The Lonely

Album: lovestrong (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This promotional single from American singer-songwriter Christina Perri's debut album, lovestrong, was released to iTunes March 29, 2011. The song draws inspiration from an experience in Perri's life, when she found herself attending a dining event on her own. She explained to AOL Music: "'The Lonely' was funny. Well, not really funny, but kind of sad. It was the August of last year, and I remember I went to this event. I was all dressed up with full hair and makeup and poufy dress. Then I pulled into my driveway, alone, and sat in the car at 2AM and cried my eyes out and wrote that song. It's about loneliness but personified. It's about my relationship with nobody or with this ghost of somebody. And it couldn't have been more true for me during that time in my life."
  • Christina explained the song's meaning to Teenvogue: "'The Lonely' is about my love affair with loneliness. The saddest, quietest, most painful kind. It's lonely personified. It's my relationship with no one, and I'm very happy I kept it superdramatic and simple at the same time. It's me, a piano, plus a nineteen-piece orchestra."

Comments: 1

  • Haneen from Baghdad, SpainGreat song. Every time I hear it I feel sad.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The Crystals

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About Transgenderism

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.