"Lonely No More" is the first single from Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas' debut studio album, ...Something to Be (2005). It was released on February 14, 2005, and became his biggest solo hit. The song peaked at number one in Hungary, number three in Australia, number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
The single was written by Thomas and produced by Matt Serletic. Although he was featured on Santana's "Smooth", "Lonely No More" is notable for being the proper solo debut single of Thomas. Starting over a series of chordless industrial rhythmic beats, the song sees Thomas explaining to a prospective romantic interest why he is not exactly comfortable heading into a relationship with her at the moment. Although she seems to know what to say to him, he points out that words are only words. She needs to show him something else, or even swear allegiance to reassure his insecurities. To explain exactly how hurt he has been in previous relationships, Thomas belts, "I don't wanna be lonely no more / I don't wanna have to pay for this / I don't want to know the lover at my door / Is just another heartache on my list".
The song was nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2006 Grammys.[1] In March 2014, British group Rixton interpolated portions of the song for their single "Me and My Broken Heart".[2]
Music video
The official music video for "Lonely No More" was directed by Joseph Kahn. Thomas can be seen in various scenes as they shift or fold violently into each other (while Thomas remains immobile) from being his bedroom, to a nightclub, and to an office. Although the shifting scenes and objects seem to move by themselves, at one point Thomas can be seen physically prodding them to move.
The video does try to incorporate some elements of the loneliness of "Lonely No More" by showing Thomas looking forlorn in a paparazzi scene and expressing mixed feelings about some women in the video.
^Lonely No More (UK CD single liner notes). Rob Thomas. Atlantic Records, Melisma Records. 2005. AT0203CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Lonely No More (UK DVD single liner notes). Rob Thomas. Atlantic Records, Melisma Records. 2005. AT0203DVD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^...Something to Be (US CD album booklet). Rob Thomas. Atlantic Records, Melisma Records. 2005. 2-93435.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)