Better Off Alone
{{Short description|1998 single by Alice Deejay}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Better Off Alone
| cover = Image-Alice Deejay Better Off Alone.jpg{{!}}border
| alt =
| caption = Orbit Records German cover
| type = single
| artist = Alice Deejay
| album = Who Needs Guitars Anyway?
| released = {{start date|1998|12}}
| studio = Violent (Studio 4045) (Hilversum, Netherlands)
| genre =
- Eurodance{{cite web|url=https://djmag.com/news/purity-ring-cover-alice-dj-s-better-alone|magazine=DJ Mag|title=Purity Ring share cover of Alice DJ's 'Better Off Alone': Listen|date=30 September 2020|access-date=25 February 2024|quote=...Canadian electro duo Purity Ring have remade the 1998 eurodance hit, 'Better Off Alone'...|archive-date=25 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225141718/https://djmag.com/news/purity-ring-cover-alice-dj-s-better-alone|url-status=live}}
- trance{{Cite web |date=2021-10-15 |title=Alice Deejay announce reunion tour |url=https://djmag.com/news/alice-deejay-announce-reunion-tour |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=DJ Mag |language=en}}
| length =
- 3:34
- 2:56 (UK radio edit/video version)
| label = Violent
| producer =
- Wessel van Diepen
- Dennis van den Driesschen
- Sebastiaan Molijn
- Eelke Kalberg
| writer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Back in My Life
| next_year = 1999
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = DJ Jurgen version
| type = Single
| cover = DJ Jurgen Better Off Alone.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption = Violent Records DJ Jurgen single
}}
{{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Radio Edit).ogg
| description = 21-second excerpt where the song's primary line is featured.
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|lHjNmyzrVvM|"Better Off Alone"}}|header=Music videos}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|Lgs9QUtWc3M|"Better Off Alone" (Alternative version)|link=no}}|header=no}}
}}
"Better Off Alone" is a song by Alice Deejay, the Eurodance project of Dutch producer DJ Jurgen in collaboration with Wessel van Diepen, Dennis van den Driesschen, Sebastiaan Molijn and Eelke Kalberg (Pronti & Kalmani). In 1997, the song was released as an instrumental by DJ Jurgen on Violent Records. Later releases of the track included vocals by Judith Pronk, who would later become an important part of the Alice Deejay project. The song was included on the project's debut album, Who Needs Guitars Anyway? (2000). In 2023 and 2025, Billboard magazine featured "Better Off Alone" on their lists of the "Best Pop Songs of All Time" and "Best Dance Songs of All Time".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-pop-songs-all-time-hits/alice-deejay-better-off-alone/|title=The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List|magazine=Billboard|date=19 October 2023|access-date=20 October 2023|archive-date=2 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102060847/https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-pop-songs-all-time-hits/alice-deejay-better-off-alone/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first1=Andrea|last1=Domanick|first2=Andrew|last2=Unterberger|first3=Elias|last3=Leight|first4=Eric|last4=Renner Brown|first5=Jason|last5=Lipshutz|first6=Joe|last6=Lynch|first7=Kat|last7=Bein|first8=Katie|last8=Bein|first9=Krystal|last9=Rodriguez|first10=Lily|last10=Moayeri|first11=Melinda|last11=Newman|first12=Thomas|last12=Smith|first13=Zei|last13=McCarthy|url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-dance-songs-all-time/|title=The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time: Staff List|work=Billboard|date=28 March 2025|access-date=6 April 2025}}
Production
The song was initially an instrumental track composed in 1997 by Jürgen "DJ Jurgen" Rijkers, Sebastiaan "Pronti" Molijn, and Eelke "Kalmani" Kalberg at the Violent Studios 4045 complex in Hilversum, Netherlands.{{cite web|title = Pronti & Kalmani Interview|url =http://dancemusic.about.com/cs/interviews/a/ProntiKalmaniIn.htm|author = DJ Ron Slomowicz|work =About.com Entertainment|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20050918040602/http://dancemusic.about.com/cs/interviews/a/ProntiKalmaniIn.htm|accessdate = 29 January 2014|archive-date =18 September 2005}}{{Cite AV media notes |title=Better Off Alone |year=1999 |author=Alice Deejay |type=Compact disc |publisher=Jive Records; Violent Records |id=0523562 |location=Scandinavia }}{{cite web |url=http://www.pronti-kalmani.com/index2.htm |title=Pronti & Kalmani |date=9 August 2004 |format=URL masked index page |access-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040809031421/http://www.pronti-kalmani.com/index2.htm |archive-date=9 August 2004 }}. Violent Music and Violent Studios owners Dennis "Danski" Van Der Driesschen and Wessel "Delmundo" van Diepen had previously offered studio space for Pronti and Kalmani next to their 4045 complex. Before the production of "Better Off Alone", Pronti and Kalmani had worked on composing music for the label's other project the Vengaboys.
