11 Songs Associated with Number One | Playlist 🎧

1. Maroon 5, “One More Night”

💿 Overexposed • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2012

🏆 Grammy-winning pop collective 🎙 Maroon 5 fully embraced modern pop on their fourth studio album, 💿 Overexposed.  The 2012 album is definitely a far cry from those 💿 Songs About Jane which arrived a decade (!) earlier.  Even with the evolution and tweaks to their sound, 🎙 Adam Levine and company still manage to deliver their fair share of hits, including the ‘one’ song at hand, 🎵 “One More Night.”

“So, I cross my heart, and I hope to die
That I’ll only stay with you one more night
And I know I’ve said it a million times
But I’ll only stay with you one more night.”

“One More Night” commences with a reggae-influenced groove and sound.  This has been popular in pop and R&B music for some time but isn’t always well executed.  No, it’s not authentic reggae 🎙 Bob Marley & The Wailers style, but it works. The production by hit making gods 🎛 Max Martin and 🎛 Shellback is very crisp – sleek to the nth degree.  The sound, in addition to its reggae-infused cues, could be characterized as R&B-flavored pop.

Compared to openers from previous Maroon 5 albums, this ONE right here hits different; it has a completely different sound in other words. Vocally, Levine remains compelling; his vocals are mixed well and are commanding and cutting as always. One of the notes I made when reviewing Overexposed about this song specifically is how interesting it was to hear multiple drums/drum programming under M5’s watch.  Again, this one “hits different.”

2. Taylor Swift, “the 1”

💿 folklore • 🏷 Taylor Swift • 📅 2020

“I’m doing good, I’m on some new shit.” Indeed, 🎙 Taylor Swift, indeed.  Swift had one of the albums to beat in 2020 with 💿 folklore. Safe to say, the 🏆 Grammy winner was incredibly creative and prolific during the coronavirus pandemic. The aforementioned quote, of course, hails from one of many elite cuts from folklore, 🎵 “the 1.”

From the ‘opening tip’ of “the 1,” it’s crystal clear that Swift is opting for a different direction following four country albums (💿Taylor Swift, 💿Fearless, 💿Speak Now, and 💿Red) and three pop albums (💿1989, 💿reputation, 💿Lover).  “The 1” lies in the realm of folk and indie pop.  Swift, always an accomplished songwriter, places more emphasis on her craft here, as she recollects previous relationships and imagines how things would’ve been “If [he] would’ve been the one.” Not only is the songwriting sublime, but Taylor also sounds lovely, particularly against the 🎛 Aaron Dessner produced backdrop.  Everyone seems to like this “new shit” from Swift, not to mention the equally intriguing follow up, 💿evermore.

3. Luke Bryan, “One Margarita”

💿 Born Here Live Here Die Here • 🏷 Capitol • 📅 2020

“One margarita, two margarita, three margarita, shot / Don’t worry ‘bout tomorrow / Leave all your sorrow out here on the floatin’ dock.” Every genre of music has its fair share of cliches.  With country music, alcoholic consumption definitely tops the list of predictable themes – UNDERSTATEMENT.  Middle-aged country singer 🎙 Luke Bryan has never been a stranger to singing about or partaking in alcohol. On 🎵 “One Margarita” (💿Born Here Live Here Die Here), he opts for margaritas 🍸 as opposed to beer 🍺.  Such a contrast, Luke!

The silver lining is that the production is high budget.  Also, you can argue that Bryan has laid to rest that horrendous pop-crossover sound, embracing country.  Still, the sound of “One Margarita” isn’t the issue though – it’s the abysmal songwriting and utter corniness our ears are unfortunately subjected to. His sound is heavy on twang, which might tickle some folks’ fancies, but personally, “It’s a NO for me dawg.” He does nothing drastically different from anything he’s done in the past. This is your beached-out, spring break joint from a man approaching his mid-40s.

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4. Drake, “One Dance”

Ft. WizKid & Kyla

💿 Views • 🏷 Cash Money • 📅 2016

“Baby, I like your style!” 🎙 Drake has been dominant for a long time.  Back in 2016, the 🏆 Grammy winner scored a huge hit with “One Dance,” featuring 🎙 WizKid and 🎙 Kyla. A former Billboard Hot 100 no. 1 hit, “One Dance” was a bit polarizing, thanks to its tropical pop-rap/R&B sound.  At the time, my quibble was the overuse of reggae and dancehall music being integrated into mainstream pop.  Rarely, in my eyes, does the style get the same justice as it would being performed by an artist from, say, Jamaica.  For the most part, Drizzy does avoid patois, often the biggest source of polarization in songs like “One Dance.”

