Never Alone (2 Brothers on the 4th Floor song)
"Never Alone" is a song by Dutch Eurodance group 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor. It was released in November 1993 as the third single from their debut album, Dreams (1994). Produced by brothers Martin and Bobby Boer, the song was their first single featuring rapper D-Rock and singer Des'Ray. It was a number-one hit in Brazil, Israel and South Africa. In the group's native Netherlands, the single peaked at number two. In 2014, new remixes of the song by JoeySuki and Jonathan Pitch were released.[1] Its music video sees the duo performing on a beach in Mexico.
"Never Alone" | ||||
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Single by 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor featuring D-Rock and Des'Ray | ||||
from the album Dreams | ||||
Released | November 1993 | |||
Studio | Danzability | |||
Genre | Eurodance | |||
Length | 4:11 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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2 Brothers on the 4th Floor featuring D-Rock and Des'Ray singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Never Alone" on YouTube |
Background
In a broadcast on Dutch radio in January 1994, 2 Brothers on the 4th Floor said about the song,
"Snap's "Rhythm Is a Dancer" has set the tone for the whole Euro dance movement, laying a trend for melody which acts including Haddaway, Culture Beat and ourselves follow. What we all do is more or less 'copy' the Snap sounds. The bass and a catchy synth line are the spine of the genre."[2]
Chart performance
"Never Alone" was one of the group's most successful singles, alongside with "Dreams (Will Come Alive)", charting on several continents. In Europe, it peaked at number two in the group's native Netherlands, being held off reaching the top spot by Paul de Leeuw/Annie De Rooy's "Ik Wil Niet Dat Je Liegt/Waarheen Waarvoor". It spent three weeks at that position and ten weeks inside the top 10. The single also entered the top 10 in Belgium, reaching number three. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in Italy (16) and a top 40 hit in Sweden (38), as well as on the Eurochart Hot 100, where it peaked at number 31 in February 1994. But on the European Dance Radio Chart, the single was even more successful, reaching number three. Outside Europe, "Never Alone" peaked at number-one in Brazil, Israel (February 1994) and South Africa.
Critical reception
Larry Flick from American music magazine Billboard commented that the song "is a pure, unabashed hi-NRG anthem, pumpin' with a throaty vamp by Des'Ray and a perfunctory rap by D-Rock. This one is scant seconds away from exploding worldwide—and it is still available for U.S. picking. Act fast..."[3] Maria Jimenez from Music & Media described the group's sound as "a pumped sound somewhere between Culture Beat and 2 Unlimited", and added that "the familiar male rapper/female singer combination" drive their album Dreams.[4]
Music video
A black-and-white music video was produced to promote the single. It features D-Rock and Des'Ray performing on the beach in Mexico.[2] In between, different local people appear. The video was later published on YouTube in 2010 and by May 2023, it had generated more than eight million views.[5]
Track listing
- 12", Netherlands (1993)
- "Never Alone" (Club Mix)
- "Dancin' Together" (Cowboy Dub)
- "Never Alone" (Extended Mix)
- CD single, Netherlands (1993)
- "Never Alone" (Euro Radio Mix) – 4:11
- "Never Alone" (US Radio Mix) – 3:34
- CD maxi, Germany (1993)
- "Never Alone" (Euro Radio Mix) – 4:11
- "Never Alone" (US Radio Mix) – 3:34
- "Never Alone" (Club Mix) – 5:20
- "Never Alone" (Extended Euro Mix) – 5:48
- "Dancin' Together" (Cowboy Dub) – 3:41
- "Never Alone" (Brothers Edit) – 5:08
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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References
- "2 Brothers On The 4th Floor - Never Alone (song)". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- "2 Bros On The 4th Floor Descend From Their Ivory Tower" (PDF). Music & Media. 29 January 1994. p. 11. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- Flick, Larry (11 December 1993). "Dance Trax: Lydon's What You Want? Dance Is What You Get" (PDF). Billboard. p. 26. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- Jimenez, Maria (24 September 1994). "Short Grooves" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 11. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- "2 Brothers on the 4th floor - Never Alone". YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry, received 9 November 2015". Imgur. Archived from the original on 9 November 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
- "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 12 February 1994. p. 15. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
- "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 21 May 1994. p. 30. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- 3 weeks at No. 1 (7 February 1994, 15 February 1994 & 22 February 1994)
- "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 29 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "2 Brothers On The 4th Floor".
- "2 Brothers On The 4th Floor - Never Alone". Top40.nl. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- "Jaarlijsten 1993" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
- "jaaroverzichten 1994" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- "JAAROVERZICHTEN - Single 1994" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 12 December 2019.