Raye first attracted Nashville's attention as the lead vocalist on a string of independent singles in the 1980s. Billed as The Wrays, the act released a couple of singles on Mercury Records in the mid-80s before breaking up. Epic Records signed Raye as a solo act in 1990. A year later, the nostalgic ballad Love, Me hit No. 1, and by 2000, he charted 21 Top 10 hits for Epic. His first four studio albums, as well as his Greatest Hits, have been certified platinum. His best-known hits include Little Rock, about a recovering alcoholic, and I Think About You, about watching his teenage daughter grow up.
We're All Alone
Collin Raye Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it may never end
So cry no more
On the shore a dream
Will take us out to sea
For ever more
For ever more
And you can be with me
′Neath the waves
Through the caves of hours
Long forgotten now
We're all alone
We′re all alone
Close the window
Calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out let it all begin
Learn how to pretend
Once a story's told
It can't help but grow old
Roses do lovers too so cast
Your seasons to the wind
And hold me dear
Oh hold me dear
Close the window
Calm the light
And it will be all right
No need to bother now
Let it out let it all begin
All′s forgotten now
We′re all alone
We're all alone
Close the window
Calm the light
And it will be alright
No need to bother now
Let it out let it all begin
Throw it to the wind my love
Hold me dear
All′s forgotten now my love
We're all alone...
"We're All Alone" is a comforting song, giving us the impression that we're never truly alone. Collin Raye describes a world of quietness and solitude, with rain outside and inside a dreamy stillness. It's a song about simply being, about leaving worries behind and floating to a place of peace. The line that seems to capture the song best is, "Close your eyes and dream, and you can be with me."
The ocean imagery of the lines "Neath the waves, through the caves of hours, long forgotten now" and "On the shore a dream will take us out to sea" add to the overall feeling of drifting away to a safe, quiet place. The line, "Once a story's told, it can't help but grow old" might refer to the idea that eventually our problems and fears will fade away, just like old stories.
Ultimately, the song expresses the idea that we're never truly alone if we're willing to let go, trust in the world around us, and dream. The song gives us permission to calm the light and close the window, and to let go of the need to worry and to just exist.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the rain begins
The singer observes that it's starting to rain.
And it may never end
The rain may continue for a long time.
So cry no more
Don't worry or feel sad about the rain.
On the shore a dream
The singer imagines being on the beach.
Will take us out to sea
This dream leads them to a journey across the ocean.
For ever more
This journey will be continuous.
Close your eyes and dream
The singer suggests that the listener can imagine with them.
And you can be with me
In this imaginary world, the two can be together.
′Neath the waves
They are now deep under the ocean's surface.
Through the caves of hours
They explore hidden, remote parts of the ocean.
Long forgotten now
These areas have been untouched or unseen for years.
We're all alone
The two are isolated on this adventure.
Close the window
The singer advises the listener to close out the real world.
Calm the light
Dim the lights, creating a more peaceful atmosphere.
And it will be all right
Creating a more peaceful state of mind can ease anxieties.
No need to bother now
There are no more earthly concerns to address.
Let it out let it all begin
Release any pent-up emotions and start anew.
Learn how to pretend
The singer suggests avoiding harsh realities in favor of mental release.
Once a story's told
Once something is said, it becomes a permanent part of history.
It can't help but grow old
Old stories must eventually be replaced with new ones.
Roses do lovers too so cast
Even the most beautiful things must eventually fade away.
Your seasons to the wind
Embrace the changes that come with time.
And hold me dear
Value the present moment and what's important in it.
Oh hold me dear
Repeat the previous line for emphasis.
All's forgotten now
Anything that would cause worry or stress is no longer present or relevant.
We're all alone
The two are isolated in their own personal world, free from distraction.
Throw it to the wind my love
Let go of any apprehension and embrace the moment.
All's forgotten now my love
Reinforcing the previous thought that worrying is futile.
We're all alone
Closing the song with a poetic reminder of the peacefulness of being completely isolated from the outside world.
Writer(s): Scaggs William R
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.