Lonely (Akon song)
| "Lonely (Mr. Lonely)" | ||||||||||
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| Single by Akonlolum\ | ||||||||||
| from the album Trouble | ||||||||||
| Released | February 21, 2005 | |||||||||
| Format | CD single | |||||||||
| Recorded | 2003-2004 | |||||||||
| Genre | R&B, hip hop soul | |||||||||
| Length |
3:55 (Album Version) 3:33 (UK Radio Edit) | |||||||||
| Label | SRC, Universal | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | Akon, Bobby Vinton, Gene Allen | |||||||||
| Producer(s) | Disco D | |||||||||
| Akonlolum\ singles chronology | ||||||||||
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"Lonely" (also known as "Mr. Lonely") is a single by Senegalese-American R&B and hip hop 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 in the United Kingdom and 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 when it peaked at #4. An edited version is on Radio Disney's playlist and on Radio Disney Jams, Vol. 8.
Background
When Akon was signed by Universal imprint SRC Records it was "Lonely" that had immediately caught the attention of SRC A&R Jerome Foster and convinced him of Akon's talents.[1] On hearing the demo track he had said, "This kid is official - this is a huge record."[1] 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.[1] 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."[1]
Writing and inspiration
The song uses sped-up samples from Bobby Vinton's song "Mr. Lonely", providing a vocal sound similar to Alvin and the Chipmunks, made famous by producers such as RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, Newcleus and Kanye West. The song is written by Gene Allen, Bobby Vinton, and Akon himself. Another version with a faster pace exists that is about 3 minutes and 45 seconds long. The lyrics are sung mainly by Akon as well as Bobby Vinton 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 starred in the video as Akon's love partner. Also a lucky competition winner, Daniel Ellwood, starred in the video.
Tracklisting
- UK CD1[2]
- "Lonely" (Clean Version) - 3:58
- "Trouble Nobody" (Explicit) - 3:21
- UK CD2[3]
- "Lonely" (UK Radio Edit) - 3:33
- "Trouble Nobody" (Clean) - 3:21
- "Kill The Dance (Got Something For Ya)" (Feat. Kardinal Offishall) - 2:54
- "Lonely" (Video) - 3:58
- US CD single[4]
- "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 Australia, 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.[5]
Chart positions
|
Year-end charts
Decade-end charts
Certifications
|
Chart possession and succession
| Preceded by "Is This the Way to Amarillo" by Tony Christie featuring Peter Kay |
Irish Singles Chart number-one single May 5, 2005 – May 26, 2005 |
Succeeded by "Axel F" by Crazy Frog |
| UK Singles Chart number-one single May 8, 2005 – May 21, 2005 |
Succeeded by "Lyla" by Oasis | |
| Preceded by "Don't Phunk with My Heart" by The Black Eyed Peas |
New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart number-one single June 13, 2005 – July 11, 2005 |
Succeeded by "Axel F" by Crazy Frog |
| Preceded by "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey |
Australian ARIA Singles Chart number-one single July 10, 2005 – July 17, 2005 | |
| Preceded by "Axel F" by Crazy Frog |
Australian ARIA Singles Chart number-one single August 14, 2005 |
Succeeded by "Ghetto Gospel" by 2Pac featuring Elton John |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Interview With Knobody". HitQuarters. Sep 27, 2005. Retrieved Jul 1, 2010.
- ↑ "Lonely: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
- ↑ "Lonely: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
- ↑ "Images for Akon - Lonely". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
- ↑ Lonely @ Australian-charts.com Retrieved June 2009
- ↑ musicserver.cz: Akon a Aneta atakují české hitparády
- ↑
- ↑ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2005.pdf
- ↑ "Die ultimative Chart Show | Hits des neuen Jahrtausends | Download". RTL.de. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – 2005" (in Dutch). Ultratop & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Akon – Lonely" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ↑ "American single certifications – Akon – Lonely". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 23, 2012. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