In post-production of the instrumental, Sebastiaan Molijn was in an emotionally disconsolate state due to his romantic partner recently leaving him, which is how the line "Do you think you're better off alone?" came to him. Molijn stated that "I started humming the vocal melody while the track was playing and we decided to add vocals. It made the emotion of the song as real as it gets." Judith Pronk later provided the vocals for the Alice Deejay compositions of the song. Pronti and Kalmani's official biography once stated that DJ Jurgen, "wanted to stay the underground DJ that he was, so the group Alice Deejay was formed." In 1999, the "Radio Edit" of the track was produced.
Later in 1999, Sebastiaan Molijn and Eelke Kalberg produced several remixes of the song which included the "Vocal Clubmix", "Pronti & Kalmani Vocal Remix", and the "Pronti & Kalmani Club Dub".
Composition
"Better Off Alone" is written in the key of B major. It is set in common time, with a fast tempo of 137 beats per minute. The instruments follow a chord progression of E–D{{sharp}}m–G{{sharp}}m–F{{sharp}}, and the vocals span from B3 to G{{sharp}}4.{{Cite web|title = Better Off Alone|url = http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0036943|website = www.musicnotes.com|date = 3 August 2000|accessdate = 27 October 2015|archive-date = 17 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117024059/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0036943|url-status = live}}
With the turn of the century, "Better Off Alone" has been described as a turning point in the development of a commercialized techno sound. This sound is shared by related compositions such as "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65 that surfaced around the same time.{{cite web|url=http://www.ministryofsound.com.au/latest/history-of-trance/#Wpe7QWJbBudOEA50.97|work=Ministry of Sound Australia|title=A History of Trance|date=15 February 2015|access-date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601105541/http://www.ministryofsound.com.au/latest/history-of-trance/#Wpe7QWJbBudOEA50.97|archive-date=1 June 2016|url-status=dead}} Co-founder of Dash Berlin Jeffrey Sutorious stated, "It became such a huge chart hit around the world that many people categorised it as Euro Dance, when in fact it started out as vocal trance". Eelke Kalberg and Sebastiaan Molijn are Dash Berlin's other co-founders.{{cite web|url=http://inthemix.junkee.com/dash-berlins-top-five-trance-classics/22510|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604021745/http://inthemix.junkee.com/dash-berlins-top-five-trance-classics/22510|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2016|title=Dash Berlin's top five trance classics|first=Nick|last=Jarvis|date=23 January 2014}} Entertainment Weekly described the song as "techno-pop" while Spin described it as a "trance-fueled Eurodance".{{cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2012/09/alice-deejay-better-off-alone/ |title=Alice Deejay - "Better Off Alone" | Spin | Animal Collective Centipedia |publisher=SPIN |date=5 September 2012 |accessdate=29 January 2014 |archive-date=7 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507125053/http://www.spin.com/2012/09/alice-deejay-better-off-alone/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276557,00.html|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|title=Better Off Alone|date=23 June 2000|accessdate=3 May 2014|author=Johnson, Beth|archive-date=3 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503224143/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,276557,00.html|url-status=dead}}
Release
=Single=
