So, we have finally reached the end – numbers 1 and 2 of Alfie Boe’s Top Ten Best Ever Songs. Now, when I first conceived the idea of a poll to find fans favourite Alfie song, I admit I was keen to see the list. Little did I think that the long list (click here for the playlist on Spotify) would run to 36 songs and over 2 hours! The songs chosen were from all of Alfie’s albums but the results of the Top Ten vote were a little surprising – most fans say they love Alfie’s classical side but that is not reflected here.
I can also admit that I was hoping that fans everywhere would be reminded that Alfie’s recorded repertoire is very diverse and is not just about Bring Him Home! Having said that, I can now reveal that the number 2 song is…A Living Prayer, which leaves the top spot taken by, you guessed it, Bring Him Home!
Leaving aside BHH (for the moment) let’s talk about A Living Prayer. Recorded for the Onward album, I was surprised to see it in the top ten at all and even more surprised to see it come in at number 2 behind Alfie’s most well known song. Many voters gave a reason for nominating and voting for this song and a common thread through all the stories was the soaring melody and beauty of Alfie’s voice helping them through a tough time. Written and recorded by Alison Krauss in 1994, here is Alfie’s version (it’s also a video featuring Alfie looking most like Dec Donnelly!):
And so we come to Bring Him Home, without question Alfie’s most popular and famous song. The vast majority of fans who have come to know Alfie since 2010 (myself included) have done so through Les Miserables, Jean Val Jean and Bring Him Home – Alfie’s star really was born at the 25th anniversary concert. Everything that has come since started on that day and ensures that Alfie will continue to sing Bring Him Home for as long as the demand is there. So forever basically!
There are so many videos of Alfie singing this song that I was at a loss to pick one – hope the one I went for is ok! I chose it as I was there that night, as were a lot of you, and many fans I am proud to call friends can be seen there:
If you don’t yet have Onward or Bring Him Home, just click on the images to order from Amazon.
Alfie’s new album, Serenata can also be ordered from Amazon:
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I think everyone could have predicted that BHH is #1 but the second, A Living Prayer, is not a surprise to me. Let me say that I am not religious so it is not the sentiment of the song that appeals to me but the soaring melody as you point out. I am happy that people like this because the song originally had a blue-grass sound to it but Alfie’s classical treatment, like Fratello Sole, has improved the song immensely. I think it may have converted some non-classical fans to that style of music. The video is a bit of a laugh and I’m sure he wishes he could change it now.
I was a Les Mis fan long before Alfie performed at the O2 and oddly, it is not my favourite song from the play. I saw the performance of the 25th anniversary on PBS TV about 6 months after it took place. I recognized immediately that the performer was an opera singer and I looked him up the next day on the internet. It was then that I got hooked on watching the clips from the show and the kitchen videos. Alfie’s version of BHH is unique because it is very slow and has that wonderful blend of softness and power that the song requires. If you look at the video from an earlier Remembrance day performance, you will see that he changed his delivery of the song considerably for the better. It doesn’t hurt that he has beautifully expressive eyes and is very photogenic.
I have enjoyed your countdown of the top 10 songs. Thanks for doing this.
Yeah, my all time favourite has come 2nd, I’m thrilled and surprised – he has recorded so many wonderful songs to accompany all emotions, but this one is moving beyond compare and shows his wonderful vocal range and talent. Goosebumps every time! Xx