The song You’re Not Alone
You’re Not Alone is the official song for Never Alone. We interviewed Charlie Eriksson and Kristofer Greczula about how it all began.
Charlie, you felt you were missing an official song for Never Alone, tell me what you were thinking?
I wanted a song that people could relate to, to listen to when the day was heavy, a song with a message that there’s a future, that there’s hope even if it doesn’t feel that way, when it’s heavy in the moment. I wanted a song that could save lives.
You came to think of an old acquaintance from Falkenberg, Kristofer Greczula?
I was on the train on my way home from a speaking engagement and listened to a song with Bruno Mars. Kristoffer’s voice is very similar to Bruno’s voice and came up with the idea to contact Kristofer. I wondered what he was doing now.
Kristofer, what were you thinking when Charlie contacted you?
I was of course very happy, had a good look at Never Alone and thought it sounded interesting to make a song together.
What did you think when he talked about creating a Never Alone song?
I knew immediately what he meant and understood what he needed, I’d had a heavy period myself a few years before Charlie contacted me.
Can you tell us more about your experiences with mental illness?
In high school, I went through an extremely difficult period in my life. I ended up in my first depression and in addition I started to get more and more acne, which brought my self-confidence to the bottom. During this period I didn’t know who to talk to or what to say, my way of managing all emotions and thoughts was to write everything down. Playing and writing music became my salvation.
Do you generally think that many people feel like you did, that it’s difficult to know who to talk to and what to say?
Absolutely. That’s why it’s so wonderful that Never Alone exists and that the business is growing, it’s really needed.
Can you understand today that what you created then, in the midst of this dark time, saves life today?
No, it’s completely incomprehensible but obviously amazing.
Can you tell us more about how the song came about?
It was during a tough period in my life that I wrote the song “You’re Not Alone,” although at that time I had named the song “Carry On.” The song is a letter written to myself, with the wish that things will be better one day. It gave me hope.
How did you cross paths?
We had a meeting shortly after Charlie contacted me. He told me what kind of song he wanted. “Carry On” immediately came to mind and I found an old version and played the song to Charlie. The first two sentences are: “I want you to know. You are not alone.” We looked at each other and both basically said at the same time, “We got the song.”
Why did you rename the song?
The line was already in the song and it was a direct translation of Charlie’s organization, Never Alone = You’re Not Alone, it was simple and felt obvious.
What the biggest indicator that the song has made a difference?
The tattoos, several people have chosen to tattoo quotes from the song. A girl has even tattooed the entire text on her calf, from beginning to end. That’s proof enough that the song makes a difference and affects people with its strong and honest lyrics about mental illness.
What were your expectations for the song?
Today, I’m incredibly proud of our cooperation. We’ve played the song at 20 Never Alone shows with over 10,000 visitors, people have contacted us and written that the song has made them continue to fight against mental illness and choose life – the song saved their lives and gave them hope. The song has sold platina in Sweden.
11 million streams?!
Yes, 11 million, feels completely unreal! I had never imagined that when I was writing Carry On in my room at my parents’ house.
Thank you, Kristofer, for writing the song.
Thanks to everyone listening to the song, it means a lot.
Lyrics Kristofer Greczula – You’re not Alone
Hmm hmm hmm x4
I want you to know
You are not alone
When your dreams are shattered
Nothing seems to matter
Can you hear
Can you hear my voice?
It could take a while
To make your soul feel lighter
It won’t feel like this forever
‘Cause time will heal all of your wounds
I’ll take you to that place
Where faith and hopes are point of view
I know you have the strength
To carry on
Hmm hmm hmm x2
You’re not alone
Hmm hmm hmm x2
Pain don’t always show
So please
Let me know
When your heart gets spattered
Your thoughts all lost and scattered
You will hear
You will hear my voice
You won’t feel like this forever
‘Cause time will heal all of your wounds
I’ll take you to that place
Where faith and hopes are point of view
I know you have the strength
To carry on
Way at the road
You’re headed on
Leaves you nowhere anymore
And you loose your ground
And fall behind
Carry on
You’re not alone
Carry on
You’re not alone
It won’t feel like this forever
‘Cause time will heal all of your wounds
I’ll take you to that place
Where faith and hopes are point of view
I now you have the strength to carry on
You’re not alone