“13 Captivating Songs About Being Alone or Lonely” features music courtesy of Alessia Cara, Halsey, Lil Peep, Tori Kelly, and Tyler, the Creator.

“You ain’t gotta wake up and miss me, no / I hope you get lonely tonight.” Thank you, Cole Swindell.  Next, according to Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, “I’m a lonely boy, I’m a lonely boy / Oh whoa, oh, I got a love that keeps me waitin’.” And, last but not least, there’s Akon, with some help from Bobby Vinton: “Lonely (so lonely) / I’m Mr. Lonely (Mr. Lonely) / I have nobody (I have nobody) / For my own (to call my own girl).”  The point of these three songs? All three of them dabble in loneliness, and that’s the central theme of 13 Captivating Songs About Being Alone or Lonely. And, rather than expanding this list any more, we opted to shout-out “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”, “Lonely Boy”, and “Lonely”.

Musicians fully contributing to the cause include Alessia Cara (“Trust My Lonely”), Halsey (“Alone”), Lil Peep (“Cry Alone”), Tori Kelly (“Never Alone”), and Tyler, the Creator (“911 / Mr. Lonely”) among many others.

1. Alessia Cara, “Trust Me Lonely”

The Pains of Growing • Def Jam • 2018

“Trust My Lonely”, serves as a highlight from The Pains of Growing, the sophomore album from Grammy-winner Alessia Cara. Within the context of The Pains of Growing, “Trust Me Lonely” is a departure from previous songs from Alessia Cara, at least to a certain extent.  Lyrically, she remains open and honest – one of her best attributes.

“I’ve been your doll, that you poke for fun too long

So, you should go

Don’t look back, I won’t come back

Can’t do that no more.”

Also, there’s still ample urban flavor, though, she also dives into tropical, reggae-tinged electro pop. The message of the record is a selling point, particularly on the chorus.

“Go get your praise from someone else
You did a number on my health
My world is brighter by itself
…And I can do better, do better alone.”

2. Jason Mraz, “Unlonely”

Know. • Atlantic • 2018

For Grammy-winning pop singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, “love” is the focus on his sixth studio album, Know.. On the standout advance single “Unlonely”, the name gives away the theme of the song: love (#shocker). Mraz reveals his cards from the jump, on the chorus.  He sings, “I could be your one and only / I could make you un-lonely.” On the first verse which follows, he’s “looking for a good time / Following the good vibes,” eventually stating, “But a whole lot of love can make the clouds go away.” Notably, the second verse is more rhythmic and pop-rap oriented – dude is basically spitting bars. Vocally, his tenor remains sweet, while his bars are agile and endearing.

3. Avicii, “Lonely Together” (Ft. Rita Ora)

Phoenix • Atlantic • 2018

Following a lengthy hiatus between albums, in 2018, Rita Ora returned with an enjoyable, well-rounded, sophomore album, Phoenix. Ora has a conundrum on electro-pop smash “Lonely Together” – “It’s my head or my heart, and I’m caught in the middle.” Here, she serves the role as a featured artist (the late Avicii is the lead artist).

Essentially, Ora knows in her ‘head’ that she shouldn’t indulge in him, but her ‘heart’ says otherwise, as she’d rather “Be lonely together.”

“I might hate myself tomorrow

But I’m on my way tonight

At the bottom of a bottle

You’re the poison in the wine

And I know

I can’t change you, and I

I won’t change

I might hate myself tomorrow

But I’m on my way tonight.”

4. Lil Peep, “Cry Alone”

Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 • Columbia • 2018

Sadly, emo-tinged rapper Lil Peep passed away at the age of 21 mid-November 2017. Although the heavily tatted, often ‘sad’ rapper is no longer living, his posthumous, full-length album, Come Over When You’re Sober, Pt. 2 arrived in November 2018.  Among the highlights from the project is “Cry Alone”.  While alive, Lil Peep seemed less fixated on traditional song structures and form. “Cry Alone” bucks the trend, somewhat, following a clearer form with intro, chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro.  Even so, there’s still the sense that “Cry Alone” has a bit of nebulousness, with choruses and verses running into each other with little separation.  This isn’t necessarily a rub however, as it works out pretty sweetly for Peep.  Other things that work out well include the rock-tinged production and of course the youthful, tortured ‘energy’ of the rapper gone far too soon.

5. Tori Kelly, “Never Alone” (Ft. Kirk Franklin)

Hiding Place • Capitol • 2018

With the help of Grammy-winning gospel icon Kirk Franklin, Tori Kelly, managed to win two Grammys with her uplifting, well-rounded pop-gospel LP, Hiding Place.  One of the Grammys comes courtesy of single “Never Alone”, featuring Kirk Franklin. “Never Alone” is about having someone walk with you, despite trials, tribulation, and hardships.  On the first verse, Kelly depicts things she’s went through, closing it out by wisely singing, “Life is just a story of some highs and some lows.” She goes on the chorus to confirm God’s grace and power, singing, “But I know somebody, He calls me his own / I can hear heaven singing out / Oh-oh-oh, you’re never alone.”

