Brenda Lee Sings “All Alone Am I” As If It Were Her Own

We all know that Brenda Lee is a talented woman and a singer of high caliber and artistry. Every time she opens her mouth to sing, one cannot help but be amazed by her voice. A single that can attest to this is her hit, “I’m Sorry.” Interestingly, she was just 15 years old when she recorded it.

Throughout her career in the music industry, she has ventured into some songs which originally are not hers. Nevertheless, yet again, she just showed and displayed her vocal prowess in singing these hits. Truly, Brenda Lee is someone to be reckoned with, owning songs as if it were her own.

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A bit of the song

Popularized by American singer Brenda Lee in 1962, “All Alone Am I” is a song originally composed by the Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis. In addition, it was recorded in Greek by Tzeni Karezi for the soundtrack of the film To nisi ton genneon (The Island of the Brave).

Later, a new version of the song with English lyrics was produced by Owen Bradley. It appeared as the title track on one of Lee’s albums. 

“All Alone Am I” became a top 10 pop hit in both the US and the UK. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1962. In addition, it reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart in February 1963. The song also spent five weeks atop the US Billboard easy listening chart in November and December 1962, Lee’s only song to do so.

“All Alone Am I”: Originally a Greek Song

Composed by Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis, “All Alone Am I” was entitled in the Greek language. It was read, “Min ton rotas ton ourano“, and pronounced, “Don’t ask the heaven.” Recorded by Greek artist Tzeni Karezi, it was the official soundtrack of the film To nisi ton genneon (The Island of the Brave).

In 1960, the Greek film Never on Sunday was released to considerable acclaim, earning multiple Academy Award nominations in the US. The film’s star, Melina Mercouri, was nominated for Best Actress, while the title song from the film won the Oscar for Best Original Song for Greek musician Manos Hatzidakis, who had composed the music used in the film. A melody that appeared in both Never on Sunday and The Island of the Brave was sent to Lee’s management as a tune to be considered for the singer to record, and after being translated into English by Arthur Altman became “All Alone Am I“.

Here are the lyrics that say it all.

All alone am I ever since your goodbye 
All alone with just a beat of my heart
People all around but I don’t hear a sound 
Just the lonely beating of my heart

No use in holding other hands 
For I’d be holding only emptiness
No use in kissing other lips
For I’d be thinking just of your caress

All alone am I ever since your goodbye 
All alone with just a beat of my heart
People all around but I don’t hear a sound 
Just the lonely beating of my heart

No other voice can say the words
My heart must hear to ever sing again
The words you used to whisper low
No other love can ever bring again

All alone am I ever since your goodbye 
All alone with just a beat of my heart
People all around but I don’t hear a sound 
Just the lonely beating of my heart