I never get sick of this song. For such a simple song, theres alot gong on in the background to listen to- Strings, flutes, great percussion, acoustic guitar, layered vocals.. Its almost the same chords they always use for their ballads (Tender Love, Sensitivity, Come Back to Me) but this song was never overplayed and I think it's Janet Jam and Lewis at their best.

I used to dislike this song for some strange reason, but now I love it to bits.

Got me through tough times.

It was certainly never lost on me. Loved that song to bits since I bought the album the first week it was out. It's so high school woe is me angst. Those last three tracks, Lonely, Come Back to Me and Someday Is Tonight might very well be the best three closing tracks on any album for me.

VoicesCarry said:

Todos necesitamos un amigo en la soledad.

There's a loop in there that reminds me of Enigma or bad new age.

I much prefer "Someday is Tonight" or "Anything" as Janet's lost ballads.

The closing three tracks to me can be played over and you can always find something new in the music for some reason...

As far as I'm concerned, Janet will never top the Lonely-Come Back To Me-Someday Is Tonight tryptic. For me, in the past 17 (has it really been that long?!) years, she's only released about 3 or 4 ballads that are even half as good. Perfect, sexy, underrated, these cuts are the unsung heroes of the Rhythm Nation album. I actually have a hard time not listening to them all in a row; "Lonely" just doesn't feel right without "Come Back to Me" following it up.

But I digress...


"Lonely"

The remix is hotshit!

lmao~
I remember singing this on my answering machine and then whispering the words.I was such a DORK

Feeling so alone and deserted
With people standing all around you
Should I trust someone
Should I stay off to myself
Alone with no one to talk to
It's such a helpless feeling

So anytime you feel the need
Call me when youre lonely
Cause everybody needs a friend
To be there when theyre lonely

So don't isolate yourself
Every time that I come around
A person all alone
Is an unhappy one
We need somebody near to love us
Someone who cares

Living life all by yourselves
Impossible to do and I'll be there for you
Anytime you feel the need
Call me when youre lonely
Cause everybody needs a friend
And I'll be yours if youre lonely
(and if youre all alone)

If you're all alone
And a friend you need

Like a river flows
You hurt, Ill bleed
If you can trust in me
We can find a way
Take away the pain
Time heals all things
Even a lonely state of mind
Cause happiness is oh so hard to find
If youre lonely I will be there

So anytime you feel the need
Call me when youre lonely
Cause everybody needs a friend
To be there when theyre lonely

LOVE IT!

man...I'm listening to it now

MikeMatronik said:

Aww suki, you gonna make me get my Rhythm Nation out too.

musicman said:

it's 9 in the morning here in Portugal, I'm eating cereal and listening to janet!

Also going now to janetmedia.com to fetch some J-Sides!

MikeMatronik said:

It's 4am here in Atlanta, Georgia (US). SO I'm gonan put it on and fall asleep. HAve a great day, Mike.

I love that Horn Stab after she sings "So don't isolate yourself"

They only do it once.

The other cool part is how the vocals pile on each other after the guitar solo at about the 2:55 mark, the "I will be there" It sounds like they sampled her voice on the synth and are playing it on the keys.

DMSR said:

It's all these little details.

Even the "new age" panflute type sound badujunkie mentioned in here lifts up the track to me.

LOVE IT and always have!!!

VibeSoul said:

There's a remix of this song?

GangstaFam said:

Nothing official.

VoicesCarry said:

Didn't think so.

GangstaFam said:

Yep-yep. Teddy Riley remixed it for the video.

VibeSoul said:

There was no video.

Do you mean "I Get Lonely" from Velvet Rope?

GangstaFam said:

Oh. Yeah. Oops.

rn1814 was the second tape that i bought myself as a kid and i played that section of the tape to def!

This song is absolutely beautiful. EVERYTHING on RN was amazing, so sometimes I think this one gets overlooked because it's so subtle.