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Lonely (Akon song)

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Lonely

| cover = Akon-Lonely.jpg

| type = single

| artist = Akon

| album = Trouble

| released = {{start date|2005|2|22}}

| genre = {{hlist|Pop{{cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=February 22, 2023 |title=The Number Ones: Akon's "I Wanna Love You" (Feat. Snoop Dog)|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2214079/the-number-ones-akons-i-wanna-love-you-feat-snoop-dogg/columns/the-number-ones/|accessdate=February 22, 2023 |website=Stereogum}}|chipmunk soul{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/162625-a-brief-history-of-the-chipmunk-vocal-sample-news | title= A Brief History Of The Chipmunk Vocal Sample | website= HNHH | date=May 1, 2024 }}|R&B{{cite web|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/gotta-get-thru-this-dom-passantinos-survey-of-the-new-milleniums-uk-1-singles.htm|title="Gotta Get Thru This": Dom Passantino's Survey of the New Millenium's UK #1 Singles|website=Stylus Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624030747/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/gotta-get-thru-this-dom-passantinos-survey-of-the-new-milleniums-uk-1-singles.htm|archive-date=24 June 2006|access-date=19 May 2024|quote=...Akon don't deal in petty sports field petulance and spit, he deals in cloying R&B....}}}}

| length = 3:55

| label = {{hlist|SRC| Universal}}

| writer = {{hlist|Akon|Bobby Vinton|Gene Allan}}

| producer = {{hlist|Akon| Disco D}}

| prev_title = Baby, I'm Back

| prev_year = 2005

| next_title = Moonshine

| next_year = 2005

| misc = {{Extra album cover

| header = Alternative cover

| type = single

| cover = Akon CD Mr Lonely.jpg

| border =

| alt =

| caption = European cover

}}

}}

"Lonely" is a song by Senegalese-American singer-songwriter Akon; it appears on his debut studio album, Trouble. Featuring a prominent, high-pitched sample of the 1964 song "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton,{{cite web|last=Hayes|first=John|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/uncategorized/2005/03/10/Bobby-Vinton-back-on-charts-in-a-rap/stories/200503100145|title=Bobby Vinton back on charts -- in a rap|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=March 10, 2005|access-date=April 23, 2021}} the single was released on February 22, 2005. "Lonely" reached number one in several countries, including in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany, where it stayed for eight weeks. It also entered the top five in France, where it reached number two, and in the United States, where it peaked at number four.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html |title=Interview With Knowbody |publisher=Hitchange |date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=July 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217105316/http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_JeromeFoster.html |archive-date=February 17, 2012 |url-status=dead}} On hearing the demo track he had said, "This kid is official - this is a huge record." 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. 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."

The song was written by Akon, Bobby Vinton, and Gene Allan. The lyrics are sung mainly by Akon as well as Bobby Vinton doing parts of the choruses, with Vinton's voice sped up reminiscent of Alvin and the Chipmunks.{{Cite web |last=Darel |first=Jevens |date=2005-04-04 |title=EW chats with Bobby Vinton about his squeaky new voice |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/04/04/ew-chats-bobby-vinton-about-his-squeaky-new-voice/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803213521/https://ew.com/article/2005/04/04/ew-chats-bobby-vinton-about-his-squeaky-new-voice/ |archive-date=2021-08-03 |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=EW.com |language=en}} The song's tempo is 90 beats per minute in common time. "Lonely" is written in the key of C major.{{Cite web|last1=Aliaune "Akon"|first1=Thiam|last2=Bobby|first2=Vinton|last3=Gene|first3=Allen|last4=Akon|date=May 31, 2005|title=Lonely|url=https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0049551|access-date=June 14, 2021|website=Musicnotes.com}}

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single. The video was mostly filmed inside and in front of the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The video was directed by Gil Green. Actress Katerina Graham starred in the video as Akon's love partner. A competition winner from Blackpool, Daniel Ellwood, also starred in the video.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

Track listings

UK CD1{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0009F2CBG |title=Lonely: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=August 14, 2012}}

  1. "Lonely" (clean version) – 3:58
  2. "Trouble Nobody" (explicit) – 3:21

UK CD2{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0009F2CB6 |title=Lonely: Amazon.co.uk: Music |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=August 14, 2012}}

  1. "Lonely" (UK radio edit) – 3:33
  2. "Trouble Nobody" (clean) – 3:21
  3. "Kill the Dance (Got Something for Ya)" (featuring Kardinal Offishall) – 2:54
  4. "Lonely" (video) – 3:58

US CD single

  1. "Lonely" (clean version) – 3:58
  2. "Lonely" (instrumental version) – 3:58
  3. "Belly Dancer (Bananza)" (snippet) – 1:31

