On Sunday, December 7, 2008, Caleb from Kings of Leon said that at about the same time in 2007 when they were touring, they had a fall out, while in Glasgow before their concert on Monday, December 3, 2007. This is when he said "Use Somebody" was written, he credited the writing of the song to the City of Glasgow and the audience at the SECC on that night.
The single received heavy airplay in Scandinavia, such as in Finland and Sweden, as well as the Republic of Ireland, UK and Australia, where it has remained at number one on the Official Airplay Chart for six consecutive weeks. It was a huge success in the U.S., where it topped multiple airplay formats, and reached #4 on the Hot 100 and the top of the Pop Songs chart.
"Use Somebody" debuted in the UK Singles Chart at #29 via download sales alone on September 28, 2008, the same date as its parent album, just six days after the album's release and two weeks after the #1 single "Sex on Fire" charted. Despite falling to #50 over the next month, on November 23 the single became Kings of Leon's fifth single to enter the UK Top 20, charting at #17 and rising to #15 the following week. On December 7, 2008, the day before its physical release, it marked only the band's second UK Top 10 single, climbing to #10. The following week (its first week of physical release), it looked to have continued the band's surge to success. As the follow up to Sex on Fire, it became their second UK Top 3 single, peaking at #2. It remained in the UK Top 10 for 13 non-consecutive weeks and spent an unbroken 40 weeks on the Top 75, only dropping out due to the surge in sales of Michael Jackson titles immediately after his death. However, a week later it was back, and has now spent 60 weeks on the Top 75 (just two behind Sex on Fire and making it the 6th longest runner of all time), and 62 on the Top 100. To date, the single has sold over 700,000 copies in the UK, and Kings of Leon have become the first and only act to place two singles on the chart for an entire year, and currently the only act to have 2 songs in the top ten of the UK's longest running songs of all time.
In the United States, "Use Somebody" has become a huge hit, and the band's mainstream breakthrough. It has peaked at #4 on the Hot 100, giving the band their first top five hit there. On U.S. radio, the song was a multi-format smash, becoming just the fourth song in history to top the Mainstream Top 40, Adult Top 40, Alternative Songs, and Triple A charts. The three prior being "Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls, "Every Morning" by Sugar Ray, and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Green day. The song first reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart (now called the "Alternative" chart), their second of three consecutive singles to top that chart. "Use Somebody" also reached #1 on the Adult Top 40 Chart, and later topped the Mainstream Top 40 as well. "Use Somebody" has also found great digital success, so far selling over 2,512,122 digital downloads in the United States.
According to the Use Somebody Songfacts, Caleb Followill Caleb wrote this song as an apology to his bandmates after a drunken fight. He came up with the tune by speeding up Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warne 's Oscar-winning theme song to 1983 movie An Officer and a Gentleman during a soundcheck in Scotland.
The song has received generally positive reviews from music critics. Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly called "Use Somebody" a highlight of the album, describing the song as "a too-cool hipster's cry for comfort." Nick Levine of Digital Spy said "with its Springsteen-style 'oooah-woooah's, gathering storm of guitars and lusty, longing vocals from Caleb Followill, it's nearly as infectious as 'Sex on Fire.'" Gavin Haynes of NME praised the song as "easily the best 80s power ballad of 2008," but cautioned that the band "may be in danger of mistaking bluster for brilliance."
Cover versions:
Margaret Durante released a version of this song to country radio as a single.
American band Paramore and British musician Bat For Lashes have both covered the song on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.
On their Dark Horse Tour, Nickelback performed a cover of the song live, and guitarist Ryan Peake sang lead vocals instead of Chad Kroeger.
Pixie Lott, VV Brown and Friendly Fires have performed cover versions of the song, of which Pixie Lott's version peaked at number 52 in the UK Singles Chart, due to it being a B-side to her number 1 single "Mama Do (Uh Oh Uh Oh)"
Tiki Taane formerly of Salmonella Dub performed a live acoustic version on Triple J's morning show, for their weekly segment 'like a version'.
Brazilian band NX Zero covered the song on the TV show The Edgard Show on Multishow.
Former American Idol contestant, Brooke White, covered the song for her sophomore album, High Hopes & Heartbreak with a more folk sound.
In their UK tour with fellow Clubland artist Darren Styles, Liverpudlian dance troupe Ultrabeat recorded a version of the song, which is rumoured to appear on their second album
Kelly Clarkson covered the song, mashing it with an Alanis Morissette song 'That I Would Be Good' on her 2009 tour.
A hip-hop version was crafted, featuring Houston rapper Trae.
Laura Jansen covered the song on her album "Bells."
Steve Appleton covers a version of this song.
Use Somebody
Kings of Leon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always looking down at all I see
Painted faces, fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you, and all you know, and how you speakCountless lovers under cover of the street
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
(Oh, oh)
Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep
Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Someone like me
(Oh, oh)
Someone like me
(Oh, oh)
Someone like me (oh), somebody (oh)
(Oh, oh)
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
(Oh, oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see
The lyrics of Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody" revolve around the theme of loneliness, isolation, and a longing for a deeper connection. The first verse describes the singer roaming around, feeling disconnected from the world around him. He sees painted faces and crowded places, but still feels unable to reach out and truly connect with anyone.
