Left Outside Alone

2004 single by Anastacia

"Left Outside Alone"
Single by Anastacia
from the album Anastacia
B-side"Get Ready"
ReleasedMarch 15, 2004 (2004-03-15)
Studio
  • O'Henry Sound, Burbank
  • Record One, Los Angeles
  • Record Plant, Los Angeles
GenrePop rock
Length
  • 4:17 (album version)
  • 3:40 (radio edit)
Label
  • Epic
  • Daylight
Songwriter(s)
  • Anastacia
  • Glen Ballard
  • Dallas Austin
Producer(s)
  • Dallas Austin
  • Glen Ballard
Anastacia singles chronology
"Love Is a Crime"
(2003) 		"Left Outside Alone"
(2004) 		"Sick and Tired"
(2004)
Audio sample
Left Outside Alone
  • file
  • help
Music videos
  • "Left Outside Alone" on YouTube
  • "Left Outside Alone" (US version) on YouTube

"Left Outside Alone" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia, Dallas Austin, and Glen Ballard, the song details the singer's strained relationship with her estranged father. It was released as the album's lead single on March 15, 2004, to both critical and commercial success. The song peaked at number one in Australia, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland; number two in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway; and number three in the United Kingdom and Hungary, while overall it became the sixth-biggest-selling European single of 2004.

In the United States, "Left Outside Alone" was another success on the Billboard dance charts, where it reached the top position on the Hot Dance Singles Sales, as well as number five on the Hot Dance Club Play. The track received universal acclaim, with praise coming from Anastacia's new musical sound as well as her new singing sound found in the opening of the song being compared to Evanescence's Amy Lee.

Critical reception

"Left Outside Alone" received universal acclaim from critics. AllMusic editor Matthew Chisling wrote "Stronger tracks on the album include "Left Outside Alone,"..., on which Anastacia berates the listener with cries of frustration in pop/rock at its finest."[1] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian wrote "Apparent references pop up: "It's not OK, I don't feel safe," runs the chorus to Left Outside Alone."[2] The Independent editor Andy Gill said that this song is "the source of the vulnerability."[3]

Dom Passantino of Stylus Magazine wrote "Left Outside Alone" starts off as if we're being sang to by the Holy Ghost (assuming Kate Bush is the Father and Tori Amos is the Son), over, yes, exactly the same chords that oversaw "Daredevil"... Then Anastacia switches style back to her normal voice… calling it normal seems a fallacy." He later praised the song with these words "genuinely interesting, genuinely experimental, and genuinely good single."[4] Yahoo! Music editor Dann Ginoe praised the song: "With a high-pitched gothic quiver floating atop ambient brooding, "Left Outside Alone"'s opening strains could easily have her mistaken for Evanescence's Amy Lee. The familiar air-raid siren wail does kick in eventually, but it's bellowing to an uncharacteristically snarly, guitar-churning chorus. Yup, that's right, Anastacia's gone rock."[5]

Music videos

Shot in Burbank, California in February 2004, the regular music video for "Left Outside Alone" directed by Bryan Barber.[6] There are actually three music videos for the song. The regular (and first) version was released to the worldwide market, excluding North America.

The regular version begins with Anastacia on a bridge. Later she is walking along a street with a red poster on an advertising pillar. The street is of European style with European cars (a Fiat 500 with a vehicle registration plates of France, a Smart Roadster, and a Citroën DS). Then she gets in a car, and whilst driving, she looks into a car next to her and sees "herself" canoodling passionately with a man. When she gets out of the car she notices people dancing to her song on the street.

The alternate version of this video, known as the "blue-poster version", was made for the Jason Nevins Global Club Edit of the song, contains different edits, including the usage of a blue poster instead of the red one, and it also has a different ending.

In 2005, a completely new video was released for American audiences. Shot on May 19–20, 2005, this version was directed by David Lippman and Charles Mehling, and was shot in Los Angeles, California.[7] Although this version was recorded specially for the American market, "Left Outside Alone" was never officially released there. In this version, Anastacia is in a castle lying alone in a bed surrounded by candles.