On the second verse, she discusses people investing into superficial things, responding to it by saying she understands the power of faith and God essentially.  The effect is similar on the third verse, before an inspirational bridge by Franklin (“There’s not a hole too deep / That God’s love is not deeper still / You’ve come too far to give up now / Let’s go!”) triggers the final chorus along with choir. All in all, “Never Alone” is a beautifully written and performed record – rhythmic, thoughtful, and incredibly uplifting.

6. Dan + Shay, “Alone Together”

Dan + Shay • Warner Music Nashville • 2018

“We can be blue as a neon light / Singing them sad up songs all night / We can say goodbye, just head home / But if we’re gonna be alone / We should be together.” Grammy-winning country music duo Dan + Shay (Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney) formed in 2012 and quietly released two top-10 albums: Where it All Began (2014) and Obsessed (2016). Keeping their two-year gap between albums going, they returned in 2018 with their self-titled third album.  Ultimately, Dan + Shay is a tight, 11-track, 35-minute LP that’s pleasant overall.

Dan + Shay features a formidable opening trio. The song at hand, “Alone Together,” is a stellar opener, characterized by its pummeling drums, rhythmic guitars, and clean and clear vocals.  The chorus shines thanks to thoughtful songwriting and great vocal chemistry, particularly the harmonies.

“We should be alone together

Kissing over there in the corner

Where nobody else can see

Keeping each other company

We should be alone together

Leaning up against my car door

Parked outside on the street

Where it’s just you and me.”

7. Lykke Li, “better alone”

So Sad So Sexy • RCA • 2018

“So when you hold me tightly all night / Ooh, baby, I feel like something’s not right / When you hold me tightly like that / Ooh, baby, I know, mmm.” Following a four-year hiatus, alternative singer/songwriter Lykke Li returned in 2018 with her fourth studio album, so sad so sexy.  At 34 minutes, she keeps things short and sweet. Illangelo produces the rhythmic ballad “Better Alone,” the eighth track on so sad so sexy.

Here, Lykke Li asserts, “I’m better alone than lonely here with you.” She successfully imparts a tale of feeling like something is off in the relationship – she’s not fulfilled.  Therefore, it’s better she’s lonely by herself as opposed to being lonely with someone else.  Clever, relatable, and well-penned.

8. Tyler, the Creator, “911 / Mr. Lonely” (Ft. Frank Ocean)

Flower Boy • Columbia • 2017

Tyler, the Creator returned in 2017 with his fourth studio album, and arguably, the ‘tour de force’ of his career, Flower Boy. Among many highlights from Flower Boy is the two-part record, “911 / Mr. Lonely”. “911” ends up being smoother than “Mr. Lonely.” He’s assisted by Steve Lacy, Anna of the North, Syd, and Frank Ocean on “911,” yet, remains the star.  On the first verse in particular, he delivers some killer pop culture references and wordplay.

“Mr. Lonely” goes harder, with different friends assisting him on the intro – A$AP Rocky and ScHoolboy Q. He characterizes himself, following the intro.

“They say the loudest in the room is weak

That’s what they assume, but I disagree

I say the loudest in the room

Is prolly the loneliest one in the room (that’s me).”

“911 / Mr. Lonely” is certainly deeper than what we usually hear from Tyler for sure.

9. Halsey, “Alone”

Hopeless fountain kingdom • Astralwerks • 2017

Alternative pop artist Halsey returned in 2017 with her highly-anticipated sophomore album, hopeless fountain kingdom. Among the highlights from hopeless fountain kingdom was the soulful fifth track, “Alone”. The standout samples a popular soul gem, “Nothing Can Stop Me”, performed by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.  Vocally, Halsey’s tone sounds particularly beautiful here as she opts for a more soulful, R&B-oriented sound.  Interestingly, she references how she’s changed over the years (“She said she told you she knows me, but the face isn’t right / She asked if I recognized her and I told her I might”).

On the chorus, Halsey asserts that the lover that wants her will be surprised and perhaps disappointed by how she’s changed.

“I know you’re dying to meet me

But I can just tell you this

Baby, as soon as you meet me

You’ll wish that you never did.”

Interestingly, a remix of “Alone” was released as a single in 2018 (nearly a year after the album arrived), featuring Big Sean and Stefflon Don. Big Sean replaces the original Halsey second verse with a relatively agile, rapped verse.  The vibe is nice, but it should be noted that the original verse remains king.  Stefflon Don drops the third verse, which is shorter, predictably tropically-tinged, and features a beat switch.

