Icon Played His Old Hit BACKWARDS As a JOKE...CREATED a WHOLE NEW HIT! | Professor of Rock
Summary
TLDRThis video script delves into the remarkable story of the song 'I Think We're Alone Now,' which hit the charts in four different decades, achieving significant success each time. Originally performed by Tommy James, the song saw a resurgence in popularity when Tiffany's 1987 cover version soared to number one, exemplifying a unique pop culture phenomenon. The script features interviews with both Tommy James and Tiffany, offering insider perspectives on the song's creation, evolution, and enduring appeal. It also touches on its impact across various genres and generations, showcasing its versatility and timeless resonance in the music industry.
Takeaways
- 🎵 'I Think We're Alone Now' was a hit in four different decades, originally by Tommy James and the Shondells in 1967, then covered by Tiffany in 1987, Girls Aloud in 2006, and Billie Joe Armstrong in 2020.
- 👨🎤 Tommy James was surprised when two of his songs were remade and both remakes went to number one in 1987, effectively replacing himself at the top spot.
- 💃 Tiffany's cover of 'I Think We're Alone Now' in 1987 brought the song to number one again, sparking a pop war with Debbie Gibson during the late 80s.
- 📝 The song's success spanned various genres and generations, proving its timeless appeal and adaptability.
- 🎶 Tommy James learned valuable lessons on crafting songs for AM radio and the power of simplicity in music production through the original song.
- 📈 Tiffany's version of the song led to a mall tour, which was pivotal in promoting her music and engaging with a younger audience.
- 🖥 The song has been featured in various media, including movies like '10 Cloverfield Lane' and TV shows, illustrating its enduring popularity.
- 🤔 Tiffany initially doubted covering 'I Think We're Alone Now' but was convinced by her producer, which ultimately proved to be a career-defining move.
- 🎬 The song's backstory includes an accidental discovery of the chord progression for 'Mirage' by playing 'I Think We're Alone Now' backwards.
- 🎸 Both Tommy James and Tiffany have embraced the song's legacy, appreciating its impact and the new versions that continue to resonate with audiences.
Q & A
What song is discussed in the script that hit the charts in four different decades?
-The song discussed is 'I Think We're Alone Now,' originally by Tommy James and the Shondells.
Who originally sang 'I Think We're Alone Now' and in what year did it first reach the top five?
-Tommy James and the Shondells originally sang 'I Think We're Alone Now,' and it first reached the top five in 1967.
Which artist covered 'I Think We're Alone Now' in 1987, taking it to number one?
-Tiffany covered 'I Think We're Alone Now' in 1987, taking it to number one.
Can you name another artist who replaced himself at number one in 1987 alongside Tommy James?
-Billy Idol replaced himself at number one in 1987 alongside Tommy James with the song 'Mony Mony.'
What significant change did Tommy James make to 'I Think We're Alone Now' from its original version?
-Tommy James sped up the song and raised the key from G to A, significantly altering its arrangement.
Who was the music arranger brought in by Tommy James for 'I Think We're Alone Now'?
-Jimmy Wisner was the world-class arranger brought in by Tommy James for 'I Think We're Alone Now.'
What was the unique marketing strategy employed for Tiffany's version of the song in the 1980s?
-The unique marketing strategy employed for Tiffany's version was a mall tour, which played a significant role in the song's success.
How did 'I Think We're Alone Now' perform internationally after Tiffany's cover?
-After Tiffany's cover, 'I Think We're Alone Now' went number one in multiple countries including the US, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.
What genre did 'I Think We're Alone Now' inadvertently help invent according to Tommy James?
-'I Think We're Alone Now' inadvertently helped invent the bubblegum pop genre.
How did Tommy James react to Tiffany's apology for covering 'I Think We're Alone Now'?
-Tommy James told Tiffany there was no need to apologize for covering 'I Think We're Alone Now,' expressing happiness over its success.
