Somebody Have Mercy

"Somebody Have Mercy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, originally released in April 1962 on the album Twistin' the Night Away. The song later was selected for the B-side of the single "Nothing Can Change This Love", which was released on September 11, 1962. It received enough airplay to make the Billboard charts on its own, peaking at No. 3 R&B and No. 70 Pop.

"Somebody Have Mercy"
Single by Sam Cooke
from the album Twistin' the Night Away
A-side"Nothing Can Change This Love"
ReleasedSeptember 11, 1962
RecordedFebruary 15, 1962
RCA Studio 1
(Hollywood, California)
GenreRhythm and blues, soul
Length2:17
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Sam Cooke
Producer(s)Hugo & Luigi
Sam Cooke singles chronology
"Bring It On Home to Me"
(1962)		 "Somebody Have Mercy"
(1962)		 "Send Me Some Lovin'"
(1962)

Background

One line in the song ("Tell me what is wrong with me") created speculation and rampant rumors that Cooke was suffering from leukemia, which was false.[1]

Personnel

"Somebody Have Mercy" was recorded on February 15, 1962 at RCA Studio 1 in Hollywood, California.[2] The musicians also recorded much of the Twistin' the Night Away album the same day. The session was conducted and arranged by René Hall, producers were Hugo & Luigi. Credits adapted from the liner notes to the 2003 compilation Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964.[2]

  • Sam Cooke – vocals
  • Edward Beal – piano

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts
Chart (1962) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[3] 70
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[3] 3
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References
  1. Guralnick, Peter (2005). Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke. New York: Back Bay Books, p. 419. First edition, 2005.
  2. Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964 (liner notes). Sam Cooke. US: ABKCO Records. 2003. 92642.CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. "Sam Cooke – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
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