COVER vs ORIGINAL: ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’

The song, “I Think We’re Alone Now”, was originally recorded by Tommy James and The Shondells in 1967

American songwriter Ritchie Cordell (1943-2004), who also wrote “Mony Mony” and “I Love Rock’N’Roll”, penned the tune “I Think We’re Alone Now” for pop group Tommy James and The Shondells in 1967. The song was the lead and title track of their third studio album and was released as a single in January that year. It peaked at No.4 and at No.6 in Canada although international success was not forthcoming for the band.

American singer Tiffany recorded her version in 1987 for her self-titled debut album. The track was released as the second single in August that year and went all the way to number one as well as in Canada, beating the original. The track was released internationally from late 87 and into January 1988 and would make the top spot in a further seven countries including the UK, where it became the fifth biggest seller of the year and her best known hit of all. Tiffany would later re-record the song in 2019 and film a new video for this.

British girl group Girls Aloud recorded their version in 2006 for their best of “Greatest Hits” album and released it as the lead single in December that year, as one of the contenders for the 2006 Christmas number one. This power-pop version would alas only chart at No.4 and No.3 in Ireland, however, the band’s success was predominantly restricted to home soil and found no commercial success outside of the United Kingdom. The track has sold 85,000 copies to date compared to the 670,000 copies that Tiffany has shifted.

But which version is the best? TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS original, TIFFANY’s smash or GIRLS ALOUD’s cover?