Jacob Collier has shared his first new song of 2022, “Never Gonna Be Alone”, marking his first official single since his GRAMMY-nominated 2021 release Djesse Vol. 3. The song was cowritten by Lizzy McAlpine, who provides vocals on the track, and features John Mayer on guitar.
“Here’s a song I wrote last year, in the depths of lockdown, with my dear friend Lizzy McAlpine,” Collier shared. “I wanted to explore the deep, vivid emotional world of isolation, loss and memory, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, by piecing together a tapestry of soft orchestral sounds. It speaks to my experience of the world as a hugely beautiful and fragile place, and has helped me process some of the grief I think we’re all feeling for our pasts and futures, in a myriad of different ways.”
“Never Gonna Be Alone” is a slow and tender R&B track saturated with smooth, ethereal textures and embellished with the rich harmonies for which Jacob is known—plus a couple elevating key changes. Lizzy McAlpine’s gentle vocal delivery complements Jacob’s low-pitched singing as the two trade verses reflecting on the theme of isolation and togetherness.
“There’s a patch of sunlight in my room / On the carpet where I held you for a moment in June,” McAlpine croons in the first verse. “There was something so sweet about it / Never been so unguarded / And it made me fall for you.”
Jacob then enters, responding with, “There’s a tree that looks up at the moon / In the garden, where I held you for a moment in the gloom / There was something so sweet about it / I’m holding onto this moment / ‘Cause it made me fall for you.”
In the chorus, both singers yearn to be together: “Take me back to the window, take me back to the door / You’ll bе right where I left you, sitting on thе floor / Now I’m never gonna be alone.”
John Mayer contributes a sentimental guitar solo that intensifies the energy of the song, leading into another verse before the song’s final chorus.
“Never Gonna Be Alone” is now available on all streaming platforms. Listen to the song via the player below and scroll down to view the lyrics.
Jacob Collier was recently the subject of a documentary exploring his remarkable career thus far, and his colorful taste in fashion was profiled in the New York Times‘ Style section. He just wrapped up the North American leg of his biggest tour yet and will embark on an extensive tour of Europe beginning in his home of the U.K. tonight, Friday, June 10th. To view a complete list of tour dates and purchase tickets, visit his website.
Jacob Collier – “Never Gonna Be Alone” Featuring Lizzy McAlpine And John Mayer
