"Somebody's Knockin'" is a song recorded by American country music singer Terri Gibbs. It was released in October 1980 as her debut single and title track from her album Somebody's Knockin'. It was co-written by Jerry Gillespie and Ed Penney. Penney was a record company executive who liked Gibbs's voice when he first heard her audition tape, but felt she needed stronger material.[2] Penney was a former Boston disc jockey who had promoted records and written a number of songs before moving to Nashville.[3] He was the producer of "Somebody's Knockin'" and became Terri Gibbs's manager.[4]

"Somebody's Knockin'"
Single by Terri Gibbs
from the album Somebody's Knockin'
B-side"Some Days It Rains All Night Long"[1]
ReleasedOctober 1980 (1980-10)
GenreCountry
Length2:56
LabelMCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)Ed Penney, Jerry Gillespie
Producer(s)Ed Penney
Terri Gibbs singles chronology
"Somebody's Knockin'"
(1980)
"Rich Man"
(1981)
Music video
"Somebody's Knockin'" on YouTube

Critical reception

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An uncredited review in Billboard praised Gibbs' "unusual vocal sound" and the "Louisiana-flavored production".[5]

The song's success led to Gibbs winning the 1981 Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist award, and the first Horizon (now New Artist) Award from the Country Music Association.[6]

It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.[7]

Chart performance

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Chart (1980–1981) Peak
position
Australia (KMR)[8] 52
Canadian RPM Top Singles 20
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 2
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary 14
New Zealand (RIANZ)[9] 14
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[1] 13
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles[1] 8
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[10] 3
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 [11] 10
Year-end chart (1981) Rank
US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[12] 51

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 157. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  2. ^ Nancy Bishop. "Terri Gibbs: At Last Fame is Knockin' at her Door." Dallas Morning News, November 23, 1981 Paper, p. C8.
  3. ^ Dick Dew. "Rate Tony C. A 'Natural' As Singer." Boston Sunday Advertiser, January 17, 1965, p. 52.
  4. ^ Ken Mayer. "The Night Mayer." Boston Herald, June 26, 1982, p. B8.
  5. ^ "Singles: First Time Around". Billboard. September 6, 1980. p. 73.
  6. ^ Dillon, Charlotte. "Somebody's Knockin' review". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  7. ^ Miller, Zell (1996). They Heard Georgia Singing. Mercer University Press. pp. 117–118. ISBN 0-86554-504-9. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  8. ^ Australian Chart Book - David Kent pp124
  9. ^ NZ Top 40 Singles, 3 May 1981
  10. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 102.
  11. ^ "Top 100 1981-05-09". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  12. ^ "Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. December 26, 1981. p. YE-9. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
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