Alone (Big Country song)

The release of "Alone" as the album's first single was a band decision. Adamson told the fanzine Country Club in 1993, "I always wanted that as the first single. I wanted the first single to be a rock track and the record company were happy to go along with that."{{cite web |url=http://www.bigcountryinfo.com/countryclub/26-page-07.htm |title=Country Club Issue 26 - Page 7 |website=bigcountryinfo.com |access-date=3 August 2023}}

The song's music video was directed by Roger Pomphrey and features Martin Chambers on drums.{{cite web |url=http://www.bigcountryinfo.com/countryclub/26-page-08.htm |title=Country Club Issue 26 - Page 8|website=bigcountryinfo.com |access-date=3 August 2023}}

Upon its release as a single, Larry Flick of Billboard commented, "Familiar traces of a Scottish accent in Adamson's strong, melodic vocal notwithstanding, the band effectively reintroduces itself on this single - and radio should welcome it back. Alternating passages of light and heavy pop are mixed with a crashing beat and blazing lead-guitar lines."{{cite magazine|last=Flick|first=Larry|date=20 November 1993|title=Single reviews|magazine=Billboard}} In a review of The Buffalo Skinners, Neil McKay of Sunday Life described the song as "rousing and tuneful as in [Big Country's] early heyday".{{cite news|last=McKay|first=Neil|date=25 April 1993|title=Album review|newspaper=Sunday Life}} Dan Hyatt of the Albuquerque Journal noted: "The first song, "Alone," has all the earmarks of an anthem for the '90s, kind of a "what's my place in the world, and why" song."{{cite news|last=Hyatt|first=Dan|date=18 November 1993|title=Music: Tracks|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal}}

Kevin Belvins of The Leader-Post noted: "The album's refreshing tone is set immediately with the frantic opening cut "Alone"."{{cite news|last=Belvins|first=Kevin|date=19 July 1993|title=Much more than standard rock fare|newspaper=The Leader-Post}} In a review of one of the band's 1993 concerts, Diana Aitchison of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch commented: "One song to watch for on the charts is "Alone," which opens with a moody staccato guitar and gels with the band's signature reeling bagpipe sound."{{cite news|last=Aitchison|first=Diana|date=1 December 1993|title=Big Country is big hit despite a slow start|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}} Johnny Loftus of AllMusic described the song as "a template for the entire album", with "churning guitar and bass", an "impossibly triumphant chorus" and "rangy solo".{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-buffalo-skinners-mw0000103176|title=The Buffalo Skinners - Big Country | Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic}}

Cassette single

1. "Alone" – 5:08
2. "Chance" (Live) – 7:28

CD single and UK 12-inch single

1. "Alone" – 5:08
2. "Never Take Your Place" – 4:01
3. "Rockin' in the Free World" – 6:47

CD single (UK #1)

1. "Alone" – 5:08
2. "Rockin' in the Free World" – 6:47
3. "Eastworld" – 4:39
4. "Chance" (Live) – 7:28

CD single (UK #2)

1. "Alone" – 5:08
2. "Never Take Your Place" – 4:01
3. "Winter Sky" (Live) – 4:36
4. "Look Away" (Live) – 4:42

CD single (US promo)

1. "Alone" (Album Version) – 5:08
2. "Alone (Edit) – 4:06

Big Country

• Stuart Adamson – vocals, guitar
• Bruce Watson – guitar
• Tony Butler – bass, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Simon Phillips – drums

Production

• Big Country – producers of "Alone", producers and mixing on "Never Take Your Place", "Rockin' in the Free World" and "Eastworld"
• Mike Fraser – mixing on "Alone"
• Chris Sheldon – recording on "Alone" and "Rockin' in the Free World"
• Stuart Hamilton – recording on "Never Take Your Place" and "Eastworld"
• Pete Dauncey – producer of "Chance", "Winter Sky" and "Look Away" (Live)
• Gareth Watson – engineer on "Chance", "Winter Sky" and "Look Away" (Live)

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Category:1993 songs

Category:1993 singles

Category:Big Country songs

Category:Songs written by Stuart Adamson