Forever Changes: Alone Again Or

[silentseason]

"Alone Again Or"
From: Forever Changes, side one, song one
-Running time: 3:15
-Recorded: September 10, 1967 Sunset Sound
-Written by: Bryan MacLean
-Vocal: Arthur Lee
-Lead guitar: Johnny Echols
-Rhythm guitar, vocal: Bryan MacLean
-Bass: Kenny Forssi
-Drums: Michael Stuart
-Original title was 'Along Again'. Arthur suggested adding 'Or' to the end when Bryan was suggesting potential titles for the song, using or to separate each suggestion. Arthur with his unique vision determined that adding the 'Or' to the end might sound good.
-Now pared down to five members, LoVE again grew in leaps and bounds with this album, an orchestral setting to Arthur's dark visions. This song in particular has often been heralded by Jac Holzman as the doorway into Forever Changes, setting up and making possible the rest of the album's disturbing view.
-Was issued as Elektra single twice, first as EK 45629 in 1968 with 'A House Is Not A Motel' and again in 1970 as EK 45700 with Good Times. It was a local hit but not so nationally.
-The fact that one of Bryan's songs was choosen as a single over his raised Arthur's ire and drove another wedge into the band's breakup. This was a view espoused by some of the band but was not universally held by all. See replies in this thread for more info.
-Was used as a jingle in a Miller Beer commercial.
-Originally Bryan was slated to be lead vocalist on this song. In post production work Arthur's harmony vocal was mixed over Bryans resulting in the unique sound.
-Quotable: Bryan's original version of the song was much different than the recorded version. Johnny relates:

"We had the rather "expensive" habit of finishing the prep work on songs in the studio, rather than at our homes. So sometimes we had no real idea what the song would eventually morph into, until we were all together laying down tracks.

Alone Again, is a prime example. When Bryan first played it for me, it was more of a bluegrass tune, with a catchy instrumental hook.
In reality, it almost didn't make the cut. It just didn't seem to have that indefinable "something". It had a great "hook" but that was it. I was noodling over in the corner, When David Angel walks by and said "do that Spanish riff again". Then he brought Bryan over, and after much cajoling, convinced him we should try the song with a more Spanish feel. A very reluctant Bryan agreed, and [we,] with a whole lot of input from David, came up with the song you hear on record. Without Mr. Angel it would be a very, very different song."

-IMHO: I'm a "less is more" person and the lyrics to this song support this thesis. Though not complex, with no literature pretentions and short (only 11 lines long), this was Bryan's best offering for the group, an absolutely powerful personal statement. If Bryan's goal was to write timeless lyrics he hit a grand slam on this song.
-Fun fact: You have to listen hard at the beginning of the song due to the fact that Bryan would often play with steel finger picks. On this occasion it was determined that the beginnig was so soft and subtle that a low volume was needed so Bryan's noisy guitar wouldn't spoil the mood.

-Lyrics:

Yeah, said it's all right
I won't forget
All the times I've waited patiently for you
And you'll do just what you choose to do
And I will be alone again tonight my dear

Yeah, I heard a funny thing
Somebody said to me
You know that I could be in love with almost everyone
I think that people are
The greatest fun
And I will be alone again tonight my dear

[jamestkirk]

It opens FC up to rest rest of the album. Without it FC makes no sense.

[BallroomDays67]

-The fact that one of Bryan's songs was choosen as a single over his raised Arthur's ire and drove another wedge into the band's breakup.

Apparently yet another Love myth...

All of us felt that Alone Again, had the most commercial potential of any of the possible choices. Arthur never expressed any negative feelings to me, concerning It being a single. He certainly didn't have any problems making his feelings known. There were other releases considered, but over the years "Forever Changes" has had so many different incarnations, I can't recall which ones were chosen, back then. Though I do believe there is a promotional poster on my Facebook site, for A House is not a Motel single. JE.

[jamestkirk]

Right, bally. And Arthur sang the song many many times during live performances over the course of his career--as early as 1970. He obviously loved it.

[silentseason]

That is good research Bally and I am grateful for it. I am in a quandry. I based my statement on what Michael said in Einarson's book. Check out page 198. I'm guessing Johnny and Michael had different viewpoints, both of which are very valid. The last thing I want is to start anything so I amended that statement. Thanks to all for the feedback.