Somebody Have Mercy
"Somebody Have Mercy" | ||||
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Single by Sam Cooke | ||||
from the album Twistin' the Night Away | ||||
A-side | "Nothing Can Change This Love" | |||
Released | September 11, 1962 | |||
Format | 7" | |||
Recorded |
February 15, 1962 RCA Studio 1 (Hollywood, California) | |||
Genre | Rhythm and blues, soul | |||
Length | 2:17 | |||
Label | RCA Victor | |||
Songwriter(s) | Sam Cooke | |||
Producer(s) | Hugo & Luigi | |||
Sam Cooke singles chronology | ||||
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"Somebody Have Mercy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, originally released in April 1962 on the album Twistin' the Night Away. The song later was selected for the B-side of the single "Nothing Can Change This Love", which was released on September 11, 1962. It received enough airplay to make the Billboard charts on its own, peaking at #3 R&B and #70 Pop.
Background
One line in the song ("Tell me what is wrong with me") created speculation and rampant rumors that Cooke was suffering from leukemia, which was false.[1]
Personnel
"Somebody Have Mercy" was recorded on February 15, 1962 at RCA Studio 1 in Hollywood, California.[2] The musicians also recorded much of the Twistin' the Night Away album the same day. The session was conducted and arranged by René Hall, producers were Hugo & Luigi. Credits adapted from the liner notes to the 2003 compilation Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964.[2]
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Chart (1962) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 70 |
US Hot R&B Singles (Billboard)[3] | 3 |
References
- ↑ Guralnick, Peter (2005). Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke. New York: Back Bay Books, p. 419. First edition, 2005.
- 1 2 Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964 (liner notes). Sam Cooke. US: ABKCO Records. 2003. 92642.
- 1 2 "Sam Cooke – Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 28, 2014.