"Wake Up Everybody" is an R&B song written by John Whitehead, Gene McFadden and Victor Carstarphen.

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes version

Originally recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, with Teddy Pendergrass singing lead wake-up the song had a somewhat unconventional structure, starting subdued and building slowly to a climax. The title track from their 1975 album, the song spent two weeks at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart in early 1976. It also enjoyed success on the pop charts, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 34 Easy Listening, number 33 in Canada, and number 23 in the UK Singles Chart. They performed the song on Soul Train on November 22, 1975.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Sonia version

"Wake Up Everybody" was covered in 1995 by British singer Sonia. It was produced by Steve Levine for her fourth studio album Love Train - The Philly Album (1998). The song was released as the album's first and final single. This single has two B-sides - "Show You the Way to Go" and "Nowhere Left to Hide". The first B-side appears on Sonia's fourth studio album. This was Sonia's last single until "Fool for Love" in 2009.

Track listings

2004 version

In 2004, a cover version was released to coincide with the 2004 presidential election. It features a collection of music stars who urge young people to go out and vote. The song was produced by Babyface, and features various prominent R&B singers and rappers. It was an airplay-only single. Missy Elliott's song "Wake Up" from her album This Is Not a Test! was sampled on this recording. It reached number 19 on the Billboard Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Artists

Other versions

Version by John Legend and The Roots featuring Common and Melanie Fiona

Weekly charts

Year-end charts