However, in the chorus, the singer acknowledges that he could use somebody, specifically someone like the person he is addressing in the song. He praises this person's knowledge and the way they express themselves. He also notes that there are countless others around him, but he wants someone specific, someone like them.
The second verse shifts to a more desperate tone as the singer compares his own experiences to that of the person he is addressing. While he is off to sleep, they are living it up, but the singer is waging inner wars to make himself into a better artist, hoping that it will make the other person notice him. The song ends with the singer declaring that he is ready for someone like the person he has been addressing.
Overall, Use Somebody is a song about the universal human desire for connection and the longing for someone who truly understands us.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been roaming around
I've been wandering aimlessly, without a clear purpose or direction.
Always looking down at all I see
I'm constantly feeling dejected and defeated by my surroundings, and can't find any hope or positivity.
Painted faces, fill the places I can't reach
I see people around me who seem happy and fulfilled, but their lives are out of reach for me, and I feel left out and lonely.
You know that I could use somebody
I'm acknowledging my own sense of loneliness and vulnerability, and admitting that I need someone to help me through it all.
You know that I could use somebody
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the point, and to call out to anyone who might be listening and willing to help.
Someone like you, and all you know, and how you speak
Describing the ideal person who could be there for me, someone who is understanding, knowledgeable, and a good communicator.
Countless lovers under cover of the street
I see people around me with romantic partners, but they seem to be hiding their love away, as if it's a secret or a shameful thing.
You know that I could use somebody
Repeating the call for help, still hoping someone will hear and respond.
You know that I could use somebody
Repeating the previous line to reinforce the message, as if I'm starting to doubt if anyone will come to my aid.
Someone like you
Restating that the kind of person I need is someone like the person I described earlier, who is empathetic and understanding.
(Oh, oh)
A vocalization indicating emotion, perhaps sadness or loneliness.
(Oh, oh)
Repeating the emotional vocalization.
(Oh, oh)
Repeating the emotional vocalization once more.
(Oh, oh)
Repeating the emotional vocalization one final time.
Off in the night, while you live it up, I'm off to sleep
While others are out enjoying life, I'm often alone and going to bed early, either because I'm depressed or just don't have anyone to spend time with.
Waging wars to shape the poet and the beat
I'm struggling to find my voice and make a name for myself in the music industry, always fighting against the odds to create something meaningful and distinctive.
I hope it's gonna make you notice
I'm still looking for recognition and validation from others, hoping that my work will catch someone's attention and make them appreciate me.
I hope it's gonna make you notice
Repeating the previous line, to highlight my ongoing craving for attention and acceptance.
Someone like me
Implying that even though I'm different and struggling, I'm still worthy of connection, and hoping someone out there can recognize that.
(Oh, oh)
Vocalizing emotion again, perhaps a mix of sadness and defiance.
Someone like me
Reiterating the idea that there's someone out there who could appreciate me for who I am, and who could help me through my struggles.
(Oh, oh)
Vocalizing emotion again.
Someone like me (oh), somebody (oh)
Combining the ideas of the previous two lines, asking for someone to notice me and appreciate me, and to recognize that I need them.
(Oh, oh)
Vocalizing emotion again one last time.
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
Expressing a newfound sense of confidence, as if I'm ready to take on the world and find someone who can be there for me.
I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now, I'm ready now
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the idea that I'm finally ready to move on and find someone who can help me through life.
(Oh, oh)
Vocalizing emotion one final time.
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Reiterating the need for someone to come into my life, and to be the person I've been longing for all along, with the same attributes I described earlier.
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Repeating the previous line one last time, hoping that someone out there is listening and will hear my call for help.
Someone like you (oh), somebody (oh)
Repeating the previous line for a final time, to drive home the idea that I need someone to be there for me, and that I won't give up until I find them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, MSC Media LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Caleb Followill, Ivan Nathan Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ExperimentalSDWH
in fact, it was SO PLAYED,
I hated this song as trash.
Cuz the idea that mainstream Radio = trash. XD
but tonight finds me wanting to come and listen to THIS of all things and.
I think radios are magically designed to make songs sound crappy
When played thru them in places like the car
Or a grocery store because.
I've probably enjoyed NOT hearing this song for 5 years or more and...
...to cut a long story short?
Glad I waited til 2024 to come given it a proper listen;
I daresay I like it after all. XD
@7clouds
What talent would you show off in a talent show?
@AmericaStrongestCountry
probably showing off doing 20 backflips in one jump😅😅
@AmgX
Prob some splits
@Lola-yj3pm
Singing
@anyaforger784
Sleeping in 1.0 sec
@ItzPrinceton_Mangos
My art and my collection of penguins and my singing
@willandbill3896
Rip Spencer
@monstagrrr4449
gibbbayy
@jazminjadesingapore
Someone like you is hard to forget
@doualadaliso9676
that Adele 's number😮?