The One Thing (album)

The One Thing
Studio album by Michael Bolton
Released	November 16, 1993 (1993-11-16)
Recorded	June – September 1993
Studio	Out of Pocket Productions (Surrey, England, UK) Passion Studios (Westport, Connecticut) Record Plant (Los Angeles, California) Ocean Way Recording (Hollywood, California) The Enterprise (Burbank, California)
Genre	Adult contemporary pop soul
Length	51:31
Label	Columbia
Producer	Michael Bolton Robert John "Mutt" Lange Walter Afanasieff David Foster
Michael Bolton chronology
The Artistry of Michael Bolotin (1993) The One Thing (1993) Greatest Hits (1985–1995) (1995)
Singles from The One Thing
"Said I Loved You... But I Lied" Released: October 22, 1993 "Soul of My Soul" Released: December 1993 "Completely" Released: March 1994 "Ain't Got Nothing If You Ain't Got Love" Released: April 1994 "Lean on Me" Released: July 1994

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Chicago Tribune	[2]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[3]

The One Thing is the ninth album by Michael Bolton, released on November 16, 1993. Although it produced the hit single "Said I Loved You... But I Lied", which reached number 6 in the US, it did not match the sales of his previous three albums. Nevertheless, the album was still a respectable hit on its own, reaching number 3 on the Billboard 200 and being certified triple platinum in the US. It was also certified Platinum in the United Kingdom.

Like his previous album, Bolton co-produced all the tracks and co-wrote all but two songs.

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Said I Loved You... But I Lied"	Michael Bolton Robert John "Mutt" Lange	Lange Bolton	5:07
2.	"I'm Not Made of Steel"	Bolton Diane Warren Lange	Lange Bolton	5:11
3.	"The One Thing"	Bolton Warren Desmond Child	Walter Afanasieff Bolton	5:11
4.	"Soul of My Soul"	Bolton Warren Walter Afanasieff	Afanasieff Bolton	5:42
5.	"Completely"	Warren	David Foster Bolton	4:25
6.	"Lean on Me"	Bill Withers	Afanasieff Bolton	5:20
7.	"Ain't Got Nothing If You Ain't Got Love"	Bolton Lange	Lange Bolton	5:04
8.	"A Time for Letting Go"	Bolton Warren	Afanasieff Bolton	5:38
9.	"Never Get Enough of Your Love"	Bolton Warren Afanasieff	Afanasieff Bolton	5:06
10.	"In the Arms of Love"	Bolton Warren Child	Foster Bolton	4:47
Total length:				51:31

UK bonus track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"The Voice of My Heart"	Bolton Lange Warren Child	4:47
Total length:			56:18

Personnel

Musicians

• Michael Bolton – vocals, arrangements (3, 4, 8, 9)
• Phil Nicholas – keyboards (1, 2), programming (1, 2, 7)
• Walter Afanasieff – arrangements (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), keyboards (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), synthesizers (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), synth bass (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), drum programming (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), rhythm programming (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), Hammond B3 organ (6)
• Gary Cirimelli – synthesizer programming (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), Macintosh programming (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), digital programming (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
• Ren Klyce – digital programming (3, 6)
• David Foster – keyboards (5), arrangements (5), orchestra arrangements (5)
• Claude Gaudette – synthesizer programming (5)
• Randy Kerber – keyboards (10)
• Simon Franglen – additional synthesizer programming (10)
• Dann Huff – guitars (1, 2, 7), additional guitars (4), acoustic nylon guitar (4), guitar solo (9)
• Michael Landau – guitars (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
• Michael Thompson – guitars (5)
• Mutt Lange – rhythm guitar (7)
• John Robinson – drums (5)
• Stephen "Doc" Kupka – baritone saxophone (6)
• Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone (6)
• David Mann – tenor saxophone (6)
• Lee Thornburg – trombone (6), trumpet (6)
• Greg Adams – trumpet (6)
• Jeremy Lubbock – orchestra arrangements (5, 10) conductor (10)
• Joey Melotti – arrangements (6)

