Breaking Up Somebody's Home Explained

"Breaking Up Somebody's Home" (titled "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home Tonight" for the album version) is a song written by Al Jackson Jr. and Timothy Matthews, originally recorded by Ann Peebles for her 1971 album Straight from the Heart. It was a successful single for Albert King and was later performed by Bette Midler, Etta James, Gov't Mule, and others.

Ann Peebles version

"Breaking Up Somebody's Home" appeared on Peebles' third studio album, Straight from the Heart in 1971 as "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home Tonight". She released it as a single under the shortened, more common title, "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" the same year. This version peaked at #13 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart but failed to make the Hot 100.[1] The song was produced by Willie Mitchell, Peebles' long-time collaborator at Hi Records.

Peebles also performed the song on her 2022 live album Live in Memphis, which was recorded on February 7, 1992, at the Peabody Hotel. She was accompanied by the Hi Rhythm Section. The album was released by Memphis International Records.

Albert King version

Albert King covered "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" for his album I'll Play the Blues for You and released it as a single in 1972. It was produced by Allen Jones and Henry Bush for Stax Records. It peaked at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at #35 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[2]

Other versions

!Year!Artist!Album!Notes
1972Denise LaSalleOn the Loose
1973Bette MidlerBette Midler
1975B.B. KingLucille Talks Back
1977Phillip WalkerSomeday You'll Have These Blues
1978Jimmy Johnson Blues BandLiving Chicago Blues, Volume 1
1982Lurrie Bell & Billy BranchChicago's Young Blues Generation
Lynn WhiteBlues in My Bedroom
1984Johnny AdamsFrom the Heart
1988Etta JamesSeven Year Itch
Betty PadgettSweet Feeling
1990Marva WrightHeartbreakin' Woman
1991Backbone SlipSwamp Water
1992Pepe Ahlqvist H.A.R.PHoney Hush!
Jim KahrBack to Chicago
1993Big Mama & The Blues MessengersBig Mama & The Blues MessengersLive
Joey GilmoreCan't Kill Nothin
1994BarrelhouseFortune Changes
Bernard AllisonNo Mercy
Caledonia Blues BandAlameda Sessions
1995Bonnie LeeSweetheart of the Blues
1999Scott HoltDark of the Night
2000Carl WeathersbyCome to Papa
2002Rory BlockI'm Every Woman
2006Eddie Taylor Jr.Mind Game
2007Don PollardCovered
2009Kate PazakisUnzipped: Live at the ZipperLive
2010Magic Slim and The TeardropsRaising the Bar
2012Brooklyn Soul StewAbandoned Tracks
Sven ZetterbergMileage
2013Guillaume Petite & Blues ConnexionDes hauts et des bas
Kara GraingerShiver & Sigh
2014Matt SchofieldFar as I Can See
Jay Boy Adams & ZenobiaHow Long How Long
Kenny Wayne Shepherd ft. Warren HaynesGoin' Home
2015Danielle NicoleWolf Den
Gov't Mule featuring John ScofieldSco-MuleLive, Recorded 1999
2016Joe BonamassaLive at the Greek TheatreLive
2017Sherman HolmesSherman Holmes Sessions
2018Lisa BassengeBorrowed and Blue
2021Gov't MuleHeavy Load Blues
2022Ann PeeblesLive in Memphis Live, Recorded 1992

Charts

Ann Peebles!Chart!Peak Position!Ref.
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)13
Albert King!Chart!Peak Position!Ref.
US Billboard Hot 10091
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)35

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ann Peebles . 2023-08-08 . . en-US.
  2. Web site: Albert King . 2023-08-08 . . en-US.