The choir was formed by Tim Rhys-Evans, a classically trained singer and former musical director of Welsh National Youth Opera. It has 18 members and is based in Cardiff.
Following the Last Choir Standing competition, the choir signed a five-record deal with Universal Music and released their first album. They performed with Josh Groban at The Royal Variety Performance in 2008.
The choir embarked on their first UK tour in April/May 2009 with singer and soap star Amy Nuttall joining them as a special guest. The performance at the Cardiff International Arena featured a one-off performance with Bonnie Tyler.
In October 2009, the choir's second album, Band of Brothers, went straight to Number One in the UK Classical Charts, where it remained for three weeks. [1]
Earlier that month the choir held auditions at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff to find a new member to join them.[4]
Conductor: Tim Rhys-Evans
Accompanist: Jeffrey Howard
Choir:
Tenor 1: Wyn Davies, Dave Fortey, Paul Rothwell, Hugh Strathern
Tenor 2: Nick Bristow, Ross Leadbetter, Dan Phillips, Nick Wayland-Evans
Baritone: Peter Horton, Thomas Oliver, Aled Powys Williams, Dafydd Rhys-Evans, Craig Yates
Bass: Tim Edwards, Stephen Hamnett, Andy Mulligan, Tim Nelson
All By Myself
Only Men Aloud Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never needed anyone
And making love was just for fun
Those days are gone
Livin' alone
I think of all the friends I've known
When I dial the telephone
Nobody's home
All by myself
Don't wanna be
All by myself
Anymore
Hard to be sure
Sometimes I feel so insecure
And loves so distant and obscure
Remains the cure
All by myself
Don't wanna be
All by myself
Anymore
All by myself
Don't wanna live
All by myself
Anymore
When I was young
I never needed anyone
Making love was just for fun
Those days are gone
All by myself
Don't wanna be
All by myself
Anymore
All by myself
Don't wanna live
Oh
Don't wanna live
By myself, by myself
Anymore
By myself
Anymore
Oh
All by myself
Don't wanna live
I never, never, never
Needed anyone
The lyrics of Only Men Aloud's song "All By Myself" are a poignant reflection on isolation and loneliness. The song's opening lyrics see the singer reminiscing about a time when they were younger and carefree. They didn't need anyone and saw sex as just a bit of fun. However, things have changed, and the singer now finds themselves living alone, thinking of all the friends they've known, but unable to get in touch with anyone. Despite this, the singer asserts that they don't want to be alone anymore, using the repetition of the song's title to create a profound sense of isolation.
In the second verse, the song continues with the singer's reflection on the difficulties of love. They feel insecure and unsure, and love seems distant and obscure. Despite this, the only cure is love, and the singer continues to assert that they don't want to be alone anymore.
Overall, "All By Myself" is a powerful ballad that speaks to the human experience of isolation and loneliness. The lyrics are simple, but the repetition of the song's title creates a sense of desperation that is hard to ignore. The song's chorus is so relatable that it has become a classic, and it has been covered by countless artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was young
Back in my youth
I never needed anyone
I was always independent and didn't rely on anyone
And making love was just for fun
I didn't take love too seriously, it was all just for entertainment
Those days are gone
Those times have passed and I can't go back
Livin' alone
I currently live alone
I think of all the friends I've known
I reminisce about all the friends I've had in the past
When I dial the telephone
When I try to call them
Nobody's home
None of them are available or accessible
All by myself
I'm alone and by myself
Don't wanna be
I don't want to continue being alone
Anymore
I don't want to feel this way anymore
Hard to be sure
It's difficult to be certain
Sometimes I feel so insecure
I experience moments of doubt and insecurity
And loves so distant and obscure
Love seems far away and mysterious
Remains the cure
Love is still the solution to this feeling
Don't wanna live
I don't want to continue living
Oh
An expression of emotion
I never, never, never
I truly never
Needed anyone
Really depended on someone else
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Carmen, Sergei Rachmaninoff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pervypanda9044
I was 8 when I saw this and I still vaguely remember it. Finding the video by accident today was like scratching an itch I didn't know I had. Life sure is strange at times.
@musicstadium
Good harmonies, plenty of light and shade coupled with top class musical arrangements. Outstanding choir.
@davibeatles
Great version, indeed, the song is even better, and no one singing out of tune, amazingly.
@JoMoMoss
As has already been mentioned.these guys are a group of quality soloists brought together to form one of the best Choirs EVER!
@Misisfi
So pleased that they won, although as a North Walian I did have a soft spot for Glanaethwy! This choir is a choir that I shall want to hear more of, however. Llongyfarchiadau!
@SerafineRavel
Absolutely gorgeous. When the harmony crecendos under the second section of the verse it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Worthy, worthy winners.
@ndog2005
2022, Still Loving them..
@prophetsluva1
WOW!! sounds amazing!! nothing like a good male voice choir!! The guitar teacher from my school is in only men aloud!
@eba44
Funny thing... I heard this on the radio the other day (an NPR affiliate) and it really got to me- especially the crescendo at the end. I had to look it up to see who the choire was...the diction was unmistakable. All these years later, and boy-o-boy does it apply right now. May, 2020.
@susannebrunberg4174
Listen to this choir for the first time. Couldn't believe how good they were! If I understand this correctly, they won this contest. Well deserved!