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Alone (i-Ten song)

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"Alone"
Song
B-side"Barracuda" (live)

"Alone" is a song composed by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It first appeared on via Steinberg and Kelly's pet project, 1983's I-Ten, Taking a Cold Look. It was later recorded by John Stamos in his role as Gino Minelli, on the original soundtrack of the CBS sitcom Dreams in 1984. American rock band Heart made it a number one US and Canadian hit in 1987. Twenty years later, Céline Dion recorded it for her album Taking Chances.

Heart version

The song was sold to Heart and released as the first single from their ninth studio album Bad Animals in May 1987. Heart's version is a power ballad that begins with a piano line and a subdued vocal from Ann Wilson before exploding into an amplified hard rock chorus. The song has been covered numerous times on American Idol as well as by artists such as Celine Dion, but is viewed as being exceptionally difficult to sing.[citation needed] According to a Songfacts interview with Steinberg, Kelly (an experienced session singer) provided the high harmony parts on the record.[1] "Alone" is Heart's biggest hit, spending three weeks at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 that July. It ranked number 2 on the Billboard Year-End Top Pop Singles of 1987. It is also their most successful single in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.The song was also a huge global hit, reaching number one in Canada, the top five in Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland, the top ten in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland as well as the top twenty in Germany. The song's popular video featured the band in a synched live performance. An "unplugged" version of the song later appeared on Heart's 1995 album The Road Home.

Extended version

An extended version of "Alone" clocking in at 5:30 was released in Japan as the B-side to Heart's third single from "Bad Animals", "There's the Girl". The "Long Version" is exclusive to this 3" mini-CD single, and not found on any other release.

Chart performance

Original release

Chart (1987) Peak
position
Australian Singles Chart[2] 6
Austrian Singles Chart[3] 22
Belgian Singles Chart[citation needed] 7
Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart[4] 1
Canadian Singles Chart[5] 1
Dutch Singles Chart[6] 6
French Singles Chart[7] 88
German Singles Chart[8] 18
Irish Singles Chart[9] 3
Norwegian Singles Chart[10] 5
Polish Singles Chart[citation needed] 6
Radio Luxemburg Singles[11] 3
Swiss Singles Chart[12] 4
UK Singles Chart[13] 3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[14] 1
U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart[15] 2
U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart[16] 3

Year-end charts

End of year chart (1987) Position
Australian Kent Music Report[17] 37
Belgian VRT Top 30[18] 59
Canadian RPM Top 100[19] 11
Dutch Megacharts[20] 52
Dutch Top 40[21] 56
Swiss Singles Chart[22] 18
U.K. Singles Chart[23] 34
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 2
U.S. Cashbox Top 100[24] 9

2009

Chart (2009) Peak
position
Canadian Hot Digital Singles Chart[16] 69
UK Single Chart[25] 199
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart[26] 44

2010

Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK Single Chart[25] 170

2012

Chart (2012) Peak
position
UK Single Chart[27] 94
"Alone"
Song

Céline Dion version

Celine Dion covered "Alone" for her ninth English studio album Taking Chances (2007). It was released as the second single in Europe and North America, and third in the United Kingdom, while "Eyes on Me" was released as the second single in the United Kingdom instead.

"Alone" was produced by Ben Moody, ex-member of Evanescence. The version received mixed reviews from music critics, who thought that the cover was too similar with the original, considering it a dull and carbon-copy version.

Background and release

Céline Dion covered "Alone" for her ninth English studio album Taking Chances (2007). The version was produced by Ben Moody, former member of rock band Evanescence.[28] The version features tinkling pianos and enveloping strings.[28] It was released as the second single in Europe and North America, and third in the United Kingdom, while "Eyes on Me" was released as the second single in the United Kingdom instead. On April 12, 2008, the song was able to be voted on Quebec radio station Rock Détente's ‘Top 7 at 7’ show!.[29] The digital single release in the UK on May 5, 2008 was coincided with the British leg of the Taking Chances Tour.[30] In France, the song was released simultaneously with "A cause," featured on D'elles. In October 2008, "Alone" was included on the European version of My Love: Essential Collection.[31] A live version was included in the Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert CD/DVD.[32]

