German DJ Tomcraft, known for hit “Loneliness,” dies at 49
German DJ and producer Thomas Brückner, better known as Tomcraft, who achieved massive success with the 2003 club hit “Loneliness,” has passed away at the age of 49.
Tributes pour in from the dance-music world
Tributes have been pouring in from the dance-music community. Judge Jules, who championed “Loneliness” upon its release, described Tomcraft as a “lovely guy, who made one of the greatest records ever.”
A message from Brückner’s family, posted on social media on Tuesday, read: “With a heavy heart, we need to inform you that yesterday, 15 July 2024, our beloved father and husband has passed away. We will forever carry you in our hearts and love you until we’re reunited again.”
Rise to fame
Brückner rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s with club hits such as “The Circle,” “Prosac,” and “Silence.” However, it was “Loneliness” that brought him commercial success, reaching number eight in the UK in 2002 before climbing to number one the following year.
Creation of “loneliness”
Brückner co-wrote “Loneliness” with studio partner Eniac as an instrumental track but felt something was missing. He added lyrics and a melody borrowed from Andrea Martin’s 1999 R&B single “Share the Love,” which he found in a Munich charity shop. British vocalist Vivian re-recorded the words.
“The lyrics say that happiness seems to be loneliness and loneliness killed my world,” Brückner explained in Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh’s book “1,000 Number One Hits.” He added, “It doesn’t really make much sense to me either – but I prefer it because of that. I like the idea that it is a bit crazy – it’s just that kind of record.”
Brückner recalled the first time he played “Loneliness” in a club, describing the response as “unbelievable,” with people “screaming and acting really crazy.” Encouraged by the reaction, he pressed 50 white-label 12-inch copies and distributed them to DJs at Berlin’s Love Parade festival. One of these copies ended up with Judge Jules, who played it for 13 consecutive weeks on his BBC Radio 1 show.
Will Young later used the same lyrics in his 2015 single “Love Revolution.” More recently, “Loneliness” was featured in a party scene in the film “Saltburn,” and in 2023, Dutch EDM star Hardwell remixed the track alongside DJs From Mars.
Brückner’s influence on the dance music scene and his iconic track “Loneliness” will be remembered and celebrated by fans and fellow artists alike.