You're Not Alone

Album: You're Not Alone (2020)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Semisonic split up in 2001 after releasing their third album, All About Chemistry. The band re-formed in 2017, and in 2020 released their first song since their breakup: "You're Not Alone," the title track to a 5-song EP. It was written and produced by lead singer Dan Wilson, who did very well for himself during the group's long hiatus, co-writing "Not Ready To Make Nice" with The Chicks and "You & I (Nobody in the World)" with John Legend. "You're Not Alone" was recorded at Wilson's studio in Los Angeles with his bandmates John Munson and Jacob Slichter; the trio founded the group in 1995.
  • This was released in the summer of 2020, when America was politically divided and still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. The song takes a comforting tone, offering solace to those who feel powerless and constantly lied to. The answer may come from within:

    Who you gonna believe, the TV or your beating heart?
  • This song strikes a balance between fighting for what's right and looking out for our own mental and emotional health. Dan Wilson reminds us that time is precious, but knows we have to take action:

    Better take the fight to the voting booth
    Sharpen your senses 'cause you're gonna have to see in the dark
  • The music video follows a young boy, played by Eero Salmela, across a verdant landscape until he sends a message in a bottle, which Dan Wilson receives. The message: "You're Not Alone."

    Directed by Phil and Otto Harder, the video was inspired by Richard Powers' 2018 novel The Overstory, and by Tomas Sanchez' paintings, one of which was used as the artwork for the single.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."