Part 2

A different version of the track (entitled "Left Outside Alone, Part 2") appears on the deluxe edition of Anastacia's sixth studio album Resurrection. This version features an alternative melody for the same lyrics heard in the original song. She was quoted as saying: "Ten years later, I'm putting out an album and I wanted to revisit that song. I gave myself an opportunity to do that. I loved it and it's a completely different perspective on the song."[8]

Track listings

US 12-inch single[9]

A1. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club) – 8:05
A2. "Left Outside Alone" (radio edit) – 3:55
B1. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club Edit) – 4:16
B2. "Left Outside Alone" (album version) – 4:17

US maxi-CD single[10]

  1. "Left Outside Alone" (radio edit) – 3:55
  2. "Get Ready" – 3:30
  3. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club Edit) – 4:16
  4. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club) – 8:05
  5. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Mix Show) – 5:35

UK and European CD single[11][12]

  1. "Left Outside Alone" (radio edit) – 3:40
  2. "Get Ready" – 3:30

European maxi-CD single[13]

  1. "Left Outside Alone" (radio edit) – 3:40
  2. "Get Ready" – 3:30
  3. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club Edit) – 8:05
  4. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Mix Show Edit) – 3:14
  5. "Left Outside Alone" (M*A*S*H Rock Mix) – 4:04

German mini-CD single[14]

  1. "Left Outside Alone" – 3:40
  2. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club Edit) – 4:16

Australian CD single[15]

  1. "Left Outside Alone" (radio edit) – 3:40
  2. "Get Ready" – 3:30
  3. "Left Outside Alone" (Jason Nevins Global Club Edit) – 4:16

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Anastacia album booklet.[16]

Studios

Personnel

  • Anastacia – writing, vocals, background vocals
  • Glen Ballard – writing, keyboards, production
  • Dallas Austin – writing, guitars, keyboards, MIDI drums, production
  • Siedah Garrett – background vocals
  • Lisa Vaughn – background vocals
  • Audrey Wheeler – background vocals
  • Tim Pierce – guitars
  • Tony Reyes – guitars
  • Colin Wolfe – bass
  • Sean Hurley – bass
  • Josh Freese – drums
  • Ric Wake – lead vocal production
  • William Malina – recording
  • Rick Sheppard – recording, MIDI and sound design
  • Thomas R. Yezzi – recording (vocals)
  • Tom Lord-Alge – mixing
  • Femio Hernandez – second mix engineer
  • Cesar Guevara – assistant engineering
  • Ted Jensen – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004–2005) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[17] 1
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[20] 7
CIS (TopHit)[21] 45
Czech Republic (IFPI)[22] 1
Denmark (Tracklisten)[23] 2
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[24] 2
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[25] 6
France (SNEP)[26] 9
Germany (Official German Charts)[27] 2
Greece (IFPI)[28] 7
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[29] 3
Ireland (IRMA)[30] 2
Italy (FIMI)[31] 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32] 2
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33] 2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[34] 20
Norway (VG-lista)[35] 2
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[36] 10
Scotland (OCC)[37] 1
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[38] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[39] 6
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 1
UK Singles (OCC)[41] 3
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[42] 30
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[43]
Jason Nevins remix 		5
US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[44] 22
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[45]
Jason Nevins remix 		1
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[46] 57

Year-end charts

Chart (2004) Position
Australia (ARIA)[47] 2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[48] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[49] 15
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[50] 31
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[51] 6
France (SNEP)[52] 56
Germany (Official German Charts)[53] 17
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[54] 25
Ireland (IRMA)[55] 5
Italy (FIMI)[56] 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[57] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[58] 19
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[59] 19
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[60] 8
UK Singles (OCC)[61] 7
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[62] 9
Chart (2005) Position
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[63] 32
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[64] 99
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[65] 18

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009) Position
Australia (ARIA)[66] 41

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[67] 2× Platinum 140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[68] Gold 15,000*
Belgium (BEA)[69] Gold 25,000*
Germany (BVMI)[70] Gold 150,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[71] Gold 5,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[72] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[73] Platinum 600,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
Australia March 15, 2004 CD [74]
Europe [75]
United Kingdom March 22, 2004 [75][76]
North America April 6, 2004 [75]
United States April 19, 2004 [77]

Cover versions

In 2020, Finnish nu metal band Blind Channel recorded a cover version of the song.[78] Blind Channel released a short clip of Anastacia and the band singing "Left Outside Alone" on Instagram in June 2023.[79]

