Studio Album · No. 1
Whenever You Need Somebody Songwriting Credits by Rick Astley
Produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, Phil Harding, Ian Curnow · Engineered by Phil Harding
Holds writing credit on 4 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 4 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Rick Astley carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The debut is Rick Astley at his most outside-written. Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman wrote and produced the bulk of the album, including all four hit singles, so the SAW names dominate the credits. Astley's own pen appears on a cluster of deeper cuts like 'Slipping Away,' 'No More Looking for Love,' and 'You Move Me,' the first sign of the writer he would later become. The closing standard 'When I Fall in Love' is the only true cover.
Whenever You Need Somebody is the debut studio album by Rick Astley, released in November 1987 and one of the defining records of the Stock Aitken Waterman era. Built around his rich baritone, most of the album was written and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, the British hit factory behind a string of late-1980s pop smashes. The lead single 'Never Gonna Give You Up' was a worldwide number one, followed by 'Whenever You Need Somebody,' 'Together Forever,' and 'It Would Take a Strong Strong Man.' A few tracks carry Astley's own writing credit, an early hint of the songwriter he would become, and the album closes with a cover of the standard 'When I Fall in Love.' It topped the UK chart and sold in the millions worldwide.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Never Gonna Give You Up
#1
|
Mike StockMatt AitkenPete Waterman | Michael StockMatthew James AitkenPeter Alan Waterman | Stock Aitken Waterman | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Whenever You Need Somebody
#3
|
Mike StockMatt AitkenPete Waterman | Michael StockMatthew James AitkenPeter Alan Waterman | Stock Aitken Waterman | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Together Forever
#2
|
Mike StockMatt AitkenPete Waterman | Michael StockMatthew James AitkenPeter Alan Waterman | Stock Aitken Waterman | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
#1
|
Mike StockMatt AitkenPete Waterman | Michael StockMatthew James AitkenPeter Alan Waterman | Stock Aitken Waterman | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
The Love Has Gone
|
Rick AstleyDick Spatsley | Richard Paul AstleyDick Spatsley | Phil HardingIan Curnow | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
Don't Say Goodbye
|
Mike StockMatt AitkenPete Waterman | Michael StockMatthew James AitkenPeter Alan Waterman | Stock Aitken Waterman | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Slipping Away
|
Rick Astley | Richard Paul Astley | Phil HardingIan Curnow | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
No More Looking for Love
|
Rick Astley | Richard Paul Astley | Daize Washbourn | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
You Move Me
|
Rick Astley | Richard Paul Astley | Daize Washbourn | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
When I Fall in Love
|
Edward HeymanVictor Young | Edward HeymanVictor Young | Stock Aitken Waterman | Rick Astley (Lead Vocals) |