Somebody Else Is Taking My Place


"Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" is a song written by Dick Howard, Bob Ellsworth, and Russ Morgan, and recorded by numerous high-profile singers and band leaders. It was first published in 1937, but was copyrighted in 1942 and became popular from that point on. The song was first released as a single by Russ Morgan and his orchestra in late 1941.

Content

The song is a sentimental ballad, talking about how the singing person's crying and is heartbroken knowing that their former partner has found someone else, and they go around "with a smile on face."

Russ Morgan and the Morganaires version

Release and reception

One of the original writers of the song, Russ Morgan and his orchestra released the single in October 1941, with vocals by the Morganaires. Billboard magazine would review the single and write that Morgan hasn't caused much excitement among piano fans." Continuing that "This song and its delivery should break the ice. It's a sentimental ballad, with the type of melody best suited waltzing and humming. Story is from the I Wonder What's Become of Sally school and harbors a real heart-throb. It’s sold like a million and will be effective for every type location."

Chart performance

The single would provide Morgan his first 1940s hit; the song debuted on Billboard magazine's Music Popularity Chart in the issue dated March 27, 1942, peaking at No. 5 during an eleven-week run on the chart.

Benny Goodman and Peggy Lee version

Release

Benny Goodman and his orchestra released the song as a single in December 1941, with vocals by Peggy Lee, it was backed by a Higginbotham and Meadows written jazz song, "That Did It Marie" and released by Okeh Records.

Chart performance

The single would provide Lee her first top 10 hit; the song debuted on Billboard magazine's Music Popularity Chart in the issue dated March 30, 1942, peaking at No. 5 during a nine-week run on the chart. "Somebody Else Is Takin' My Place" was reissued as a single in April 1948. The reissue charted again in 1948, reaching a different peak position than in its first release in 1941.

Al Martino version

Release and reception

"Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" by Al Martino was released as a seven-inch single in February 1965 by Capitol Records. It was backed by "With All My Heart" on the B-side, a song that would chart alongside it. The single was advertised as a "great standard" getting a "modern-big profit" treatment from Martino.
"Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" was given a positive critical response following its release. Billboard magazine stated that "The ever-green gets a pop treatment that should spiral it to No. 1 like Dean's 'Everybody Loves Somebody'" and called it a "First-rate Martino vocal." Cashbox magazine said that "One side, 'With All My Heart,' is a lyrical, full ork and chorus-backed shufflin’ pledge of romantic devotion sold feelingfully by the songster. The other lid, 'Somebody Else Is Taking My Place,' is an impressive heartfelt updating of the sentimental oldie delivered in a nostalgic heart-tugging style." Record World stated that the "reliable crooner comes through again with a warm reading of the oldie." The magazine noted that the chorus added a glow and that the single would be a hit.

Chart performance

In early 1965 during a six-week run the track peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Hot 100, doing much better on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, where it peaked at No. 11. On another American music magazine the single was ranked lower, breaking into, but stalling at number 64 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles "With All My Heart" charted alongside "Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" due to airplay, making the single a double sided hit. It bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 22. But it broke into the Cashbox Top 100 Singles, reaching No. 99.

Track listing

7" vinyl single
  • "Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" - 2:16
  • "With All My Heart" – 2:59

Connie Francis version

Release and reception

Connie Francis' version of "Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" was released as a seven-inch single in January 1968 by MGM Records. It was backed by a well known Great Depression song composed by Jay Gorney and written by Yip Harburg, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" on the B-side. She would later recall that the song was one of her favorite ones to perform live. Both of the songs were produced, arranged, and conducted by American record producer Don Costa, and would appear in her 1968 Connie & Clyde – Hit Songs of the 30s album.
"Somebody Else Is Taking My Place" quickly started to catch on with local operators in Chicago and was also picked as one of the best jukebox bets for Peoria, Illinois and Toms River, New Jersey. But only with this minor locality, the single would be Francis' first 1960s US single to completely miss the charts, even with the MGM Records singles sales spike that happened in the summer, with the Singles Sale Manager for the company even listing the single as one of the better selling ones.

Track listing

7" vinyl single

Other versions

Charts

Chart Peak
position
US Billboard Music Popularity Chart5

Chart Peak
position
US Cashbox Looking Ahead123

Chart Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 10053
US Billboard Easy Listening11
US Cashbox Top 100 Singles64