Lonely
by Akon

Album: Trouble (2004)
Charted: 1 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about a boyfriend who neglects his girl and takes her for granted. One day, he wakes up and she's gone. It's only in her absence that he realizes what she means to him and comes to appreciate her. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • This is a reworking of the 1964 Bobby Vinton hit "Mr. Lonely." The sample was sped-up so it sounded similar to The Chipmunks.
  • After signing Akon, SRC wanted to break him on the streets first, so the label released his tale of an imprisoned drug runner "Locked Up" as his first single. They then dropped the more commercial "Lonely" and everything went according to plan.

    "Lonely" topped the charts in many countries, including, Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. In Germany, it spent eight weeks at #1.
  • The UK music channel The Box had a Top 10 weekly chart calculated by the number of requests. "Lonely" spent 15 weeks on the top of the tally before being surpassed by James Blunt's "You're Beautiful."
  • Akon had a second UK #1 with "Smack That" in 2006. He also topped the Hot 100 twice with his Snoop Dogg collaboration "I Wanna Love You" and "Don't Matter."
  • The Gil Green-directed video starred Vampire Diaries and Honey 2 actress Katerina Graham as Akon's love interest. Five years later, she turned up in Justin Bieber's "Somebody To Love" clip.

Comments: 4

  • Siahara Shyne Carter from United States* I'm Miss Lonely ;-p
  • Fulu Thompho from Limpopo, South Africain june of 2005,i remember when my ex-girlfriend sang this song when i was with her in the post office. it was such a memorable moment i ever had. ironicaly, she was never lonely
  • Louise from Newcastle, United KingdomOh, sweet lord, this song does my head in...
  • Dominique from --, Nyi love this song...it's one of my favorites right now...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.