10. Dustin Lynch, “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” (Ft. Karen Fairchild)

Current Mood • Broken Bow • 2017

Throughout his third studio album, Current Mood, country musician Dustin Lynch showcases his talent, as well as a willingness to bend the traditional definitions of country music. Perhaps not everything works seamlessly for Lynch on Current Mood, but slow jam “Love Me or Leave Me Alone”, featuring Karen Fairchild, is a perfect example of ‘excellence exemplified.’

Here, Lynch maintains a sense of traditional country sensibilities, eschewing any gimmicks or contemporary trickery.  “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” delivers the goods with its beautiful, powerful, and thoughtful balladry. Vocally, Lynch impresses, showcasing his ripe set of nuanced pipes.  Safe to say, “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” is his best performance of the album – his tour de force. The chorus shines as the crème de la crème moment:

“Love me or leave me alone

Hold me or just let me go

Cause I’ve never felt this fire for so long

So, baby love me, love me

Love me or leave me alone.”

11. Demi Lovato, “Lonely” (Ft. Lil Wayne)

Tell Me You Love Me • Hollywood / Island • 2017

On her 2017 album Tell Me You Love Me, Demi Lovato bestowed a number of memorable hits to pop music enthusiasts worldwide.  The crème de la crème of Tell Me You Love Me includes the unapologetic, urban-pop smash “Sorry Not Sorry”, the powerful, rousing title track, “Tell Me You Love Me”, and the masterful, honest ballad, “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore”, which finds Lovato nailing a high A-flat.  None of those triumphs fit this particular playlist, so we go with “Lonely,” featuring Lil Wayne.

“Lonely” sounds like modern urban contemporary music.  It’s quite moody and lethargic in pace.  Within the context of Tell Me You Love Me, Lovato ensures the audience hears her love for the f-word, which is repeated over and over on the chorus.

“Now I’m fucking lonely and you didn’t want me

Trying to show me, that you didn’t own me

But all you do is leave me fucking lonely

Knees on the concrete, cut up and bleeding

For no goddamn reason

But all you do is leave me fucking lonely

Leave me fucking lonely

Leave me fucking lonely

Leave me fucking lonely.”

Hmm, while the profanity is another means to showcase passion and emotion, it’s overkill here – six times uttering ‘fucking’ in one section of a song, and we didn’t even mention her utterance of ‘goddamn.’ Anyways, moving beyond the potty-mouth, as for Lil Wayne, he’s difficult to decipher sans the lyrics. Still, give him credit for his vibe, which definitely fits the bill.

12. Chris Stapleton, “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight”

From a Room: Volume 2 • Mercury • 2017

“I know a way, can’t go wrong / Nobody leads nobody on / Nobody’s lonely tonight.” Chris Stapleton is a beast, period.  The Grammy-winning country musician just totally gets it, keeping old-school, traditional country music alive and well.  In 2017, he spoiled listeners with not only one but two studio albums – From a Room: Volume 1 and From a Room: Volume 2.  It is Volume 2 that houses the song that is pertinent to our playlist, “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight.”

Stapleton slackens the pace on “Nobody’s Lonely Tonight,” showcasing the sheer beauty and expressiveness of his voice.  Even though this is a ballad, he continues to exhibit power and incredible grit as he sings. It’s the coarse moments of his vocal performance that arguably, impress the most.  It’s not all vocals though – there’s plenty of time for the music to shine, including a compelling, smooth guitar solo. Of course, there are also the lyrics as well.

“What’s love but just some illusion we believe

What’s love but just some confusion we don’t need.”

13. The Weeknd, “A Lonely Night”

Starboy • Republic • 2016

“Why would you wanna bring somethin’ between us / There’s nothin’ between us, oh, ay / Why would you wanna use a life to keep us / To keep us together, uh, oh-oh.” When Starboy, the 2016 Grammy-winning album by The Weeknd is mentioned, the songs that initially come to mind include “Starboy”, “Reminder”, “Party Monster” and the smoothest of the bunch, “I Feel it Coming” featuring Daft Punk.  As is the case with so many of the songs on this playlist, none of those four, surefire gems fit.  Damn.  That said, Starboy does have a record fit for loneliness, “A Lonely Night.” “A Lonely Night,” the 12^th song from Starboy, is about a one-night stand. Wow.

The Weeknd reclaims his swagger after previously falling victim to unrequited love:

“Baby girl I loved you on a lonely night

It was the only time

And if I led you on then I apologize.”

The production remains top-notch – groovy and sleek to the nth degree – while The Weeknd is on fire. Also, he says it best on one of the signature lines from the record:

“Better when we’re both apart, better when we’re both apart

We’re no good for each other, no good for each other.”

[📷: Astralwerks, Atlantic, Broken Bow, Capitol, Columbia, Def Jam, Hollywood, Island, Mercury, Pexels, Pixabay, RCA, Republic, Warner Music Nashville]