Right! Eric's beautiful rendition of a major theme in Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto in Cmin made me take up and notice his gift of writing and performing emotive, sensitive compositions. Learning classical music at the time--trumpet--and listening to monumental classical concertos, he instantly won my heart...even though at the time I was infuriating my parents by ditching my horn for rock, funk and jazz bass.
This is the original version of the song written by Eric Carmen. The theme is 'borrowed" from Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #2. Check it out, it is absolutely mesmerizing.
Grew up with Eric Carmen's version. It's the one I've always known & loved. Others have done a good job of it, won't take that away from them. But in my heart, it Eric Carmen's song & always will be. & The fact I'm now deep into my 70's living alone & all my friends are gone, well... After 45+ years of listening to it, it means more to me now, than it ever has.
"All by Myself" is a song by American singer-songwriter Eric Carmen released in 1975. The verse is based on the second movement (Adagio sostenuto) of Sergei Rachmaninoff's circa 1900-1901 Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18. The chorus was taken from the song "Let's Pretend", which Carmen wrote and recorded with the Raspberries in 1972.
I’d not heard this version in all my years, and I have to agree, this is a more sincere version, one you can believe he sincerely means. The others seemed to be vocal exhibitions showing their vocal strengths compared to the serenity of this one.
Eric Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist & keyboardist. He was originally with the group "The Raspberries" & they had a few hits with "Go All The Way" "Let's Pretend", "I Wanna Be With You", "Tonight" & "Overnight Sensation. Eric then went solo & had numerous hit songs in the 70's-80's such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again", "She Did It", "That's Rock & Roll", "Hungry Eyes", "Make Me Lose Control", "I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips" etc.
Yes, the much later "powerhouse" covers of this song with their soaring vocal showcasing are missing a lot of the feeling of somberness and desperation -- and as you said, the sincerity.
Before his solo career, he was frontman for "The Raspberries". Check out "Go all the Way"! Very upbeat, iconic song. Great reaction. Excellent writer and pianist.
So touching, so sencerely, so DELICATE... without climbing to the higher notes we are in the habit to hear in this song. Just lonelyness. And amazing instrumental insertion. Very impressive.💓 Thank you for reaction.
I was fortunate to hear this one first in 1976 when I was 11 my mother had the record and I was drawn into it by that gorgeous piano which is lifted from Rachmaninoff a long with most of the melody. Eric Carmen is a classically trained pianist.
When it is your song, you usually sing it better. Covers are, after all, covers. Eric Carmen had several different styles in his music and was very gifted. The piano interlude in the middle (played by Eric) I believe is from a piece by Rachmaninoff.
It's 10.30pm Tuesday night 12/03/2024 and I've just flicked the T.V. over to Ch 9 in Sydney. They were showing The Raspberries "Go all the Way" I thought "Why are they playing that?" "Is Eric touring soon?" Then I thought "Oh no he hasn't died" "Has he?" My fears were confirmed by the news voice over person. "Eric Carmen was 74" Now I can't stop crying. Not only did Eric help create one of the greatest, mind blowing Guitar riffs in Rock history, he then composed some of the most tasteful Ballads of all time. Good quality Ballads are extremely hard to write. Thanks for the great music and the brilliant singing voice Eric. Eric lived a successful existence and died peacefully in his sleep. "Come on Baby!!!" RIP - Eric Carmen
"Vocal prowess" can hurt a song. For too many such singers, it becomes all about them, their voice instead of being about the song. Check out "When Love Has Gone Away" by Richard Cocciante.
There are videos of Eric Carmen performing All by Myself on The Midnight Specia in 1976. There are a number of different uploads, but this one has the best quality video and audio, although it's missing the introduction by Helen Reddy. It also seems to be the earliest posted upload, by a month or so, although the lower resolution version with the Helen Reddy introduction has 7.5 million views compared to 97,000 for this: th-cam.com/video/sQtwC4QIcmc/w-d-xo.html
hi michael, hope you're good. yes it is eric playing the piano and writing the words and the music. it's almost operatic and so smooth. bones by imagine dragons live or lifes what you make it by talk talk. i know you'll like bones, but i think you'll love talk talk, it's different. lovely reaction today, he's just so cool.
