Are You Alright?

Album: West (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Williams is asking "Are You Alright?" to a loved one who has left her life, but has never left her thoughts. "I wrote this song with my brother in mind," she explained to the A.V. Club. "I haven't seen him or spoken to him in years, but I still adore him and love him and care about him. I reached out, but it's just one of those things. I've written at least three, maybe four songs with him in mind. This one, though, really grabs people. I had one girl in the audience sitting and crying like a baby when we played this, because she had a similar relationship with her own brother. There's so many different stories like that. We had this guy at one of our shows who was a Vietnam vet, and he sent a letter backstage explaining that he went to his buddy's grave who'd served in Vietnam with him, and this guy learned the song on guitar. He said, 'I worked that song up. I learned to play 'Are You Alright?' and went to my buddy's graveside and played the song for him.' For him, it took on a whole different meaning, and that's the beauty of it. Everybody has their own different stories that they'll connect to these songs, and it's really something special."

Comments: 1

  • Mom Of A Daughter With Down Syndrome With Lbd from Hudson WiThis describes our 32yr Daughter with With down syndrome and Lewy Body dementia. One moment she knows me then any minute later she doesn’t know who I am but knows her dad so he can help her. Sometimes I’m a stranger to for days than looks at me and says your back! Your my mom again! She’s there but of in her own world talking and yelling at bad guys in her mind. So this song is is very real meaning to us.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

The Fratellis

The FratellisSongwriter Interviews

Jon Fratelli talks about the band's third album, and the five-year break leading up to it.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.