All Alone (Irving Berlin song) facts for kids

"All Alone" is a popular waltz song written by the famous composer Irving Berlin in 1924. It's a type of song called a "ballad," which usually tells a story or expresses feelings. This song became very well-known after it was featured in a big Broadway show called The Music Box Revue of 1924.

What is "All Alone"?

"All Alone" is a beautiful and popular waltz ballad. A waltz is a dance, and a ballad is a song that often tells a story or expresses deep emotions. This song was created by Irving Berlin, who was a very famous American songwriter. He wrote many classic songs that are still loved today.

A Broadway Hit

The song first became famous when it was added to a Broadway show called The Music Box Revue of 1924. In the show, two performers, Grace Moore and Oscar Shaw, sang "All Alone." They sat on opposite sides of the stage, each under a bright spotlight. They pretended to sing into telephones, making it seem like they were talking to each other from far away. This unique performance helped the song become very popular.

Popular Recordings

After its debut, "All Alone" was recorded by many artists in 1925. Some of the successful recordings were by famous singers like Al Jolson and John McCormack. Big bands like Paul Whiteman's Orchestra also made popular versions. The song became a "standard," which means it's a classic song that many different artists perform over the years.

Later, "All Alone" was sung by Lucie Arnaz in an episode of the TV show "Here's Lucy." Even Miss Piggy sang it in an episode of "The Muppet Show"!

Appearing in Movies

"All Alone" also made its way into movies:

• The Plastic Age (1925): In this silent film, the actor Donald Keith sings the song. He performs it as part of a fun, playful challenge at the request of Clara Bow. Since it was a silent film, the movie showed the song's lyrics and sheet music on screen for the audience to follow along.
• Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938): The singer Alice Faye performs a part of the song. She sings the chorus, which includes the lines "wond'ring where you are, and how you are, and if you are all alone too."

More Great Artists Sing It

Many other famous singers and musicians have recorded "All Alone" over the years. This shows how timeless and loved the song is. Some of these artists include:

• Julie London (1956)
• Thelonious Monk (1957)
• Pat Boone (1958)
• Burl Ives (1960)
• Frank Sinatra (1962)
• Rosemary Clooney (1963)
• Bing Crosby (1962 and 1965)
• Doris Day (1967)
• Sarah Vaughan (1967)