Outlines
🎵 The Timeless Journey of 'I Think We're Alone Now'
This segment introduces a music-focused episode featuring interviews about the song 'I Think We're Alone Now,' which hit the charts in four different decades, starting in the 1960s with Tommy James and later with a chart-topping cover by Tiffany in the 1980s. Tommy James discusses being surprised when two of his songs were remade and became hits in 1987, notably mentioning how he replaced himself at number one. The program, Professor of Rock, is presented as a celebration of iconic music through interviews and history, with a special emphasis on the story of 'I Think We're Alone Now' and its impact across generations. Tommy James's and Tiffany's contributions to the song's enduring legacy are highlighted, along with its significance in music history.
🔊 Crafting a Hit: The Making of 'I Think We're Alone Now'
This paragraph dives into the technical and creative process behind the making of 'I Think We're Alone Now.' Tommy James details the song's evolution from a ballad to a hit by adjusting its tempo and key. He explains the importance of producing music specifically for AM radio, emphasizing the principle of 'less is more' to maximize the impact of each instrument through the radio's compressors and limiters. The narrative also covers the strategic decisions in the studio that led to the song's distinctive sound and its categorization as 'bubblegum' music. The discussion extends to the song's initial controversy, its subsequent covers, and the role of strategic radio play and marketing in its success.
🌟 Tiffany's Take: Reviving a Classic
The third paragraph focuses on Tiffany's perspective on covering 'I Think We're Alone Now' and its pivotal role in her career. Despite initial reservations about the song fitting her image, the track's dance arrangement and strategic radio play catalyzed its success. Tiffany recounts the innovative mall tour that bolstered her popularity among young fans, situating her music within the vibrant teen pop scene of the late '80s. She reflects on the song's chart-topping achievements across various countries and its coexistence with hits by other music legends, highlighting the unique moment when Tommy James's songs, covered by Billy Idol and herself, sequentially reached number one.
🎤 Iconic Status: 'I Think We're Alone Now' in Popular Culture
This segment explores the broad cultural impact of 'I Think We're Alone Now,' detailing its resurgence in popularity through various media appearances and covers over the years. The discussion includes Tiffany's recollections of the song's reception, its strategic radio debut, and the origins of the groundbreaking mall tour idea. The narrative also touches on how the song's legacy continues to thrive through social media and its incorporation into contemporary TV shows and movies, emphasizing Tiffany's unique position as a symbol of the '80s pop culture. The segment encapsulates the song's enduring appeal and its significant role in shaping Tiffany's career and the music landscape.
📺 Legacy and Transformation: The Evolution of a Pop Classic
In the final paragraph, the focus shifts to the various ways 'I Think We're Alone Now' has been reinterpreted and celebrated across the globe. Tiffany shares anecdotes about receiving videos from fans performing the song, demonstrating its wide-reaching influence and appeal across different generations. The discussion also reflects on the song's versatility, evidenced by its numerous covers in diverse musical styles and its feature in significant films and shows. The segment concludes with a reflection on the song's accidental creation of 'Mirage' when played backwards, underscoring the serendipitous and creative processes that contribute to music's lasting impact.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bubblegum
💡Cover
💡Hit
💡Nostalgia
💡Revelation
💡Decade
💡Pop War
💡Mall Tour
💡Arrangement
💡AM Radio
Highlights
The song 'I Think We're Alone Now' by Tommy James and the Shondells hit the top 5 in 1967 and then went all the way to number one 20 years later in 1987 by Tiffany, making it a chart-topping hit in four different decades.
Tommy James accidentally invented the 'bubblegum' genre with 'I Think We're Alone Now,' which educated him on how to make records for AM radio, including keeping the intro short for DJs and limiting the song length to fit more spots on the air.
Tommy James learned the art of making records for AM radio, including layering instruments, keeping arrangements simple, and writing records instead of just songs.
