Jump to content

You Are Not Alone: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 273: Line 273:
| title = [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Number-one debuts|Single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100]]
| title = [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Number-one debuts|Single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100]]
| years = September 2, 1995
| years = September 2, 1995
| after = [[Fantasy (Mariah Carey song)|Fantasy]] by [[Mariah Carey]]
| after = "[[Fantasy (Mariah Carey song)|Fantasy]]" by [[Mariah Carey]]
}}
}}
{{end box}}
{{end box}}

Revision as of 20:17, 14 November 2009

This article is about the Michael Jackson song. For other uses, see You're Not Alone (disambiguation).
"You Are Not Alone"
Song

"You Are Not Alone", released in August 1995, is the second single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory. The R&B ballad was written by R. Kelly in response to difficult times in his personal life. He then forwarded a bare demo tape to Jackson, who liked the song and decided to produce it with Kelly. Jackson's interest in the song was also linked to recent events in his personal life; highly publicized allegations of child sexual abuse and his recent marriage to Lisa Marie Presley.

The vast majority of critical reaction to "You Are Not Alone" was positive, although it did not attain unanimous praise. The song was the recipient of Grammy and American Music Award nominations. The corresponding music video, which featured Jackson and his wife was also notable for its scenes of semi-nudity.

Commercially, the song was a significant success. It holds a Guinness World Record as the first song in the 37 year history of the Billboard Hot 100 to debut at number one; it was later certified platinum by the RIAA. The song peaked highly in all major markets.

Production and music

Template:Sound sample box align right Template:Multi-listen start Template:Multi-listen item Template:Multi-listen end Template:Sample box end "You Are Not Alone" is an R&B ballad about love and isolation.[2][3] The song was written by R. Kelly and produced by Kelly and Jackson.[2] Kelly wrote the song after the loss of close people in his life.[4] Kelly was delighted to be able to work with his idol, explaining "I was psyched ... I feel I could have done his whole album. Not being selfish. I was just that geeked about it. It was an experience out of this world ... It's amazing to know that five years ago I was writing songs in a basement in the ghetto and now I'm writing for Michael Jackson ... I'd be a fool not to say it's a dream come true.[5] Jackson contacted Kelly to see if he had any material available. Kelly forwarded a tape recording of the song and Jackson then agreed to work with Kelly on the piece.[5] On the tape sent to Jackson, Kelly sung "You Are Not Alone" mimicking Jackson's vocal style, explaining, "I think I am him. I become him. I want him to feel that as well." Jackson found the interpretation amusing.[6] They spent the last week of November 1994 together in the studio working on the track.[5]

Jackson explained that he instantly liked the song, but listened to it twice before making his final decision. Although the song was written by Kelly, Jackson was adamant that the production should be a collaborative effort amongst the two musicians.[4] The tape sent to him had no harmony or modulations, so Jackson added a choir in the final portion and added a sense of climax and structure to the final piece.[7]

Critical reaction

James Hunter of Rolling Stone noted that, "the excellent current single 'Scream' or the first-rate R&B ballad 'You Are Not Alone' – manage to link the incidents of Jackson's infamous recent past to universal concepts like injustice or isolation. When he bases his music in the bluntness of hip-hop, Jackson sketches funky scenarios denouncing greed, blanket unreliability and false accusation".[3] Jon Pareles of The New York Times said that it was the only conventional love song on the new material on HIStory. He compared it to Mariah Carey's song "Hero" and said it "sounds like a surefire hit".[2]

In more recent years, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic expressed the opinion that "You Are Not Alone" was amongst some the best song's Jackson ever released, calling the song seductive.[8] The R&B critic and journalist Nelson George described the song as lovely and supple.[9] Writer and journalist J. Randy Taraborrelli wrote of the song in 2004, "[it] remains among Michael's best song's ... On listening to 'You Are Not Alone', one wonders how many times Michael tried to tell himself, during his most desperate and anguished times, that he did have support in his life, from a higher power, or even friends and family, whether he actually believed it or not".[10]

Fred Shuster of the Daily News of Los Angeles described it as the best song on the album.[11] Conversely, while Steve Holsey of Michigan Chronicle gave the album a positive review, he described the song as the worst on the album, calling the Kelly penned lyrics "trite" and below the standard set by Jackson's own lyrical skills.[12] "You Are Not Alone" received an American Music Award nomination and a Grammy nomination both for "Best Pop Vocal Performance".[13]

Music video

Presley leans down towards her husband in the temple scene of the music video.

