"Lonely"
Single by Akon
from the album Trouble
ReleasedFebruary 22, 2005 (2005-02-22)
GenrePop[1]
Length3:55
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Akon singles chronology
"Baby, I'm Back"
(2005)		 "Lonely"
(2005)		 "Moonshine"
(2005)
Alternative cover
European cover

"Lonely" is a song by Senegalese-American singer-songwriter Akon; it appears on his debut album, Trouble. Featuring a prominent, high-pitched sample of the 1964 song "Mr. Lonely" by Bobby Vinton,[2] 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.[3] On hearing the demo track he had said, "This kid is official - this is a huge record."[3] 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.[3] 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."[3]

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.[4] The song's tempo is 90 beats per minute in common time. "Lonely" is written in the key of C major.[5]

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.

Track listings

UK CD1[6]

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

UK CD2[7]

  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.[8]

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[57] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[58] Gold 15,000*
Belgium (BEA)[59] Gold 25,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[60]
DMS 		Platinum 60,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[61] Diamond 250,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] Gold 4,000^
Germany (BVMI)[63] Gold 150,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[64] Gold 50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[65] Gold 5,000*
Sweden (GLF)[66] Gold 10,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[67] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[68] Platinum 450,000[69]
United States (RIAA)[70] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
United States (RIAA)[70]
Mastertone 		Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States February 22, 2005 [71]
April 4, 2005 Urban radio [72]
United Kingdom May 2, 2005
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [73]
Australia July 4, 2005 CD [74]

References

  1. ↑ Breihan, Tom (February 22, 2023). "The Number Ones: Akon's "I Wanna Love You" (Feat. Snoop Dog)". Stereogum. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  2. ↑ Hayes, John (March 10, 2005). "Bobby Vinton back on charts -- in a rap". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Interview With Knobody". HitQuarters. September 27, 2005. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  4. ↑ Darel, Jevens (April 4, 2005). "EW chats with Bobby Vinton about his squeaky new voice". EW.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Aliaune "Akon", Thiam; Bobby, Vinton; Gene, Allen; Akon (May 31, 2005). "Lonely". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Lonely: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Lonely: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Akon – Lonely". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  9. ↑ "Issue 832" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Akon – Lonely" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. ↑ "Akon – Lonely" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ↑ "Akon – Lonely" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  13. ↑ "R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1605. May 6, 2005. p. 29. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Akon a Aneta atakují české hitparády". musicserver.cz. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Akon – Lonely". Tracklisten.
  16. ↑ "Hits of the World: Eurocharts". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 23. June 4, 2005. p. 71.
  17. ↑ "Akon: Lonely" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  18. ↑ "Akon – Lonely" (in French). Les classement single.
  19. ↑ "Akon – Lonely" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  20. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  21. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  22. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Lonely". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 27, 2005" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  24. ↑ "Akon – Lonely" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  25. ↑ "Akon – Lonely". Top 40 Singles.
  26. ↑ "Akon – Lonely". VG-lista.
  27. ↑ "Airplay Chart - Lista Krajowa 31/2005". PifPaf Production. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Akon – Lonely". Singles Top 100.
  30. ↑ "Akon – Lonely". Swiss Singles Chart.
  31. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  32. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Akon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  34. ↑ "Akon Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  35. ↑ "Akon Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  36. ↑ "Akon Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége.
  38. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2005". ARIA. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2005". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 2005". Ultratop. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Rapports Annuels 2005". Ultratop. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  42. ↑ "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart 2005". TopHit. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  44. ↑ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2005" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2005". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2005" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  47. ↑ "End of Year Charts 2005". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 2005" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on April 10, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Årslista Singlar – År 2005" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  50. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005". hitparade.ch (in German). Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  51. ↑ "End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 – 2005". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 2005". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  53. ↑ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 26.
  54. ↑ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 34.
  55. ↑ "ARIA Chart Sales – ARIA End of Decade Singles/Top 100" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2022.
  56. ↑ "Gratis: 'Hits des neuen Jahrtausend'-Liste" [Free: 'Hits of the New Millennium' List] (in German). RTL. 2010. Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  57. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  58. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Akon – Lonely" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  59. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2005". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  60. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Akon – Lonely" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  61. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Akon – Lonely" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  62. ↑ "Guld Og Platin November/December/Januar". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
  63. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Akon; 'Lonely')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  64. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Akon – Lonely" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  65. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Akon – Lonely". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  66. ↑ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2005" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  67. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Lonely')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  68. ↑ "British single certifications – Akon – Lonely". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  69. ↑ Myers, Justin (May 15, 2015). "Number 1 today in 2005: Akon is Lonely at the top". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  70. 1 2 "American single certifications – Akon – Lonely". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  71. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1594. February 18, 2005. p. 23. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  72. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1600. April 1, 2005. p. 19. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  73. ↑ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. April 30, 2005. p. 27.
  74. ↑ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 4th July 2005" (PDF). ARIA. July 4, 2005. p. 29. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
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