"Alone Again Or" is the opening track of Love’s 1967 album Forever Changes, widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of the 1960s and a landmark of psychedelic rock12. Written by guitarist Bryan MacLean, the song stands out for its unique blend of folk-rock, orchestral pop, and Spanish influences, and is celebrated for its lush arrangement, enigmatic lyrics, and enduring emotional resonance.
Composition and Recording
- Songwriter: Bryan MacLean, who also plays the distinctive flamenco-influenced acoustic guitar intro, inspired by Spanish dances his mother performed during his childhood45.
- Arrangement: The track features a striking mix of acoustic guitar, strings, and a mariachi-style brass section, arranged by David Angel. Arthur Lee, the band’s leader, envisioned the addition of strings and brass, and Angel translated Lee’s ideas into a seven-piece string section and a five-piece mariachi band, giving the song its signature sound4.
- Production: Produced by Arthur Lee and Bruce Botnick, the recording process pushed the band to new artistic heights, with Botnick bringing in session musicians (the Wrecking Crew) to motivate the band during the Forever Changes sessions4.
Lyrics and Themes
"Alone Again Or" is a meditation on longing, love, and existential uncertainty. The lyrics, written while MacLean waited for a girlfriend, juxtapose an upbeat, almost celebratory melody with themes of loneliness and emotional distance:
"Yeah, I said it’s all right
I won’t forget
All the times I waited patiently for you
I think you’ll do just what you choose to do
And I will be alone again tonight my dear"6.
The second verse introduces a broader, almost philosophical reflection on love and connection:
"You know that I could be in love with almost everyone
I think that people are the greatest fun
And I will be alone again tonight, my dear"6.
The song’s title and refrain capture a sense of resigned solitude, even in the midst of hope or social connection.
Musical Significance and Legacy
- Sound: The fusion of folk, rock, orchestral, and mariachi elements was groundbreaking, helping to define the eclectic, experimental spirit of late-1960s Los Angeles psychedelia42.
- Critical Acclaim: "Alone Again Or" has been consistently ranked among the greatest songs of all time, appearing in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
- Cultural Impact: The song’s enduring popularity is tied to its emotional ambiguity, innovative arrangement, and its role as the dramatic opener to Forever Changes, an album now preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry1.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Love |
| Album | Forever Changes (1967) |
| Songwriter | Bryan MacLean |
| Producer(s) | Arthur Lee, Bruce Botnick |
| Arrangement | Flamenco guitar, strings, mariachi brass |
| Notable Features | Lush orchestration, trumpet solo, philosophical lyrics |
| Chart Performance | Released as a single in 1968 (US, UK, Australia, France, NL) |
| Legacy | Psychedelic rock classic, Rolling Stone Top 500, influential |
Summary
"Alone Again Or" is a masterwork of psychedelic folk-rock, blending Spanish guitar, orchestral flourishes, and bittersweet lyrics about love and isolation. Its innovative arrangement and emotional complexity have secured its place as one of the most beloved and influential songs of the 1960s, and as the unforgettable opening statement of Love’s Forever Changes42.
