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).
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.
Here's another amazing Reddit find! Isolated vocals of Ann Wilson of Heart singing their classic "Barracuda." Listening to the song this way gave me chills. Everyone knows that Ann Wilson has a magic voice, but hearing "Barracuda" like this is an entirely different experience than listening to the single version. The power in her voice is unreal. Get about 90 seconds in and listen to Ann hit those high notes - unreal!
Another week down and a new month to boot! The weather is awesome here today in my part of midwest America: sunny and 70s. Reminds me of convertible weather. I had a red convertible once. It was so fun to drive around town with the top down when it wasn't scorching hot. There are just some songs that work better than others for convertible weather. That's our Sunday's Best for this week. I really wish I had a convertible now but maybe someday. Eric dreams of owning a Corvette and he would get a convertible and that would be cool with me!
In no order, my choices for the best convertible songs are:
The Eagles - Life In the Fast Lane
Billy Ocean - Caribbean Queen
Aerosmith - Back In The Saddle
Autograph - Turn Up The Radio
Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood
Van Halen - Panama
Lindsey Buckingham - Holiday Road
Sammy Hagar - I Can't Drive 55
Poison - Nothin' But A Good Time
George Michael - Freedom 90
Heart - Barracuda
Beach Boys - any track really, but the entire Pet Sounds album for sure.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 12:02AM