"Only the Lonely" is a song by English band T'Pau, released in 1989 as the third and final single from their second studio album, ''

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'' (1988). It was written by vocalist

Carol Decker Carol Ann Decker (born 10 September 1957) is an English singer. She is the lead vocalist of the pop band T'Pau, which had international success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although Decker is mainly associated with the group, she also re ...

and rhythm guitarist Ron Rogers, and produced by

Roy Thomas Baker Roy Thomas Baker (10 November 1946 – 12 April 2025) was an English record producer, songwriter and arranger who produced rock and pop songs. Life and career Baker was born in Hampstead, London on 10 November 1946. He began his career at De ...

. "Only the Lonely " peaked at No. 28 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for six weeks. For its release as a single, "Only the Lonely" was remixed. A

music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...

was filmed to promote the single. Numerous formats of this release were issued including 12 inch vinyl, 7 inch vinyl, 7 inch Gatefold Poster Pack, 5 inch CD, and 3 inch CD. Autographed copies were also made available at independent record stores across the UK helping the song climb the charts. T'Pau also performed the song on a number of UK TV shows including ''

Going Live! ''Going Live!'' is a British children's television series that aired on BBC1 from 26 September 1987 to 17 April 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Annabel Giles, Phillip ...

'', ''

Top of the Pops ''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British record chart television programme, made by the BBC and broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show. For most of its histo ...

'', ''Daytime Live'' and ''The Hippodrome Show''.

Critical reception

Upon release, William Shaw of ''

Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand ...

'' commented: "You have to hand it to Carol and Ronnie. They certainly know how to make records that start off quiet and then get louder and louder. T'Pau have already shown a certain adeptness at turning out crunching great ballads of this ilk, but this time what's so extraordinary about it is Carol's singing. One moment she's singing dainty little harmonies, the next moment she's bawling away like a dame possessed. Marvellous." Pan-European magazine ''

Music & Media ''Music & Media'' was a pan-European magazine for radio, music and entertainment. It was published for the first time in 1984 as ''Eurotipsheet'', but in 1986 it changed name to ''Music & Media''. It was originally based in Amsterdam, but later m ...

'' wrote: "A song that sees Carol Decker in fine voice which might be a chance for T'Pau to regain their rapidly fading status."

Formats

* 7" single #"Only the Lonely" (Guitar Remix) - 4:02 #"Between the Lines" - 3:35 * 12" single #"Only the Lonely" (Nightmare Mix) - 8:00 #"Only the Lonely" (Guitar Remix) - 4:02 #"Downtown" (Live) - 3:35 * CD single #"Only the Lonely" (Guitar Remix) - 4:03 #"Only the Lonely" (Nightmare Mix) - 8:01 #"Between the Lines" - 3:35 #"Downtown" (Live) - 3:37

Personnel

T'Pau *

– lead vocals * Dean Howard – lead guitar * Ronnie Rogers – rhythm guitar, lead vocals on "Downtown" * Michael Chetwood – keyboards * Paul Jackson – bass guitar * Tim Burgess – drums Production *

- producer of "Only the Lonely", mixing on "Only the Lonely" and "Between the Lines" * T'Pau - additional production on "Only the Lonely", producers of "Downtown", mixing on "Between the Lines" and "Downtown" *

Gary Langan Gary Michael Langan (born 19 April 1956) is an English engineer, record producer, mixer and musician. Biography Langan's career started at age 18 when he worked as an assistant engineer at Sarm East Studios, learning the craft from Gary Lyons ...

- additional production and remixing on "Only the Lonely", producers of "Downtown", mixing on "Downtown" * Carol Decker, Ronnie Rogers, Tim Burgess - producers of "Between the Lines" * Stephen W. Tayler - mixing on "Between the Lines" Other * Sheila Rock - photography * Mark Millington - sleeve design

Charts

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1989 singles 1988 songs Song recordings produced by Roy Thomas Baker Songs written by Carol Decker Songs written by Ron Rogers T'Pau (band) songs Virgin Records singles