"Alone" is a song by musical group the Bee Gees. The ballad, written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, is the opening track on their 21st studio album, Still Waters (1997), and was the first single released from the album on 17 February 1997. In the United Kingdom, the song was backed with two B-sides: "Closer Than Close" and "Rings Around the Moon", while in the United States, a live version of "Stayin' Alive" was included on the single releases.

The track was a worldwide hit, peaking at number five in the United Kingdom and number two in New Zealand, where it was the 10th-most successful single of 1997. In Canada, it reached number 20 and was the most successful adult contemporary song of 1997 according to RPM magazine. On the US Billboard Hot 100, the single peaked at number 28, making it the Bee Gees' 30th and final top-40 hit in the US, after being a Billboard "Hot Shot" debut at number 34.

Song information Maurice Gibb explained about the track:

Barry and Robin Gibb alternate on lead vocals on the track, with both mostly using the group's trademark falsetto.

Critical reception British magazine Music Week rated the song four out of five, adding, "Brits lifetime award-winners should crashland in the top five with their instantly-familiar harmonies and Barry Gibb's sure pop production (cod bagpipes over an ELO-style arrangement this time)."

Music video Two promotional videos directed by Nick Egan were made for the song. The first one, not shown in the United States, featured the brothers singing in a spinning room intercut with a female astronaut slowly removing her space suit in zero gravity, a homage to the opening of the 1968 sci-fi cult film Barbarella. The promo for the US featured the brothers recording the song in a studio, intercut with various clips of the brothers throughout the years, as well as segments of the original video.

Track listings

UK CD1; Australian CD single; Japanese mini-CD single "Alone" – 4:49 "Closer Than Close" – 4:34 "Rings Around the Moon" – 4:29

UK CD2 "Alone" – 4:49 "How Deep Is Your Love" – 4:02 "Words" – 3:13 "I've Gotta Get a Message to You" – 3:06

UK cassette single and European CD single "Alone" – 4:49 "Closer Than Close" – 4:34

US CD single "Alone" (single mix) – 4:02 "Stayin' Alive" (live) – 4:06 "You Should Be Dancing" (Decadance) – 8:42 "Rings Around the Moon" – 4:29

US cassette single A. "Alone" (single mix) – 4:20 B. "Stayin' Alive" (live) – 4:06

Personnel Personnel are sourced from Joseph Brennan. Barry Gibb – vocals, guitar, programming, producer Robin Gibb – vocals, producer Maurice Gibb – vocals, guitar, keyboard, producer Marc Schumann – guitar Robbie Kondor – keyboard Alan Clark – keyboard Jeff Bova – synthesizer bass David Elliott – drums Dave Halpern – percussion Ralph McDonald – percussion Russ Titelman – producer

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997)PeakpositionCzech Republic (IFPI CR) 5Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 8Hungary (Mahasz) 6Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) 32Israel (Israeli Singles Chart) Search "Alone" for Israeli chart history. 13Poland Airplay (Music & Media) 1

Year-end charts Chart (1997)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 39Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 25Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 40Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) 1Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 33France (SNEP) 34Germany (Media Control) 28Netherlands (Single Top 100) 91New Zealand (RIANZ) 10Romania (Romanian Top 100) 26Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 24UK Singles (OCC) 54US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) 30

Certifications

Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom17 February 1997PolydorJapan12 March 1997Mini-CDUnited States25 March 1997Contemporary hit radio20 May 1997

Cover versions "Alone" was covered by American country music artist Monty Holmes on his 1998 debut album, All I Ever Wanted. It was released as the album's second single and peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

References