music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Whenever You Need Somebody" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, which became successful for two of their artists.

O'Chi Brown version

"Whenever You Need Somebody"
Single by O'Chi Brown
from the album O'Chi
Released	November 1985
Recorded	1985
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	3:26
Label	Magnetic
Songwriter(s)	Stock Aitken Waterman
Producer(s)	Stock Aitken Waterman
O'Chi Brown singles chronology
"Why Can't We Be Friends" (1985) "Whenever You Need Somebody" (1985) "100% Pure Pain" (1986)

The song was originally written for British singer O'Chi Brown, and released in November 1985 on Magnetic Records. It became a minor hit for Brown in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 97 there.[1] According to Brown, the popularity of the track "caught people [in the industry] by surprise", with producer Pete Waterman left "on the warpath" over the lack of support for the track.[2]

The single was later released in 1986 in the US, where it became a #1 hit on the dance charts. It failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, however, due to a lack of available stock in record stores.[2] According to Brown, "They didn't have the physical disc, they'd run out of the physical discs."[2]

The song was later included in Brown's studio 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.

Discussing Astley's success with the track she'd originated, Brown complimented the singer on his voice and praised the chart performance of his cover, but noted, "I like mine better, what can I tell you?

"Rick's got a great voice, but I just felt that the song suited a woman, and I felt it suited my voice. I'm not going to say mine was better, but I liked mine more."[2]

Chart (1985-1986)	Peak position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)	97
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	1
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs	88

Rick Astley version

"Whenever You Need Somebody"
Single by Rick Astley
from the album Whenever You Need Somebody
Released	26 October 1987 (UK)
Recorded	1987
Genre	Dance-pop
Length	3:26
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Stock Aitken Waterman
Producer(s)	Stock Aitken Waterman
Rick Astley singles chronology
"Learning to Live (Without Your Love)" (1987) "Whenever You Need Somebody" (1987) "When I Fall in Love/My Arms Keep Missing You" (1987)
Audio sample
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Music video
"Whenever You Need Somebody" on YouTube

In 1987, Rick Astley covered the song, as SAW rushed to gather strong follow up material in the wake of the unexpected global mega-success of "Never Gonna Give You Up".[3] The song 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 No. 1 in seven countries, continuing the success of his previous smash single. Though not released as a single in the U.S., it was released as the 4th single in Canada. The girl part of the music video was shot at Las Canteras beach and at the adjacent Hotel Reina Isabel, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

In 2019, Astley recorded and released a 'Reimagined' version of the song for his album The Best of Me, which features a new piano arrangement.[4]

Track listing

7" single

1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" — 3:26
2. "Just Good Friends" — 3:45

7" single - Picture-disc

1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" — 3:26
2. "Just Good Friends" — 3:45

12" maxi

1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) — 7:34
2. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental) — 3:50
3. "Just Good Friends" — 3:45

12" and cassette single

1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" – 7:52
2. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental) – 4:38
3. "Just Good Friends" – 3:40

12" promo

1. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) – 7:34
2. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (7" version) – 3:27
3. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Remix) – 7:57
4. "Whenever You Need Somebody" (Remix Dub) – 4:39

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for "Whenever You Need Somebody" by Rick Astley

Chart (1987–88)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5]	3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6]	4
Denmark (IFPI)[7]	2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[8]	3
France (SNEP)[6]	11
Germany (Media Control Charts)[9]	1
Iceland (RÚV)[10]	17
Ireland (IRMA)[11]	3
Italy (Musica e dischi)[12]	1
Norway (VG-lista)[6]	2
Spain (AFYVE)[13]	2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[6]	1
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[6]	1
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[14]	3

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "Whenever You Need Somebody" by Rick Astley

Chart (1987)	Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15]	46
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[16]	26
Chart (1988)	Position
Australia (ARIA)[17]	12
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[18]	69
Germany (Media Control Charts)	28[19]

References

На других языках

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[de] Whenever You Need Somebody (Lied)

Whenever You Need Somebody ist ein von Stock Aitken Waterman geschriebenes Lied, das 1985 durch O’Chi Brown erstmals veröffentlicht wurde. 1987 wurde es in der Version des britischen Sängers Rick Astley zu einem Nummer-eins-Hit. Es erschien im Oktober 1987 als Single wie auch im November 1987 auf dem Album gleichnamigen Album.

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- [en] Whenever You Need Somebody (song)

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