You Might Need Somebody

"You Might Need Somebody" is a 1980 song by Tom Snow and Nan O'Byrne, first recorded by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards. His version reached number 54 in the US, but the song is best known from Randy Crawford's 1981 version which was successful world wide and was critically acclaimed for its arrangement and musicianship.

Randy Crawford version

"You Might Need Somebody"
Single by Randy Crawford
from the album Secret Combination
B-side	"You Bring The Sun Out"
Released	1981
Genre	R&B
Length	4:17
Label	Warner Bros. Records
Songwriter(s)	Nan O'Byre, 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)

In 1981, Randy Crawford recorded her version of "You Might Need Somebody" for her album Secret Combination. It was the second single released from this album. Her version reached no. 11 on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth highest charting single on that chart.[1]

Joe Walsh version

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

Anna Oxa version

In 1980, Anna Oxa released an italian version of "You Might Need Somebody", "Metropolitana" with italian lyrics written by Marco Luberti. Published on the studio album "Controllo totale" (RCA Italiana).

Shola Ama version

"You Might Need Somebody"
Single by Shola Ama
from the album Much Love
Released	7 April 1997
Genre	Pop, R&B
Label	WEA
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. In addition, the song was a Top 20 hit in Iceland, Scotland and Switzerland. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached 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."[2] Göteborgs-Tidningen called it a "truly delightful, generous electric piano-garnished Randy Crawford-cover."[3] 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".[4] Dave Fawbert from ShortList wrote that the song is "absolutely massive".[5]

Track listing

CD single (CD1), UK (1997)

No.	Title	Length
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.	Title	Length
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

Weekly charts Charts (1997) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 32 Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[7] 7 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[8] 28 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[9] 25 France (SNEP)[10] 10 Germany (Official German Charts)[11] 21 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[12] 20 Ireland (IRMA)[13] 9 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 8 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 8 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 8 Poland (LP3)[17] 37 Scotland (Official Charts Company)[18] 11 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[19] 22 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] 17 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[21] 4 UK R&B (Official Charts Company)[22] 2

Year-end charts Chart (1997) Position Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[23] 60 France (SNEP)[24] 48 Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 83 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[26] 38 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[27] 34 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[28] 36

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[29]	Gold	250,000^*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[30]	Gold	5,000^*
United Kingdom (BPI)[31]	Silver	200,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 125. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
2. "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 18 October 1997. p. 80. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
3. Göteborgs-Tidningen. 19 September 1997.
4. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
5. Fawbert, Dave (17 November 2017). "Old Music Friday: reviewing all the tunes released 20 years ago today". ShortList. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
6. "Austriancharts.at – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
7. "Ultratop.be – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
8. "Ultratop.be – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
9. "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media.
10. "Lescharts.com – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
11. "Offiziellecharts.de – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
12. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.07.1997 – 23.07.1997)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 18 July 1997. p. 22. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
13. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You Might Need Somebody". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
14. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 14 April 2018.
15. "Dutchcharts.nl – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
16. "Charts.nz – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
17. "Notowanie nr815" (in Polish). LP3. 12 September 1997. Retrieved 27 February 2019. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
19. "Swedishcharts.com – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
20. "Swisscharts.com – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
21. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
22. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
23. "1997 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
24. "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1997" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
25. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1997" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
26. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1997". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
27. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1997" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
28. "Top 100 Singles 1997". Music Week. 17 January 1998. p. 27.
29. "French single certifications – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
30. "New Zealand single certifications – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
31. "British single certifications – Shola Ama – You Might Need Somebody". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 July 2020.