Rian – We’re All Alone (2025)
With a voice as tender and innocent as a child’s, singer-songwriter Rian crosses our virtual desk with his cover of Boz Scaggs’ ‘We’re All Alone’. A great feat in itself, considering the powerful resonance and impact this iconic song has had since its release in 1976. Over the years, several artists from Dolly Parton to Frankie Valli, Rita Coolidge and Reba McEntire have performed cover versions; each interesting, each offering their own flavour to the track, but rarely matching the original. Join us as we take a listen to this Irish artist’s cover of ‘We’re All Alone’.
Following his well-received 2024 debut single, ‘The Gift of Freedom’, and his Christmas offering, ‘O Holy Night’, Rian returns with ‘We’re All Alone’. Joined by musicians Martin Perry (harmonica), Tony Wright (saxophone), Stuart Gray (strings) and Peter Eads (piano), Rian leans toward soulful folk tones in ‘We’re All Alone’. Raw emotion oozes from this version. It’s a sense of fragility and vulnerability caught in his tender vocals; clearly presented but entwined with heartfelt sadness and despair.
The instrumentation and arrangement played a significant role in channelling the rawness of Rian’s voice, as well as inciting a sense of simplicity in the tune. Produced by Stuart Gray, ‘We’re All Alone’ is like listening to two separate melodies bound within a harmonic whole. One tune is held by the other; Rian’s vocals carried by Eads’ piano, Gray’s strings, Wright’s soulful saxophone, and the driving force – Martin Perry’s harmonica. An unusual take using the harmonica, but certainly an intriguing one.
“’We’re All Alone’ has resonated with people for almost fifty years and is still as impressive as ever. My aim is to bring myself to the song with truthfulness and find the emotion in the melody and lyrics.” – Rian on ‘We’re All Alone’
For me, tackling Boz Scaggs’ ‘We’re All Alone’ is particularly daunting because it is one of my favourite songs and is currently on repeat in my household. Truthfully, Rian’s version doesn’t hold a candle to the original, but it is worth a listen if only once. The emotion brimming in his ‘We’re All Alone’ touches your heart and is a refreshing take, sung with innocence and sincerity.
Find out more about Rian on his Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
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