Backing vocals

• Mutt Lange – backing vocals (1, 2, 7)
• Bridgette Bryant – backing vocals (3)
• Jim Gilstrap – backing vocals (3, 4, 6, 9)
• Pat Hawk – backing vocals (3, 4, 6, 7, 9)
• Dorian Holley – backing vocals (3, 4, 6, 9)
• Phillip Ingram – backing vocals (3, 4, 9)
• Van Johnson – backing vocals (3, 4, 6, 7, 9)
• Janis Liebhart – backing vocals (3, 4, 6, 7, 9)
• Johnny Britt – backing vocals (6)
• Portia Griffin – backing vocals (6)
• Phil Perry – backing vocals (6)
• Carmen Twillie – backing vocals (6)
• Mona Lisa Young – backing vocals (6)
• Patty Darcy – backing vocals (7)
• Stevie Vann – backing vocals (7)
• Gary Cirimelli – backing vocals (9)
• Skyler Jett – backing vocals (9)
• Claytoven Richardson – backing vocals (9)

Production

• Stephen McNamara – pre-programming (1, 2, 7), second engineer (1, 2, 7)
• Jan Mullaney – pre-programming (1, 2, 7), additional vocal engineer (4, 6, 8)
• Dave Reitzas – vocal engineer, overdub engineer (1, 2, 7), recording (5, 10)
• Dave Bascombe – mixing (1, 2, 7)
• Dana Jon Chappelle – engineer (3, 4, 6, 8, 9), vocal engineer (3, 4, 6, 8), mixing (4, 8, 9), BGV recording (7)
• Mick Guzauski – mixing (3, 6)
• Humberto Gatica – engineer (5)
• Al Schmitt – mixing (5, 10), engineer (10), recording (10)
• Max Hayes – second engineer (1, 2, 7)
• Geoff Hunt – second engineer (1, 2, 7)
• Kyle Bess – second engineer (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
• Craig Brock – second engineer (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
• Bill Leonard – second engineer (3, 6)
• Steve Milo – second engineer (3, 4, 6, 8, 9)
• Michael Reiter – second engineer (4, 5, 9, 10)
• Manny Marroquin – second engineer (9)
• Vlado Meller – mastering at Sony Music Studio Operations (New York City, New York)
• Christopher Austopchek – art direction
• June Hong – design
• Timothy White – photography
• Nancy Sprague – grooming
• Genina Aboittz – stylist
• Louis Levin – direction
• Kim Bullock – management for Louis Levin Management
• Jill Tiger – management for Louis Levin Management

Charts

Chart performance for The One Thing

Chart (1993–1994)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [4]	1
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [5]	28
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [6]	65
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [7]	5
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [8]	4
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [9]	13
Portuguese Albums (AFP) [10]	1
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [11]	8
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [12]	13
UK Albums (OCC) [13]	4
US Billboard 200 [14]	3

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [15]	2× Platinum	140,000^
Canada (Music Canada) [16]	3× Platinum	300,000^
Germany (BVMI) [17]	Gold	250,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [18]	Platinum	15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [19]	Gold	50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [20]	Gold	25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [21]	Platinum	300,000^
United States (RIAA) [22]	3× Platinum	3,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI) [23]	Platinum	1,000,000*
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

1. AllMusic review
2. "Chicago Tribune review". Articles.chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
3. Brackett, Nathan; Christian Hoard (2004). The Rolling Stone Album Guide . New York City, New York: Simon and Schuster. p.  90. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8. rolling stone michael bolton album guide.
4. "Australiancharts.com – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
5. "Austriancharts.at – Michael Bolton – The One Thing" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
6. "Dutchcharts.nl – Michael Bolton – The One Thing" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
7. "Offiziellecharts.de – Michael Bolton – The One Thing" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
8. "Charts.nz – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
9. "Norwegiancharts.com – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
10. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media . February 26, 1994. p. 16. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
11. "Swedishcharts.com – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
12. "Swisscharts.com – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
13. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
14. "Michael Bolton Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
15. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
16. "Canadian album certifications – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Music Canada . Retrieved July 12, 2019.
17. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Michael Bolton; 'The One Thing')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved July 12, 2019.
18. "New Zealand album certifications – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved November 20, 2024.
19. Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990 (in Spanish). Iberautor Promociones Culturales. ISBN   8480486392.
20. "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The One Thing')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
21. "British album certifications – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 12, 2019.
22. "American album certifications – Michael Bolton – The One Thing". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 12, 2019.
23. "Music and Media" (PDF). May 28, 1994. Retrieved March 14, 2022.