"Somebody's Knockin'" is a song recorded by American country music singer Terri Gibbs. It was released in October 1980 as her debut single and title track from her album Somebody's Knockin'. It was co-written by Jerry Gillespie and Ed Penney. Penney was a record company executive who liked Gibbs's voice when he first heard her audition tape, but felt she needed stronger material.[2] Penney was a former Boston disc jockey who had promoted records and written a number of songs before moving to Nashville.[3] He was the producer of "Somebody's Knockin'" and became Terri Gibbs's manager.[4]
| "Somebody's Knockin'" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Terri Gibbs | ||||
| from the album Somebody's Knockin' | ||||
| B-side | "Some Days It Rains All Night Long"[1] | |||
| Released | October 1980 (1980-10) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:56 | |||
| Label | MCA Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Ed Penney, Jerry Gillespie | |||
| Producer(s) | Ed Penney | |||
| Terri Gibbs singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Somebody's Knockin'" on YouTube | ||||
An uncredited review in Billboard praised Gibbs' "unusual vocal sound" and the "Louisiana-flavored production".[5]
The song's success led to Gibbs winning the 1981 Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist award, and the first Horizon (now New Artist) Award from the Country Music Association.[6]
It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.[7]
| Chart (1980–81) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (KMR)[8] | 52 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 20 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary | 14 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ)[9] | 14 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[1] | 13 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles[1] | 8 |
| U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[10] | 3 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 [11] | 10 |
| Year-end chart (1981) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[12] | 51 |
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