Charts

The song was a number-one hit in several countries, including Australia, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium, and Switzerland. The song reached number two in France, Norway, and Sweden. The song also reached number 19 in Finland.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

=Weekly charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2005)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname="aus"}}
{{single chart|Australiaurban|1|url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222439/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20060220-0000/issue832.pdf|urltitle=Issue 832|rowheader=true|access-date=March 4, 2022|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Austria|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|Flanders|2|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|Wallonia|2|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
scope="row"|Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-05-06.pdf|title=R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1605|page=29|date=May 6, 2005|access-date=October 13, 2020}}

|2

scope="row"|Czech Republic (Rádio Top 100 Oficiální){{cite web|url=http://musicserver.cz/clanek/12341/Pohled-do-hitparad-IFPI-33-tyden/|title=Akon a Aneta atakují české hitparády|website=musicserver.cz|access-date=April 2, 2014}}

|1

{{single chart|Denmark|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|title=Hits of the World: Eurocharts|magazine=Billboard|volume=117|issue=23|page=71|date=June 4, 2005}}

|1

{{single chart|Finland|19|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|France|2|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|Germany|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|songid=93031|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|Hungary|15|week=29|year=2005|rowheader=true|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Hungarydance|21|week=31|year=2005|rowheader=true|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|1|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|access-date=January 23, 2020|artist=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Dutch40|1|week=27|year=2005|rowheader=true|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
scope="row"|Poland (Polish Airplay Chart){{cite web|url=http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_31_2005.html|title=Airplay Chart - Lista Krajowa 31/2005|publisher=PifPaf Production |access-date=2015-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024120245/http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_31_2005.html |archive-date=October 24, 2007}}

|8

scope="row"| Russia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/weekly/20050916-20050922|title=Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Sep 22, 2005|publisher=TopHit|access-date=April 24, 2024}}

| 14

{{single chart|Scotland|1|date=20050508|rowheader=true|access-date=July 6, 2023|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Sweden|2|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|1|artist=Akon|song=Lonely|rowheader=true|refname=}}
{{single chart|UK|1|date=20050508|rowheader=true|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|UKrandb|1|date=20050508|rowheader=true|access-date=July 6, 2023|artist=|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Akon|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|4|artist=Akon|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Billboardpopsongs|5|artist=Akon|rowheader=true|song=|refname=}}
{{single chart|Billboardrhythmic|4|artist=Akon|rowheader=true|access-date=March 8, 2023|song=|refname=}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2023)

!Peak
position

{{single chart|Hungarysingle|33|week=25|year=2023|rowheader=true|artist=|song=|refname=}}

{{col-2}}

=Year-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2005)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2005/singles-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2005|publisher=ARIA|access-date=May 22, 2021}}

|3

scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=2005|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 2005|website=austriancharts.at|access-date=February 23, 2020}}

|3

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2005&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 2005|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|10

scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia){{cite web|url=http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2005&cat=s|title=Rapports Annuels 2005|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|5

scope="row"|Brazil (Crowley){{cite web|url=https://maistocadas.mus.br/2005/|title=Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2005|publisher=Crowley Broadcast Analysis|date=April 3, 2018|access-date=January 30, 2022}}

|11

scope="row"|CIS (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/en/chart/top/radio/hits/global/annual/2005-01-01|title=Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart 2005|publisher=TopHit|access-date=March 30, 2023|archive-date=March 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330153458/https://tophit.com/en/chart/top/radio/hits/global/annual/2005-01-01|url-status=dead}}

|67

scope="row"|Germany (Media Control GfK){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-2005|title=Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|3

scope="row"|Hungary (Rádiós Top 40){{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/radios/2005|title=Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2005|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|52

scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/2005|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2005|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|12

scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2005&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 2005|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|15

scope="row"|New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-singles/2005-12-31|title=End of Year Charts 2005|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=April 17, 2020}}

|15

scope="row"|Romania (Romanian Top 100){{cite web|url=http://www.rt100.ro:80/romanian-top-100-2005.html|title=Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 2005|publisher=Romanian Top 100|language=ro|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060410152756/http://www.rt100.ro/romanian-top-100-2005.html|archive-date=April 10, 2006|access-date=April 17, 2020}}

|23

scope="row"|Russia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2005|title=Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart: 2005|publisher=TopHit|access-date=April 24, 2024|archive-date=April 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421190640/https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ru/annual/2005|url-status=live}}

|51

scope="row"|Sweden (Hitlistan){{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/43?dspy=2005&dspp=1|title=Årslista Singlar – År 2005|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|14

scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2005|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005|website=hitparade.ch|language=de|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|4

scope="row"|UK Singles (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-singles-chart/20050110/37501/|title=End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 4, 2022}}

|7

scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/2005-2/|title=Billboard Top 100 – 2005|website=billboardtop100of.com|access-date=November 28, 2019}}

|44

scope="row"|US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=13|issue=50|page=26|date=December 16, 2005}}

|51

scope="row"|US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard){{cite magazine|title=2005 The Year in Charts: Top Rhythmic Top 40 Songs|magazine=Billboard Radio Monitor|volume=13|issue=50|page=34|date=December 16, 2005}}

|37

=Decade-end charts=

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

!Chart (2000–2009)

