Whenever You Need Somebody
Studio album by
Rick Astley
Released16 November 1987 (1987-11-16)
Recorded1986–1987
StudioPWL Studios 1 & 2 (London)
Genre
Length36:42
LabelRCA
Producer
Rick Astley chronology
Whenever You Need Somebody
(1987)		 Hold Me in Your Arms
(1988)
Singles from Whenever You Need Somebody
  1. "Never Gonna Give You Up"
    Released: 27 July 1987
  2. "Whenever You Need Somebody"
    Released: 31 October 1987
  3. "When I Fall in Love"
    Released: 30 November 1987
  4. "Together Forever"
    Released: 12 January 1988
  5. "It Would Take a Strong Strong Man"
    Released: 5 April 1988
  6. "Don't Say Goodbye"
    Released: 20 September 1988
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
New Musical Express7/10[2]
The Village VoiceD+[3]
Smash Hits9/10[4]

Whenever You Need Somebody is the debut studio album by English singer Rick Astley released on 16 November 1987 by RCA Records. It is his best-selling album, which, according to his own official website, has sold 15.2 million copies worldwide.[5] The album is listed as the 136th best-selling album in Spain[6] and was the seventh best-selling album of 1987 in the United Kingdom.[7] A remastered version, containing rare remixes and extended versions, was released on 12 April 2010.[8]

Critical reception

Alex Henderson of AllMusic stated that SAW "should definitely be proud of their work" on this "often captivating debut album" which "proved [the singer] to be a welcome addition to the British R&B scene"; he added that the "music approach is very much a production of the '70s" and underlined tracks like "Together Forever", "Never Gonna Give You Up" and "Don't Say Goodbye".[1] Much more critical of both SAW and Astley, Robert Christgau of The Village Voice ranked the album in the "Must to avoid" category, and added: "Musically [Astley]'s a throwback to such long-forgotten big-band singers manqué as Don Rondo" revealed "as I-am-somebody for nobodies with a master plan".[3] James Hamilton of Record Mirror presented the album as being "as vigorously voiced and unsubtle as you'd expect".[9] According to a reviewer of British magazine Music Week, the album proves Astley to be "a respectable if so far unexceptional writer", but concluded that the tone of the whole album is given by SAW's team.[10] Chris Heath of Smash Hits praised the album full of songs with "the same straightforward, deliriously catchy dance music as his first two hits", and underlined "Don't Say Good Bye" and "When I Fall in Love" as "brilliant" songs.[4] Retrospectively, in 2018, Mark Elliot of Classic Pop considered Whenever You Need Somebody as the ninth best album ever produced by Stock Aitken Waterman and underlined its worldwide success, selling 15 million copies.[11]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Never Gonna Give You Up"
Stock Aitken Waterman3:35
2."Whenever You Need Somebody"
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:52
3."Together Forever"
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:24
4."It Would Take a Strong Strong Man"
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman3:39
5."The Love Has Gone"
4:20
6."Don't Say Goodbye"
  • Stock
  • Aitken
  • Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman4:11
7."Slipping Away"Astley
  • Harding
  • Curnow
3:52
8."No More Looking for Love"AstleyDaize Washbourn3:10
9."You Move Me"AstleyWashbourn3:40
10."When I Fall in Love"
Stock Aitken Waterman2:59

2010 expanded remaster

Disc one (bonus tracks)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."When You Gonna" (7″ Mix) (credited to Rick & Lisa)
  • Ian Curnow
  • Phil Harding
  • Astley
3:32
12."Just Good Friends"Astley3:45
13."I'll Never Set You Free"Astley3:34
14."When You Gonna" (Extended Mix) (credited to Rick & Lisa) 7:32
15."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Cake Mix) 5:48
16."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix) 7:34
17."Together Forever" (Lover's Leap Extended Remix) 7:05
Disc two (The Remixes)
No.TitleLength
1."Whenever You Need Somebody" (7″ Mix)3:32
2."Together Forever" (Lover's Leap Mix)3:52
3."When You Gonna" (Borough Anarchy Mix) (credited to Rick & Lisa)3:24
4."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Escape from Newton Mix)6:25
5."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Rick Sets It Off Mix)7:54
6."Together Forever" (House of Love Mix)6:55
7."It Would Take a Strong Strong Man" (Matt's Jazzy Guitar Mix)7:47
8."When You Gonna" (Home Boy Mix) (credited to Rick & Lisa)5:48
9."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Escape to New York Mix)7:02
10."Whenever You Need Somebody" (XK150 Mix)4:39
11."When You Gonna" (Bonus Beats Mix) (credited to Rick & Lisa)4:46
12."Never Gonna Give You Up" (instrumental)6:18
13."Whenever You Need Somebody" (instrumental)3:51
14."It Would Take a Strong Strong Man" (instrumental)3:32