The single was initially released as an instrumental single by DJ Jurgen in 1997 on Violent Music B.V.'s label Violent Records. Upon its release, there were only 500 vinyls pressed. After the single established credibility under DJ Jurgen's name, the vocal versions got re-released as "DJ Jurgen Presents Alice Deejay" as well as "Alice Deejay Featuring DJ Jurgen" in some countries. The vocal single later came to be of just Alice Deejay.{{cite web |url=http://www.alicedeejay.com/frs_hit_better.html |title=Better Off Alone |work=Violent Records |date=2001 |access-date=2 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010207201140/http://www.alicedeejay.com/frs_hit_better.html |archive-date=7 February 2001 }}{{cite web |url=http://spy-scope.tripod.com/id3.htm |title=Alice Deejay |work=Hypergirl Entertainment Magazine |date=1 May 2001 |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531041842/http://spy-scope.tripod.com/id3.htm |url-status=live }}
The track was released to dance clubs and became an international hit in clubs reaching number 2 on the Billboard club charts and a top ten club chart worldwide. The song then became a hit reaching number 2 in Canada, number 27 in the U.S. and number 2 in the UK. It went on to sell over 600,000 copies in the UK and become one of the country's best-selling singles of 1999, despite the radio edit not being on the commercial CD release.{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p398650/charts-awards/billboard-singles}} The song was in the top 100 best-selling singles in Australia for 2000 as compiled by the Australian Recording Industry Association.{{cite web|title=ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2000 |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2000.htm |accessdate=3 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727125635/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2000.htm |archive-date=27 July 2010 }}
=Music videos=
"Better Off Alone" has two versions of its music video. The original music video was directed by Olaf van Gerwen through the studio Blood Simple – who at the time directed videos for Sebastian Molijn and Eelke Kalberg's other music project the Vengaboys.{{cite web |url=http://www.orbit-records.com/orbit/german/artist/a_deejay/index.html |title=Alice Deejay |work=Orbit Records |date=2001 |access-date=2 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010215001937/http://www.orbit-records.com/orbit/german/artist/a_deejay/index.html |archive-date=15 February 2001 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.orbit-records.com/orbit/german/artist/a_deejay/video.html |title=Alice Deejay Video |work=Orbit Records |date=2001 |access-date=2 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001018024137/http://www.orbit-records.com/orbit/german/artist/a_deejay/video.html |archive-date=18 October 2000 }} In the first version of the video, a man travels in a 1997 Jeep Wrangler through the Moroccan desert. His car stalls and he is forced to walk on foot. He discards his items along the way such as a watch, a map and some water. In parallel, a woman is sitting on a couch in a living room singing the lyrics to the song while the man sees her in the desert. The man gets lost in the desert while intercut scenes of him and his girlfriend in love are shown. He takes off his broken dog tag while screaming. Because the dog tag is already broken and the girl has the second part probably means he is already dead and she is missing him. The video ends on his dead body being covered by the desert sand.
The second version was directed by "Cousin Mike" from the 1711 Production Group. The second video was shot in Miami for Republic and Universal.{{cite web|url=http://1171.com/musicvideos/|title=Music Videos|publisher=1711 Production Group|access-date=4 May 2016|archive-date=28 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228081154/http://www.1171.com/musicvideos/|url-status=dead}} The second version is interspersed with desert scenes from the original, but with added scenes where Judith Pronk, Mila Levesque and Angelique Versnel are dancing in a room with Moroccan decor. Sometimes just Pronk alone, wearing a blue dress with a veil.
