fbpx
Wikipedia

Alone Again (Naturally)

February 05, 2023

For the album by Andy Williams, see Alone Again (Naturally) (album).

"Alone Again (Naturally)" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan. It was recorded in 1972 at the same time as his album Back to Front and was a worldwide hit.

"Alone Again (Naturally)"
Single by Gilbert O'Sullivan
B-side"Save It"
Released18 February 1972 (UK)[1]
May 1972 (US)[1]
Recorded1971
GenreSoft rock[2][3][4]
Length3:36
LabelMAM
Songwriter(s)Gilbert O'Sullivan
Producer(s)Gordon Mills
Gilbert O'Sullivan singles chronology
"No Matter How I Try"
(1971) 		"Alone Again (Naturally)"
(1972) 		"Ooh-Wakka-Doo-Wakka-Day"
(1972)

The single spent six non-consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 between late July and early September 1972 in America. It ranked number two in the year-end chart (behind Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face") and sold more than two million copies.[5]

The song was involved in a 1991 court case which held that sampling of music can constitute copyright infringement.

Lyrics

"Alone Again (Naturally)" is a melancholy, introspective ballad. In the first verse, the singer contemplates suicide after having been left "in the lurch at a church"; in the second, he wonders if there is a God; finally, he laments the death of his parents. O'Sullivan has said the song is not autobiographical: for example, his mother was alive during its composition, and he was not close to his father, who was cruel to his mother and died when the singer was 11 years old.[6]

Reception

The song received extensive radio airplay in the months after its release, and was critically praised. O'Sullivan commented that “Neil Diamond covered 'Alone Again (Naturally)' and said he couldn't believe a 21-year-old wrote it, but for me it was just one song I had written.”[7] Neil Sedaka stating when he covered the song in 2020 that he wished that he himself had written the song, because its complexity was more typical of someone much older than 21.[8]

Chart performance

Between late July and early September 1972 in America the single spent six non-consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard's Hot 100 – interrupted by Three Dog Night's "Black and White" – and ranked no. 2 in the year-end chart (behind Roberta Flack's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"). Both O'Sullivan's and Flack's singles spent six weeks at number one, 11 weeks in the Top Ten, 15 weeks in the Top 40 and 18 weeks on the Hot 100. In a decade-end survey as counted down on syndicated radio show Casey Kasem's American Top 40, using Billboard statistics, "Alone Again (Naturally)" ranked five, with Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" at number one. It also spent six weeks at number one on Billboard's Easy Listening chart.[9] In April 1972 "Alone Again" peaked at no. 3 on the UK singles chart.[10]

Copyright lawsuit

Main article: Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records Inc.

Grand Upright Music, Ltd v. Warner Bros. Records Inc. was a copyright case heard in 1991 by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The case pitted O'Sullivan against Biz Markie after the rapper sampled O'Sullivan's song "Alone Again (Naturally)". The court ruled that sampling without permission can be copyright infringement. The judgment changed the hip hop music industry, requiring that music sampling be preapproved by the original copyright owners to avoid a lawsuit.[27]

Notable cover versions

Several artists have covered the song.

References

  1. ^ a b "Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally)". 45cat.com. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  2. ^ Fontenot, Robert. "Soft Rock Music and Songs". Oldies.about.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  3. ^ Kuge, Mara (7 February 2019). "14 Secretly Cruel Soft Rock Love Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  4. ^ "Soft rock - The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia". www.artandpopularculture.com. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  5. ^ '"Alone Again Naturally" by Gilbert O'Sullivan'. Song Facts (undated), accessed 27 November 2022
  6. ^ ""Alone Again (Naturally)" - Gilbert O'Sullivan". Superseventies.com. 1972-07-29. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  7. ^ Kernan; Andrews. "'I can still compete with anyone despite being around so long'". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  8. ^ "Today's Mini-Concert - 10/22/2020". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  9. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 187.
  10. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 411. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  11. ^ a b . Austchartbook.com.au. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  12. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  13. ^ "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  14. ^ "Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70" (in French). InfoDisc. 1972-07-13. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  15. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Alone Again (Naturally)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  16. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Gilbert O Sullivan" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  17. ^ "Gilbert O'Sullivan – Alone Again (Naturally)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  18. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  19. ^ "Gilbert O'Sullivan: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  20. ^ "Gilbert OSullivan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  21. ^ "Gilbert OSullivan Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  22. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 8/26/72". Tropicalglen.com. 1972-08-26. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  23. ^ "Top 100 1972 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  24. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  25. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1972". Tropicalglen.com. 1972-12-30. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  26. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  27. ^ Music Sampling and Copyright Law (PDF), p. 21
  28. ^ Alone Again, Naturally - Vulfmon (feat. Monica Martin), retrieved 2022-06-20

