Everybody Loves Somebody

Written by Irving Taylor and Ken Lane, Everybody Loves Somebody had already been recorded by several artists (including Frank Sinatra) by 1964, but without much success. But it was in that year that Lane was playing piano for Dean Martin on his Dream With Dean LP sessions, and with an hour or so of studio time left and one song short, Lane suggested that Martin take a run at his tune. Dean was agreeable, and the small combo of piano, guitar, drums and bass performed a relatively quiet, laid back jazz version of the song.

Almost immediately thereafter, Martin re-recorded the tune for his next album, this time with an orchestra and chorus. His label, Reprise Records, was so enthusiastic about the hit potential of this version, they even titled the LP Everybody Loves Somebody to capitalize on it.

Although still a major recording artist, Martin had not had a Top 40 hit since 1958. And with the British Invasion ruling the U.S. charts, few had hopes that a middle aged Italian crooner would sway many teenagers. And yet, defying the odds, Everybody Loves Somebody shot straight up to Number One! It ultimately replaced That's Amore as Martin's signature song, and he sang Everybody Loves Somebody as the theme of his weekly television variety show from 1965 until 1974. The song has become so identified with Dean Martin, that later cover versions are invariably compared to his hit take on the tune.

Following the song's peak at the top of the charts, Martin famously sent Sinatra a telegram saying THAT'S THE WAY YOU DO IT. So, perhaps inevitably, in the 1990s the song was licensed to Western Union for use in a series of television commercials.