References

  1. ^ Matthew Chisling. "Anastacia". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Caroline Sullivan. "CD: Anastacia, Anastacia". the Guardian.
  3. ^ Andy Gill (October 6, 2011). "Album: Anastacia". The Independent.
  4. ^ "Anastacia – Anastacia – Review – Stylus Magazine". stylusmagazine.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011.
  5. ^ "Anastacia Album Review, New album reviews and latest album releases on Yahoo! Music". yahoo.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008.
  6. ^ "Anastacia – "Left Outside Alone"". CMT. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  7. ^ "Anastacia – Music Videos". VH1. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  8. ^ "Attitude Magazine » Anastacia interview: 'I'd give Barbra Streisand a lesbian kiss'". Attitude Magazine. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  9. ^ Left Outside Alone (US 12-inch single sleeve). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. 44 76705.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ Left Outside Alone (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. 49K 76705.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Left Outside Alone (UK CD single liner notes). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. 674648 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Left Outside Alone (European CD single liner notes). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. EPC 674633 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Left Outside Alone (European maxi-CD single liner notes). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. EPC 674633 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Left Outside Alone (German mini-CD single liner notes). Anastacia. Epic Records. 2004. EPC 674633 3.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Left Outside Alone (Australian CD single liner notes). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. 674633.5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Anastacia (US CD album booklet). Anastacia. Epic Records, Daylight Records. 2004. 2 513471.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  18. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  19. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  20. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  21. ^ Anastacia — Left Outside Alone. TopHit. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  22. ^ "Rádio 2004" (in Czech). IFPI. Archived from the original on June 18, 2004. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  23. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". Tracklisten. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  24. ^ "Hits of the World – Eurocharts" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 16. April 17, 2004. p. 57. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  25. ^ "Anastacia: Left Outside Alone" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  26. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  27. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  28. ^ "Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 25–31/7" (in Greek). IFPI. Archived from the original on August 3, 2004. Retrieved August 3, 2004.
  29. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  30. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Left Outside Alone". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  31. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". Top Digital Download. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  32. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 15, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  33. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  34. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  35. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". VG-lista. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  36. ^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 28, saptamina 12.07 – 18.07, 2004" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 21, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  38. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" Canciones Top 50.
  39. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  40. ^ "Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  41. ^ "Anastacia: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  42. ^ "Adult Pop Airplay". Billboard. May 28, 2005. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  43. ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. May 29, 2004. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "Dance/Mix Show Airplay". Billboard. July 10, 2004. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  45. ^ "Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. May 8, 2004. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  46. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  47. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 2004". ARIA. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  48. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2004" (in German). Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2004" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  50. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2004" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  51. ^ "Europe's Top Singles of 2004" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. 51. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  52. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2004" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2004" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  54. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2004" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  55. ^ "Best of Singles 2004". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  56. ^ "Mix e singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  57. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2004". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  58. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2004" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  59. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 2004" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  60. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2004" (in German). Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  61. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2004" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
  62. ^ "Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 52. December 25, 2004. p. YE-60.
  63. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 – hallgatottsági adatok alapján – 2005" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  64. ^ "2005 The Year in Charts: Top Adult Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 13, no. 50. December 16, 2005. p. 31.
  65. ^ "2005 The Year in Music & Touring: Hot Dance Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 117, no. 52. December 24, 2005. p. YE-58.
  66. ^ "Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem & P!nk top ARIA's End of Decade Charts" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. January 7, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  67. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  68. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Anastacia – Left Outside Alone" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  69. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2004". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  70. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Anastacia; 'Left Outside Alone')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  71. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  72. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Left Outside Alone')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  73. ^ "British single certifications – Anastacia – Left Outside Alone". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  74. ^ "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 15th March 2004" (PDF). ARIA. March 15, 2004. p. 27. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 6, 2004. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  75. ^ a b c "Anastacia releases new record after cancer". United Press International. March 9, 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  76. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. March 20, 2004. p. 29.
  77. ^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1551. April 16, 2004. p. 26. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  78. ^ Mäenpää, Arto (June 29, 2020). "Blind Channelin tulkinta Anastacian jättihitistä "Left Outside Alone" kuunneltavissa". KaaosZine (in Finnish). Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  79. ^ "Instagram post by Blind Channel". www.instagram.com. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Studio albums
Compilation albums
  • Pieces of a Dream
  • Ultimate Collection
Live albumsSingles
Featured singles
OtherVideo releases
  • The Video Collection
  • Live at Last
Tours
  • Category
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
  • MusicBrainz release group
  • MusicBrainz work