Critical reception

Music critics were divided on "Alone". Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic picked the song as one of the best tracks on Taking Chances, and wrote that "Celine attempts to snatch Heart's 'Alone' from Carrie Underwood and cribs from Kelly Clarkson's operatic rock, two blatant thieveries that, when combined with the quartet of explicit changeups, gives Taking Chances a vaguely desperate vibe, as if Celine needs to prove that she still reigns supreme among all divas."[33] Sarah Rodman wrote for Boston Globe that "Enlisting former Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody adds little; in fact, the carbon-copy arrangement doesn't pack as much windswept melodramatic punch as Dion's own 'It's All Coming Back to Me Now.' Great vocal, terrific melody, a fine rendition, but 'Alone' is already indelibly stamped by Heart's Ann Wilson."[34] The Star editor Ashante Infantry called this song "sentimental, cringe-worthy diva track."

Chuck Taylor of Billboard called it "a rowdy cover."[35] Bill Lamb of About.com was more critical, calling it a "a dull, paint-by-numbers cover." and saying that her voice saved it.[36] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone gave the song a negative review, writing: "That's nothing compared to Dion shrieking the ten millionth version of Heart's 'Alone' (mad pitchy, dog!), produced by ex-Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody — Amy Lee, meet the fugliest bullet you ever dodged."[37]

Chart performance

The song debuted on November 24, 2007 at number 85 on the UK Singles Chart.[38] It spent 2 weeks on the chart.[38] After selling 12,535 copies, it entered the U.S. Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles at number 24 and Canadian Hot 100 at number 57. It entered the Swedish Singles Chart, due to strong digital sales, and peaked at number 52.[39]

Music video and live performances

The music video was taken from Dion's CBS TV special That's Just the Woman in Me and released on March 8, 2008.[40] Celine Dion promoted "Alone" at that time in France, performing it on Star Academy. On November 23, 2007, she went to the American talkshow The View to perform "Taking Chances" as well as "Alone".[41] Dion performed the song during most dates of her Taking Chances Tour; the performance was included in the Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert CD/DVD.[32]

Formats and track listings

UK digital single

  1. "Alone" – 3:23

Charts

Chart (2007) Peak
position
Canadian Hot 100[42] 57
UK Singles Chart[38] 85
US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles[43] 24
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[44] 81
U.S. Billboard Pop 100[45] 86
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart[46] 7
Swedish Singles Chart[39] 52

Other versions

  • The Romanian rock singer Dida Drăgan, accompanied by new wave band Monolit (headed by Sorin Chifiriuc), covered this song in 1987, in a Romanian version named "Singurătate".
  • The Australian singer Robert Forster covered this song on his 1995 album I Had a New York Girlfriend.
  • The Mexican singer Marianne covered the song in 1995 in a Spanish version named "Sola".
  • The Finnish progressive metal band Warmen covered this song for their 2002 album Beyond Abilities. The vocals were provided by Kimberly Goss.
  • A dance-pop version of the song was recorded by Kim Sozzi in 2006.
  • Carrie Underwood, Gina Glocksen, Ramiele Malubay, Allison Iraheta and Jacob Lusk have all covered this song on their live performances on American Idol. Malubay's cover was released as "Alone (American Idol Studio Version) - Single" on the iTunes Music Store in March 2008. Iraheta's live performance version was released as "Alone (American Idol Performance) - Single" in February 2009. Lusk's studio recording was released as "Alone (American Idol Performance) - Single" and as part of the "American Idol Top 12 Season 10" compilation album in March 2011. Following Underwood's performance, judge Simon Cowell correctly predicted that she would win the competition. He further predicted that she would outsell all previous Idol contestants.
  • Melissa O'Neil, Ashley Coles and Mark Day have all covered this song on their live performances on Canadian Idol.
  • Penelope had covered this song on her live performance on Pinoy Idol, second Philippine version of Pop Idol.
  • American singer Becca covered this song as a b-side to her single "I'm Alive" in 2008.
  • Jill Gioia performed "Alone" on elimination night in week 5 of Rock Star: Supernova.
  • The Dutch symphonic metal band After Forever recorded a cover which was released on the compilation Metallic Emotions (Vol. 1)
  • The Puerto Rican singer Janina Irizarry covered this song for her third studio album, but in a Spanish version named "Fantasma"
  • The song was covered on the hit television series Glee and was performed by Matthew Morrison and Kristin Chenoweth.
  • Doctors Rak and Tak performed this song on America's Got Talent during New York auditions.
  • Alyssa Reid had a hit in 2011 with the single, "Alone Again" that samples the original song, while adding new lyrics and a rap verse.
  • Filipino singer/Actress Anne Curtis covered this song on her 2011 album Annebisyosa.
  • The pop operatic group Il Divo covered this song in Spanish, as "Solo (Alone)", in their 2012 album "Il Divo: The Greatest Hits".

