About The Song
“I Think We’re Alone Now” is a song penned and composed by Ritchie Cordell, initially recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells. The group experienced significant success with the song, reaching number 4 on the US Hot 100 in April 1967 and securing the 12th spot on Billboard magazine’s year-end singles chart for 1967.
Composition Ritchie Cordell, known for writing and co-writing several songs for Tommy James, including the subsequent single “Mirage” and its B-side “Run, Run, Baby, Run,” and 1968’s “Mony Mony,” was credited with the writing of “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Cordell and his songwriting partner Bo Gentry presented the song to Tommy James, who found it to have hit potential. Despite its initial conception as a slow ballad, a quick demo recording with James, Cordell, and Gentry resulted in a faster-paced version. Morris Levy, the head of Roulette Records, approved the song and sanctioned its proper recording.
Recording Produced by Ritchie Cordell and Bo Gentry, the recording of “I Think We’re Alone Now” featured Tommy James on vocals, recorded on Christmas Eve of 1966 for a new year release. Notably, only Tommy James and Eddie Gray of the Shondells were featured on the record, with studio musicians contributing to the rhythm section. The recording process involved recording bass and drums first, followed by layering the rest of the instrumentation. This technique, creating a prominent contrast between verses and choruses, became a signature sound for the band.
The version performed by James and the Shondells utilized hard-driving arrangements for the verses, conveying a sense of urgency, while the refrains were delivered almost in a whispered manner, accompanied by a sound effect of crickets chirping, creating an atmosphere of concealed activities. The song’s release in 1967 marked its success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 during a 17-week stay. Rock critic Lester Bangs referred to it as the “bubblegum apotheosis.”
“I Think We’re Alone Now” remained one of Tommy James’s most successful recordings, even making appearances in films such as the horror movie Mother’s Day (1980) and the science-fiction thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016).
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Lyrics
“Children, behave”
That’s what they say when we’re together
“And watch how you play”
They don’t understandAnd so we’re running just as fast as we can
Holding on to one another’s hand
Trying to get away into the night
And then you put your arms around me
As we tumble to the ground and then you sayI think we’re alone now
There doesn’t seem to be anyone around
I think we’re alone now
The beating of our hearts is the only soundLook at the way
We gotta hide what we’re doing
‘Cause what would they say
If they ever knewAnd so we’re running just as fast as we can
Holding on to one another’s hand
Trying to get away into the night
And then you put your arms around me
As we tumble to the ground and then you sayI think we’re alone now
There doesn’t seem to be anyone around
I think we’re alone now
The beating of our hearts is the only soundI think we’re alone now
There doesn’t seem to be anyone around
I think we’re alone now
The beating of our hearts is the only sound
I think we’re alone now
There doesn’t seem to be anyone around
I think we’re alone now