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Alone (i-Ten song)

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"Alone"
Song by i-Ten
from the album Taking a Cold Look
ReleasedJune 1983
Recorded1983
StudioGoodnight L.A. (Van Nuys)
Genre
Length3:58
LabelEpic
Songwriters
Producers

"Alone" is a song written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who recorded it under the name i‑Ten for their 1983 album Taking a Cold Look. It was later recorded by actress Valerie Stevenson and actor John Stamos for the original soundtrack of the CBS sitcom Dreams in 1984. The definitive version of the song was recorded by American hard rock band Heart for their 1987 album Bad Animals. Heart's version reached number one in the United States and Canada. In 2007, Celine Dion recorded it for her album Taking Chances. In 2010, Alyssa Reid used the music and lyrics for the chorus of her song "Alone Again".

Background

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"Alone" is a rock ballad written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, who recorded it under the name i‑Ten for their 1983 album Taking a Cold Look. It appears as the third track on the album. The release attracted little attention, and i‑Ten did not record any further albums before disbanding.

Personnel

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Dreams version

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In late 1984, actress Valerie Stevenson and actor John Stamos recorded the song for the CBS sitcom Dreams in their roles as Lisa Copley and Gino Minnelli. It appears in the episode of the same name, in which the band perform the song for Frank and Louise's anniversary party. It is the earliest cover of the song. In the episode, Frank and Gino write a poem and develop it into a song. The episode aired on November 7, 1984. The song was released as a single on the same day, but it did not chart.

Heart version

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"Alone"
Single by Heart
from the album Bad Animals
B-side"Barracuda" (live)
ReleasedMay 15, 1987 (1987-05-15) (Europe)
Recorded1987
GenreHard rock
Length3:39
LabelCapitol
Songwriters
ProducerRon Nevison
Heart singles chronology
"If Looks Could Kill"
(1986) 		"Alone"
(1987) 		"Who Will You Run To"
(1987)
Music video
"Alone" on YouTube

Heart released the song as the lead single from their ninth studio album, Bad Animals, on May 16, 1987. Their recording is a power ballad[1] that opens with a piano introduction and a restrained vocal by Ann Wilson, building into a synth‑driven hard‑rock chorus. Tom Kelly, the song's co‑writer and an experienced session vocalist, provided the high harmony parts on the track.[2]

"Alone" reached number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Cash Box Top 100. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. Internationally, it topped the chart in Canada, reached the top five in Ireland, Norway, and Switzerland, the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and the top 20 in West Germany. An unplugged version later appeared on Heart's 1995 album The Road Home. An extended 5:30 version was issued on the Japanese 3‑inch CD of the album's third single, "There's the Girl".[3]

Cash Box described the track as "a potent, emotion‑drenched rock ballad that features Ann Wilson's signature billowing, riveting vocal performance".[4] The song earned Heart a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards.

Music video

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The music video, directed by Marty Callner, was released in June 1987. It begins with Ann standing on a balcony singing to Nancy below, echoing the Romeo and Juliet balcony scene. Ann then appears dressed entirely in black, including a veil and gown. The sisters are shown performing the chorus on stage, where Nancy's piano collapses at the first impact of the chorus. During the second verse, Nancy plays a piano placed within a deteriorated set. She is later shown riding a black horse. Ann appears again in the all‑black outfit within the broken set, before the video cuts back to the stage performance for the song's climax. As the track fades, Ann and Nancy face each other, followed by a final close‑up of Ann before the screen goes dark.

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance
Chart (1987) Peak
position
Australia (KMR)[5] 6
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 22
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 8
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)[8][9] 1
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 1
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[12] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[13] 3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 6
Norway (VG-lista)[16] 5
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[17] 4
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 1
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[20] 2
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[21] 3
US Cash Box Top 100[22] 1
West Germany (GfK)[23] 18

Year-end charts

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Year-end chart performance
Chart (1987) Position
Australia (KMR)[24] 37
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[25] 62
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[26] 11
European Top 100 Singles (Music & Media)[27] 48
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[28] 56
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[29] 52
Norway Summer Period (VG-lista)[30] 9
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] 18
UK Singles (OCC)[32] 34
US Billboard Hot 100[33] 2
US Cash Box Top 100[34] 9
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[33] 23

Certifications

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Certifications
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[35] Gold 30,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[36] Gold 50,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[37] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[38] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Platinum 600,000‡

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

Celine Dion version

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"Alone"
Single by Celine Dion
from the album Taking Chances
ReleasedMay 5, 2008 (2008-05-05)
Studio
GenrePop rock
Length3:23
LabelColumbia
Songwriters
ProducerBen Moody
Celine Dion singles chronology
"The Prayer"
(2008) 		"Alone"
(2008) 		"My Love"
(2008)
Audio
"Alone" on YouTube

Celine Dion recorded "Alone" for her tenth English‑language studio album, Taking Chances (2007). Issued as the second single in Europe and North America, and as the third in the United Kingdom in 2008, the track was produced by Ben Moody, former member of Evanescence. Dion's version received generally positive reviews and charted in several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.

