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Whenever You Need Somebody (song)

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"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"
Single by O'Chi Brown
from the album O'Chi
ReleasedNovember 1985
Recorded1985
GenreDance-pop
Length3:26
LabelMagnetic
Songwriter(s)Stock Aitken Waterman
Producer(s)Stock Aitken Waterman
O'Chi Brown singles chronology
"Why Can't We Be Friends"
(1985) 		"Whenever You Need Somebody"
(1985) 		"100% Pure Pain"
(1986)

The song was originally written for British 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] According to Brown, the popularity of the track "caught people [in the industry] by surprise", with producer Pete Waterman left "on the warpath" over the lack of support for the track.[2]

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, due to a lack of available stock in record stores.[2] According to Brown, "They didn't have the physical disc, they'd run out of the physical discs."[2]

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.

Discussing Astley's success with the track she'd originated, Brown complimented the singer on his voice and praised the chart performance of his cover, but noted, "I like mine better, what can I tell you?

"Rick's got a great voice, but I just felt that the song suited a woman, and I felt it suited my voice. I'm not going to say mine was better, but I liked mine more."[2]

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"
Single by Rick Astley
from the album Whenever You Need Somebody
Released26 October 1987 (UK)
Recorded1987
GenreDance-pop
Length3:26
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)Stock Aitken Waterman
Producer(s)Stock Aitken Waterman
Rick Astley singles chronology
"Learning to Live (Without Your Love)"
(1987) 		"Whenever You Need Somebody"
(1987) 		"When I Fall in Love/My Arms Keep Missing You"
(1987)
Audio sample
Music video
"Whenever You Need Somebody" on YouTube

In 1987, Rick Astley covered the song, as SAW rushed to gather strong follow up material in the wake of the unexpected global mega-success of "Never Gonna Give You Up".[3] The song 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. 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.[4]

Track listing

7" single
  1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" — 3:26
  2. "Just Good Friends" — 3:45
7" single - Picture-disc
  1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" — 3:26
  2. "Just Good Friends" — 3:45
12" maxi
  1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) — 7:34
  2. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental) — 3:50
  3. "Just Good Friends" — 3:45
12" and cassette single
  1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" – 7:52
  2. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental) – 4:38
  3. "Just Good Friends" – 3:40
12" promo
  1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) – 7:34
  2. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (7" version) – 3:27
  3. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Remix) – 7:57
  4. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Remix Dub) – 4:39

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Whenever You Need Somebody" by Rick Astley
Chart (1987–88) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 4
Denmark (IFPI)[7] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8] 3
France (SNEP)[6] 11
Germany (Media Control Charts)[9] 1
Iceland (RÚV)[10] 17
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 3
Italy (Musica e dischi)[12] 1
Norway (VG-lista)[6] 2
Spain (AFYVE)[13] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[6] 1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[6] 1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14] 3

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Whenever You Need Somebody" by Rick Astley
Chart (1987) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 46
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[16] 26
Chart (1988) Position
Australia (ARIA)[17] 12
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[18] 69
Germany (Media Control Charts) 28[19]

References

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ a b c d "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 12: Tell Me Tomorrow to New York Afternoon on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  3. ^ "A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman: Ep 29: Learning To Live (Without Your Love) to Turn It Up on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 20. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Whenever You Need Somebody", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 14 February 2008)
  7. ^ Danish Singles Chart 27 November 1987
  8. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Rick Astley". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 21. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  9. ^ German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved 10 April 2008)
  10. ^ "Rick Astley Chart History". RÚV. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  11. ^ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 14 February 2008)
  12. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Rick Astley".
  13. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  14. ^ UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company (Retrieved 8 August 2008)
  15. ^ "Single top 100 over 1987" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  16. ^ The Complete Book Of British Charts by Warwick/Kutner/Brown
  17. ^ "Top 50 Singles 1988". Retrieved 1 September 2008.
  18. ^ "1988 Year End Eurocharts" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 January 1988. p. 30. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  19. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1988" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
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