Better video to watch to get visual of him performing his song: th-cam.com/video/sJZ2BOjANxg/w-d-xo.html Eric Carmen is classically trained pianist. He wrote the song. This visual of him playing/singing will help you to really appreciate how multi-talented he is.
As a solo artist, this and Hungry Eyes are what people most often recognize from Eric. To me and many of his other fans however, his greatest composition was a very minor hit from '77... "Boats Against The Current!"
Okay, I’m a little late to the party but I always liked this song, although I think the radio station didn’t play the whole thing. You were impressed by how sincere he sounds and I thought of another song - okay, as I’m writing this I’m thinking of other songs where you really feel the emotion come through. The first one is Harry Nilsson’s “Without You”. Next is “Sylvia’s Mother” by Dr Hook and the Medicine Show. Seems like there’s another one but I can’t think of what it is. I haven’t seen suggestions for your videos for a while so I was glad to see you react to “Piano Man” just before this. I’m so glad to see you again, and that you’ve discovered Billy Joel.
Carmen wrote the lyrics first in 4 parts and then used A Rachmaninov piece and put it all together. Rachmaninov was in the public domain at the time in the US, but when it became a hit in Europe and he was contacted by the Rachmaninov society and I believe it stopped playing in Europe. Frankly, Rachmaninov is one of my least favorite artists, right down the list with Mahler.
You were speaking words of wisdom, man! Thank you for this excellent reaction and even more excellent commentary! I'm 68 and have experienced both sides of the proverbial coin, and I can tell you that the brighter, shinier side of the coin where you determine to live positively and productively and personably is better by far!
But he can sure belt out the piano. None of the others can begin to touch Carmen's talent. Especially, considering he wrote the thing. (Along with Sergei Rachmaninoff and his Piano Concerto No. 2.)
Try at 71. All friends and family gone. And you think of all the chances of love that you didn't take. Now all you have is You-tube and TV to occupy you.
You can't go wrong when you're inspired by Rachmaninov. Eric's version is more heartfelt than Celine's overdone version, just like Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' is more heartfelt than the overblown version by Whitney.
Guy this is because he's the one who wrote the very song itself here, it came from his heart and he's the first one who sung it. P.s. I didn't connect with Celine Dion's talent for singing that everybody worshiped.
Eric knew sadness and loneliness creeps into your life…it doesn’t slap you in the face. Every other singer just can’t push these dark emotions into people.
Even tho he can do amazing things with his voice there's something I don't like about Damash. I always get the feeling he is singing for his own glory with no genuine soul. This hunch of mine seemed to be confirmed when I saw him do a duet with his little sister. He sang over her like she wasn't even there and I got the feeling she was feeling hurt
And YES, that is Eric Carmen on the piano. He was a classically trained pianist. RIP to a great songwriter ❤❤
Actually a classically trained pianist he was self taught on guitar
Right! Eric's beautiful rendition of a major theme in Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto in Cmin made me take up and notice his gift of writing and performing emotive, sensitive compositions. Learning classical music at the time--trumpet--and listening to monumental classical concertos, he instantly won my heart...even though at the time I was infuriating my parents by ditching my horn for rock, funk and jazz bass.
This is Eric Carmen on piano
He is magnificent
This is the original version of the song written by Eric Carmen. The theme is 'borrowed" from Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #2. Check it out, it is absolutely mesmerizing.
Grew up with Eric Carmen's version. It's the one I've always known & loved. Others have done a good job of it, won't take that away from them. But in my heart, it Eric Carmen's song & always will be. & The fact I'm now deep into my 70's living alone & all my friends are gone, well... After 45+ years of listening to it, it means more to me now, than it ever has.
I love this version! I love Celine Dions cover, but this one is just better to me. We don’t have to hear belting in every song
Eric Carmen had talent. Classicial pianist.
"All by Myself" is a song by American singer-songwriter Eric Carmen released in 1975. The verse is based on the second movement (Adagio sostenuto) of Sergei Rachmaninoff's circa 1900-1901 Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18. The chorus was taken from the song "Let's Pretend", which Carmen wrote and recorded with the Raspberries in 1972.
I was going to say, not Beethoven, but Rachmaninov!
thats because this is the best version
I’d not heard this version in all my years, and I have to agree, this is a more sincere version, one you can believe he sincerely means. The others seemed to be vocal exhibitions showing their vocal strengths compared to the serenity of this one.