Tommy James' production team, including Richie Cordell, Bo Gentry, and Jimmy Wisner, had 10 more hits after 'I Think We're Alone Now,' showcasing their signature sound that became known as 'bubblegum.'
Tiffany was initially hesitant about covering 'I Think We're Alone Now,' worrying it might type her as a dance artist, but George Tobin convinced her to trust him, and the song became a massive hit.
George Tobin's mall tour idea for Tiffany was brilliant, capitalizing on her fan base and the places they frequented.
Tiffany's success with 'I Think We're Alone Now' saved her project from being shelved, as the momentum allowed her to connect with fans and build her career.
Tommy James and Tiffany both had number-one hits with 'I Think We're Alone Now' and 'Mony Mony' by Billy Idol in 1987, making Tommy James one of the few artists to replace himself at number one decades after his original hits.
Tiffany's version of 'I Think We're Alone Now' had a more punchy, energetic 80s feel compared to Tommy James' original 60s sound.
The song 'I Think We're Alone Now' has had a lasting impact, being featured in movies, TV shows, and covered by various artists in different genres.
The chord progression for the song 'Mirage' was accidentally discovered when the tape was played backwards during the final mix of 'I Think We're Alone Now.'
Tiffany continues to receive videos from fans around the world performing 'I Think We're Alone Now,' showcasing the song's enduring popularity.
Tiffany appreciates seeing younger generations being introduced to the song and the stories behind it from both her and Tommy James.
Fans share their memories and favorite versions of 'I Think We're Alone Now,' reflecting on the Debbie Gibson vs. Tiffany pop war and the song's enduring legacy.
The success of 'I Think We're Alone Now' highlights how a great song can be reworked and interpreted in various ways, showcasing its versatility and longevity.
Transcripts
coming up next a couple of great
interviews about a song that barely
missed number one with its original
artist and then decades later it hit the
top of the charts in fact the song has
hit the charts in four different decades
originally sung by a legendary artist
who was shocked when two of his biggest
hits were remade at the same time in
1987 both of the remakes went to number
one and Incredibly he replaced himself
at number one coming up next we have an
exclusive the singer behind the original
and the singer behind the cover that
went to number one great show coming up
on professor of
rock hey music junkies professor of rock
always here to celebrate the greatest
artists and the greatest songs of all
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history got a lot of great ones coming
up and check us out on patreon as well
so it's time for another edition of our
show Revelations this is where featured
artists take us for a deep dive in rare
stories about their greatest songs and
their Greatest Albums Insight you just
won't find anywhere else today we have
the story of a song that went to the top
five in 1967 and then it went all the
way to number one exactly 20 years later
in 198
it's a classic song I Think We're Alone
Now by Tommy James and the Shawn
[Music]
Dells the Tommy James and the Sha Dells
took it to number four in
1967 and then team popster Tiffany took
it all the way to number one in 1987
when we had the famous Debbie Gibson
versus Tiffany pop War of the late 80s
you remember that the song also went to
number four in the UK in 2006 by the
girl group
allowed and then Green Day frontman
Billy Joel Armstrong took his version
the number seven on the alternative
charts in 2020 making it a top 10 in
four separate
decades coming up next Tommy James and
Tiffany both tell us a story behind this
song and how along with Moy P by Billy
Idol Tommy James replaced himself at
number one decades after he made both of
these songs
[Music]
famous very cool interview coming up
with both of them as we go into the
story I do want to thank our sponsor Zen
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out today here's Tommy James and Tiffany
with the story of I Think We're Alone
Now all of a sudden you invent a whole
new genre with bubble gum with I Think
We're Alone Now we didn't mean to I know
uh it was an
accident that's what they when I Think
We're Alone Now really uh gave me such
an education that I could have never had
with any other song and the reason is
we'd had three hits before that we had a
hanky
panky uh say I
[Music]
am am and it's only love three Gold
Records at that moment um Richie Cordell
and Bo Gentry who were Kamasutra
songwriters from uh and by the way I was