“That’s why I need a one dance
Got a Hennessy in my hand
One more time ‘fore I go
Higher powers taking a hold on me.”

Despite my reservations with “One Dance,” listen to it long enough, and it endears itself after time – at least to some degree. “One Dance” was produced by WizKid, 🎛 Nineteen 85 and Drake’s mainstay producer, 🎛 Noah “40” Shebib. No, “One Dance” isn’t a masterpiece – Drizzy has had better songs.  Nonetheless, it’s an interesting record that deserves inclusion on this ONE-song fueled list.

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5. John Legend, “One Woman Man”

💿 Fifty Shades Darker • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2017

“A one-woman man / A one-woman man, oh / Want you all to myself / Don’t want nobody else…” Now that’s some monogamy right there!  Among the best, most memorable songs from the 💿 Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack is 🎵 “One Woman Man,” courtesy of 🏆 Grammy winner 🎙 John Legend. Co-written by producer and songwriter 🎛 🎼✍ Toby Gad, The arrival of Legend and “One Woman Man” gives the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack a timely lift. As classy and soulful as ever, Legend shows his knack for nuance and emotionally driven vocal performances.

Ultimately, “One Woman Man” ranks among the crème de la crème because of its authenticity. Making one of multiple playlist appearances on 15 Songs That Incorporate Virtues,  the two virtues encompassed by this gem are love and temperance. “One Woman Man” could’ve easily appeared on any John Legend album and felt right in place – it’s that good. The monogamous record has appeared on multiple playlists 🔽.

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 6. Adele, “One and Only”

💿 21 • 🏷 XL Recordings Ltd. • 📅 2011

“I dare you to let me be your, one and only / Promise I’m worth it / To hold in your arms.” 💿 21, the critically acclaimed, 2011 album by 🎙 Adele has no shortage of hits.  🎵 “One and Only” definitely stands out on a truly deep, masterfully crafted album.  Just to refresh your memory, 21 would go on to win 🏆six Grammys including the highly coveted Album of the Year.

Even as great as “One and Only” is, the likes of 🎵 “Rolling In The Deep”, 🎵 “Someone Like You”, or 🎵 “Set Fire to the Rain” are often mentioned prior to it.  Worth noting, all of those songs were (1) singles and (2) no. 1 singles. That said, this rousing, bluesy, gospel-infused ONE record can’t be denied – period!  Adele wrote the record with 🎼✍ Dan Wilson and 🎼✍Greg Wells.  Notably, 🎛 Rick Rubin produces. Hallelujah 🙌! The robust nature of Adele’s voice is simply masterful on this emotionally charged, commitment-driven affair.  Love always wins, right? Right!

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7. Charlie Puth, “One Call Away”

💿 Nine Track Mind • 🏷 Artist Partner Group • 📅 2016

“I’m only one call away / I’ll be there to save the day / Superman got nothing on me / I’m only one call away.”  Sigh, before 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter 🎙 Charlie Puth would become a more mature artist on his sophomore album, 💿 Voicenotes, the perfect-pitched pop artist would release his full-length debut album, 💿 Nine Track Mind.  Safe to say, the critics were not fanboying or fan-girling to say the least.  Mr. Puth received a devastating ‘metascore’ of 37!  All you can really say is, da-yum.  Of course, the schmaltzy aforementioned lyrics from the song at hand, 🎵 “One Call Away,” sort of sums up why critics rolled their eyes.

“One Call Away” ranks among the better songs on a suspect album, but that doesn’t make it a masterpiece.  Perhaps the most offensive moment is that corny ‘Superman’ lyric, but also, Puth gets a little too deep ‘in his feelings’ you might say (“Call me, baby, if you need a friend / I just wanna give you love”).  There’s nothing wrong with sensitivity, but maybe “One Call Away” has too much of it, not to mention overly-light production work (🎛 Justin “DJ Frank E” Franks and 🎛 Matt Prime), and of course, that ‘Superman’ lyric – have we mentioned that already?  But hey, girl, on the bridge, Charlie’s got you:

“And when you’re weak, I’ll be strong
I’m gonna keep holding on
Now don’t you worry, it won’t be long
Darling, and when you feel like hope is gone
Just run into my arms.”