2022 Remaster

Disc one (remastered original album, B-sides, and reimagined versions of the original singles from the album)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Never Gonna Give You Up" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:33
2."Whenever You Need Somebody" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:53
3."Together Forever" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:25
4."It Would Take A Strong Strong Man" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:40
5."The Love Has Gone" (2022 Remaster)
4:20
6."Don't Say Goodbye" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman4:09
7."Slipping Away" (2022 Remaster)
3:52
8."No More Looking For Love" (2022 Remaster)
  • Daize Washbourn
3:12
9."You Move Me" (2022 Remaster)
  • Daize Washbourn
3:42
10."When I Fall In Love" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:03
11."My Arms Keep Missing You"
Stock Aitken Waterman3:14
12."I'll Never Set You Free" (7" Mix) 
3:26
13."Just Good Friends"
 3:50
14."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Pianoforte)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:29
15."Together Forever" (Reimagined)
Stock Aitken Waterman4:01
16."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Reimagined)
Stock Aitken Waterman4:00
17."When I Fall In Love" (Reimagined)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:37
Disc two (remixes and instrumentals)
No.TitleLength
1."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Phil Harding 12” Mix)7:24
2."Together Forever" (Lover's Leap Remix)3:20
3."My Arms Keep Missing You" (The "Where's The Harry" Remix)3:15
4."Whenever You Need Somebody" (XK 150 Mix)3:52
5."My Arms Keep Missing You" (Bruno's Remix)6:15
6."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Cake Mix)5:46
7."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix)7:34
8."My Arms Keep Missing You" (No L Mix)6:46
9."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Escape From Newton Mix)6:30
10."Together Forever" (House Of Love Mix)6:57
11."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Rick Sets It Off Mix)7:57
12."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Instrumental)3:34
13."It Would Take A Strong Strong Man" (Instrumental)3:39
14."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental)3:50

2022 Remaster (digital)

Track listing per Apple Music[12]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Never Gonna Give You Up" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:33
2."Whenever You Need Somebody" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:53
3."Together Forever" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:25
4."It Would Take A Strong Strong Man" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:40
5."The Love Has Gone" (2022 Remaster)
4:20
6."Don't Say Goodbye" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman4:09
7."Slipping Away" (2022 Remaster)
3:52
8."No More Looking For Love" (2022 Remaster)
  • Daize Washbourn
3:12
9."You Move Me" (2022 Remaster)
  • Daize Washbourn
3:42
10."When I Fall In Love" (2022 Remaster)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:03
11."My Arms Keep Missing You"
Stock Aitken Waterman3:14
12."I'll Never Set You Free" (7" Mix) 
3:26
13."Just Good Friends"
 3:50
14."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Pianoforte)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:29
15."Together Forever" (Reimagined)
Stock Aitken Waterman4:01
16."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Reimagined)
Stock Aitken Waterman4:00
17."When I Fall In Love" (Reimagined)
Stock Aitken Waterman3:37
18."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Phil Harding 12” Mix)  7:24
19."Together Forever" (Lover's Leap Remix)  3:20
20."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Radio Edit)  3:26
21."My Arms Keep Missing You" (The "Where's The Harry" Remix)  3:15
22."Whenever You Need Somebody" (XK150 Mix)  3:52
23."My Arms Keep Missing You" (Bruno's Remix)  6:15
24."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Cake Mix)  5:46
25."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Lonely Hearts Mix)  7:34
26."My Arms Keep Missing You" (No L Mix)  6:46
27."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Escape From Newton Mix)  6:30
28."Together Forever" (House Of Love Mix)  6:57
29."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Rick Sets It Off Mix)  7:57
30."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Escape to New York Mix)  7:00
31."Together Forever" (Lover's Leap Extended Mix)  3:20
32."It Would Take A Strong Strong Man" (Matt's Jazzy Guitar Mix)  7:46
33."My Arms Keep Missing You" (Dub)  4:55
34."Never Gonna Give You Up" (Instrumental)  3:34
35."It Would Take A Strong Strong Man" (Instrumental)  3:39
36."Whenever You Need Somebody" (Instrumental)  3:50

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Whenever You Need Somebody.[13]

