Somebody Loves You (Nik Kershaw song)

Following his declining commercial success from 1986, Kershaw, fed up of the lifestyle as a pop star, retreated into production work and songwriting for other artists, including writing the UK number one "The One and Only" for Chesney Hawkes.[2] In the late 1990s, Kershaw returned to the studio to record 15 Minutes, his first album in a decade. "Somebody Loves You" was the first of two singles from the album and was released in February 1999. It reached No. 70 in February 1999.[3] Despite the limited commercial success, "Somebody Loves You" received extensive radio play in the UK.[4]

Speaking to Amanda Cagan and Melissa Sprawl in 1999, Kershaw said of the song's lyrical message: "When you're up onstage, it feels like there's so much love coming off the audience. While it's good to experience that, you have to remember it's not for you, but something being projected onto you. You can enjoy it while it's happening, but it's very dangerous if you start believing it."[5] He expanded further in a 1998 interview with Kuno On Line: "That's basically about being on stage and being famous. It's a negative look on what you get when you are famous, and when I was famous. I became the person I was playing in publicity. You know, you walk into a room. You didn't have to try too hard. Everyone knew who you were. It's just the images and pictures for me of that time, when I was onstage and saw the faces singing all those songs back to me. It was weird. And the chorus, "Somebody Loves You", that's really what it feels like. There is all this love coming back towards you. You have stop and think, "How much of that is really you?" You aren't what they think you are."[6]

The single was released by Eagle Records on CD in the UK only.[7][8] The single used a "Radio Edit"/"Single Edit" of the song, cutting its duration by approximately a minute.[9]

Two CD editions of the single were released. The first featured an acoustic version of "Wouldn't It Be Good" and a live acoustic version of "The Riddle".[10] For the "Part 2" CD single, two alternative extra tracks were featured: "The Wrong Man" and "Woman". Both were non-album tracks.[11] A promo CD-R acetate was also issued in a custom title sleeve.[12]

Additionally, the song was also issued as a promotional only single in America. Released as a "Limited Edition CD-Pro", the single featured the same track-listing as the "Part 2" UK CD single. It featured a CD disc picture of Kershaw with glittery holographic glasses and had a custom back picture insert.[13] An acoustic version of the song would later appear on Kershaw's solo-acoustic studio album No Frills, released in 2010.[14]

A music video was created to promote the single. A live TV broadcast of Kershaw performing "Somebody Loves You" at the MCM Café, France was broadcast on 20 May 1999.[15] Since being performed live during the 15 Minutes tour, Kershaw has regularly included the song in the live set of future gigs and concerts.

CD Single (UK Part 1)

1. "Somebody Loves You (Single Edit)" - 3:59
2. "Wouldn't It Be Good ('99 Acoustic)"
3. "The Riddle (Acoustic - Live)"

CD Single (UK Part 2)

1. "Somebody Loves You (Radio Edit)" - 3:59
2. "The Wrong Man" - 5:15
3. "Woman" - 4:25

CD Single (UK Promo Acetate CD-R)

1. "Somebody Loves You (Single Edit)" - 3:59

CD Single (US Promo)

1. "Somebody Loves You" - 3:56
2. "Wouldn't It Be Good (New Acoustic Version)"
3. "The Riddle (Live)"

In a July 1999 issue of Billboard, a review of the single by Chuck Taylor was included under the "Rock Tracks" section of the "Singles" page. Taylor wrote: "The long-lived Nik Kershaw previews his upcoming 15 Minutes opus with this easy-flowing, highly melodic tune, which he wrote and produced as well as played guitar on. Kershaw sounds youthful and up to the minute here, capitalizing on a beautiful, harmony-enriched chorus, moody organs, and guitars that guide this track like an instrumental beacon. This is a great little tune, well-constructed and adeptly delivered. It would be mighty nice for modern rock and triple-A to offer this favored artist a slot on the airwaves, where listeners are certain to feel nothing but warmth as they're compelled to sing along."[16] Dana Tofig of the Hartford Courant reviewed the album and said: "...the same lyrical and melodic synergy can be found on the beautiful "Fiction" and the poppy "Somebody Loves You", which is the first single."[17][18]

In the Express, James O'Brian spoke of the song: "His first single in a decade, an anthem to the power of affection, called "Somebody Loves You", hits the streets soon and could well propel him back into the charts."[19] Charles Karel Bouley II of Billboard said the song "takes a sharp poke at the hollow adoration of stardom".[20]

• Nik Kershaw - vocals, producer
• Dave Bronze - bass
• Steve Washington - drums, percussion
• Mark "Tuffty" Evans - mixing
• Tony Cousins - mastering