The One I Love (Big Country song)
"The One I Love" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1993 as the third and final single from their sixth studio album The Buffalo Skinners. It was written by Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, and produced by Big Country.
"The One I Love" | ||||
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Single by Big Country | ||||
from the album The Buffalo Skinners | ||||
Released | 1993 | |||
Length | 4:00 (edit) 5:03 (album version) | |||
Label | Fox Records | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Adamson Bruce Watson | |||
Producer(s) | Big Country | |||
Big Country singles chronology | ||||
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"The One I Love" was released in the United States only, although a potential UK and European release was considered.[1] The song generated major airplay across the States. It reached No. 17 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, No. 34 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks,[2][3] and No. 13 on the Gavin Report's "Gavin Album" chart.[4]
In 2004, Watson recalled of the song: "It was originally demoed in my home studio in Charlestown. It was a case of me having the intro and the verse worked out and Stuart having the chorus and the middle 8 worked out. A lot of Big Country songs were bolted together and this song is a prime example."[5]
Reception
Upon release, Larry Flick of Billboard described the song as an "urgent, anthemic ditty" which "marks a welcome and surprisingly potent return for the band". He added: "Adamson's voice is in top shape, and the production is forceful without flying over the edge into melodrama."[6] In a review of The Buffalo Skinners, Kim DeFalco of The Tampa Tribune commented: "Adamson burrows into his own psyche for moody, bluesy songs of alienation such as "The One I Love"."[7] Dick Hogan of The Gazette wrote: "It opens with a mellow touch before breaking into layered guitars and features a catchy, multi-track sing-along hook."[8]
Roberto Gonzalez of the Hartford Courant considered the song "undeniably catchy" but reminiscent of the band's 1983 hit "In a Big Country".[9] John Everson of the Southtown Star commented: "Singles like "Alone" and "The One I Love" should have no trouble finding an FM home".[10] Johnny Loftus of AllMusic noted: "...the strength of "Seven Waves" and "One I Love"'s choruses is so pure and honest, it's hard not to get butterflies in the bridge."[11]
Track listing
- Cassette single
- "The One I Love" - 5:03
- "The Selling of America" - 4:20
- CD single (promo)
- "The One I Love" (Edit) - 4:00
- "The One I Love" (Remix) - 4:03
- "The One I Love" (Album Version) - 5:03
Charts
Chart (1993) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Album Rock Tracks[3] | 34 |
US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks[2] | 17 |
Personnel
Big Country
- Stuart Adamson - vocals, guitar
- Bruce Watson - guitar
- Tony Butler - bass, backing vocals
Additional musicians
- Simon Phillips - drums
Production
- Big Country - producers
- Dave Bascombe - mixing
- Chris Sheldon - recording
- George Marino - mastering
- Dave Thoener - remix, edits
- Mark Eichner - edits
Other
- Amy Wenzler - design
- Jacqueline Murphy - art direction
References
- "Inwards Issue 4 - Page 4". Bigcountryinfo.com. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
- Billboard. "Big Country The One I Love Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
- Billboard. "Big Country The One I Love Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
- "Gavin Album". Gavin Report. 17 September 1993.
- "The Buffalo Skinners (US Master Edition) (notes)". Bigcountryinfo.com. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
- Flick, Larry (21 August 1993). "Single reviews". Billboard.
- DeFalco, Kim (17 September 1993). "Records". The Tampa Tribune.
- Hogan, Dick (1 October 1993). "'Buffalo' harkens back to Big Country's roots". The Gazette.
- Gonzalez, Roberto (23 September 1993). "Recordings". The Hartford Courant.
- Everson, John (4 November 1993). "Big Country, Meat Loaf return with new recordings". The Southtown Star.
- AllMusic Review by Johnny Loftus (1993-09-14). "The Buffalo Skinners - Big Country | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-09-22.