!Position

scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://aria.com.au/pages/documents/2000sDecadeChartssingles.pdf|title=ARIA Chart Sales – ARIA End of Decade Singles/Top 100|publisher=ARIA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915085658/http://aria.com.au/pages/documents/2000sDecadeChartssingles.pdf|archive-date=September 15, 2020|access-date=February 6, 2022}}

|49

scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts){{cite web|url=http://www.rtl.de/cms/unterhaltung/tv-programm/show/die-ultimative-chartshow/hits-neue-jahrtausend-download.html?limit=20&start=40|title=Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste|trans-title=Free: 'Hits of the New Millennium' List|publisher=RTL|language=de|year=2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102152628/http://www.rtl.de/cms/unterhaltung/tv-programm/show/die-ultimative-chartshow/hits-neue-jahrtausend-download.html?limit=20&start=40|archive-date=November 2, 2010|access-date=August 14, 2012}}

|55

{{col-end}}

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|access-date=January 23, 2012|certyear=2005}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Lonely|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|access-date=May 3, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=January 23, 2012|relyear=2005|certyear=2005}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|award=Platinum|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|relyear=2005|certyear=2009|note=DMS|access-date=December 9, 2023|refname=PROMUSICA}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|award=Diamond|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|relyear=2005|certyear=2023|digital=true|access-date=November 29, 2023|refname=PROMUSICA1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Akon|title=Lonely|award=Gold|certyear=2006|relyear=2005|certref={{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-novemberdecemberjanuar|title=Guld Og Platin November/December/Januar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724110837/http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-novemberdecemberjanuar|archive-date=July 24, 2011}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|award=Gold|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|certyear=2018|relyear=2005|access-date=May 10, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|award=Gold|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|certyear=2023|relyear=2005|id=11851|access-date=January 4, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Lonely|award=Gold|relyear=2005|id=2005-08-05|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|certyear=2005}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=single|artist=Akon|title=Lonely|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2024|access-date=October 24, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=November 12, 2020|certyear=2005|relyear=2005}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|award=Gold|relyear=2005|certyear=2005|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|award=Platinum|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|relyear=2005|certyear=2020|id=12043-1447-1|access-date=March 25, 2020|salesamount=450,000|salesref={{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/number-1-today-in-2005-akon-is-lonely-at-the-top__9202/|title=Number 1 today in 2005: Akon is Lonely at the top|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=May 15, 2015|work=Official Charts Company|access-date=May 15, 2015}}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=2005|certyear=2024|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|access-date=October 24, 2024|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Platinum|relyear=2005|certyear=2007|digital=true|title=Lonely|type=single|artist=Akon|note=Mastertone|access-date=December 15, 2020|certref={{r|RIAA}}}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

Release history

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!scope="col"|Region

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Format(s)

!scope="col"|Label(s)

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

scope="row" rowspan="2"|United States

|February 22, 2005

|{{hlist|Rhythmic contemporary|contemporary hit radio}}

|rowspan="4"|{{hlist|SRC|Universal}}

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-02-18.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1594|page=23|date=February 18, 2005|access-date=May 22, 2021}}

April 4, 2005

|Urban radio

|{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-04-01.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1600|page=19|date=April 1, 2005|access-date=May 22, 2021}}

scope="row"|United Kingdom

|May 2, 2005

|{{hlist|12-inch vinyl|CD}}

|{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=27|date=April 30, 2005}}

scope="row"|Australia

|July 4, 2005

|CD

|{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/ISSUE801.pdf|title=The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 4th July 2005|publisher=ARIA|page=29|date=July 4, 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20050719140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20050720-0000/ISSUE801.pdf|archive-date=July 19, 2005|access-date=May 22, 2021}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{YouTube|6EEW-9NDM5k|Lonely}}

{{Akon}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lonely (Akon Song)}}

Category:2005 songs

Category:2005 singles

Category:Akon songs

Category:Dutch Top 40 number-one singles

Category:European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles

Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles

Category:Music videos directed by Gil Green

Category:Number-one singles in Australia

Category:Number-one singles in Austria

Category:Number-one singles in the Czech Republic

Category:Number-one singles in Denmark

Category:Number-one singles in Germany

Category:Number-one singles in New Zealand

Category:Number-one singles in Scotland

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Songs about loneliness

Category:Songs written by Akon

Category:Songs written by Bobby Vinton

Category:SRC Records singles

Category:UK singles chart number-one singles