Lonely (Akon song)
Encyclopedia
"Lonely" is a single by Senegalese-American singer Akon
, it appears on his debut album, Trouble
. The single was released in 2005 and was his first worldwide hit. It reached number one in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany (where it stayed there for eight weeks), and Australia. It was also highly popular in France where it reached number two, and in the United States
it peaked at #4. An edited version is on Radio Disney
's playlist and on Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8
.
it was "Lonely" that had immediately caught the attention of SRC A&R Jerome Foster
and convinced him of Akon's talents. On hearing the demo track he had said, "This kid is official - this is a huge record." Despite offering the album's best option in terms of commercial breakthrough, SRC Records
chose "Locked Up
" over "Lonely" as the first single because SRC wanted to break Akon in the streets first and work towards a cross-over
. According to Foster in an interview with HitQuarters
, ""Locked Up" is a street record. I thought that was the place for us to start to get a fan-base knowing that we had a record like "Lonely", which was more commercial, to follow it."
's composition "Mr. Lonely
", providing a vocal sound similar to Alvin and the Chipmunks
, made famous by producers such as the RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan
, Newcleus
and Kanye West
. The song is written by Gene Allen
, Bobby Vinton
, and Akon. Another version with a faster pace exists that is about 3 minutes and 45 seconds long. The lyrics are sung primarily by Akon as well as Bobby Vinton
doing parts of the choruses.
Actress Katerina Graham
starred in the video as Akon
's love partner. Also a lucky competition winner, Daniel Ellwood, starred in the video.
UK CD2
US CD Single
, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium and Switzerland. The song reached #2 in France, Norway and Sweden. The song also reached #19 in Finland
.
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, it appears on his debut album, Trouble
Trouble (Akon album)
-Chart positions:-Certifications:- Chart prossesion and succession :...
. The single was released in 2005 and was his first worldwide hit. It reached number one in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany (where it stayed there for eight weeks), and Australia. It was also highly popular in France where it reached number two, and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
it peaked at #4. An edited version is on Radio Disney
Radio Disney
Radio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
's playlist and on Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8
Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8
Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8 is the eight album from the Radio Disney Jams series. It is released by Walt Disney Records. The album is a compilation of several artists that have songs that are played on Radio Disney.-CD Track listing:...
.
Background
When Akon was signed by Universal imprint SRC RecordsSRC Records
SRC Records is an American record label created by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind. It is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and is distributed through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
it was "Lonely" that had immediately caught the attention of SRC A&R Jerome Foster
Knobody
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M....
and convinced him of Akon's talents. On hearing the demo track he had said, "This kid is official - this is a huge record." Despite offering the album's best option in terms of commercial breakthrough, SRC Records
SRC Records
SRC Records is an American record label created by former Loud Records CEO Steve Rifkind. It is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group and is distributed through Universal Republic Records.-Company history:...
chose "Locked Up
Locked Up
"Locked Up" is the debut single by American singer Akon, taken as the lead single from his debut studio album, Trouble. The single was released in 2004, reaching #4 on the UK Singles Chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first Top 10 hit in both countries.-Background:Although it was...
" over "Lonely" as the first single because SRC wanted to break Akon in the streets first and work towards a cross-over
Crossover (music)
Crossover is a term applied to musical works or performers appearing on two or more of the record charts which track differing musical tastes, or genres...
. According to Foster in an interview with HitQuarters
HitQuarters
HitQuarters is an international music industry publication and contact database founded in 1999. It is noted for in-depth interviews with industry figures, with past subjects including Simon Cowell, Martin Kierszenbaum, Jason Flom, Diane Warren, Peter Edge, Ron Fair and RedOne, as well as its A&R...
, ""Locked Up" is a street record. I thought that was the place for us to start to get a fan-base knowing that we had a record like "Lonely", which was more commercial, to follow it."
Writing and inspiration
The song makes use of a sped-up samples from Bobby VintonBobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
's composition "Mr. Lonely
Mr. Lonely
"Mr. Lonely" is a song co-written and recorded by Bobby Vinton. The song originally appeared on Vinton's album Roses Are Red in 1962. Later that year, Buddy Greco recorded a version of the song using a very similar musical arrangement as Vinton's version. Greco's single release reached #64 on the...
", providing a vocal sound similar to Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
, made famous by producers such as the RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
, Newcleus
Newcleus
Newcleus is an American electro and old school hip hop group that gained popularity in the early 1980s. They are primarily known for their 12-inch singles "Jam-On's Revenge", re-released as "Jam on Revenge " , and "Jam on It" ....
and Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
. The song is written by Gene Allen
Gene Allen
Eugene Allen is an American art director.He followed his father, and became a Los Angeles Police officer after he was laid off from his first job as a sketch artist. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Allen went to art school to pursue his career...
, Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
, and Akon. Another version with a faster pace exists that is about 3 minutes and 45 seconds long. The lyrics are sung primarily by Akon as well as Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton is an American pop music singer of Polish origin. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince".-Early life:...
doing parts of the choruses.
Music video
A music video was produced to promote the single. The video was directed by Gil Green.Actress Katerina Graham
Katerina Graham
Katerina Alexandre "Kat" Graham is an American actress, singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and model. She has appeared in numerous television shows and film productions, as well as music videos...
starred in the video as Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
's love partner. Also a lucky competition winner, Daniel Ellwood, starred in the video.
Tracklisting
UK CD1- "Lonely" (Clean Version) - 3:58
- "Trouble Nobody" (Explicit) - 3:21
UK CD2
- "Lonely" (UK Radio Edit) - 3:33
- "Trouble Nobody" (Clean) - 3:21
- "Kill The Dance (Got Something For Ya)" (Feat. Kardinal Offshall) - 2:54
- "Lonely" (Video) - 3:58
US CD Single
- "Lonely" (Clean Version) - 3:58
- "Lonely" (Instrumental Version) - 3:58
- "Belly Dancer (Bananza)" (Snippet) - 1:31
Charts
The song was a #1 hit in several countries including AustraliaARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
, Austria, Denmark, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium and Switzerland. The song reached #2 in France, Norway and Sweden. The song also reached #19 in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
Chart positions
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
|---|
Year-end charts
| End of year chart (2005) | Position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 3 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
7 |
Decade-end charts
| (2000–2009) | Position |
|---|---|
| German Singles Chart | 55 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 2xPlatinum | 140,000+ |
| USA | Platinum | 1,000,000+ |