so grateful that roulette allowed me the
freedom to put put a production team
together and and to bring people from
other labels because they were really
locked in the late 50s but they sold
singles they knew how to sell records
and um you know allowed me to put this
massive te team together uh Bo and
Richie started it off and they brought
me I Think We're Alone Now and it was a
ballad really I mean it was slow and but
you could hear it was a smash as soon as
that he played the
[Music]
hook they played it on a piano and uh
didn't matter what you played it on you
knew it was a hit and you had the idea
to speed not only speed it up but to
raise the key from from G to a right no
that's true and uh uh we went in did a
demo and both sang the lead and I went
in played the guitar and that's where we
came up with the uh eighth
notes that pulsating Bas the a signature
and we didn't mean for it to it was just
something we did on the demo when we we
we then took it back to rouette moris Le
flips out that's a freaking hit we uh
went back in the studio did the same
Arrangement one of the things I learned
was the art of making records for AM
radio what what I learned is the old
adage less is more right something's
going to fill up the radio speaker the
more instruments you add the smaller
every instrument is and plus the
compressors and the limiters on radio
when we were doing I Think We're Alone
Now first of all we started layering you
know doing the bass and the drums first
then the guitar we started layering
things we hadn't done
[Music]
that uh and then I brought in Jimmy
Wisner who was a world class arranger we
learned a real amazing lesson we weren't
writing songs we were writing records
suddenly we're making the intro had to
be so long because the DJ talked over it
uh the record couldn't any longer than 3
minutes because they had to get so many
spots on the air and uh so there all
these radio rules that uh happened we
did accidentally with Hanky Panky but we
really learned with I Think We're
Alone and we had the signature sound uh
that later got called bubblegum would
[Applause]
they never knew controversial at the
time too because of the giving the
atmosphere of forbidden activities and
all that the radio well true enough they
banned our our album cover they said it
they think I think weone that was a
dirty
[Music]
record meanwhile the number one record
of the top it was let's spend the night
together by the Rolling
[Music]
Stone but that started this production
team uh of Richie and Bo and and Jimmy
and Allegro and we had 10 more hits with
well Lena Lage covers it in
78 that was a great cover but massive
worldwide Resurgence in
[Music]
the80s 1987 of course Tiffany Tiffany
and Debbie Gibson start this huge teen
pop kind of thing that was going
[Music]
on George toin gave you a cassette with
the song I Think We're Alone Now on it
and I always read because I always used
to listen to top 40 countdown each week
and Casey KAS would always tell the
stories behind the songs I love that I
write them down and I just memorize them
and but the story I heard is that you
were like I don't know about this song
because I was you know didn't know if
that was the right covering it thinking
the song I don't know is this hip was it
modern enough I had never heard I Think
We're Alone Now before um didn't know of
Tommy James and the Shawn Dells if I had
I didn't really make the connection
George said we'll just learn the song so
I did learn the song came back the next
day and it was all this dance track but
for me I was a little worried about
getting typed as a Dance artist I mean
George sat down he said listen you got
to trust me on this really I I I think
this will work and it
[Music]
did let's talk about the first Al you're
recordered for MCA which the iconic
album cover that was an album that your
first single Danny didn't
[Music]
chart right and then he had the idea of
the mall tour shopping mall tour that
was kind of a brilliant idea for that
moment that's where I hung out I mean it
made total sense Danny the single was
released that was the first single and
it wasn't doing well at radio and that's
when George decided to just totally
change it and put on I think we alone
[Music]
now and that started getting traction
because there probably wouldn't have
been a mall tour without that happening
first yeah um and you know he had some
radio connections and pretty much as a
friend said spin this I'm doing this
Rogue without the labels consent but
this is the wrong single I knew it was
the wrong single it's really I Think
We're Alone Now so they started testing
it on a favor and we started getting
people calling in then they started have
