Smokie - Living Next Door to Alice

"Living Next Door to Alice" is a song co-written by Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman (both of whom were members of Smokie). Originally released by the Australian vocal harmony trio New World in 1972, the song charted at No. 35 on the Australian chart. The song later became a worldwide hit for British band Smokie. In November 1976, the British band Smokie released their version of "Living Next Door to Alice". The single peaked at number five on the UK Singles Chart and, in March 1977, reached 25 in the United States. It was a number one hit in Austria, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland and a number 2 hit in Australia staying in the charts for 23 weeks.

The song is about a young man's long-standing unrequited love toward the girl next door and his neighbour of 24 years, Alice. The protagonist had seen a limousine parked at Alice's home, learning through mutual friend Sally that she is moving away, and begins to reflect on childhood memories and his friendship with Alice, and becomes heartbroken as he sees Alice get inside the limousine. As he watches the car drive out of sight, the protagonist feels sadness over Alice leaving without explanation, and regrets that, in 24 years, he never took the opportunity to express his feelings for her. In the final verse, Sally explains that "Alice is gone, but [Sally's] still here" and that all the time that the singer has been pining for Alice, Sally herself has been waiting 24 years for her opportunity with him. But the song ends with the singer still hurt and asserting that he'll never get over his previous crush.