Originally coming to fame in the mid-1960s singing orchestral pop ballads as the frontman of The Walker Brothers, Walker went on to a solo career balancing a light entertainment/MOR ballad approach with increasing artistic innovations in arrangement and writing. Despite a series of acclaimed albums, a disastrous drop in sales forced him back into straight Middle of the road recordings with little of his own artistic input. This in turn eventually led to a Walker Brothers reunion in the mid-1970s (although the latter eventually moved, by mutual consent, into more avant-garde areas).
From the mid-1980s, Walker revived his solo career while drastically reinventing his artistic and compositional methods, via a series of acclaimed and vividly avant-garde albums. These combined his iconic voice with an unsettling avant-garde approach which owed more to modernist and post-modernist classical composition than to his pop singer past. This change in approach has been compared to "Andy Williams reinventing himself as Stockhausen".
Walker has been a continuing influence on other artists, in particular The Last Shadow Puppets, Marc Almond, Goldfrapp, Douglas Pearce of the band Death in June, Billy MacKenzie of The Associates, David Sylvian, Julian Cope, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke, Steven Wilson, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Trey Spruance, Perry Blake, Radiohead, Noah Lennox, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and the Divine Comedy/Neil Hannon.
Walker continued to release solo material until his death, and was signed to 4AD Records. As a record producer or guest performer he worked with a number of artists including Pulp, Ute Lemper, Bat For Lashes and Sunn O))).
We're All Alone
Scott Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it may never end
So cry no more
On the shore of dreams
Will take us out to sea
Forever more, forever more
Close your eyes and dream
'Neath the waves
Through the caves of hours
Long forgotten now
We're all alone
We're all alone
Close the window
Come alive
Honey, we'll be alright
No need to bother now
Let it out
Let it all begin
Learn how to pretend
Once the story's told
You can't help but grow old
Roses do
Lovers too
So cast your seasons to the winds
And hold me dear
Oh, hold me dear
Close the window
Come alive
And it will be alright
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
Come alive
And it will be alright
No need to bother now
Let it out
Let it all begin
Throw it to the winds, my love
Hold me dear
The song “We’re All Alone” by Scott Walker is a beautiful ballad that explores the theme of love and loneliness. The lyrics begin with a poetic description of the rain beginning to fall, suggesting that the sadness that accompanies loneliness may never go away. However, the singer urges the listener not to cry anymore, and instead invites them to join them on a journey out to sea on the shore of dreams. This journey is one that they will share forever, in a world where they are all alone together.
The verses continue with each line building on the imagery of the dream-like state. The listener is urged to close their eyes and dream, to join the singer beneath the waves and through the caves of hours, long forgotten now. The repetition of the phrase “we’re all alone” suggests that in this world, there is no one else but the singer and the listener, and together they can find solace and happiness.
The chorus brings the listener back to reality, suggesting that they should close their window and come alive. The singer assures them that everything will be alright and there is no need to bother now. They encourage the listener to let it all begin and to learn how to pretend, to create their own reality where they are happy and loved. The final lines repeat the earlier sentiment of holding each other dear and throwing their worries to the winds.
Overall, the lyrics of “We’re All Alone” are poignant and emotional, drawing the listener into a world of dreams and love where they can escape the loneliness of the real world.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the rain begins
The rain outside begins
And it may never end
It could continue endlessly
So cry no more
Don't weep anymore
On the shore of dreams
In a dreamlike state
Will take us out to sea
We'll go far away
Forever more, forever more
For an endless amount of time
Close your eyes and dream
Shut your eyes and imagine
And you can be with me
And you'll be by my side
'Neath the waves
Under the water
Through the caves of hours
In the passages of time
Long forgotten now
Now it's all been forgotten
We're all alone
We're by ourselves
We're all alone
We're by ourselves
Close the window
Shut the window
Come alive
Wake up
Honey, we'll be alright
My dear, we'll be fine
No need to bother now
Don't worry about it now
Let it out
Let it go
Let it all begin
Let everything start
Learn how to pretend
Learn to feign
Once the story's told
After the story is related
You can't help but grow old
Aging is unavoidable
Roses do
Roses wither away
Lovers too
Lovers also
So cast your seasons to the winds
Release the past and move on
And hold me dear
And cherish me
Oh, hold me dear
Oh, cherish me
Close the window
Shut the window
Come alive
Wake up
And it will be alright
Everything will be fine
No need to bother now
Don't worry about it now
Let it out
Let it go
Let it all begin
Let everything start
All's forgotten now
We've forgotten everything now
We're all alone
We're by ourselves
We're all alone
We're by ourselves
Close the window
Shut the window
Come alive
Wake up
And it will be alright
Everything will be fine
No need to bother now
Don't worry about it now
Let it out
Let it go
Let it all begin
Let everything start
Throw it to the winds, my love
Release it and don't look back, my love
Hold me dear
Cherish me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: William R. Royce Scaggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kells
For artists who covered a lot of material, the Walker Brothers were stunningly good. Just discovered this treat.
Lena Ahlquist
One of my favourite songs by Boz Scaggs and to hear it for the first time with one of my favourite singers all time - it doesn't get much better than this! THANK YOU!
Sam's kid
Just heard this cover tonight for the first time. Wow--to hear this beautiful pop standard given the full Scott Walker treatment--made my night.
Jennifer Wells
Beautiful angelic voice Scott. I first saw you a few months ago. I was singin The sun ain’t gonna shine anymore - knew it wasThe WalkerBros. So looked them up. I was in love at first sight😂 thenI began to love his voice, the music etc. whatever else in his secret life? His voice was heaven ❤️ I hope you’re happy now Scott. John and Garry, you both were great as well, especially John who grew into a good looking happy man
star traveller
Thank you Scott for your music. Love forever!
John Dakin
What a voice he had r.i.p scott
Julie Robinson
My very favorite Walker Brothers song, beautify sung. Rest in peace Scott. ❤
Salsiccia1
The piano on this version is just exquisite 👌
Redy
Love this version by my fav group The Walker Brothers. Scott’s voice sensational. 💕
Graham Pearson
Out of the guys in The Walker Brothers only Gary is left because John lost his battle against liver cancer (deceased in 2011 aged 67) and Scott lost his battle against cancer (deceased in 2019 aged 76).