You Might Need Somebody

"You Might Need Somebody" is a song written by Tom Snow and Nan O'Byrne, first recorded in 1980 by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards. Then another American singer Randy Crawford's 1981 version charted well in the United Kingdom but was modest in Flanders (Belgium) and New Zealand. English singer Shola Ama's 1997 version charted well throughout Europe and New Zealand, helping the song gain more notoriety.

"You Might Need Somebody"
Dutch release
Single by Randy Crawford
from the album Secret Combination
B-side"You Bring The Sun Out"
Released1981
GenreR&B
Length4:17
LabelWarner Bros. Records
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)

Early versions

In 1980, a version by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards peaked number 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 number eleven on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth highest charting single on that chart.[2] The version also peaked number 39 in the Flanders region of Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles chart in 1981 and in the New Zealand music chart one year later.[3][4]

In 1991, Joe Walsh released his rock version of "You Might Need Somebody" on his ninth studio album Ordinary Average Guy.

Shola Ama version
"You Might Need Somebody"
Single by Shola Ama
from the album Much Love
Released7 April 1997
GenrePop, R&B
LabelWEA
Songwriter(s)Nan O'Byrne, Tom Snow
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. Her version reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit in France, Ireland, 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 number 25 in October 1997.

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 noted 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."[5] Swedish newspaper Göteborgs-Tidningen called it a "truly delightful, generous electric piano-garnished Randy Crawford-cover."[6] Music & Media commented that "there's little doubt that that Shola Ama has a fantastic voice" and noted that "radio has already warmed to this familiar cover, which is reproduced almost note for note from the Randy Crawford original".[7] Dave Fawbert from ShortList wrote that the song is "absolutely massive".[8] A reviewer from Sunday Mirror stated that Ama's "got such an amazing voice. She's the best British female R&B singer" and then added, "I really liked 'You Might Need Somebody'."[9]

Track listing
CD single (CD1), UK (1997)
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 (1997)
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 and certifications

References
  1. "The Hot 100 – Week of February 23, 1980". Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 125. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. "Randy Crawford – 'You Might Need Somebody'". Ultratop. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  4. "Randy Crawford – 'You Might Need Somebody' (song)". Ultratop. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  5. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 18 October 1997. p. 80. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  6. Göteborgs-Tidningen. 19 September 1997.
  7. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  8. Fawbert, Dave (17 November 2017). "Old Music Friday: reviewing all the tunes released 20 years ago today". ShortList. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  9. Sunday Mirror. 21 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  10. "Austriancharts.at – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  11. "Ultratop.be – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  13. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 40. 4 October 1997. p. 13.
  14. "Lescharts.com – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  15. "Offiziellecharts.de – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  16. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.07.1997 – 23.07.1997)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 18 July 1997. p. 22. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You Might Need Somebody". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  18. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  19. "Dutchcharts.nl – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  20. "Charts.nz – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  21. "Notowanie nr815" (in Polish). LP3. 12 September 1997. Retrieved 27 February 2019. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  22. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  23. "Swedishcharts.com – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  24. "Swisscharts.com – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  25. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  26. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  27. "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1997" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14 no. 52. 27 December 1997. p. 7. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  28. "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1997" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  29. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  30. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  31. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  32. "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
  33. "French single certifications – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  34. "New Zealand single certifications – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  35. "British single certifications – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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