This
Eric Carmen is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist & keyboardist. He was originally with the group "The Raspberries" & they had a few hits with "Go All The Way" "Let's Pretend", "I Wanna Be With You", "Tonight" & "Overnight Sensation. Eric then went solo & had numerous hit songs in the 70's-80's such as "All By Myself", "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again", "She Did It", "That's Rock & Roll", "Hungry Eyes", "Make Me Lose Control", "I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips" etc.
This is the best version of this song for the purpose of the song. Celine made it sound like a love song to someone once loved and lost.
Yes, the much later "powerhouse" covers of this song with their soaring vocal showcasing are missing a lot of the feeling of somberness and desperation -- and as you said, the sincerity.
This is the longer version of the release you seldom hear.
Before his solo career, he was frontman for "The Raspberries". Check out "Go all the Way"! Very upbeat, iconic song. Great reaction. Excellent writer and pianist.
Iv'e heard this song but never this extended piano version. Beautiful song
Yep it's him on piano.
So touching, so sencerely, so DELICATE... without climbing to the higher notes we are in the habit to hear in this song. Just lonelyness. And amazing instrumental insertion. Very impressive.💓
Thank you for reaction.
Thanks for listening! 😃
I'm sorrry to break this to you, but music did exist before 1990, and some of it kicked gluteus maximus.
I was fortunate to hear this one first in 1976 when I was 11 my mother had the record and I was drawn into it by that gorgeous piano which is lifted from Rachmaninoff a long with most of the melody. Eric Carmen is a classically trained pianist.
Carmen was the master of the "sad ballad". RIP.
When it is your song, you usually sing it better. Covers are, after all, covers. Eric Carmen had several different styles in his music and was very gifted. The piano interlude in the middle (played by Eric) I believe is from a piece by Rachmaninoff.
It's 10.30pm Tuesday night 12/03/2024 and I've just flicked the T.V. over to Ch 9 in Sydney.
They were showing The Raspberries "Go all the Way"
I thought "Why are they playing that?" "Is Eric touring soon?"
Then I thought "Oh no he hasn't died" "Has he?"
My fears were confirmed by the news voice over person.
"Eric Carmen was 74"
Now I can't stop crying.
Not only did Eric help create one of the greatest, mind blowing Guitar riffs in Rock history, he then composed some of the most tasteful Ballads of all time.
Good quality Ballads are extremely hard to write.
Thanks for the great music and the brilliant singing voice Eric.
Eric lived a successful existence and died peacefully in his sleep.
"Come on Baby!!!"
RIP - Eric Carmen
It's always more sincere when you are the author of the song.
"Vocal prowess" can hurt a song. For too many such singers, it becomes all about them, their voice instead of being about the song. Check out "When Love Has Gone Away" by Richard Cocciante.
First time I've heard this original version. Won't be the last! 😎
There are videos of Eric Carmen performing All by Myself on The Midnight Specia in 1976. There are a number of different uploads, but this one has the best quality video and audio, although it's missing the introduction by Helen Reddy. It also seems to be the earliest posted upload, by a month or so, although the lower resolution version with the Helen Reddy introduction has 7.5 million views compared to 97,000 for this: th-cam.com/video/sQtwC4QIcmc/w-d-xo.html
I like watching Eric Carmen singing. He's handsome and puts genuine emotion into his performance.
Very good reaction Michael. You got it right. 👍🏻
Eric did it the best
When in doubt the Internet is your friend. You can always look up the history or original singer/writer of a song.
Funny this is the only version of this song I’ve ever heard, never heard the other 2 versions.
This tune as many know was penned by the classical composer Rachmaninoff.
hi michael, hope you're good. yes it is eric playing the piano and writing the words and the music. it's almost operatic and so smooth. bones by imagine dragons live or lifes what you make it by talk talk. i know you'll like bones, but i think you'll love talk talk, it's different. lovely reaction today, he's just so cool.
Better video to watch to get visual of him performing his song: th-cam.com/video/sJZ2BOjANxg/w-d-xo.html Eric Carmen is classically trained pianist. He wrote the song. This visual of him playing/singing will help you to really appreciate how multi-talented he is.
As a solo artist, this and Hungry Eyes are what people most often recognize from Eric. To me and many of his other fans however, his greatest composition was a very minor hit from '77... "Boats Against The Current!"
Such a beautiful song ❤ Siempre la escucho ;)
Great reaction!
