By treefrogdemon
1. There’s Only One For Me
Very prevalent in western culture (at least until the advent of dating apps) is the notion of Mr (or Ms) Right, that there is one person in the world who is meant for you and you alone, and that it is only a matter of time before you find him (or her). I’m sure you can identify the many flaws in this argument. For the Monkees, bless their little naive socks, it only seems to apply to men, which immediately makes it twice as likely – and they believe that You May Just Be The One.
1.011 And I’m Not It
How refreshing, therefore, to find Malika Tirolien, guesting with Snarky Puppy, so emphatic that I’m Not The One. (I was a bit freaked out when I thought I heard the backing singers saying “I shrink your pet” but it’s all right – they don’t.) Weaves, however, are still hoping that there might be One More, even though the current one isn’t it.
2. There’s Only One Of Me
I’m singular, and I’m Single By Choice, as the Bangles have it. No marriage, no divorce, no hassle: but is there perhaps a hint of regret? Sandy Denny seems to be saying so in Solo, as she moves from relationships, private and professional, to the human condition. For are we not, each one of us, essentially alone? Look around you next time you’re on a bus.
3. There’s Only One Of It
The point about the Clovers’ mint julep is that it was only One Mint Julep. Or so they say, but look at the ramifications of it! Similarly, the One Chord Wonders were a wonder of their time, admired and/or vilified for the oneness of their chord. As with the juleps, they could go on and make it two or even three chords if they felt like it. You have to start somewhere.
4. It’s Not Here Yet (But It Will Be)
It’s my feeling that this is a unique use of ‘one’, paired as it is with ‘day’ to indicate something that’s expected to happen in the future. It’s a good thing, but we don’t know when it’ll be here. So Butterfly is waiting for her sweet man to return and claim her. One fine day. Un Bel Di Vedremo
5. It’s Very Small, So We Can Just Sneak It In
After all, what difference can it make? Mindy Smith craves One Moment More with her dying mother, something that’s so small but means the world to her.
1.051 It’s Very Small, So It Won’t Last Long (And That’s Good)
There’s only One More Mile To Go, says Otis Spann, and then he’ll be home and able to make everything all right again.
1.052 It’s Very Very Small, So It Won’t Last Long (And That’s Bad)
The Doomsday Clock, as Song Bar stalwart Carpgate reminds us, has put on quite a spurt lately thanks to cracks in our democracy on both sides of the pond. It’s only One Second To Midnight now. Thanks, Icons of Filth – I really wanted to know that.
6. So How Can We Fix It?
By forging new bonds of unity, say Anti-Flag, because it’s One People, One Struggle. So repeat after me:
The people, united, will never be defeated
The people, united, will never be defeated
The people, united, will never be defeated.
We hope.
These Are The Ones A-list Playlist:
You Just May Be The One – The Monkees
I’m Not The One – Snarky Puppy featuring Malika Tirolien
One More – Weaves
Single By Choice – The Bangles
Solo – Sandy Denny
One Mint Julep – The Clovers
One Chord Wonders – The Adverts
Un Bel Di Vedremo, from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly – Gloria Storchio
One Moment More – Mindy Smith
One More Mile To Go – Otis Spann
One Second To Midnight – Icons of Filth
One People, One Struggle – Anti-Flag
One Way Or Another B-list Playlist:
The Tide Is High – Blondie
One Drop – Bob Marley
The One – Foo Fighters
One Time – King Crimson
Only You – The Platters
Just The One – The Levellers
Natural One – Folk Implosion
One Little Song – Gillian Welch
The Only One I Know – The Charlatans
One O’Clock Jump – Count Basie
One Man Rock’n’Roll Band – Roy Harper
One By One – Billy Bragg and Wilco
Guru’s One Wildcard Pick:
Square One by Tom Petty
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations from last week's topic: Song Bar 1st Birthday Special: songs about the number one. The next topic will launch on Thursday at 1pm UK time.
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