Jump to content

Alone (i-Ten song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromAlone (Heart song))

"Alone"
Songby i-Ten
from the albumTaking a Cold Look
ReleasedJune 1983
Recorded1983
StudioGoodnight L.A. Studios,Van Nuys, California
GenreRock,AOR
Length3:58
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Billy Steinberg,Tom Kelly
Producer(s)Keith Olsen,Steve Lukather

"Alone"is a song composed byBilly SteinbergandTom Kelly,who recorded it under the name i-Ten on their 1983 albumTaking a Cold Look.

It was later recorded by actress Valerie Stevenson and actorJohn Stamoson the original soundtrack of theCBSsitcomDreamsin 1984. AmericanrockbandHeartcovered it on their 1987 albumBad Animals,and this version reached number one in the US and Canada. In 2007Celine Dionrecorded it for her albumTaking Chances.In 2010Alyssa Reidused the music and lyrics for the chorus of her song "Alone Again".

Original Steinberg and Kelly version[edit]

"Alone" is arock balladcomposed byBilly SteinbergandTom Kelly,who recorded it under the name i-Ten on their 1983 albumTaking a Cold Look.It was included as the third track of the album. It debuted inauspiciously and I-Ten did not record any other albums prior to disbanding.

Personnel[edit]

Dreamsversion[edit]

"Alone"
SinglebyDreams
from the albumDreams
ReleasedNovember 7, 1984
GenreAOR,Pop
Length4:12
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Billy Steinberg,Tom Kelly
Dreamssingles chronology
"Jailhouse Rock"
(1984) 		"Alone"
(1984) 		"Fortune and Fame"
(1984)

In late 1984, actress Valerie Stevenson and actorJohn Stamoscovered the song for theCBSSitcomDreamsunder their roles as Lisa Copley and Gino Minelli.

It appeared on the episode of the same name where the band perform the song for Frank and Louise's anniversary party. It is the earliest cover of the song. In that episode, Frank and Gino write a poem and turn it into a song. The episode aired on November 7, 1984. The song was released as a single that same day, but did not chart.

Heart version[edit]

"Alone"
SinglebyHeart
from the albumBad Animals
B-side"Barracuda"(live)
ReleasedMay 15, 1987 (Europe)[1]
Recorded1987
GenreHard Rock,Power Ballad[2]
Length3:39
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Billy Steinberg,Tom Kelly
Producer(s)Ron Nevison
Heartsingles chronology
"If Looks Could Kill"
(1986) 		"Alone"
(1987) 		"Who Will You Run To"
(1987)
Music video
"Alone"onYouTube

Heartreleased the song as the first single from their ninth studio album,Bad Animals,in May 1987. Their version is apower ballad[3]that begins with a piano line and a subdued vocal fromAnn Wilson,leading to a synth-led hard-rock chorus. Tom Kelly, the song's coauthor and himself an experienced session singer, provided the high harmony parts on the record.[4]

Cash Boxsaid that it's "a potent, emotion-drenched rock ballad that features Ann Wilson's signature billowing, riveting vocal performance."[5]

"Alone" spent three weeks at No. 1 on the U.S.BillboardHot 100in July 1987. It ranked No. 2 on theBillboardYear-End Top Pop Singles of 1987. It is also Heart's most successful single in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 3 on theUK Singles Chartin June, representing a commercial breakthrough for the band there as their first Top 40 hit. It is the band's only song to peak inside the UK Top 5.

The song was also a global hit, reaching No. 1 in Canada, the top five in Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland, the top ten in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands as well as the top twenty in West Germany. An "unplugged" version of the song later appeared on Heart's 1995 albumThe Road Home.An extended version of "Alone" (5:30 long) was included on the Japanese 3 "mini-CD of Heart's third single fromBad Animals,"There's the Girl".[6]

It earned the band a nomination for theGrammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Groupat the30th Annual Grammy Awards.

Music video[edit]

The video for the song was directed byMarty Callner,and was released in June 1987. It starts with Ann at the top of a balcony singing to Nancy, who is at the bottom (similar to theRomeo and Julietbalcony scene). Ann is then seen in all black, including a funeral veil and gown. The two sisters are then seen performing the refrain to an audience on stage, when Nancy's piano collapses at the first bang of the chorus. During the second verse, a broken-down and dilapidated set is seen, with Nancy playing the piano within it. Nancy is then seen riding atop a black horse. It then shows Ann, in the all-black outfit within the broken set and thereby resembling a witch, before cutting directly back to the stage performance as the song reaches its climax. As the song fades out, a shot of Ann and Nancy together is shown, with each one looking directly into each other's eyes, before finally finishing with a quick shot of Ann's face as the screen goes black.

