Home · Songs · Rick Astley · It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
From album
Whenever You Need Somebody
Rick Astley · 1987 · Track 4
Details
TonalidadA
Compás4/4
Tempo109 BPM
Duración3:40
ÁlbumWhenever You Need Somebody
Año1987
ISRCGBARL8700022
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The story behind
When Rick Astley released It Would Take a Strong Strong Man, the idea was for it to have a particular impact on the US market. Indeed, it went on to become a top ten hit in that country. The song was included as the fifth single from his debut album, Whenever You Need Somebody, which was released in 1987. Interestingly, this track was not released in the UK or most of Europe at the time. The B-side of this single, titled You Move Me and written by Astley himself, appeared in the film Cocktail. Producer Pete Waterman, enthusiastic, showed Astley a preview of the film, and the singer was surprised to hear his complete song in it, without Waterman clarifying that it only appeared in the trailer.
The production of It Would Take a Strong Strong Man was handled by the trio Stock Aitken Waterman, who were also the songwriters. The official release as a single was in July 1988. The song reached number one in Canada and charted at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Additionally, it topped the Hot Adult Contemporary chart for one week in the fall of 1988. Regarding the technical credits, Gordon Jenkins is listed as the arranger, while the recording engineering involved several professionals such as Boky, Jamie Bromfield, Gordon Dennis, Mike Duffy, Phil Harding, Karen Hewitt, Jonathan King, Mark McGuire, and Yoyo. The mixing was handled by Mark McGuire.
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