Some Guys Have All the Luck

Originally recorded by The Persuaders (US #39/R&B #7 1974).
Also recorded by Nikki Wills (1981).
Other hit versions by Robert Palmer (US Rock #59/UK #16 1982), Rod Stewart (US #10/UK #15 1984), Louise Mandrell (as “Some Girls Have All the Luck” C&W #22 1985), Maxi Priest (UK #12/IRE #15/BEL #18 1987).

From the wiki: “[Jeff] Fortgang wrote many songs during his three years in the music business after graduating Yale in 1971, but sold only this one. He went on to get a PhD in Clinical Psychology, and still works in the mental health field in the Boston area. By the time ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck’ became a major hit (by Rod Stewart) in 1984, Fortgang had long before abandoned his dreams being a popular songwriter and was already well into a career as a psychologist.

“The Persuaders formed in New York in 1969, and were signed by Atlantic Records in 1971. The group had the odd misfortune of recording the original versions of songs later covered, with more success, by other artists, most notably: ‘Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me‘ (Gladys Knight & the Pips), ‘Thin Line Between Love and Hate‘ (covered by H-Town, later by reggae group, Black Slate, and UK rock band The Pretenders), and ‘Some Guys Have All The Luck’ which appeared on the group’s 1974 album Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me. Released as a single, the Persuader’s production of “Some Guys” did squeak into the Billboard Top-40 in 1973, reaching #39 for a single week and peaking at #7 on the R&B chart.

“Prior to Stewart’s 1984 cover, ‘Some Guys Have All the Luck’ was covered first by Nikki Wills, in 1981, then by Robert Palmer, whose recording was a hit on US rock radio music charts and became a Top-20 hit in the UK. Louise Mandrell would chart a gender-shifted version on the US Country singles chart in 1985. English reggae-fusion singer Maxi Priest returned the song to the UK Singles chart in 1987 as well as charting the song on various other European music charts.”

Nikki Wills, “Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1981):

Robert Palmer, “Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1982):

Rod Stewart, “Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1984):

Louise Mandrell, “Some Girls Have All the Luck” (1985):

Maxi Priest, “Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1987):