Rick Astley "Whenever You Need Somebody" 1987

[620 Soul Train]

This title track to his debut LP is wicked as all ghett out. I still get a feeling when I hear this record. And yeah, the English red head can sing like an African American bloke, but dancing he cannot, really. It was appalling to see this peaking at #3 in the UK as I watched this climb the chart. Rick Astley was the man and my favourite singer bewteen 1988 and 1989. As soon as he slpit from Stock Aikten and Waterman, I have to say his songs weren't as good IMO sadly. Based on his radio interview on "Countdown America" (adult contempoary top 20 countdown) he had a valid reason for working with other producers. BTW O'chi Brown's version was bigger back in 1986, it hit #1 on the US dance charts and #88 on the R&B charts (spent one week on the chart and then fell completely off the following week).


#3 UK
Did not chart but released in the US 1988


www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILcj62zemYs

[WotUNeed]

I like this one! Not familiar with the O'Chi Brown version (or O'Chi Brown at all) - which came first?

[jazklash]

This is one of the songs which shows how much Stock, Aitken & Waterman are probably one of the most criminally underrated pop mavericks of all time. At their best, that trio was pure fire!

[areyoureadytojump]

I've never heard this:



It's ok.