You’ll Never Walk Alone

Anyone who ever had a heart knows why this post is here today. Keep on keepin’ on… The Good Heads

This is a celebration of a song…

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” was written by Rodgers and Hammerstein for their 1945 musical, Carousel. It was sung in the original show by Christine Johnson and later Jan Clayton with chorus. In the movie Claramae Turner (although the weeping Shirley Jones first tries to sing it, but cannot) belts is out, and later reprised by Ms. Jones and a chorus.

You’ll Never Walk Alone became the anthem of the supporters of Liverpool FC in England in the sixties. The song has also been adopted by many other football clubs across the world most notably Celtic FC.

You’ll Never Walk Alone has been covered many, many times – the most well known of these versions (in the UK) being the Gerry and the Pacemakers standard dating from 1965. But this post has given me the opportunity to present some stunning recordings of a timeless song.

Ray Charles – You’ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)
Perhaps the most beautiful version not sung by the Kop? There’s so much hope in Ray’s heart has he belts this out. A pure show stopper.

Johnny Cash – You’ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)
Johnny Cash is already a hero of The Kop but few realise he recorded this cover. This track can be found on the Unearthed box set from 2003.

Gene Vincent – You’ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)
Similar arrangement to the Gerry version but with some rockin’ roll guitar, doo woop backing versions, alternative lyrics and cheesy final chord. Great.

Elvis Presley – You’ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)
This sounds like a hymn. You can see the golden sky when Elvis sings this.

Five Blind Boys Of Alabama – You´ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)
How many great versions of this song are out there? Here’s another for the collection.

Aretha Franklin – You’ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)
Jazzy gospel jam that oozes with class. This was the version John Peel chose to play back when he needed to.

The Kop Choir – You’ll Never Walk Alone. (the link has expired)