Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Somewhere in the Night

First single release by Yvonne Elliman (US August 1975).
Also recorded by Richard Kerr (UK August 1975), Kim Carnes (1975).
Hit versions by Batdorf & Rodney (US #69 1975), Helen Reddy (US #19/MOR #2/CAN #27 1975) and Barry Manilow (US # 9/UK #42 1978).

From the wiki: “The first song composed by Richard Kerr (‘Mandy‘, 1971) and Will Jennings (‘Back in the High Life Again’, 1987) as a team, ‘Somewhere in the Night’ appeared on four 1975 album releases: You Are a Song by Batdorf & Rodney and Rising Sun by Yvonne Elliman both released in June 1975, No Way to Treat a Lady by Helen Reddy released July 1975, and Kim Carnes’ November 1975 eponymous album release. The Yvonne Elliman version was released as a US single in August 1975, which also saw the release of a ‘Somewhere in the Night’ single in the UK recorded by the song’s co-writer Richard Kerr.

“‘Somewhere in the Night’ did not become a chart item until the Batdorf & Rodney version was issued as a single in October 1975 to reach #69 on the Hot 100 in Billboard. The qualified success of the Batdorf & Rodney version did not preclude the December 1975 release of Helen Reddy’s version as the follow-up single to her hit ‘Ain’t No Way to Treat a Lady’, peaking at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1976.

“Barry Manilow’s version of ‘Somewhere in the Night’ was issued as the B-side of Manilow’s single ‘Copacabana’ for its initial release in the UK where both sides of the single received airplay (but peaking only at #42 on the UK chart). In December 1978 ‘Somewhere in the Night’ became the fourth track from Even Now to be given a single release in the US, reaching #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in early 1979.”

Richard Kerr, co-writer “Somewhere in the Night” (1975):

Batdorf & Rodney, “Somewhere in the Night” (1975):

Kim Carnes, “Somewhere in the Night” (1975):

[Video not available]

Helen Reddy, “Somewhere in the Night” (1975):

Barry Manilow, “Somewhere in the Night” (1978):

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