Music Review: Tiffany "I Think We're Alone Now"
Tiffany
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I Think We're Alone Now
Album: Tiffany
Year: 1987
According to the allmusic guide, Tommy James and the Shondells sprang to success after revamping their line-up and sound. In their era, they were something of anomaly: releasing pop as art rock was the main genre. Their first record, "Hanky Panky" had four major hits, including "I Think We're Alone Now" in 1967. By 1970, they decided to disband and James went solo.
Tommy James and his girlfriend retreat from their parents traditional ideals in the practical "I Think We’re Alone Now."
Snide guitars open the single, setting a controlling tone. In the first verse, James says his parents tell him and his girlfriend they need to act proper and not to go against societal norms. His parents don't realize how repressive the rules are.
In the pre-chorus, they sneak quickly out of his parents' house together and find a private spot in the area park. She wraps his arm around him and kisses him passionately.
In the chorus, he says they can be themselves now. They don't have to pretend to be their parents' ideas of perfect teenagers.
In the second verse, he says they are resorting to extreme means to be intimate. If their parents found out they were having sex, they would tell them to break up with each other.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
A short, quiet drum solo follows.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung four times to close the single.
He and his girlfriend feel constrained by society's attitude towards sexuality. They are being told it's dirty and wrong. However, they view it as a way to express their affection for each other. They don't understand why sex is considered evil. They have to constantly follow their parents' rules, despite the fact they are contradictory and lack common sense. Escaping from his house and finding a private spot is the only time they feel free.
James' vocals are questioning and straightforward. He feels society is teaching teenagers to be withdrawn and nonresitant.
The guarded guitar articulates the paranoia and guilt they have about getting caught.
The perceptive "I Think We're Alone Now" challenges conservative ideas with rational thinking.
In 1987, Tiffany would cover the song and hit #1 on the Billboard chart.
Tiffany escapes her strict parents in the gutsy "I Think We're Alone Now."
Tight guitars open the single, setting an authoritarian tone. In the first verse, she says her parents infantilize her and try to control her relationship with her boyfriend.
In the pre-chorus, they wait until her parents go into the kitchen to wash dishes and creep out of the house. Once they are gone, they race to the nearest spot and make out.
In the chorus, he tells they can be intimate now.
In the second verse, she says she doesn't like lying in order to be with her boyfriend. Her parents would shame her and give her a lecture about how pregnancy can ruin her future. But she's being careful and she understands her sexuality.
The pre-chorus is sung again,
The chorus is sung twice.
A jittery synth solo follows.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung again.
Another jittery solo follows.
The chorus is sung four times to close the single.
Tiffany feels like her parents treat her like a child. If they allow her to date, they have to realize she will kiss and possibly, have sex with him. However, she says it's her decision and one she is prepared to make. Her parents think her boyfriend will take advantage of their naive daughter. But she understands more than they think. Discovering her sexuality is part of her adolescence.
Tiffany's piqued vocals are resentful of the overprotection and rules of her parents. She would like to be trusted and have some freedom.
The synth and guitar arrangement is urgent and wary, like the original. However, it's updated to have a contemporary feel.
The inquisitive "I Think We're Alone Now" still challenges society, but in another way. It's how a young woman is still being raised to be fearful of their sexuality. Attitudes haven't really changed since the original.
It's a toss-up as to which version is the best. Both get their points across effectively. The message is stronger in the original. However, Tiffany's version keeps everything intact and manages to make a point about young women. Personally, I favor the cover since I grew up listening to it on my tape recorder.
Album: Tiffany
Year: 1987
According to the allmusic guide, Tommy James and the Shondells sprang to success after revamping their line-up and sound. In their era, they were something of anomaly: releasing pop as art rock was the main genre. Their first record, "Hanky Panky" had four major hits, including "I Think We're Alone Now" in 1967. By 1970, they decided to disband and James went solo.
Tommy James and his girlfriend retreat from their parents traditional ideals in the practical "I Think We’re Alone Now."
Snide guitars open the single, setting a controlling tone. In the first verse, James says his parents tell him and his girlfriend they need to act proper and not to go against societal norms. His parents don't realize how repressive the rules are.
"Children behave/That's what they say when we're together/And watch how you play/They don't understand/And so we're."
In the pre-chorus, they sneak quickly out of his parents' house together and find a private spot in the area park. She wraps his arm around him and kisses him passionately.
"Running just as fast as we can/Holdin' onto one another's hand/Tryin' to get away into the night/And then you put your arms around me/And we tumble to the ground/And then you say."
In the chorus, he says they can be themselves now. They don't have to pretend to be their parents' ideas of perfect teenagers.
"I think we're alone now/There doesn't seem to be anyone around/I think we're alone now/The beating of our hearts is the only sound."
In the second verse, he says they are resorting to extreme means to be intimate. If their parents found out they were having sex, they would tell them to break up with each other.
"Look at the way/We gotta hide what we're doin'/Cause what would they say/If they ever knew and so we're."
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung twice.
A short, quiet drum solo follows.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung four times to close the single.
He and his girlfriend feel constrained by society's attitude towards sexuality. They are being told it's dirty and wrong. However, they view it as a way to express their affection for each other. They don't understand why sex is considered evil. They have to constantly follow their parents' rules, despite the fact they are contradictory and lack common sense. Escaping from his house and finding a private spot is the only time they feel free.
James' vocals are questioning and straightforward. He feels society is teaching teenagers to be withdrawn and nonresitant.
The guarded guitar articulates the paranoia and guilt they have about getting caught.
The perceptive "I Think We're Alone Now" challenges conservative ideas with rational thinking.
In 1987, Tiffany would cover the song and hit #1 on the Billboard chart.
Tiffany escapes her strict parents in the gutsy "I Think We're Alone Now."
Tight guitars open the single, setting an authoritarian tone. In the first verse, she says her parents infantilize her and try to control her relationship with her boyfriend.
"Children behave… And so we're."
In the pre-chorus, they wait until her parents go into the kitchen to wash dishes and creep out of the house. Once they are gone, they race to the nearest spot and make out.
"Running just as fast as we can…And then you say."
In the chorus, he tells they can be intimate now.
"I think we're alone now… The beating of our hearts is the only sound."
In the second verse, she says she doesn't like lying in order to be with her boyfriend. Her parents would shame her and give her a lecture about how pregnancy can ruin her future. But she's being careful and she understands her sexuality.
"Look at the way...And so we're."
The pre-chorus is sung again,
The chorus is sung twice.
A jittery synth solo follows.
The pre-chorus is sung again.
The chorus is sung again.
Another jittery solo follows.
The chorus is sung four times to close the single.
Tiffany feels like her parents treat her like a child. If they allow her to date, they have to realize she will kiss and possibly, have sex with him. However, she says it's her decision and one she is prepared to make. Her parents think her boyfriend will take advantage of their naive daughter. But she understands more than they think. Discovering her sexuality is part of her adolescence.
Tiffany's piqued vocals are resentful of the overprotection and rules of her parents. She would like to be trusted and have some freedom.
The synth and guitar arrangement is urgent and wary, like the original. However, it's updated to have a contemporary feel.
The inquisitive "I Think We're Alone Now" still challenges society, but in another way. It's how a young woman is still being raised to be fearful of their sexuality. Attitudes haven't really changed since the original.
It's a toss-up as to which version is the best. Both get their points across effectively. The message is stronger in the original. However, Tiffany's version keeps everything intact and manages to make a point about young women. Personally, I favor the cover since I grew up listening to it on my tape recorder.