Somebody

Album: Reckless (1984)
Charted: 35 11
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Adams wrote this with Jim Vallance, who collaborated on most of his hits. On his website, Vallance explains that this is a "relationship" song, but the second verse is about World War I. Said Vallance: "Adams and I are both interested in First World War history (Bryan's grandfather served with the British Army in WW1). As a result, lyrical references to that war occasionally appear in our songwriting. It's not always in context, and it doesn't always make sense, but there it is!"
  • Vallance explained that the lyrics, "And the winners are losers, you see it every night" were inspired by his nights playing drums in nightclubs. He said: "It was pathetic, really. You'd see the same people every night of the week, drinking and dancing and hoping to meet someone to go home with. I used to sit behind my drum kit, look out at the audience, and watch the whole thing unfold like a bad soap opera. In my mind, the 'winners' - the ones who found someone to go home with - were really the 'losers.'"

Comments: 1

  • Miles from Vancouver, CanadaA fun and beautiful rocker! I never tire of it (well, except if the radio edit comes on). Bryan, you butchered that song with your 1998-2002 band.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.

Dwight Twilley

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.