Musicians

Technical

  • Stock Aitken Waterman – production (tracks 1–4, 6, 10)
  • Phil Harding – production, mixing (tracks 5, 7)
  • Ian Curnow – production (tracks 5, 7)
  • Daize Washbourn – production (tracks 8, 9)
  • Mark McGuire – engineering (all tracks); mixing (tracks 4, 10)
  • Phil Harding, Karen Hewitt, Mike Duffy, Jamie Bromfield – additional engineering
  • Yoyo, Jonathan King, Peter Day, Boky, Gordon Dennis – engineering assistance
  • Pete Hammond – mixing (tracks 1–3, 6, 8, 9)

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Whenever You Need Somebody
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[33] 3× Platinum 210,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[43] 4× Platinum 400,000^
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)[44] Gold 25,253[44]
France (SNEP)[45] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[46] Platinum 500,000^
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)[47] Platinum 20,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[48] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[49] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[50] 3× Platinum 300,000^
Sweden (GLF)[51] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[52] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[53] 4× Platinum 1,200,000^
United States (RIAA)[54] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Henderson, Alex. "Whenever You Need Somebody – Rick Astley". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  2. ↑ Kirsch, Michele (14 November 1987). "Rick Astley: When [sic] You Need Someone". New Musical Express. p. 35.
  3. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (29 November 1988). "Christgau's Consumer Guide: Turkey Shoot". The Village Voice. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  4. 1 2 Heath, Chris (18 November – 1 December 1987). "Albums" (PDF). Smash Hits. Vol. 9, no. 22. p. 86. ISSN 0260-3004. Retrieved 21 November 2023 – via World Radio History.
  5. ↑ "Biography". Rickastley.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  6. ↑ Untitled. albertocomesana.es. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  7. 1 2 "Gallup Year End Charts 1987 – Albums" (PDF). Record Mirror. 23 January 1988. p. 37. ISSN 0144-5804 – via World Radio History.
  8. ↑ "Whenever You Need Somebody: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  9. ↑ Hamilton, James (28 November 1987). "BPM by James Hamilton" (PDF). Record Mirror. London: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 19. ISSN 0144-5804. Retrieved 31 October 2023 – via World Radio History.
  10. ↑ L., D. (28 November 1987). "LP Reviews" (PDF). Music Week. p. 26. Retrieved 11 September 2023 – via World Radio History.
  11. ↑ Elliot, Mark (July 2018). "Top 15 Stock Aitken Waterman Albums". Classic Pop. Archived from the original on 10 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. ↑ "Whenever You Need Somebody (Deluxe Edition - 2022 Remaster)". Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  13. ↑ Whenever You Need Somebody (liner notes). Rick Astley. RCA Records. 1987. PD 71529.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 20. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  15. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 16. 16 April 1988. p. 63. ISSN 0006-2510 – via World Radio History.
  16. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  17. ↑ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0961". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  19. ↑ "European Hot 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 3. 9 January 1988. p. 21. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  20. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  21. ↑ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste". InfoDisc (in French). Retrieved 3 August 2018. Select "Rick ASTLEY" from the drop-down menu and click "OK".
  22. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  23. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 3 June 2022. Select "Album" in the "Tipo" field, type "Whenever You Need Somebody" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
  24. ↑ "Charts.nz – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  25. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Hung Medien. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  26. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  27. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  28. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  29. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  30. ↑ "Rick Astley Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  32. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Hung Medien. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  33. 1 2 "ARIA Top 50 Albums for 1988". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  34. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1988". austriancharts.at (in German). Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  35. ↑ "Top 100 Albums of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. 24 December 1988. p. 13. ISSN 0033-7064 – via World Radio History.
  36. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – CD 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  37. ↑ "1988 Year End Eurocharts – Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. 1 January 1989. p. 31. OCLC 29800226 – via World Radio History.
  38. ↑ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts – 1988" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  39. ↑ "Topp 40 Album Vinter 1988" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  40. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  41. ↑ "Top 100 Albums – Year-End Chart 1988" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week. 4 March 1989. p. 8. ISSN 0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  42. ↑ "Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  43. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Music Canada. 30 November 1988.
  44. 1 2 "Rick Astley" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  45. ↑ "French album certifications – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody" (in French). InfoDisc. Select RICK ASTLEY and click OK. 
  46. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Rick Astley; 'Whenever You Need Somebody')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  47. ↑ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1990". IFPI Hong Kong.
  48. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 4 August 2018. Enter Whenever You Need Somebody in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1988 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  49. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Recorded Music NZ. 24 April 1988. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  50. ↑ Salaverrie, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (PDF) (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. p. 923. ISBN 84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  51. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. 20 January 1988. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
  52. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Whenever You Need Somebody')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  53. ↑ "British album certifications – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". British Phonographic Industry. 3 June 1988. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  54. ↑ "American album certifications – Rick Astley – Whenever You Need Somebody". Recording Industry Association of America. 13 March 1991.
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