Peak
38
Weeks
8
Score
695
Chart Year
1966
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"I've Got to Be Somebody" is a song written by Joe South and was recorded by Billy Joe Royal for his 1965 album, Down in the Boondocks.[1] It was released as a single in December 1965 and the song reached #38 on The Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966.[2] The song reached #15 on the Canadian chart the same month.[3] Joe South later released a version of the song.
I never had any reason For ambition or drive In fact, I never had anybody That cared if I'm alive But then one day she came my way And I heard a voice within me say Don't let her get away whatever you do But I never thought that this could be That she would ever look at me seriously And that's why, oh Lord, Lord, Lord I've got to be somebody I'm down on my knees Begging please, please, please, please I've got to win her love for me I grew up on the sidewalks Got along the best I could Mama worked all day long And papa was no good I've never asked for much before But here I am at Heaven's door So help me please Don't let her pass me by 'Cause I would rather die than see Her love turn into sympathy for me And that's why I'm, oh, Lord, Lord, Lord I've got to be somebody I'm down on my knees Begging please, please, please, please I've got to win her love for me Got to be somebody Got to be somebody So tired of being a nobody Oh, Lord, Lord, Lord I've got to be somebody I'm down on my knees Begging please, please, please, please I've got to win her love for me
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 4, 1965 | 83 | 43 |
| 2 | Dec 11, 1965 | 68 | 58 |
| 3 | Dec 18, 1965 | 58 | 68 |
| 4 | Dec 25, 1965 | 54 | 72 |
| 5 | Jan 1, 1966 | 44 | 82 |
| 6 | Jan 8, 1966 | 41 | 85 |
| 7 | Jan 15, 1966 | 38 | 88 |
| 8 | Jan 22, 1966 | 50 | 76 |