The One (Elton John album)

Last updated

The One
Elton John - The One cover.jpg
Studio album by
Elton John
Released22 June 1992 (1992-06-22)
RecordedNovember 1991 – March 1992
StudioStudio Guillaume Tell (Paris, France)
Townhouse Studios (London, England)
AIR Studios (London, England) [1]
Genre Rock
Length58:05
Label
Producer Chris Thomas
Elton John chronology
To Be Continued...
(1990)		The One
(1992)		 Greatest Hits 1976–1986
(1992)
Singles from The One
  1. "The One"
    Released: 25 May 1992
  2. "Runaway Train"
    Released: 20 July 1992
  3. "The Last Song"
    Released: 26 October 1992
  4. "Simple Life"
    Released: 10 May 1993
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Calgary Herald B− [3]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Robert Christgau C+ [5]
Entertainment Weekly B [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [7]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Windsor Star B+ [9]

The One is the twenty-third studio album by British recording artist Elton John, released on 22 June 1992. It was recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris, produced by Chris Thomas and managed by John Reid. The album was dedicated to Vance Buck, and its cover artwork was designed by Gianni Versace.

Contents

The One spent three consecutive weeks at No. 2 without reaching No. 1 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by the Lionel Richie compilation Back to Front . However, it was John's biggest-selling album in the US since 1976, and was certified 2× platinum in that country by the RIAA. It is also John's only studio album to reach number one in Germany. [10]

Background

Olle Romö collaborated with John and lyricist Bernie Taupin on one song, "Runaway Train", in which Eric Clapton sang a duet with John. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour also made an appearance, playing guitar on "Understanding Women". [11] John's long-standing drummer Nigel Olsson and female backing vocalist Kiki Dee (who had duetted with John on his hit single "Don't Go Breaking My Heart") and longtime guitarist Davey Johnstone provided backing vocals on a few songs.

The One was John's first album project since his rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addictions and bulimia in 1990. On the album, he returned to playing an acoustic piano (a Yamaha Disklavier) in place of the Roland RD-1000 digital piano that had featured heavily on the previous albums Reg Strikes Back (1988) and Sleeping with the Past (1989), although he did use the RD-1000 again during the tour for the album (as documented on Live In Barcelona) and on his later album Duets (1993). [1]

Track listing

All songs composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except "Runaway Train", co-written by Olle Romö.

No.TitleLength
1."Simple Life"6:25
2."The One"5:53
3."Sweat It Out"6:38
4."Runaway Train" (duet with Eric Clapton)5:23
5."Whitewash County"5:30
6."The North"5:15
7."When a Woman Doesn't Want You"4:56
8."Emily"4:58
9."On Dark Street"4:43
10."Understanding Women"5:03
11."The Last Song"3:21
Total length:58:05
Bonus tracks (1998 Polygram International reissue)
No.TitleLength
12."Suit of Wolves"5:37
13."Fat Boys and Ugly Girls"4:13
Total length:67:55

Personnel

Production

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for The One
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF) [36] Platinum60,000^
Australia (ARIA) [37] 2× Platinum140,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria) [38] Platinum50,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [39] 3× Platinum300,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [40] Platinum80,000^
France (SNEP) [41] Platinum300,000*
Germany (BVMI) [42] Gold250,000^
Italy (FIMI) [43] 2× Platinum400,000 [43]
Mexico (AMPROFON) [44] Gold100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [45] Platinum15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway) [46] Platinum50,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [47] Platinum100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [48] 2× Platinum100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [49] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [50] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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References

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  3. ↑ Obee, Dave (28 June 1992). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald .
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  36. ↑ "Lot 452 – An Argentinian Platinum award for the album "The One" – Sotheby's". Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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  43. 1 2 "Elton Finds Milan Paved with Platinum" (PDF). Music and Media . worldradiohistory.com. 3 July 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  44. ↑ "Eil.com – Elton John "The One" Mexican Award Disc – ID 247722". Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  45. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – Elton John – The One". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  46. ↑ "Lot 110 – Bernie Taupin Elton John The One Norwegian Platinum Award – Julien's Auctions". Archived from the original on 20 April 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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  49. ↑ "British album certifications – Elton John – The One". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 24 August 2020.Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type The One in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  50. ↑ "American album certifications – Elton John – The One". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 24 August 2020.
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