"When You Walk in the Room" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriterJackie DeShannon. It was initially released as a single on November 23, 1963,[1] as the B-side to "Till You Say You'll Be Mine". It was re-released as an A-side in September 1964, and later included on the albumBreakin' It Up on the Beatles Tour!. The single charted on the USBillboard Hot 100, peaking at number 99.[2]
The song has beencovered by many other artists including Country Music StarPam Tillis, whose version hit #2 on the country charts in 1994, andThe Searchers, whose version reached number 3 in the UK in 1964. Other versions, all of which made the British charts though less successfully, were recorded byPaul Carrack in 1987,Status Quo in 1995, andAgnetha Fältskog in 2004.
The song's lyrics attempt to detail the singer's emotions when in the presence of the person he or she loves. There is also an expression of frustration by the singer that he or she cannot manage to tell that person of his or her love.
British rock bandThe Searchers had a hit song in early 1964 with "Needles and Pins," previously recorded by Jackie DeShannon, and they then recorded this, another song previously recorded by DeShannon.[5] Their version reached No. 35 in the US and No. 3 in the UK. The group also recorded a German version titled "Wenn ich dich seh".[6]
Australianrock bandThe Sports released a version of the song as the second single from their debut studio album,Reckless. It reached No. 42 on the AustralianKent Music Report chart.[12]
The song was covered by the British rock bandStatus Quo for their 1996 studio album of cover versions and twenty-second studio album overall,Don't Stop, released as the album's lead single in October 1995.[25] The song was a minor hit, reaching Number 34 in their native UK the following month.[26] This version also appears on the band's 1997 two-disc greatest hits compilation albumWhatever You Want – The Very Best of Status Quo.[27]
Swedish singerAgnetha Fältskog, formerly ofABBA, released her version of "When You Walk in the Room" as the second single from her 2004 album,My Colouring Book. The track peaked at number 11 in Sweden and number 34 in the UK, where it remained in the chart for only two weeks. It was remixed by Almighty and SoundFactory.