Personnel[edit]

Additional musicians[edit]

Charts[edit]

Certifications and sales[edit]

Certifications and sales for Heart's cover
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[34] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[35] Platinum 600,000‡

^Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Celine Dion version[edit]

"Alone"
SinglebyCeline Dion
from the albumTaking Chances
ReleasedMay 5, 2008(2008-05-05)
RecordedJanuary 2007 Conway Studios,Studio at the Palms
GenrePop rock
Length3:23
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Ben Moody
Celine Dionsingles chronology
"The Prayer"
(2008) 		"Alone"
(2008) 		"My Love"
(2008)
Audio video
"Alone"onYouTube

Celine Dioncovered "Alone" for her tenth English-languagestudio album,Taking Chances(2007). It was released as the secondsinglein Europe and North America, and third in the United Kingdom in 2008. Produced byBen Moody,ex-member ofEvanescence,the song divided music critics. While some picked it as one of the best tracks onTaking Chances,others thought that the cover was too similar with the original.

Background and release[edit]

Dion covered "Alone" in 2007 for her tenth English studio album,Taking Chances,released that year. The version was produced byBen Moody,former member of rock bandEvanescence.[36]Dion's version features tinkling pianos and enveloping strings.[36]It was released as the second single in Europe and North America, and third in the United Kingdom. The digital single release in the UK on May 5, 2008, was coincided with the British leg of theTaking Chances World Tour.[37]In October 2008, "Alone" was included on the European version ofMy Love: Essential Collection.[38]A live version was included in theTaking Chances World Tour: The ConcertCD/DVD.[39]

Critical reception[edit]

Music critics were divided on "Alone".Stephen Thomas ErlewinefromAllMusicpicked the song as one of the best tracks onTaking Chances,and wrote that "Celine attempts to snatch Heart's 'Alone' fromCarrie Underwoodand cribs fromKelly Clarkson's operatic rock, two blatant thieveries that, when combined with the quartet of explicit changeups, givesTaking Chancesa vaguely desperate vibe, as if Celine needs to prove that she still reigns supreme among all divas ".[40]Sarah Rodman wrote forThe Boston Globethat "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'sAnn Wilson".[41]

Toronto Stareditor Ashante Infantry called this song "sentimental, cringe-worthy diva track".Chuck TaylorofBillboardcalled it "a rowdy cover".[42]Rob Sheffield ofRolling Stonegave 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 ".[43]

Commercial performance[edit]

The song debuted on November 24, 2007, at No. 85 on theUK Singles Chart.[44]It spent two weeks on the chart.[44]After selling 12,535 copies, it entered the USBubbling Under Hot 100 Singlesat No. 24 andCanadian Hot 100at No. 57. It entered theSwedish Singles Chart,due to strong digital sales, and peaked at No. 52.[45]

Music video and live performances[edit]

The music video was taken from Dion'sCBSTV specialThat's Just the Woman in Meand released on March 8, 2008.[46]Dion promoted "Alone" at that time in France, performing it onStar Academy.On November 23, 2007, she went to the American talkshowThe Viewto perform "Taking Chances" as well as "Alone".[47]Dion performed the song during most dates of herTaking Chances World Tour;the performance was included in theTaking Chances World Tour: The ConcertCD/DVD.[39]

Charts[edit]

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format Label
United Kingdom[59] May 5, 2008 Digital download Epic

References[edit]