Critical reception
The song was initially received with passiveness by some critics. J.D. Considine from The Baltimore Sun wrote in his review of Who Needs Guitars Anyway?: "Alice Deejay's sound is synth-driven and slightly retro, owing more to the frothy fun of '80s electropop than to the relentless thump of modern techno, and the songwriting is tuneful and hook-driven, lending an engaging, Ace of Base charm to the likes of "Better Off Alone"."{{cite news|first=J.D.|last=Considine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h0tWAAAAIBAJ|title=New On Record|work=The Baltimore Sun|via=Gainesville Sun|date=21 April 2000|page=16 Scene|access-date=8 January 2023|author-link=J.D. Considine|archive-date=23 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423203155/https://books.google.com/books?id=h0tWAAAAIBAJ|url-status=live}} Entertainment Weekly gave the song a B rating, describing it as having "catchy, throwaway results" with "barely there lyrics". Scottish Daily Record complimented its "great vocal and a pounding techno beat"."Charts Lot". Daily Record. 10 September 1999.
In retrospect the song garnered acclaim. Vibe magazine considered the song "a timeless track" in their "30 Dance Tracks from the '90s That Changed the Game".{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2013/07/edm-30-dance-tracks-90s-changed-game/alice-deejay/|title=Before EDM: 30 Dance Tracks From The '90s That Changed The Game|work=Vibe|date=22 July 2013|access-date=3 May 2016|archive-date=6 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506155207/http://www.vibe.com/2013/07/edm-30-dance-tracks-90s-changed-game/alice-deejay/|url-status=live}} Complex magazine stated the song, "perfectly embodies the 1990s Eurodance/euro trance sound that took over clubs, and today we're hearing the big room house scene build upon what was started here" in their "10 Essential Eurodance Classics". Complex also stated that Sebastiaan Molijn and Eelke Kalberg's production of trance music project Dash Berlin, is directly reflective of the song's influence on the modern day electronic music scene.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/07/10-essential-eurodance-classics/alice-deejay-better-off-alone-2|title=10 Essential Eurodance Classics|work=Complex|date=5 July 2013|access-date=3 May 2016|archive-date=11 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511080147/https://www.complex.com/music/a/jakel/10-essential-eurodance-classics|url-status=live}} In 2017, BuzzFeed listed the song at number 24 in their list of "The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s".{{cite web |first1= Matt |last1= Stopera |first2= Brian |last2= Galindo |title= The 101 Greatest Dance Songs of the '90s |website= BuzzFeed |date= 11 March 2017 |accessdate= 31 March 2020 |url= https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump |archive-date= 13 March 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170313055943/https://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/jump-to-the-rhythm-jump-jump-to-the-rhythm-jump |url-status= live }} Dash Berlin honorarily included the song in their top 5 greatest trance classics. Critic George McCarthy has described the song as being 'full of life: displaying an extensive range of raw emotional vulnerabilities that are unmatched by any other modern dance track, is a banger'.
Meagan Garvey of MTV referenced the song as an example of "Eurodance Nostalgia" and that the cult status of the song is "mostly retroactive". Garvey stated that songs such as "Better Off Alone", "left you with an aching sensation, as if something had been left unsaid. The undercurrent of melancholy seemed more akin to mid-'90s tracks like La Bouche's "Where Do You Go" or Haddaway's "What Is Love," dance tracks built around unanswerable questions."{{cite web |last=Garvey |first=Meagan |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2937813/eurodance-anthems-forever/ |title=Better Off Alone: Mining The Depths Of Eurodance Nostalgia |website=MTV.com |publisher=MTV |date=29 September 2016 |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=30 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930172218/http://www.mtv.com/news/2937813/eurodance-anthems-forever/ |url-status=dead }} In March 2025, Billboard magazine ranked "Better Off Alone" number 48 in their list of "The 100 Best Dance Songs of All Time".
