Somebody Have Mercy

"Somebody Have Mercy"
"Somebody Have Mercy"
Single by Sam Cooke
from the album Twistin' the Night Away
A-side	"Nothing Can Change This Love"
Released	September 11, 1962
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

"Somebody Have Mercy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, originally released in April 1962 on the album Twistin' the Night Away.

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]

Sam Cooke – vocals
Edward Beal – piano

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

"Somebody Have Mercy" was later 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 No. 3 R&B and No. 70 Pop.

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.
^ ^a ^b Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964 (liner notes). Sam Cooke. US: ABKCO Records. 2003. 92642.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ ^a ^b "Sam Cooke – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2014.

[db-1] Guralnick, Peter (2005). Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke. New York: Back Bay Books, p. 419. First edition, 2005.

[linernotes-2] Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964 (liner notes). Sam Cooke. US: ABKCO Records. 2003. 92642.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

[US-3] "Sam Cooke – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved February 28, 2014.

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v t e Sam Cooke
Studio albums	Sam Cooke Encore Tribute to the Lady Cooke's Tour Hits of the 50's Swing Low My Kind of Blues Twistin' the Night Away Mr. Soul Night Beat Ain't That Good News Shake Try a Little Love
Live albums	Sam Cooke at the Copa Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963
Collaboration albums	3 Great Guys
Compilations	Hit Kit I Thank God The Wonderful World of Sam Cooke The Best of Sam Cooke The Man and His Music Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964
Singles	"You Send Me" / "Summertime" "I'll Come Running Back to You" "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons" "You Were Made for Me" / "Lonely Island" "Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha" "Only Sixteen" "There! I've Said It Again" "Wonderful World" "Chain Gang" "Sad Mood" "That's It, I Quit, I'm Movin' On" "Cupid" "Twistin' the Night Away" "Bring It On Home to Me" / "Having a Party" "Somebody Have Mercy" / "Nothing Can Change This Love" "Send Me Some Lovin'" "Another Saturday Night" "Frankie and Johnny" "Little Red Rooster" "Ain't That Good News" "Good Times" / "Tennessee Waltz" "That's Where It's At" "Shake" / "A Change Is Gonna Come"
Related articles	Discography The Soul Stirrers René Hall Linda Womack We Remember Sam Cooke
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