TIL: 'Alone' Is A Cover

I cannot be the only person to just learn that Heart's blockbuster "Alone" is a cover!

How did I find this out in the year of our lord 2023, you ask? By looking up Carrie Underwood's setlist for her recent opening gig for Guns n' Roses. (Really, it's more a double bill, but whatever).

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I've shared the video many times of her performing "Alone" back in her American Idol days. I'm convinced that performance really helped propel her to a win and eventual career superstardom. So I wasn't surprised to see lots of rock covers in her set - she's always been a vocal 80s metal fan. Anyway, I notice "Alone" on her setlist and it says "I-Ten cover" next to he song.

So off to YouTube I go... and lo and behold "Alone" really is a cover! It was originally recorded by I-Ten, a duo of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. They released the song back in 1983. It is on the album Taking A Cold Look. "Alone" was overlooked - and did not chart. Don't feel bad for Steinberg and Kelly. They were a hitmaking duo, writing huge tracks for artists like Madonna and Whitney Houston.

"Alone" was also apparently used in an 80s sitcom and released as a single. Again, the track did not chart.

Then Heart comes along, Ann Wilson destroys that bad boy and we've got a number 1 hit on our hands.

Since then, the song has been covered by all sorts of superstars including Underwood and Celine Dion. I wonder how much Steinberg and Kelly made off this one song? Hopefully millions and millions.

Here's Carrie Underwood live the other night before Guns n' Roses. She really should make a rock album.