to add the song because there was so
many people calling in and then that led
to the molor how do we save this project
because really my whole album was going
to be sheld I was doing clubs in New
York I wasn't even old enough to be in
the club so the music was doing great
but nobody could get to know me I
couldn't really go out and sign
autographs or hang out so it was out the
door I went and that was really tanking
you know you have to do the whole the
whole thing you have to be able to talk
to the people and get to know them and I
had nothing in common with 21 year olds
or even 18-year-olds at that time so my
project was going to be tanked and
through the momentum of I Think We're
Alone Now I think that's what really
started my anr guy Larry stter going
okay this can't happen we are making
some progress but where would we show
this artist and he was walking around a
mall one day with his with his daughter
and thought what about the
[Music]
malls when it came to me I said yeah
that makes the most sense because that's
where I hung out all the time I mean I
grew up in Norwalk California I might
have $5 doar on me you know between me
and my girlfriend we might have $5 on us
but back then you could go and share an
Orange Julius which was my favorite
drink
and all you did just go to the record
store 1987 when I think we're aone now
came out I mean number one in the US and
Canada Ireland New Zealand know UK South
Africa I know that goes to number one of
the pop CH Billy Billy Idol and Tiffany
they went up the charts like they were
holding
hand well when it hit number one was
cool you were in the top five at that
moment with Fleetwood Mac when it was
number
see hit number one you were 16 you
record it when you were 13 Madonna
Michael Jackson Fleetwood Mack and Billy
idle all in the top five with you which
incidentally Billy Idol's Moy Mooney and
I Think We're Alone Now I when I was
talking to Tomy he's like yeah that was
a good moment for me yep that was a good
moment went back to back number one that
had never happened Billy course had
Mooney
[Music]
Mooney Tiffy I think we're I Think We're
Alone
I Think We're Alone Now when she covered
it it was not only a huge hit here but
it went number one in New Zealand and
Canada and Ireland and number one in the
dance charts I mean do you know she came
up to me and apologized and I said
apologize I said are you kidding what
you apologizing for number one are you
kid are you
[Music]
kidding your approach to the song though
you brought so much energy to it cuz I
love Tommy's version but it's a 60s and
that happened a lot so cool see I rock
out to that version now yeah I mean just
different Tempo a different time and and
radio was different and and the way that
people listen to things but that was
what was great is they took a lot of 60s
songs like Kim wild keep
[Music]
on and they had all these hits again
with moyy speaking of another Tommy
James song
[Music]
but yours is just a little more Punchy
and it has that 80s feel to
[Applause]
[Music]
her they're great songs all these songs
that we mentioned are good songs and
when you have a great song it can be
reworked it can be done with an acoustic
guitar it can be done Punk version think
alone I've done I Think We're Alone Now
Punk scar you know I've done it like all
dance and now I've just I've remade the
song again and revamped it a little bit
for what I'm doing currently which is a
little bit more of a Foo Fighters kind
of sound a little bit with those layered
guitars
[Applause]
doesn't you had a little bit of sass in
that song vocal you know I mean it's
cool people see the new vocal and they
go well it's weird because they're
listening to the new I think R now and I
get compliments on singing that song now
which is the most bizarre thing but I'm
happy I'm like okay well we've
accomplished all my goals one song with
the original
hit
[Music]
doesn't well speaking of Salt Lake City
it was a program director here that
really gave it his big start yes it was
uh was Lou Simon right yes kcpx I think
it was yeah kcpx and he heard it heard
the album thought it was a hit and then
his DJ Morgan Evans played it calls came
in they had to add it everybody else
started adding it and that inspired him
to to have MCA you know release it as a
45 yes but he had to get him the numbers
show exactly and that was all George
behind that you know having those
relationships um that's why we did the
Ogden
[Music]
mall and and brought brought it full
circle again this is where it all
started thank you so much um because it
really was the fans uh that were calling
in requesting the song I mean had it not
been for the fans all along you know and