The music video begins with a large number of paparazzi taking photographs of Jackson. The plot then centers around two locations: a temple where Jackson appears in an affectionate semi-naked scene with his then wife Lisa Marie Presley and a theater where Jackson performs the song to an empty hall. Jackson also appears alone in other locations such as deserts and mountain tops. It is the first high profile video where Jackson's hair is cut relatively short. The slightly extended version that appeared on HIStory on Film, Volume II was notable for a scene where Jackson appeared as a guardian angel over his wife, special effects were used to give Jackson white feathery wings.

In one scene, Jackson originally appeared in complete nudity, but just before the video aired a decision was made to use special effects to remove or cover these aspects.[14]

Despite giving the song a positive review, Taraborrelli said of the video, "The only problem with 'You Are Not Alone' was the bizarre video for it, in which Michael and Lisa Marie frolic about semi-nude against an ethereal backdrop...The semi-nudity made no sense and was a bit disconcerting; one wished they would put their clothes back on".[10] Afterward Presley expressed regret about doing the video, saying she was "sucked up in the moment. It was kind of cool being in a Michael Jackson video. Come on!".[10]

Chart performance

Commercially, "You Are Not Alone", remains one of Jackson's best selling singles. It holds the Guinness World Record for the first song ever to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[15] First week sales were 120,000 copies, it was certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of at least one million units within the US.[16][17][18] It broke the record set by his previous single "Scream/Childhood", which was the first song in the 37 year history of Billboard to debut at number five—where it peaked.[17]

It peaked at number one in the UK after a debut at number three in the prior week.[17][19] The song also reached number one in Wallonia, France, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland.[20] With the exception of Italy, it became a top ten hit in every major market.[17][20]

Plagiarism

In 2007, a Belgium court ruled that R. Kelly had plagiarized the 1993 song "If We Can Start All Over" when composing "You Are Not Alone". The court transferred rights of Jackson's hit to the twin composer brothers, Eddy and Danny Van Passel. The judgment is only recognized in Belgium and airplay of the hit has been banned in that nation.[21][22][23]

Charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 7 [20]
Austrian Singles Chart 2 [20]
Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart 3 [20]
Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart 1 [20]
Dutch Singles Chart 6 [20]
Finnish Singles Chart 10 [20]
French Singles Chart 1 [20]
Irish Singles Chart 1 [24]
Italian Singles Chart 14 [20]
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart 1 [20]
Norwegian Singles Chart 9 [20]
Spanish Singles Chart 1 [20]
Swedish Singles Chart 2 [20]
Swiss Singles Chart 1[25]
UK Singles Chart 1 [17]
US Billboard Hot 100 1 [26]
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Danish Singles Chart 33 [20]
New Zealand Singles Chart 12[27]
Swiss Singles Chart 16[25]
UK Singles Chart 35[28]
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs 17[29]

Certifications

Country Certification Sales/Shipments
Austria[30] Gold 20,000
France[31] Gold 250,000
Germany[32] Gold 250,000[33]
New Zealand[34] Gold 7,500[35]
Switzerland[36] Gold 25,000
United Kingdom[37] Gold 400,000
United States[38] Platinum 1,000,000

Tracklisting

Canadian & U.S.

  1. You Are Not Alone - 5:48
  2. You Are Not Alone (Radio Edit) - 4:54
  3. You Are Not Alone (Franctified Club Mix) - 10:40
  4. Scream Louder (Flyte Tyme Remix) - 5:30
  5. MJ Megaremix - 10:33

Japan single

  1. You Are Not Alone - 5:48
  2. You Are Not Alone (Radio Edit) - 4:54
  3. You Are Not Alone (Franctified Club Mix) - 10:40
  4. You Are Not Alone (R. Kelly Mix) - 6:23
  5. You Are Not Alone (Classic Club Mix) - 7:40
  6. You Are Not Alone (Jon B. Main Mix) - 6:55
  7. You Are Not Alone (Jon B. Padapella Mix) 6:55

Austria single

  1. You Are Not Alone - 5:48
  2. You Are Not Alone (Radio Edit) - 4:54
  3. You Are Not Alone (Franctified Club Mix) - 10:40
  4. You Are Not Alone (Classic Club Mix) - 7:40
  5. You Are Not Alone (Jon B. Main Mix) - 6:55
  6. You Are Not Alone (Jon B. Padapella Mix) 6:55
  7. MJ Medley - 4:59

