Whenever You Need Somebody (song)
Encyclopedia
"Whenever You Need Somebody" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman
, which became successful for two of their artists.
, and released in November 1985 on Magnet Records
. It became a minor hit for Brown in the UK, peaking at #97 there.
The single was later released in 1986 in the USA, where it peaked at #1 on the Dance/Club Play chart. It also peaked at #88 on the Soul singles chart. It failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, however. The song was later included in Brown's 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.
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 #1 in seven countries, continuing the success of his previous smash single "Never Gonna Give You Up
". It was not released as a single in the U.S.
7" single - Picture-disc
12" maxi
Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
, which became successful for two of their artists.
O'Chi Brown version
The song was originally written for female singer O'Chi BrownO'Chi Brown
O'chi Brown is a female dance music singer born in Tottenham, London England. She scored two hits on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, the most successful being "Whenever You Need Somebody," which hit #1 in 1986...
, and released in November 1985 on Magnet Records
Magnet Records
Magnet Records was a record label started in 1973 by Michael Levy and acquired by Warner Bros. Records in 1988 for an estimated £10m.Artists on the label included Alvin Stardust, Matchbox, Adrian Baker, Silver Convention, Guys 'n' Dolls, Darts, Kissing the Pink, Bad Manners, David D'Or, Blue Zoo...
. It became a minor hit for Brown in the UK, peaking at #97 there.
The single was later released in 1986 in the USA, where it peaked at #1 on the Dance/Club Play chart. It also peaked at #88 on the Soul singles chart. It failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, however. The song was later included in Brown's 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) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
97 |
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Hot Dance Club Play The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs... |
1 |
| U.S. Billbaord Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
88 |
Rick Astley version
In 1987, Rick AstleyRick Astley
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
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
Whenever You Need Somebody
Whenever You Need Somebody is Rick Astley's first album released in 1987 on RCA Records. It is his best selling album and, according to his own official website, sold 15.2 million copies worldwide...
, also written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman.
It was a successful European hit for Astley, reaching #1 in seven countries, continuing the success of his previous smash single "Never Gonna Give You Up
Never Gonna Give You Up
A group of London dance producers, called The Rickrollerz made a house music cover version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" on that day, and in honor of that event....
". It was not released as a single in the U.S.
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
Peak positions
| Chart (1987/88) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 4 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 11 |
| German Singles Chart | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 3 |
| Norwegian Singles Chart | 2 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 2 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 1 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 1 |
| UK Singles Chart | 3 |
Year-end charts
| End of year chart (1987) | Position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 | 46 |
| UK Singles Chart | 26 |
| End of year chart (1988) | Position |
| Australian Singles Chart | 12 |
| German Singles Chart | 28 |