| Somebody's Watching You | |
| A-Side: | Somebody's Watching You |
| B-Side: | Stanga |
| Released: | 1970 |
| Label: | Stone Flower 45-9001 |
| Composer: | Sylvester Stewart |
| Producer: | Sly Stone |
| Prev Title: | You're The One-Part I & II |
| Prev Year: | 1970 |
| Next Title: | Stanga |
| Next Year: | 1970 |
"Somebody's Watching You" was a single for Little Sister in 1970. It became a hit for the group and registered in the Billboard and Cash Box charts.
This single was a follow up to Little Sister's previous single, "You're the One".[1] Composed by Sylvester Stewart,[2] it was previously recorded by Sly and the Family Stone and appeared on the group's 1969 Stand! album[3]
The recording by Little Sister was reviewed in the November 7, 1970 issue of Record World where it was a four star pick with the reviewer calling it "perfect".[4] It was also at no. 26 in the magazine's Singles Coming Up chart that week.[5]
The song made number 16 on the Cash Box Top Hits of the Year list.[6]
"Stanga" charted as well and made it to no. 44 on the Billboard Soul chart.[7]
The November 14 issue of Record World reported that the record was getting played on KATZ in St. Louis.[8]
On the week of January 23, 1971, Record World reported the song at #13 on WAYS; #14 on WQXI; #8 on WBBQ ; #10 on KXOK ; #14 on WSAI; #24 on WRKO; and #11 on WHBQ. It was also on CKLW, WLS, KRLA, KHJ.[9]
For the week of October 31, 1970, the single debuted at no. 34 on the Record World Singles Coming Up chart.[10] [11] On November 14, the single was at no. 7 on the Record World One Stop Top Ten chart, Nor Cal section.[12] It also peaked at no. 7 on the Record World R&B chart on January 23, 1971.[13] [14]
On the week of November 28, the single made its debut in the Cash Box Looking Ahead chart at no. 28.[15] [16] It also debuted that week at no. 54 in the Cash Box Top 60 in R and B Locations chart.[17]
On the week of December 5, and at is second week in the Looking Ahead chart, it got to no. 21.[18] On the week of December 12, it made its debut at no. 78 in the Cash Box Top 100.[19]
On the week of January 23, 1971, it peaked at no. 19 in the Top 60 in R and B Locations chart.[20] [21] [22] On the week of February 13, 1971 it peaked at no. 22 in the Cash Box Top 100.[23] [24]
On the Billboard Hot 100, it reached no. 32 and peaked at no. 8 on the Billboard soul singles chart.[25]
A version was recorded by U.F.O. and released on the Semp label.[26] Al Jarreau recorded a version which appeared on a release in 1976. Black Uhuru recorded a version that was released in 1984. Eternity's Children recorded a version that was released in 2003.[27] Clarence Burke recorded a live version that was released in 2011,[28] and Marcus Shelby had a version that was released in 2014.[29] The song also appeared on a 2014 compilation by Climax.[30] [31] SFJazz Collective had a live version that appeared on a release in 2020.[32]