The X Factor UK 2009 finalists version

"You Are Not Alone"
Song

The final twelve acts from the sixth series of TV talent show The X Factor in the United Kingdom are to release a cover version of the song on November 15, 2009 in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.[39] The finalists will perform the song for the first time on the November 15 edition of the programme; the single will be available for digital download that day and a physical release will follow the day after.[39] The release of the song follows a similar occurrence a year earlier, when the final twelve acts from the fifth series released a cover version of Mariah Carey's "Hero" in aid of Help for Heroes and raised over £1 million.[40]

Notes

  1. ^ http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB421F45D908382&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
  2. ^ a b c Pareles, Jon (1995-06-18). "Pop View; Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-18. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b Hunter, James (1995-08-10). "Michael Jackson HIStory". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  4. ^ a b Screamin' Siblings: Michael & Janet (Televised interview/press conference). Bryant Park, Manhattan: MTV. Retrieved 2008-10-06. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |month2= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |year2= ignored (help)
  5. ^ a b c Brown, p. 56
  6. ^ Brown, p. 57
  7. ^ Grant, Adrian (1998). Michael Jackson : Making History. Omnibus Press. ISBN 0711967237.
  8. ^ Erlewine, Stephen. "Michael Jackson HIStory Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  9. ^ George, p. 24
  10. ^ a b c Taraborrelli, p. 609–610
  11. ^ Shuster, Fred (1995-06-18). "Jackson attempts to rewrite 'history'". Daily News of Los Angeles. Retrieved 2008-11-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ Holsey, Steve (1995-07-04). "Jackson's 'HIStory' is an impressive one". Michigan Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  13. ^ George, p. 49
  14. ^ Kennedy, Helen (1995-07-28). "Jacko has video surgery". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008-11-11. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Jackson receives his World Records". Yahoo!. 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2006-11-16.
  16. ^ Hochman, Steve (1995-09-03). "Rewriting Pop HIStory; Michael Jackson's publicists are crowing about new single's unprecedented success, but skeptics abound". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-11-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ a b c d e George, p. 48
  18. ^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum, search database". RIAA. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  19. ^ Pinkerton, Lee (1997). The Many Faces of Michael Jackson. Music Sales Distribution. ISBN 0711967830.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "M. Jackson & J. Jackson - You Are Not Alone (nummer)". www.ultratop.be. Retrieved 2008-11-09.
  21. ^ "Belgian court rules Michael Jackson hit was plagiarized". CBC news. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  22. ^ Friedman, Roger (2007-10-11). "Britney Spears' 'Blackout' Hits Internet". Fox News Channel. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  23. ^ "R Kelly 'copied Belgian song'". The Independent. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
  24. ^ Irish Recording Music Association (August 24, 1995). "Irish Singles Chart (searchable database)". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  25. ^ a b "Swiss Singles Chart Archives". hitparade.ch. Retrieved July 18, 2009.
  26. ^ "Artist Chart History - Michael Jackson". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-11-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "New Zealand Singles Chart". RIANZ. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  28. ^ "UK Singles Chart". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  29. ^ U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs
  30. ^ International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (December 21, 1995). "Austrian certification (search)". ifpi.at. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  31. ^ Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (1995). "French certification". chartsinfrance.net. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  32. ^ International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (1995). "German certification". musikindustrie.de. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  33. ^ International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (1995). "Criteria" (PDF). musikindustrie.de. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  34. ^ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (2009). "New Zealand certification: Look at #1676 Monday 6 July 2009". rianz.org.nz. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
  35. ^ Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (2009). "New Zealand Chart Facts". rianz.org.nz. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
  36. ^ Hit Parade (1995). "Swiss certification". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  37. ^ British Phonographic Industry (October 1, 1995). "U.K. certification". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  38. ^ Recording Industry Association of America (October 13, 1995). "U.S. certification". riaa.com. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  39. ^ a b {{cite news|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Article/12769/The-X-Factor/First-look-at-The-X-Factor-contestants-charity-single!%7Ctitle=First look at The X Factor contestants' charity single!|publisher=[[Heat_(magazine)#Heatworld.com|Heatworld.com|date=30 October 2009|accessdate=30 October 2009}}
  40. ^ Routledge, Rebecca (25 October 2009). "'X Factor' stars record charity single". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 October 2009.

References

Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
September 2, 1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UK Singles Chart
number-one single
3 September 1995 – September 17, 1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Billboard's Hot R&B Songs number-one single
September 2, 1995 - September 23, 1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by French number-one single
September 30, 1995 - October 7, 1995 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
none
 Single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100
September 2, 1995 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=You_Are_Not_Alone&oldid=325850674"