Background and release

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Dion recorded "Alone" in 2007 for Taking Chances, with production by Ben Moody, previously of Evanescence.[40] Her recording incorporates piano and string arrangements.[40] It was released as the second single in Europe and North America, and as the third in the United Kingdom. The UK digital release on May 5, 2008, coincided with the British leg of the Taking Chances World Tour.[41] In October 2008, "Alone" was included on the European edition of My Love: Essential Collection.[42] A live version appears on Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert.[43]

Critical reception

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"Alone" received generally positive reviews, with several critics praising Dion's vocal performance and the song's melodic appeal. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic named it one of the album's standout tracks, praising Dion's energetic interpretation of Heart's original and noting the song's pronounced stylistic shifts.[44] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe described the performance as a "great vocal, terrific melody, a fine rendition", while observing that the song remains closely associated with Heart's Ann Wilson.[45] Toronto Star editor Ashante Infantry called the track "sentimental", and Chuck Taylor of Billboard described it as "a rowdy cover".[46]

Commercial performance

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"Alone" debuted at number 85 on the UK Singles Chart and remained for two weeks.[47] It sold 12,535 copies in the United States, entering the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles at number 24 and the Canadian Hot 100 at number 57. It also entered the Swedish Singles Chart due to digital sales, peaking at number 52.[48]

Music video and live performances

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The music video was taken from Dion's CBS TV special That's Just the Woman in Me and released on March 15, 2008.[49][50] Dion promoted the song in France on Star Academy. On November 23, 2007, she appeared on The View to perform "Taking Chances" and "Alone".[51] She performed the song during most dates of the Taking Chances World Tour, and the performance appears on Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert.[43]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[63] Gold 40,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States March 12, 2008 Adult Contemporary radio Columbia [64]
United Kingdom May 5, 2008 Digital download [65]

References

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  1. ^ "Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse of the Heart and the 20 other best power ballads". Telegraph.co.uk. July 23, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Alone". Songfacts.com. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  3. ^ There's the Girl (Japanese 3-inch CD single liner notes). Capitol. 1988. CP10-2001.
  4. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. May 9, 1987. p. 9. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  5. ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992 (illustrated ed.). Australia: St Ives, N.S.W. : Australian Chart Book. p. 136. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ "Heart – Alone" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "Heart – Alone" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. August 29, 1987. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  9. ^ Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  10. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 0844". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  11. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Image 8062". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  12. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. August 15, 1987. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  13. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Hearts". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  14. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 31, 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  15. ^ "Heart – Alone" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  16. ^ "Heart – Alone". VG-lista. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  17. ^ "Heart – Alone". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  18. ^ "Heart Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  19. ^ "Heart Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  20. ^ "Heart Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  21. ^ "Heart Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  22. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits: 1952-1996. Record Research.
  23. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  24. ^ "Kent Music Report No 701 – 28 December 1987 > National Top 100 Singles for 1987". Kent Music Report, via Imgur.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  25. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  26. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. December 26, 1987. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  27. ^ "European Charts of the Year 1987: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 26, 1987. p. 34. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  28. ^ "Single Top 100 Van 1987" (PDF) (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  29. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - single 1987". MegaCharts. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  30. ^ "Topp 20 Single Sommer 1987" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  31. ^ "Swiss Year-end Charts 1987". Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  32. ^ "Gallup Year End Charts 1987: Singles". Record Mirror. London, England. August 23, 2016. p. 36.
  33. ^ a b "The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. December 26, 1987. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  34. ^ "Top 50 Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. December 26, 1987. p. 12.
  35. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Heart – Alone" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  36. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Heart – Alone". Music Canada.
  37. ^ "Danish single certifications – Heart – Alone". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  38. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Heart – Alone". Radioscope. Retrieved February 5, 2026. Type Alone in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  39. ^ "British single certifications – Heart – Alone". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 24, 2023. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Alone Heart in the "Search:" field.
  40. ^ a b "Celine Dion / Ben Moody Collaboration". Idolator. Retrieved October 17, 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  41. ^ "iTunes - Music - Alone - Single by Céline Dion". iTunes Store. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  42. ^ "The Essential" (in German). Exlibris.ch. Retrieved July 15, 2011.
  43. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  44. ^ Erlewine, Stephen (November 17, 2007) Taking Chances - Review | Allmusic AllMusic – Rovi Corporation Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  45. ^ Rodman, Sarah (November 13, 2007). "Dion takes few risks on 'Chances'". Boston Globe. Retrieved July 18, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  46. ^ Taylor, Chuck. "Taking Chances - Billboard Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  47. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart on 18/11/2007 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  48. ^ Steffen Hung. "Swedish Singles Chart". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  49. ^ ""Alone" Music Video On Celinedion.com!". celinedion.com. March 13, 2008. Archived from the original on November 13, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  50. ^ Celine's "Alone" Music Video - Now Inside TeamCeline! Archived December 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  51. ^ "Celine Performing on The View!". Celine Dion Web. November 22, 2007. Archived from the original on December 28, 2014. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  52. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  53. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014. [dead link]
  54. ^ "Charts – TopHit – Highway to Airplay". TopHit. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  55. ^ "Norwegian Airplay Chart". VG-lista. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  56. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  57. ^ "Céline Dion – Alone". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  58. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  59. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  60. ^ "Celine Dion Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  61. ^ "BDS Radio Charts" (PDF). Radio & Records. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  62. ^ "2008 - The Year in Music: Top Canada AC Songs" (PDF). Radio & Records. December 12, 2008. p. 67. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  63. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Celine Dion – Alone". Music Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
  64. ^ Alone (US promotional CD single liner notes). Columbia. 2008.
  65. ^ "Music Upfront" (PDF). Music Week. May 3, 2008. p. 13. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
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