¡Saludos!
Okay, I’m a little late to the party but I always liked this song, although I think the radio station didn’t play the whole thing. You were impressed by how sincere he sounds and I thought of another song - okay, as I’m writing this I’m thinking of other songs where you really feel the emotion come through.
The first one is Harry Nilsson’s “Without You”. Next is “Sylvia’s Mother” by Dr Hook and the Medicine Show. Seems like there’s another one but I can’t think of what it is.
I haven’t seen suggestions for your videos for a while so I was glad to see you react to “Piano Man” just before this. I’m so glad to see you again, and that you’ve discovered Billy Joel.
It is him on the piano and as mentioned he is classically trained but not just on piano. He is a multi-instrumentalist.
That suggestion at the end of the video "Hit the road jack" is a fun song to do
Carmen wrote the lyrics first in 4 parts and then used A Rachmaninov piece and put it all together. Rachmaninov was in the public domain at the time in the US, but when it became a hit in Europe and he was contacted by the Rachmaninov society and I believe it stopped playing in Europe. Frankly, Rachmaninov is one of my least favorite artists, right down the list with Mahler.
Eric settled the copyright issues in Europe.
You were speaking words of wisdom, man! Thank you for this excellent reaction and even more excellent commentary! I'm 68 and have experienced both sides of the proverbial coin, and I can tell you that the brighter, shinier side of the coin where you determine to live positively and productively and personably is better by far!
But he can sure belt out the piano. None of the others can begin to touch Carmen's talent. Especially, considering he wrote the thing. (Along with Sergei Rachmaninoff and his Piano Concerto No. 2.)
Have you done Eric Carmen "I'm Through With Love", yet? Best song he ever did.
No I’ll have to look into it!
Such a great artist. Hank Williams JR did a great cover of this.
Love Eric Carmen's wonderful music ...❤
Eric's original version reached #2 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and Celine's reached #4 about 20 years later.
Love this version!!!
Listen to those strings too. Production values are real and high!
Eric Carmen is the original version
Yes it makes sense as I feel the same about this original version
Fans had more patience to allow a song to develop back in the day. Now, no attention span! RIP Mr. Carmen.
This came out when i was 9. He is the original and bes5
Try at 71. All friends and family gone. And you think of all the chances of love that you didn't take. Now all you have is You-tube and TV to occupy you.
Eric Carmen was a classically trained piano player who in this song used the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Carmen plays piano and sings his song.
Loneliness, isolation, abandonment.
You can't go wrong when you're inspired by Rachmaninov. Eric's version is more heartfelt than Celine's overdone version, just like Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' is more heartfelt than the overblown version by Whitney.
He had a GREAT voice, check out the live version of "let's pretend", there are a few versions on TH-cam.
Still stings that he's gone.
No one makes music like this anymore
Guy this is because he's the one who wrote the very song itself here, it came from his heart and he's the first one who sung it.
P.s. I didn't connect with Celine Dion's talent for singing that everybody worshiped.
DESCANSE EM PAZ, ERIC. 😭😭😭😭😭😭
Eric Carmen made this a hit way before any one else did
1975
You should hear his band The Raspberries, Go All The Way.
To me this is THE ONLY VERSION! RIP Forever remembered
Eric knew sadness and loneliness creeps into your life…it doesn’t slap you in the face. Every other singer just can’t push these dark emotions into people.
❤Eric Carmen is such an accomplished pianist, if you get a chance listen to his previous band The Raspberries
Along the theme of this song is Roy Clark’s ‘Yesterday, When I Was Young’. Make you stop and appreciate now.
You should try to listen to another great and heartfelt song of him “Im through with love”
His song
Even tho he can do amazing things with his voice there's something I don't like about Damash. I always get the feeling he is singing for his own glory with no genuine soul. This hunch of mine seemed to be confirmed when I saw him do a duet with his little sister. He sang over her like she wasn't even there and I got the feeling she was feeling hurt
Please do George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
Go to Lucy though cover,
You will be amazed
By her beauty but her cover
What's the deal with the mayonnaise jar on the couch?
This was in 1975
Now play it again without the commenrary...just listen.
Celine Dion? Bwhahahahaah!!!! Give me a break.
I prefer Celine Dions version
Talk smack, no talent.
Dinash is not in the same class as Eric!!! Period