Track listings
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- Dutch, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1998|type=Dutch maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Violent Records|id=0523562}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=Canadian maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=ISBA Music Entertainment Inc., Violent Records|id=ISB-SI-7021}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=Australian & New Zealand maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=X-Over Recordings|id=XOVER017}}
- "Better Off Alone" (radio edit) – 3:36 (3:38)
- "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:36 (6:53)
- "Better Off Alone" (Signum remix) – 7:46 (7:49)
- "Better Off Alone" (Pronti & Kalmani vocal remix) – 7:04 (7:07)
- "Better Off Alone" (Pronti & Kalmani club dub) – 6:46 (6:52)
- "Better Off Alone" (Mark van Dale with Enrico remix) – 9:27 (9:28)
Note: Canadian durations are noted in parentheses
- European maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=European maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Orbit Records, Virgin Records|id=8959402}}
- "Better Off Alone" (radio edit) – 3:36
- "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:51
- "Better Off Alone" (Signum remix) – 7:46
- "Better Off Alone" (instrumental mix) – 6:36
- "Better Off Alone" (Pronti & Kalmani vocal remix) – 7:04
- "Better Off Alone" (club dub) – 6:46
- Scandinavian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=Scandinavian CD single liner notes|publisher=Jive Records, Violent Records|id=0580292}}
- "Better Off Alone" (radio edit) – 3:36
- "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:36
{{col-2}}
- UK CD and 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=UK CD single liner notes|publisher=Positiva Records, Violent Records|id=CDTIV-113, 7243 8 87322 2 2}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=UK 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Positiva Records, Violent Records|id=12TIV-113, 7243 8 87322 6 0}}
- "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:36
- "Better Off Alone" (Signum remix) – 6:21
- "Better Off Alone" (DJ Jam X and De Leon's Dumonde remix) – 6:42
- UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Positiva Records, Violent Records|id=TCTIV-113, 7243 8 87322 4 6}}
- "Better Off Alone" (UK short cut) – 2:53
- "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:36
- "Better Off Alone" (Pronti & Kalmani vocal remix) – 7:04
- US 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=2000|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=Universal Records, Republic Records|id=012 156 798-1}}
:A1. "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:36
:A2. "Better Off Alone" (Jam & Dumonde remix) – 6:42
:B1. "Better Off Alone" (Mark van Dale with Enrico remix) – 9:27
:B2. "Better Off Alone" (original edit) – 3:32
- Canadian 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Better Off Alone|year=1999|type=Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=ISBA Music Entertainment Inc.|id=ISB-12-7015}}
:A1. "Better Off Alone" (vocal club mix) – 6:53
:A2. "Better Off Alone" (Signum remix) – 7:49
:B1. "Better Off Alone" (Pronti & Kalmani vocal remix) – 7:07
:B2. "Better Off Alone" (Mark van Dale with Enrico remix) – 9:28
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2001 year-end chart performance for "Better Off Alone" !Chart (2001) !Position |
scope="row"|Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite web|url=http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles2.html|title=Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001|publisher=Jam!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020726120310/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles2.html|archive-date=26 July 2002|access-date=28 March 2022}}
| 143 |
---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "Better Off Alone"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=2000|access-date=27 May 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=single|artist=Alice Deejay|title=Better Off Alone|award=Silver|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|source=archive|access-date=27 May 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Alice Deejay|title=Better Off Alone|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1999|certyear=2023|id=11231|access-date=21 August 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Alice Deejay|title=Better Off Alone|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1999|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=20 January 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Alice Deejay|title=Better Off Alone|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1999|certyear=2025|access-date=4 March 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1999|certyear=1999|access-date=6 July 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Alice Deejay|title=Better Off Alone|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1999|certyear=2024|id=876-1904-1|access-date=15 March 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}