External links

  • Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again (Naturally) on YouTube

February 05, 2023
alone, again, naturally, album, andy, williams, album, song, irish, singer, songwriter, gilbert, sullivan, recorded, 1972, same, time, album, back, front, worldwide, single, gilbert, sullivanb, side, save, released18, february, 1972, 1972, recorded1971genresof. For the album by Andy Williams see Alone Again Naturally album Alone Again Naturally is a song by Irish singer songwriter Gilbert O Sullivan It was recorded in 1972 at the same time as his album Back to Front and was a worldwide hit Alone Again Naturally Single by Gilbert O SullivanB side Save It Released18 February 1972 UK 1 May 1972 US 1 Recorded1971GenreSoft rock 2 3 4 Length3 36LabelMAMSongwriter s Gilbert O SullivanProducer s Gordon MillsGilbert O Sullivan singles chronology No Matter How I Try 1971 Alone Again Naturally 1972 Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day 1972 The single spent six non consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard s Hot 100 between late July and early September 1972 in America It ranked number two in the year end chart behind Roberta Flack s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and sold more than two million copies 5 The song was involved in a 1991 court case which held that sampling of music can constitute copyright infringement Contents 1 Lyrics 2 Reception 2 1 Chart performance 2 2 Weekly charts 2 3 Year end charts 2 4 All time charts 3 Copyright lawsuit 4 Notable cover versions 5 References 6 External linksLyrics Edit Alone Again Naturally is a melancholy introspective ballad In the first verse the singer contemplates suicide after having been left in the lurch at a church in the second he wonders if there is a God finally he laments the death of his parents O Sullivan has said the song is not autobiographical for example his mother was alive during its composition and he was not close to his father who was cruel to his mother and died when the singer was 11 years old 6 Reception EditThe song received extensive radio airplay in the months after its release and was critically praised O Sullivan commented that Neil Diamond covered Alone Again Naturally and said he couldn t believe a 21 year old wrote it but for me it was just one song I had written 7 Neil Sedaka stating when he covered the song in 2020 that he wished that he himself had written the song because its complexity was more typical of someone much older than 21 8 Chart performance Edit Between late July and early September 1972 in America the single spent six non consecutive weeks at number one on Billboard s Hot 100 interrupted by Three Dog Night s Black and White and ranked no 2 in the year end chart behind Roberta Flack s The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Both O Sullivan s and Flack s singles spent six weeks at number one 11 weeks in the Top Ten 15 weeks in the Top 40 and 18 weeks on the Hot 100 In a decade end survey as counted down on syndicated radio show Casey Kasem s American Top 40 using Billboard statistics Alone Again Naturally ranked five with Debby Boone s You Light Up My Life at number one It also spent six weeks at number one on Billboard s Easy Listening chart 9 In April 1972 Alone Again peaked at no 3 on the UK singles chart 10 Weekly charts Edit Chart 1972 PeakpositionAustralia KMR 11 2Canada RPM Top Singles 12 1Canada RPM Adult Contemporary 13 1France IFOP 14 1Ireland IRMA 15 2Netherlands Dutch Top 40 16 21Netherlands Single Top 100 17 18New Zealand Listener 18 2UK Singles OCC 19 3US Billboard Hot 100 20 1US Adult Contemporary Billboard 21 1US Cash Box Top 100 22 1 Year end charts Edit Chart 1972 RankAustralia 11 13Canada 6UK 23 36US Billboard Hot 100 24 2US Cash Box 25 2All time charts Edit Chart 1958 2018 PositionUS Billboard Hot 100 26 137Copyright lawsuit EditMain article Grand Upright Music Ltd v Warner Bros Records Inc Grand Upright Music Ltd v Warner Bros Records Inc was a copyright case heard in 1991 