people well you know that video that she
did playing malls which was a brilliant
idea
[Music]
actually and I still have a belief now
with that as I've continued my career
it's only by doing it in front of people
that love music that are attached to you
they know what they want to hear so I
start with that now and I love social
media now for that reason I can get
things out to people's hands immediately
once I have excitement I go back and
talk to Towers at be and go well this is
the homework I've come up with and
there's nothing like it and we were
doing that even back you know in the 80s
pop culture it's lived on from its uh
biggest days of popularity it's even as
big now with the Goldbergs when it was
used there what did you think of that
the song keeps having its own little
life which is great and the biggest star
of them all was Tiffany no last name
needed they're like capturing the'80s
right what it was like growing up there
and they nailed it cuz we all ' 80s kids
we remember huge fan of the goldber so
when I was incorporated with that I was
like yes yeah definitely and
[Music]
Ted Ted was extremely like funny to me
you know like the whole scene and
everything it was I got a little creeped
out but it was funny um you know
Umbrella Academy loved all the dance
moves um and it was right on time I mean
for me I was already releasing the song
then that happened like the month before
I did it to get away into the night and
then your arms around and it was like
this could be even more perfect it's
just the Universe telling me yes girl
you know you're doing the right thing um
because sometimes you don't know you do
things from your heart do you like it
when Weezer reference sitting there s I
saw that and I love that as
well Weezer yeah but they mistakenly
referenced Debbie Gibson instead of
Tiffany but they left it in but just to
show how big that song was even that
Resurgence Punk version by
[Music]
snuff You Hear The Killers do
[Music]
it girls allow did
[Music]
it that went to number four in the UK me
first in the Gimme gim another punk rock
band that did it but what was cool is it
weird out that I think I'm a clone now I
think I'm aone
[Music]
now he was great w oh that's incredible
see listen see that's that's how you
know you've really made it when weird
out your song it's been featured horror
movies like The Cape Fear of course in
91 I Think We're Alone
Now 10 Cloverfield L that was amazing
that's a heck of a
movie
but I want to say one last thing about
this song it's incredible is that ventry
accidentally inserted it backwards in
the real de real oh and it plays it and
it's going backwards what happened was
we were we're listening to the Final Mix
of I think weone now over at Bose's
apartment and uh uh you know everybody
was smoking way too much weed back then
what can I say and they put the tape on
uh upside down
you know a real little real real s and a
half and when you do that it plays
backwards we're listening to I Think
We're Alone Now backwards and go you
know that's not a bad chord
[Music]
progression Bo and Richie go over and
write it and it becomes
[Music]
Mirage that sounds like it was made up
by a press agent but that's honest to
God's Tru
that's an amazing story miras I think
rone now backwards I've seen punk bands
I've seen all kinds of different bands
perform I think rone out in the oddest
ways but I love it and I always get
these videos from people around the
world literally going doing your song
tonight um and they'll message me and I
think it's great you know um even little
kids I had one just with the his dad was
playing acoustic guitar and there was
this little boy he was only six years
old he was had the sweetest voice and he
was singing I Think We're Alone Now and
he had a little Shake when every time he
sang the chorus and I thought it was the
I've kept it all these years you know
and I just thought it was the cutest
thing to see younger people you know
getting introduced to the song as well
as the stories of people who lived it
with Tommy James and the Shawn Dells so
I think we're Al has this big huge life
that I'm always a part of and I'm
grateful to be
[Music]
any so leave us a comment about this pop
classic what's your favorite version
what are your memories of Tommy James or
the Debbie Gibson versus Tiffany pop war
of 1987 or 88 oh man let's let's get
nostalgic below and talk about this how
about replacing yourself at number one
20 years after the songs were big really
cool stuff if you like our content we
invite you to subscribe until next time
three courts and the truth my
friends
[Music]
a
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