" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
- ^ The Complete Book Of British Charts by Warwick/Kutner/Brown
- ^ "Top 50 Singles 1988". Retrieved 1 September 2008.
- ^ "1988 Year End Eurocharts" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 January 1988. p. 30. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- 1987 singles
- 1988 singles
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Number-one singles in Sweden
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- Rick Astley songs
- Songs about loneliness
- Song recordings produced by Stock Aitken Waterman
- Songs written by Mike Stock (musician)
- Songs written by Matt Aitken
- Songs written by Pete Waterman
- 1985 songs
- Magnet Records singles
- RCA Records singles