Album: Greatest Hits (1976)

Charted: 5 25

License This Song 

• Sally called, when she got the word
  She said, "I suppose you've heard"
  "About Alice"
  
  Well, I rushed to the window, and I looked outside
  And I could hardly believe my eyes
  As a big limousine rolled up
  Into Alice's drive
  
  Oh, I don't know why she's leaving, or where she's gonna go
  I guess she's got her reasons, but I just don't want to know
  'Cause for twenty four years I've been living next door to Alice
  Twenty four years, just waitin' for a chance
  To tell her how I'm feeling, maybe get a second glance
  Now I've gotta get used to not living next door to Alice
  
  We grew up together, two kids in the park
  Carved our initials deep in the bark
  Me and Alice
  Now she walks to the door, with her head held high
  Just for a moment, I caught her eye
  As the big limousine pulled slowly
  Out of Alice's drive
  
  Oh, I don't know why she's leaving, or where she's gonna go
  I guess she's got her reasons, but I just don't want to know
  'Cause for twenty four years I've been living next door to Alice
  Twenty four years, just waitin' for a chance
  To tell her how I'm feeling, maybe get a second glance
  Now I've gotta get used to not living next door to Alice
  
  Then Sally called back, and asked how I felt
  She said, "I know how to help"
  "Get over Alice"
  She said, "Now Alice is gone, but I'm still here"
  "You know I've been waiting twenty four years"
  And the big limousine disappeared
  
  I don't know why she's leaving, or where she's gonna go
  I guess she's got her reasons, but I just don't want to know
  'Cause for twenty four years I've been living next door to Alice
  Twenty four years, just waitin' for a chance
  To tell her how I'm feeling, maybe get a second glance
  But I'll never get used to not living next door to Alice
  No, I'll never get used to not living next door to Alice Writer/s: Michael Chapman, Nicholas Chinn
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

• Mcdandy from NigeriaYou hardly understand how deep and sad the song is until it happens to you. It did happened to me and life became just a smoke and passed by and I turned to a shadow of myself. There will never be another Estella.
• Titi from Budapest, HungatyLovely song, the "Who the f--k" version is funnier to shout and things but the other is just so emotional and relatable, I love it.
• Jim From California from Cupertino, CaThere are probably many men, like myself, who can identify with the song, having passed up a "Sally", who really wanted him, chasing an "Alice", who is (or was) more desirable for one reason or another, but didn't show much, if any, interest in him.
  
  The song lyrics leave some questions. They have been living next door to each other for 24 years, and the "carving initials" lyrics imply that there were still living at home 24 years ago. So, does that mean that both of them are still living with their parents? Later, Alice leaves in a limousine. Usually, a limousine picks up people going on a trip, not making a permanent move. What about her home and her 24 or more years of accumulated belongings? Shouldn't a moving van have shown up?
  
  It's probably best not to dig too much into the lyrics. Instead, I just enjoy the song, perhaps even more because I can identify with the situation. I left both my "Alice" and "Sally" behind on in Massachusetts and left for California, where I met another woman within a year, who became my wife. We didn't live "happily ever after", but we did have many happy years together.
• Trina from MichiganI don't know too many people who use limo's to move LOL I think she married someone else or died ;)
• David Digney Uk from HalifaxLiving Next door to Alice. A favourite song of all time for me. I have Smokie on vinyl. The 70s is one of the best era's for music, brings back alot of memories.
• George Pope from Vancouver - CanadaThis was a popular br song & still is played sometimes by smaller bands, & normally includes the lusty "Alice? Alice? Who the f-ck is Alice?"; explained by one such band's singer as the writer having finally gotten over her moving.
• Seventh Mist from 7th HeavenThis song always brought "Sylvia's Mother" to mind and I just read on Wikipedia that on his American Top 40 broadcast of May 26th, 1979, Casey Kasem said that Chapman stated that his source of inspiration for this song was indeed "Sylvia's Mother!"
• Sithembiso from Empangeni-ngwelezaneI like very much old songs than these of the current times
• Patricia B from Adelaide I grow up with the original living next door to Alice and loved it when the second version living next door to Alice (who in the f--k Alice) the second was a fantastic play on the original
• Ron from New Orleans First time I heard this song was at Oktoberfest in Munich. The entire crowd joined in shouting Alice, who the f--k is Alice.
• George from Vancouver, CanadaI've only heard the "Alice? Who the f--k is Alice?" version when played by a bar band here in Richmond, BC, Canada. Catchy.
• Ross Harrison from AustraliaThe Alice, Alice who the f**k is Alice was common here in Australia back in the 80's and another line was the, 24 years, just waitin for a chance, to tell her how I'm feeling, and maybe get into her pants.

More Songfacts:

Island GirlElton John

Elton John's #1 hit "Island Girl" is about a prostitute.

Billie JeanMichael Jackson

Quincy Jones wanted to change the title of "Billie Jean" to "Not My Lover" so it wouldn't be confused with the tennis star Billie Jean King. Michael Jackson refused.

All The Young DudesMott the Hoople

All The Young Dudes "carry the news" because it was intended for a David Bowie concept album where Ziggy Stardust spreads the news in a world with electricity.

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On MeElton John

Recording "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me," Elton John was frustrated and sang the line "don't discard me" with an exaggerated American accent, which is why is sounds strange.

Atomic DogGeorge Clinton

The electronic instruments in "Atomic Dog" represent the coming computer age, which is balanced by the instinctual dog, who barks and pants throughout the song.

Theme From Mission: ImpossibleLalo Schifrin

The Mission: Impossible theme is in 5/4 time. Composer Lalo Schifrin joked that he did it so 5-legged aliens could dance to it.

Editor's Picks

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Gavin Rossdale On Lyric Inspirations and Bush's Album The KingdomSongwriter Interviews

The Bush frontman on where he finds inspiration for lyrics, if his "machine head" is a guitar tuner, and the stories behind songs from the album The Kingdom.

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.