Appearances in other media

References

  1. ^ "Alone". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  2. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  3. ^ Steffen Hung. "Heart - Alone". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  4. ^ "Search Term(s): "Heart" and "Alone" and "Adult Contemporary"". RPM Weekly. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Search Term(s): "Heart" and "Alone" and "Top Singles"". RPM Weekly. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  6. ^ Steffen Hung. "Heart - Alone". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  7. ^ "InfoDisc : Tout les Titres par Artiste". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  8. ^ "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, News, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Künstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche". musicline.de. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  9. ^ Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group - http://www.fireballmedia.ie. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2012-01-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |author= (help)
  10. ^ Steffen Hung. "Heart - Alone". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  11. ^ http://umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=Czech&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Heart&ChSong=
  12. ^ Steffen Hung. "Heart - Alone". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  13. ^ "Heart - Alone". Chart Stats. Archived from the original on 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  14. ^ "Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  15. ^ "Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  16. ^ a b "Heart". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  17. ^ http://top100singles.blogspot.cz/2011/05/amr-top-singles-of-1987.html
  18. ^ http://www.luckysdb.be/Jaren/1987.html
  19. ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.0920&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=81nr7870laqs92jmsu5t0vlcj7
  20. ^ http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Heart&titel=Alone&cat=s
  21. ^ http://www.top40.nl/pdf/top100/top100-1987.pdf
  22. ^ http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1987
  23. ^ http://everyhit.co.uk/
  24. ^ http://www.cashboxcountdowns.com/archives/80s_files/1987YESP.html
  25. ^ a b "Chart Log UK: H & Claire- Hysterix". Zobbel.de. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  26. ^ "Charts". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-06-22.
  27. ^ "The Official Charts Company - Charts for 6 May 2013". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
  28. ^ a b "Celine Dion / Ben Moody Collaboration". Idolator. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  29. ^ "Vote for Celine's "Alone"!". Celine Dion. April 12, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  30. ^ "iTunes - Music - Alone - Single by Céline Dion". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  31. ^ "The Essential" (in German). Exlibris.ch. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  32. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  33. ^ Erlewine, Stephen (November 17, 2007) Taking Chances - Review | Allmusic Allmusic - Rovi Corporation Retrieved 2011-02-28
  34. ^ Rodman, Sarah (November 13, 2007) Dion takes few risks on 'Chances' The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-02-28
  35. ^ Taylor, Chuck. "Taking Chances - Billboard Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2011-03-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ Lamb, Bill (November 14, 2007). "Celine Dion - Taking Chances What Might Have Been". About.com. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  37. ^ Sheffield, Rob (December 13, 2007). "Celine Dion: Taking Chances : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2012-07-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ a b c "ChartArchive - Celine Dion - Alone". Chart Archive. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  39. ^ a b Steffen Hung. "Swedish Singles Chart". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  40. ^ Celine's "Alone" Music Video - Now Inside TeamCeline!. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  41. ^ "Celine Performing on The View!". Celine Dion Web. November 22, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  42. ^ Canadian Hot 100
  43. ^ Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
  44. ^ Hot Digital Songs
  45. ^ Pop 100
  46. ^ "Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart". Bdsradio.com. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
Preceded by US Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
July 11, 1987 – July 25, 1987
Succeeded by
Preceded by Canadian RPM 100 number-one single
August 8, 1987
Succeeded by