Written in 1965 by Love guitarist Bryan MacLean but not completed until the 1967 recording of the band’s third album “Forever Changes,” it’s inspired by the memory of waiting for a girlfriend with a melody based loosely on Prokofiev’s “Lieutenant Kije Suite.”
The contrast between the upbeat, Spanish backbone of the tune and the downbeat bleakness of the lyrics (the chorus: "And I will be alone again tonight, my dear") makes this a candidate for all time greatness, finishing with a lone acoustic guitar that closes the song with the opening melody but sounds anything but ecstatic, ending with an Emin plus 2 chord (the first time I had ever heard it used in a pop context). West coast psychedelia in excelsis deo. And trumpet solo! 🎺
Nov 27, 2024
Related Recs
So many bangers on this album: Alone Again Or, A A House is Not a Motel, Maybe the People...
Feb 13, 2024
There’s an indescribable beauty to this song, ‘Alison’, by Slowdive. Oh, how I wish I could put into words how this song makes me feel. When I first stumbled upon it, and the whole Souvlaki album it belongs to, I was quite lonely. I had friends, but most of my friends had someone in their lives. Someone who was more important to them than me. I was nobody’s priority. That’s how it felt, at least. I was longing to be loved. To be cared for. And that is exactly what Neil Halstead’s vocals on this song bring forth, a feeling of longing, of desperation. He longs for someone so desperately, that he’ll do anything as long as he gets to be with her. He will do whatever it takes so as not to be alone anymore.
“Alison, I’ll drink your wine /
I’ll wear your clothes when we’re both high”
She’s like an addiction, and he is addicted to her and anything she’ll ask of him. At the time, I would have given anything to overcome the loneliness that overwhelmed my everyday life. A girl could give me the smallest amount of attention, and I would spiral into a rabbit hole of highly unlikely fantasies. Even if I knew they weren’t at all right for me, I made up scenarios in my mind of what it would be like to be with them. For a moment, I would actually feel less lonely.
““Alison”, I said, “We’re sinking” /
There’s nothing here but that’s okay”
As a soaring guitar fades in and the chorus takes off, I daydream about what could, but probably never will be, and never should. I’m not ready. I have to wait. She has to be somewhere. Softly, carefully, I can already hear her, through Rachel Goswell’s gorgeous echoing vocals, somewhere in space. I just have to wait.
“I guess she’s out there somewhere…”
She was.
Jul 19, 2024
Sexy, heartbreaking, lonely 70s guitar music.
highly recommend listening to it while walking around in the cold or staring aimlessly into space 👍
Mar 15, 2024
Top Recs from @coreydubrowa
The man responsible for dozens of Teenage Symphonies to God
"Sad songs about happy things" (the first time, as a kid, I can recall the sweet/sour combo of melodies that could make you cry attached to songs about endless, bottomless love)
I've long since lost track of how many weddings and funerals I've attended that have featured this song; suffice it to say, "a lot."
God only knows what we'd been without him 🙏🏻
Jun 11, 2025
May 22, 2025
Hey tyler hopefully this doesn’t violate some PI.FYI golden rule
But after nearly two years of writing, editing and arguing, my book about the EP is coming out in May and can be preordered here:
https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/
The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s.
Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha).
For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
Mar 27, 2024