Alone

"Alone" by Heart is a quintessential power ballad that delves into the intense and often painful emotions of unrequited or unexpressed love. The song's narrative centers on a person who, after a lifetime of self-reliance and emotional independence, finds themselves completely captivated by someone. This newfound vulnerability is both thrilling and terrifying, a sentiment captured in the line, "And now it chills me to the bone." The core message revolves around the transition from a solitary existence to an all-consuming need for connection with a specific individual. The central question, "How do I get you alone?", is a desperate plea born from the frustration of wanting to confess deep feelings but being unable to find the right moment or courage to do so. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of internal turmoil: the narrator lies awake in the dark, their thoughts consumed by the object of their affection, revealing a plan to confess that ultimately fails, leaving their love "still unknown." This highlights themes of secret love, longing, and the internal struggle between past independence and present vulnerability.

The song begins with the narrator lying in a pitch-dark room, acutely aware of the passing time marked by a ticking clock. A deep sense of solitude and worry permeates the scene as they wonder about the whereabouts of a specific person, their anxiety heightened by an unanswered telephone. The night stretches on, painfully slow, yet the narrator paradoxically wishes it wouldn't end, clinging to the sliver of hope that the darkness and solitude might bring. This feeling of being alone is a new and unsettling experience.

A reflection follows on a past life of self-sufficiency. The narrator confesses that until meeting this person, they had always managed perfectly well on their own, never truly caring for romantic connection. This newfound emotional dependency is jarring, sending a literal and metaphorical chill to their bones. The central, agonizing question erupts from this vulnerability: "How do I get you alone?" This refrain becomes a desperate plea, a singular focus that underscores the depth of their yearning to move beyond the current platonic or distant relationship and find a moment of private intimacy.

The narrator reveals the longevity of this secret desire, admitting they have wanted to touch this person's lips and hold them tightly for a very long time. There was a plan, a moment of courage where they intended to confess everything that very night. However, that moment passed in failure. The secret remains their own, a heavy burden of unexpressed love. The confession that their love is still unknown reinforces the internal nature of this turmoil. It's a one-sided conversation, a drama playing out entirely within the narrator's heart and mind.

The song circles back to its core conflict. The juxtaposition of a fiercely independent past with a present consumed by longing is revisited, emphasizing how this person has fundamentally altered their existence. The feeling that "chills me to the bone" is the terrifying realization of how much they need someone else. The song crescendos with the repeated, almost frantic, questioning of how to secure a moment of solitude with their beloved. It ends on this unresolved note of intense yearning, leaving the listener with the powerful feeling of the narrator being suspended in a state of hopeful desperation, forever asking, "How do I get you alone?"

Heart's iconic 1987 hit "Alone" is a cover song, originally written and recorded by the songwriting duo Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly under the band name i-Ten for their 1983 album Taking a Cold Look. Steinberg and Kelly were a prolific team, also responsible for hits like Madonna's "Like A Virgin" and Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors". The original i-Ten album was not a commercial success, and the song was largely forgotten. Before Heart recorded it, the song had another unsuccessful incarnation in 1984, when it was performed by actors John Stamos and Valerie Stevenson on the short-lived CBS sitcom Dreams.

In 1987, as Heart was working on their album Bad Animals with producer Ron Nevison, the band was looking for a powerful ballad. Tom Kelly, who was also a successful session singer, suggested they revisit "Alone". Billy Steinberg was initially hesitant due to the unpleasant memories associated with the i-Ten album's failure, but Kelly believed the song was perfect for Ann Wilson's voice. They created a new demo that impressed Nevison and the band. Tom Kelly himself contributed the high harmony vocals on Heart's recording, adding a distinctive layer to Ann Wilson's powerful lead. The combination of the song's potent lyrics, Ann Wilson's soaring vocals, and the polished, arena-rock production turned it into a massive international hit, far eclipsing its previous versions.

The lyrics of "Alone" employ powerful, direct emotional language, but also use evocative imagery to symbolize the narrator's state of mind.

• The Dark Room: The opening scene of the narrator in a "pitch dark" room symbolizes their isolation and the secret nature of their feelings. The darkness reflects their internal world, where their love is hidden from the person they desire. The ticking clock represents not just the slow passage of time but also the mounting anxiety and urgency of their unspoken emotions.
• "Chills me to the bone": This phrase is a central metaphor for the narrator's newfound vulnerability. Having always been self-sufficient ("I always got by on my own"), the intense feeling of needing someone else is a profound, almost physical shock to their system. It represents the fear and intensity that comes with falling in love so deeply.
• The Unanswered Telephone: This symbolizes the communication gap and the distance between the narrator and their love interest. It's a tangible representation of their inability to connect and express their feelings, amplifying their sense of being alone despite their powerful emotions.