Release history
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release dates for "Better Off Alone" !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |
scope="row"|Netherlands
|{{start date|1998|12}} |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD}} |Violent |
---|
scope="row"|Europe
|4 June 1999 |CD |{{hlist|Orbit|Virgin}} |
scope="row"|United Kingdom
|19 July 1999 |{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD|cassette}} |{{hlist|Positiva|Violent}} |align="center"|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases – For Week Starting 19 July, 1999: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=23|date=17 July 1999}} |
scope="row"|United States
|29 February 2000 |{{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|contemporary hit radio}} |align="center"|{{cite magazine|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1339|pages=71, 77|date=25 February 2000}}{{cite magazine|title=Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates|magazine=Gavin Report|issue=2293|page=8|date=25 February 2000}} |
Cover versions and samples
- In 2008, the main melody of the song was sampled by producer Johnny Juliano in "Say Yeah" by Wiz Khalifa, which added the Roland TR-808 as well as drum machine claps to the existing melody.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/the-10-most-well-known-techno-samples-in-rap-tracks/wiz-khalifa-say-yeah |title=The 10 Most Well-Known Techno Samples in Rap Tracks |magazine=Complex |date=2013 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511090338/https://www.complex.com/music/a/jeremy-howard/the-10-most-well-known-techno-samples-in-rap-tracks |url-status=live }} Hip hop and trap producer AraabMuzik stated that sampling the song was initially what led him to sampling "trance and really upbeat dance music". The song was sampled by him in "South Beach" by 40 Cal featuring Duke Da God.{{Cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/interview/8770-araabmuzik/ |title=AraabMuzik {{!}} Pitchfork |website=Pitchfork.com |date=6 February 2012 |publisher=Pitchfork Media |access-date=17 November 2016 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530073342/https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/8770-araabmuzik/ |url-status=live }}
- In 2011, Witch house group Salem covered the song on their EP I'm Still in the Night.{{Cite web|title=Salem: I'm Still in the Night EP|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16085-im-still-in-the-night-ep/|access-date=19 February 2021|website=Pitchfork|language=en|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121141105/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16085-im-still-in-the-night-ep/|url-status=live}}
- French producer David Guetta was authorized to use the main melody (or "hook") of the song.{{cite web |url=http://www.alicedj.com/ |title=Alice DJ |publisher=Alice DJ |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915182915/http://www.alicedj.com/ |url-status=live }} The main melody of the song was sampled in Guetta's 2013 song "Play Hard" featuring Ne-Yo and Akon. The recording was later included in the reboot album Nothing but the Beat 2.0. Some sources have described this "heavy" sampling as an example of the "gray area in the world of music plagiarism". Despite the authorized use of the melody, some sources have stated that this poses the question of "How much sampling is too much sampling?".{{cite web |last=Sprankles |first=Julie |url=http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1049435/songs-you-didnt-know-were-allegedly-plagiarized/page:2 |title=31 songs you didn't know were (allegedly) plagiarized |publisher=SheKnows |date=2016 |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902233635/http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1049435/songs-you-didnt-know-were-allegedly-plagiarized/page:2 |archive-date=2 September 2016 |url-status=dead }}
- Lindsay Lohan's 2019 track "Xanax" is built around a slowed-down sample of the song.[http://www.thecut.com/2019/08/new-lindsay-lohan-song-leaked.html#_ga=2.144887476.1647742916.1567423180-276012721.1567423180 Looks Like That Lindsay Lohan Music-Career Comeback Is Legit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822073851/https://www.thecut.com/2019/08/new-lindsay-lohan-song-leaked.html#_ga=2.144887476.1647742916.1567423180-276012721.1567423180 |date=22 August 2019 }} New York Magazine. 21 August 2019[https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528852/lindsay-lohan-set-to-make-music-return-with-new-single-xanax Lindsay Lohan Set to Make Music Return With New Single 'Xanax'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902154120/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8528852/lindsay-lohan-set-to-make-music-return-with-new-single-xanax |date=2 September 2019 }} Billboard. 30 August 2019
