About the song
“You Needed Me” is a timeless ballad that has captured the hearts of music lovers for decades. Written by Randy Goodrum, this song is a poignant expression of unconditional and undeserved love. First recorded by the talented Canadian singer Anne Murray in 1978, “You Needed Me” went on to become a number-one single in the United States, revitalizing Murray’s career and earning her a Grammy Award.
The song’s success was not limited to the United States, as it also reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in 1999, courtesy of Irish pop band Boyzone’s hit cover. However, it was Anne Murray’s original version that truly cemented the song’s place in music history.
Murray’s version of “You Needed Me” was included on her 1978 album Let’s Keep It That Way, which also spawned a top-five country single and won Song of the Year at the Academy of Country Music awards. The song’s impact was felt not only in the United States but also in the United Kingdom, where it made the top 30 and remains Murray’s most successful single to date.
The song’s success can be attributed to its universal theme of love and its soaring melody, which has made it a staple of adult contemporary radio stations. “You Needed Me” spent a then-record 36 weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart, a record that stood until 1990. The song also spent 10 weeks at number one in Malaysia, further solidifying its global appeal.
Anne Murray’s performance of “You Needed Me” earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 21st Grammy Awards, making her the first Canadian artist to receive this honor. The single was certified Platinum in Canada and Gold in the US, a testament to the song’s enduring popularity.
Over the years, “You Needed Me” has been featured in various forms of media, including the CBS soap Guiding Light, where it served as a theme song for the characters Kelly Nelson and Morgan Richards. The song has also been performed by other artists, including Seth MacFarlane, who sang it in character as Stewie Griffin on the Family Guy episode “Chris Cross”. In 2007, Anne Murray re-recorded the song with Shania Twain for her album Duets: Friends & Legends, further cementing the song’s place in music history.
In conclusion, “You Needed Me” is a timeless ballad that has captured the hearts of music lovers for decades. With its universal theme of love and its soaring melody, it is no wonder that this song has become a staple of adult contemporary radio stations and a classic of the genre.
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Lyrics
I cried a tear, you wiped it dry
I was confused, you cleared my mind
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me
And held me up, and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed meYou gave me strength, to stand alone again
To face the world, out on my own again
You put me high, upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed meAnd I can’t believe it’s you
I can’t believe it’s true
I needed you and you were there
And I’ll never leave
Why should I leave, I’d be a fool
‘Cause I’ve finally found someone who really caresYou held my hand, when it was cold
When I was lost, you took me home
You gave me hope, when I was at the end
And turned my lies, back into truth again
You even called me friendYou gave me strength, to stand alone again
To face the world, out on my own again
You put me high, upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me
You needed me, you needed me