The emotional atmosphere of "Alone" is one of intense, almost overwhelming, romantic longing and vulnerability. It begins in a state of quiet melancholy and solitude, as the narrator lies in the dark, consumed by thoughts of another person. This contemplative mood is quickly infused with anxiety and a sense of desperation. The core emotional shift occurs between the verses and the chorus; the verses are intimate and filled with a quiet sense of awe and fear at this new feeling of love, while the chorus explodes with a powerful, desperate yearning. Ann Wilson's vocal performance is central to creating this landscape, moving from a soft, controlled delivery to a full-throated, passionate cry. The song is a journey through the emotional stages of a secret love: from lonely contemplation to the terrifying realization of one's own vulnerability, culminating in a powerful, almost primal scream of desire to bridge the distance with the beloved. The overall tone is deeply melancholic and bittersweet, as the powerful expression of love is trapped in a state of being "unknown."

Heart's version of "Alone" was a massive commercial success and became one of the defining power ballads of the 1980s. Released in May 1987 as the lead single from the album Bad Animals, it shot to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for three weeks, and also hit number one in Canada. It became Heart's biggest hit, ranking as the number two song of the year for 1987 in the US. Its success extended globally, reaching number 3 on the UK Singles Chart and charting in the top ten in numerous other countries.

The song's dramatic, emotional power and Ann Wilson's iconic vocal performance have cemented its place in music history. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably by Celine Dion for her 2007 album Taking Chances and featured prominently on talent shows like American Idol by contestants such as Carrie Underwood. The song has also been used in various television shows to underscore moments of romantic tension or loneliness, including Glee, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Cold Case, and Superstore. The music video, with its gothic, "Romeo and Juliet"-style visuals, was also a favorite on MTV and VH1, contributing to the song's massive popularity.

The song's structure follows a relatively standard verse-chorus form, with its rhythm and rhyme serving to underscore the emotional narrative. The verses primarily use an AABB rhyme scheme (dark/tonight, slow/though; own/bone, you/alone) which gives them a structured, narrative feel. The lyrics are delivered in a slower, more deliberate rhythm over a simple keyboard melody, creating a sense of intimacy and introspection. The tempo is that of a classic slow ballad, allowing Ann Wilson's vocals the space to build and emote. The transition into the chorus marks a significant rhythmic shift. The beat becomes more pronounced with heavy, often gated-reverb drums, a driving bassline, and powerful synth chords, characteristic of the 80s power ballad. This rhythmic surge provides the powerful emotional release that the chorus lyrics demand. The interplay between the quiet, contemplative rhythm of the verses and the explosive, anthemic rhythm of the chorus is key to the song's dramatic impact.

"Alone" is a masterclass in the power ballad form, utilizing both musical and lyrical techniques to build emotional intensity.

• Vocal Performance: Ann Wilson's vocal delivery is the song's centerpiece. It follows a dramatic arc, beginning with a subdued, almost breathy tone in the verses to convey vulnerability and intimacy. As the emotion builds into the chorus, her voice erupts with immense power, grit, and a signature soaring quality that embodies the desperation and scale of her feelings. The use of a fast, almost nervous vibrato on higher, sustained notes adds to the feeling of tension and release.
• Musical Arrangement: The song's structure is a classic power ballad crescendo. It opens with a simple, memorable piano/keyboard line that sets a melancholic and hollow tone. The arrangement gradually adds layers—synthesizers, powerful drumming, and electric guitars—exploding in the chorus to create an epic, arena-rock soundscape. This dynamic shift mirrors the lyrical journey from quiet introspection to an overwhelming emotional outburst.
• Key Changes: The song employs effective key changes to heighten the drama. It moves from a minor key in the verse (B-flat minor) to a brighter major key in the chorus, which enhances the feeling of emotional release and urgency, even though the lyrics are about an unfulfilled desire.
• Harmonies: The backing vocals, notably provided by the song's co-writer Tom Kelly, add a crucial layer of richness and power, especially in the chorus. They lift the key phrases, making the chorus an anthemic and memorable hook.

Who originally wrote the song 'Alone' performed by Heart?

'Alone' was written by the American songwriting duo Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. They first recorded it themselves under the band name i-Ten for their 1983 album 'Taking a Cold Look', four years before Heart's famous cover.

When was Heart's version of 'Alone' released and what album is it on?

Heart released 'Alone' in May 1987. It was the first single from their ninth studio album, 'Bad Animals'. The song went on to become a number-one hit in the US and Canada.

What is the meaning behind the lyrics of 'Alone'?

The song is about a person who has always been independent but has fallen deeply in love and feels a desperate, unconfessed longing to be with that person. It captures the internal struggle of vulnerability and the intense desire to express a secret love.

Is Heart's 'Alone' considered a power ballad?

Yes, 'Alone' is widely regarded as one of the definitive power ballads of the 1980s. It features a slow, emotional verse that builds to a loud, anthemic chorus with heavy drums, synthesizers, and powerful vocals, which is the classic structure of the genre.

Who sang the high harmony vocals on Heart's recording of 'Alone'?

The high harmony vocals on Heart's version of 'Alone' were sung by Tom Kelly, who co-wrote the song. As an experienced session singer, his voice provided a key element to the track's powerful chorus.

Has 'Alone' been featured in any movies or TV shows?

Yes, the song has been used in numerous television shows to enhance dramatic or emotional scenes. Notable examples include 'Glee,' 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,' 'Cold Case,' 'Shameless,' and 'Superstore.'