One on One (song)
"One on One" is a song performed by American musical duo Daryl Hall & John Oates. Written by member Daryl Hall, the song was released as the second single from their eleventh studio album H2O in January 1983. Backed by minimalistic, synthesizer-based production, the song's lyrics incorporate various sports metaphors to describe seduction. Daryl Hall performs lead vocals, while John Oates provides backing harmony vocals.
"One on One" | ||||
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Single by Daryl Hall & John Oates | ||||
from the album H2O | ||||
B-side | "Art of Heartbreak" | |||
Released | January 1983 | |||
Recorded | December 1981 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
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Label | RCA Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Daryl Hall | |||
Producer(s) |
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Daryl Hall & John Oates singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"One on One" on YouTube |
It peaked at number seven on the United States Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of three top ten singles from H2O. The song's music video, directed by Mick Haggerty and C.D. Taylor, depicts Hall walking around a city street singing the song, interspersed with shots of him performing on a stage with Oates. Robert Christgau of The Village Voice named it the eighth-best video of the year in his ballot for the annual Pazz & Jop critics' poll.[2] "One on One" has been covered and sampled by various artists and was notably used in several commercials for the National Basketball Association.
Covers and samples
Smooth jazz saxophonist Warren Hill covered "One on One" for his fifth studio album Life Through Rose Coloured Glasses (1998).[3] The song was also covered by indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee for their Hall & Oates tribute album Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates.[4] Indie rock band Fruit Bats performed a live rendition of "One on One" for The A.V. Club's "Undercover" song series.[5] Alternative hip hop group Fun Lovin' Criminals sampled "One on One" for their song "Sugar", from their album 100% Colombian (1998).[6]
The song's popularity and various lyrical references to basketball led to it being notably used in several National Basketball Association (NBA) commercials in the mid-1980s.[7] One such commercial featured Los Angeles Lakers small forward James Worthy performing a 360-degree spin move in slow motion during the song's saxophone solo.[8]
Chart performance
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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References
- "VH1's 40 Most Softsational Soft-Rock Songs". Stereogum. SpinMedia. May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- Christgau, Robert (February 28, 1984). "Pazz & Jop 1983: Dean's List". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- Widran, Jonathan. "Life Thru Rose Colored Glasses – Warren Hill". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Interpreting the Masters, Vol. 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates – The Bird and the Bee". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
- "Fruit Bats cover Hall & Oates". The A.V. Club. Chicago. March 23, 2010. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- Haire, Phillip. "Fun Lovin' Criminals – 100% Columbian (Capitol)". Ink 19. Melbourne. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- Murphy, Brian. "Welcome to Cooler Day!". ESPN. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- Simmons, Bill (February 15, 2007). "All-star diamond in the Emerald City". ESPN. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- "Top Singles". RPM. Toronto. 38 (6). April 9, 1983. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "Adult Contemporary". RPM. Toronto. 38 (9). April 30, 1983. Archived from the original on November 11, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "Daryl Hall + John Oates – One On One (Song)". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "Daryl Hall & John Oates". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- "Daryl Hall John Oates Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
- http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/halloates.html
- http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/Songruns/H/HallandOates/one_on_one.htm
- http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6699&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062
- "Billboard Hot 100 1983". Billboard. New York. December 24, 1983.
- http://www.popradiotop20.com/Year/RR-CHR-1983-Year.htm
- http://www.popradiotop20.com/Year/RR-URB-1983-Year.htm