by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York The case pitted O Sullivan against Biz Markie after the rapper sampled O Sullivan s song Alone Again Naturally The court ruled that sampling without permission can be copyright infringement The judgment changed the hip hop music industry requiring that music sampling be preapproved by the original copyright owners to avoid a lawsuit 27 Notable cover versions EditThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed June 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Several artists have covered the song A recording by Andy Williams was the title track for the U S release of his album of cover songs later in 1972 Nina Simone included as a bonus track on the 1988 digital reissue of her 1982 album Fodder on My Wings Simone s version has rewritten lyrics and refer to her troubled relationship with her late father Lazlo Bane s frontman Chad Fischer from the 2009 animated film Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs Fischer s rewritten lyrics humorously explores the desire of an acorn for the fictional prehistoric squirrel who once chased it Diana Krall released a duet version with Michael Buble on her 2015 album Wallflower Vulfmon Jack Stratton of Vulfpeck released a version with vocals by Monica Martin and flute by Hailey Niswanger for his 2022 album Here We Go Jack 28 References Edit a b Gilbert O Sullivan Alone Again Naturally 45cat com Retrieved 22 April 2021 Fontenot Robert Soft Rock Music and Songs Oldies about com Retrieved 2016 10 06 Kuge Mara 7 February 2019 14 Secretly Cruel Soft Rock Love Songs Ultimate Classic Rock Soft rock The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia www artandpopularculture com Retrieved 2022 11 18 Alone Again Naturally by Gilbert O Sullivan Song Facts undated accessed 27 November 2022 Alone Again Naturally Gilbert O Sullivan Superseventies com 1972 07 29 Retrieved 2016 10 06 Kernan Andrews I can still compete with anyone despite being around so long Galway Advertiser Retrieved 26 January 2019 Today s Mini Concert 10 22 2020 YouTube Archived from the original on 2021 12 13 Retrieved 22 April 2021 Whitburn Joel 2002 Top Adult Contemporary 1961 2001 Record Research p 187 Roberts David 2006 British Hit Singles amp Albums 19th ed London Guinness World Records Limited p 411 ISBN 1 904994 10 5 a b Australian Chart Book Austchartbook com au Archived from the original on 2016 03 05 Retrieved 2016 10 06 Image RPM Weekly Library and Archives Canada Bac lac gc ca 17 July 2013 Retrieved 2016 10 06 Image RPM Weekly Library and Archives Canada Bac lac gc ca 17 July 2013 Retrieved 2016 10 06 Toutes les Chansons N 1 des Annees 70 in French InfoDisc 1972 07 13 Retrieved 22 December 2019 The Irish Charts Search Results Alone Again Naturally Irish Singles Chart Retrieved July 11 2017 Nederlandse Top 40 Gilbert O Sullivan in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Gilbert O Sullivan Alone Again Naturally in Dutch Single Top 100 flavour of new zealand search listener Flavourofnz co nz Retrieved 2016 10 06 Gilbert O Sullivan Artist Chart History Official Charts Company Retrieved June 3 2018 Gilbert OSullivan Chart History Hot 100 Billboard Retrieved June 3 2018 Gilbert OSullivan Chart History Adult Contemporary Billboard Retrieved June 3 2018 Cash Box Top 100 8 26 72 Tropicalglen com 1972 08 26 Retrieved 2016 10 06 Top 100 1972 UK Music Charts Uk charts top source info Retrieved 2016 10 06 Top 100 Hits of 1972 Top 100 Songs of 1972 Musicoutfitters com Retrieved 2016 10 06 Cash Box YE Pop Singles 1972 Tropicalglen com 1972 12 30 Retrieved 2016 10 06 Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart Billboard Retrieved 10 December 2018 Music Sampling and Copyright Law PDF p 21 Alone Again Naturally Vulfmon feat Monica Martin retrieved 2022 06 20External links EditGilbert O Sullivan Alone Again Naturally on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alone Again Naturally amp oldid 1124098347, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.