You Might Need Somebody

The first version of the song was released in 1979 by American singer and guitarist Turley Richards from his album Therfu. The single peaked at No. 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1980. In the same year, Anna Oxa released an Italian version titled "Metropolitana" with Italian lyrics written by Marco Luberti for her studio album Controllo totale. ==Randy Crawford version==

In 1981, American singer-songwriter Randy Crawford covered the song for her fifth album, Secret Combination (1981). It was the second single released from the album by Warner Bros. Records Her version reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart, making it her fourth-highest-charting single on that chart. It also peaked at No. 39 on the Belgian (Flanders) Ultratop 50 singles chart in October 1981 and on the New Zealand singles chart in January 1982. The guitar solo is by Steve Lukather. Charts ==Shola Ama version==

In 1997, English singer Shola Ama recorded a version of the song featured on her debut album, Much Love (1997). Her version was produced by D'Influence and released in April 1997 by WEA Records. The song reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart and became a top-10 hit in France, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at No. 25 in October 1997. The accompanying music video, directed by Jake Nava, was put at heavy rotation on MTV. 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 added 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". Swedish Göteborgs-Tidningen named it a "truly delightful, generous electric piano-garnished Randy Crawford-cover". A reviewer from Music & Media said that "there's little doubt that that Shola Ama has a fantastic voice", adding that "radio has already warmed to this familiar cover, which is reproduced almost note for note from the Randy Crawford original". British magazine Music Week gave it four out of five, noting that the singer "breathes new life" into the 16-year-old hit, "with a classy, understated performance." Music Week editor, Alan Jones, said it is "still sounding superb", stating that "the backing is looser and less urgent, as the song ploughs an R&B furrow." Ralph Tee from the Record Mirror gave it three out of five, stating that it is "given a crisp clean street soul production by D-Influence". He concluded that "its definitely their mix that cuts it the best, despite it sounding so close to the original. It just sounds great." Dave Fawbert from ShortList deemed the song as "absolutely massive". A reviewer from the Sunday Mirror stated that Ama's "got such an amazing voice. She's the best British female R&B singer," and added, "I really liked 'You Might Need Somebody'". Live performances Ama performed "You Might Need Somebody" in three successive Top of the Pops performances. She said in a 1997 interview, "After the first couple of shows, people wouldn't believe that I had sung live; they all thought I'd been miming. So on the third one, I missed a bit out to prove it was for real." Track listings Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts Certifications ==References==