- Canadian pop band Purity Ring also released a cover of the song on 29 September 2020.{{Cite web|date=30 September 2020|title=Purity Ring release cover of Alice DJ's 'Better Off Alone' {{!}} NME Australia|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/purity-ring-release-cover-of-alice-djs-better-off-alone-2765040|access-date=4 October 2020|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-AU|archive-date=4 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004191858/https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/purity-ring-release-cover-of-alice-djs-better-off-alone-2765040|url-status=live}}
- The main beat of Save Me, made in February 2020 by Bruno Martini, Avian Grays and TRIXL, Feat. Mayra, is also taken from this song.{{Cite web |last=alltimedance |title=11 proofs that the return to the past is on the rise in today's music |url=https://alltimedance.com/site/11-proofs-that-the-return-to-the-past-is-on-the-rise-in-todays-music/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |language=pt-BR |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422205850/https://alltimedance.com/site/11-proofs-that-the-return-to-the-past-is-on-the-rise-in-todays-music/ |url-status=live }}
- Dutch DJ San Holo recorded a guitar version of the song, and published it on his Twitter feed on 2 August 2021.{{cite news|url=https://djmag.com/news/san-holo-covers-alice-deejay-better-alone-2|title=San Holo covers Alice Deejay's "Better Off Alone": Watch|last=Guttridge-Hewitt|first=Martin|date=5 August 2021|work=DJ Mag|accessdate=6 August 2021|archive-date=6 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806134004/https://djmag.com/news/san-holo-covers-alice-deejay-better-alone-2|url-status=live}}
- In 2022, Darwin Núñez joined Liverpool F.C. from S.L. Benfica. Soon after his signing, a chant about him set to the tune of "Better Off Alone" was popularised on social media.{{cite web |title= What is the Darwin Núñez Song? |date= 12 January 2023 |url= https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/01/12/what-is-the-darwin-nunez-song-where-it-came-from-how-it-goes-more-explained/ |access-date= 24 January 2023 |archive-date= 24 January 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230124232907/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/01/12/what-is-the-darwin-nunez-song-where-it-came-from-how-it-goes-more-explained/ |url-status= live }}
- In 2023, Kim Petras and Nicki Minaj released "Alone", featuring a sample of the song.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/kim-petras-alone-nicki-minaj-teaser-1235299292// | title=Kim Petras Teases New Collab 'Alone' with Nicki Minaj: Find Out when It Drops | magazine=Billboard | access-date=7 April 2023 | archive-date=7 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407161019/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/kim-petras-alone-nicki-minaj-teaser-1235299292/ | url-status=live }}
- In 2023, Sam Feldt and Jonas Blue released "Crying on the Dancefloor", featuring a sample of the song. {{Cite web| url=https://www.whosampled.com/Sam-Feldt/Crying-on-the-Dancefloor/|access-date=25 May 2025|title=Crying on the Dancefloor|website= Who Sampled That?}}
- In 2023, Alan Walker, Dash Berlin and Vikkstar released "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)", featuring a sample of the song.{{Cite web|first=Niko|last=Sani|date=29 September 2023|url=https://edm.com/music-releases/better-off-alone-pt-iii-alan-walker-dash-berlin-vikkstar|title=Alan Walker and Dash Berlin Collide With Gaming Phenom Vikkstar For "Better Off (Alone, Pt. III)"|website=EDM|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001132928/https://edm.com/music-releases/better-off-alone-pt-iii-alan-walker-dash-berlin-vikkstar|archive-date=1 October 2023|url-status=live}}
- In 2024, Midwife, project of American shoegaze artist Madeline Johnston, covered the song for the album No Depression in Heaven.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-06 |title=Burrowing Into Midwife's Waking Dream |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2279143/midwife-no-depression-in-heaven/music/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}
References
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Category:Positiva Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Scotland
Category:Republic Records singles
Category:Songs about heartache
Category:Songs about loneliness
Category:Songs written by Eelke Kalberg