  1. ^"Heart singles".
  2. ^"AllMusic Guide, Alone by Heart".allmusic.com.RetrievedJune 15,2024.
  3. ^"Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart and the 20 other best power ballads".Telegraph.co.uk.July 23, 2015.RetrievedApril 24,2021.
  4. ^"Alone".Songfacts.com.RetrievedOctober 5,2009.
  5. ^"Single Releases"(PDF).Cash Box.May 9, 1987. p. 9.RetrievedAugust 8,2022.
  6. ^"Japan 3" CD single ".discogs.RetrievedMarch 7,2014.
  7. ^David Kent(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970-1992(illustrated ed.). Australia: St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 136.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^"Heart – Alone "(in German).Ö3 Austria Top 40.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  9. ^"Heart – Alone "(in Dutch).Ultratop 50.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  10. ^"Top RPM Singles: Issue 0844."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  11. ^"Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8062."RPM.Library and Archives Canada.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  12. ^"Hits of the World"(PDF).Billboard.August 29, 1987.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  13. ^"Hits of the World"(PDF).Billboard.August 15, 1987.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  14. ^"The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hearts ".Irish Singles Chart.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  15. ^"Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 1987"(in Dutch).Dutch Top 40.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  16. ^"Heart – Alone "(in Dutch).Single Top 100.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  17. ^"Heart – Alone ".VG-lista.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  18. ^"Heart – Alone ".Swiss Singles Chart.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  19. ^"Heart: Artist Chart History".Official Charts Company.Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  20. ^"Heart Chart History (Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  21. ^"Heart Chart History (Adult Contemporary)".Billboard.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  22. ^"Heart Chart History (Mainstream Rock)".Billboard.Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  23. ^"Heart - Alone"(in German).GfK Entertainment.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  24. ^"Kent Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987".Kent Music Report,via Imgur.com.RetrievedDecember 11,2019.
  25. ^"Jaaroverzichten 1987"(in Dutch).Ultratop.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  26. ^"Top 100 Singles of '87".RPM.December 26, 1987.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  27. ^"European Charts of the Year 1987: Singles"(PDF).Music & Media.December 26, 1987. p. 34.RetrievedApril 9,2022.
  28. ^"Single Top 100 Van 1987"(PDF)(in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  29. ^"Jaaroverzichten - single 1987".Hung Medien.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  30. ^"Topp 20 Single Sommer 1987"(in Norwegian).VG-lista.Archived fromthe originalon September 16, 2016.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  31. ^"Swiss Year-end Charts 1987".Hung Medien.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  32. ^"Gallup Year End Charts 1987: Singles".Record Mirror.London, England: Spotlight Publications. August 23, 2016. p. 36.
  33. ^ab"The Year in Music"(PDF).Billboard.December 26, 1987.RetrievedAugust 23,2016.
  34. ^"Canadian single certifications – Heart – Alone".Music Canada.
  35. ^"British single certifications – Heart – Alone".British Phonographic Industry.RetrievedSeptember 24,2023.
  36. ^ab"Celine Dion / Ben Moody Collaboration".Idolator.RetrievedOctober 17,2012.
  37. ^"iTunes - Music - Alone - Single by Céline Dion".iTunes Store.RetrievedOctober 17,2012.
  38. ^"The Essential"(in German). Exlibris.ch.RetrievedJuly 15,2011.
  39. ^abErlewine, Stephen Thomas."Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert: AllMusic".AllMusic.RetrievedAugust 12,2012.
  40. ^Erlewine, Stephen (November 17, 2007)Taking Chances - Review | AllmusicAllMusic-Rovi CorporationRetrieved February 28, 2011.
  41. ^Rodman, Sarah (November 13, 2007)Dion takes few risks on 'Chances'The Boston Globe.Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  42. ^Taylor, Chuck."Taking Chances - Billboard Review".Billboard.Archived fromthe originalon November 11, 2007.RetrievedMarch 10,2011.
  43. ^Sheffield, Rob (December 13, 2007)."Celine Dion: Taking Chances: Music Reviews".Rolling Stone.Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2008.RetrievedJuly 2,2012.
  44. ^abc"Official Singles Chart Top 100".Official Charts Company.Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  45. ^Steffen Hung."Swedish Singles Chart".Swedishcharts.com.RetrievedMay 12,2012.
  46. ^Celine's "Alone" Music Video - Now Inside TeamCeline!ArchivedDecember 28, 2014, at theWayback Machine.Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  47. ^"Celine Performing on The View!".Celine Dion Web.November 22, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon December 28, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  48. ^"Celine Dion Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  49. ^"Celine Dion Chart History (Canada AC)".Billboard.Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  50. ^Céline Dion — Alone.TopHit.Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  51. ^"Norwegian Airplay Chart".VG-lista.Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2011.RetrievedOctober 11,2014.
  52. ^"Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec"(in French).BAnQ.Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2018.RetrievedMarch 17,2019.
  53. ^"Céline Dion – Alone ".Singles Top 100.Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  54. ^"Celine Dion Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)".Billboard.Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  55. ^"Celine Dion Chart History (Digital Song Sales)".Billboard.Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  56. ^"Celine Dion Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedOctober 12,2014.
  57. ^"BDS Radio Charts"(PDF).Radio & Records.RetrievedOctober 13,2023.
  58. ^"2008 - The Year in Music: Top Canada AC Songs"(PDF).Radio & Records.December 12, 2008. p. 67.RetrievedSeptember 3,2019.
  59. ^"Music Upfront"(PDF).Music Week.May 3, 2008. p. 13.RetrievedDecember 30,2022.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alone_(i-Ten_song)&oldid=1233026886#Heart_version"