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8. Mary J. Blige & U2, “One”

💿 The Breakthrough • 🏷 Geffen • 📅 2005

🏆 Multi-Grammy winning rock band 🎙 U2 are quite renowned for their song, 🎵 “One”. “One” appears as the third track on their 1991 album, 💿 Achtung Baby.  In 2005, Bono and company joined 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist 🎙 Mary J. Blige for a duet version, which appeared on her album, 💿 The Breakthrough.  The Breakthrough ranks among the best albums of Blige’s career which is notable considering it arrives at her second decade as a solo artist.  Furthermore, The Breakthrough is one of the best albums, regardless of genre, of the 00s – I double dare you dispute that!

The duet version of “One” remains powerful even if it doesn’t supplant the original.  Mary J. Blige infuses some power into her vocals, fitting for this powerful, incredibly well-written song.  Bono fittingly takes first blood, performing the first verse before calling on “Mary” to do her thing.  Do her things she does, singing the second verse, before joining with Bono for the bridge where they simply say “One” (eight times).  From there, we get more Blige on the third verse before they join forces once more for that gargantuan, unifying moment!

“One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters and brothers
One life but we’re not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other.”

Also, worth mentioning, this isn’t the sole “one” song for Blige.  Years later, she’d collaborate with 🎙 Drake on 🎵 “The One” which appears on 💿 Stronger with Each Tear.  

9. Brian McKnight, “Back at One”

💿 Back at One • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1999

Sometimes, it only takes one hit to cement an artist’s legacy.  No, that doesn’t mean that said artist is solely a one-hit wonder.  It just means that that one hit was so big and so pivotal that, well, it got the job done.  For 🏆 17-time Grammy nominated R&B artist 🎙 Brian McKnight, the song of his music career, and a lifetime, is 🎵 “Back at One.”  Back in 1999, the title track from his Grammy-nominated album was an inescapable no. 1 hit.

So, what makes “Back at One” one of those timeless classics? This is adult contemporary R&B at its best.  Brian McKnight delivers a smooth, effortless vocal performance, first and foremost.  Throw in some tasty, ripe falsetto, and this vocal is nothing short of E-L-I-T-E to the nth degree.

Furthermore, McKnight manages to be the rare ‘do all, be all’ musician, writing and producing the record. Sure, songwriting and production teams have been a thing for some time, but in the past, more folks handled duties on their own, like McKnight does here.  The centerpiece, of course, is the chorus which is incredibly tuneful.  Also, worth noting, the bridge, with its harmonic and melodic contrasts, is also pretty sweet.

“One, you’re like a dream come true
Two, just wanna be with you
Three, girl it’s plain to see
That you’re the only one for me, and
Four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I start back at one.”

10. Isaac Hayes, “One Woman”

💿 Hot Buttered Soul • 🏷 Concord Music Group • 📅 1969

🎙 Isaac Hayes was the man, and I dare you argue otherwise! One of the soul legend’s best albums is his 1969 classic, 💿 Hot Buttered Soul.  This album is 45 minutes long but has only four songs.  Even so, each song is a gem.  Sure, his epic, 12-minute take on 🎵 “Walk on By” is the most regarded cut, but don’t discount our ONE-fueled highlight, 🎵 “One Woman.”

Everything about “One Woman” is celestial.  The backdrop is quintessential soul, with instrumentation including piano, guitar, a robust bass line, and an orchestra (flute, oboe, brass, strings).  Had Hayes not sung one note, “One Woman” would’ve been a bop.  Add in that nuanced, masculine baritone atop the canvas, and it’s nothing short of L-I-T. Furthermore, Hayes gets a big-time lift from his backing vocals.  I could spend the time describing it but, in all honesty, it’s just an experience best experienced via headphones or speakers.  The music speaks for itself as Hayes sings of two women that have him in a serious situation:

“One woman’s making my home, yes she is
While the other woman’s, you know making me do wrong
I didn’t intend to let this pain get that strong
Now I gotta decide where I, where I, where I belong.”

11. Bob Marley & The Wailers, “One Love / People Get Ready – Medley”

💿 Exodus • 🏷 Island• 📅 1977

🎙 Bob Marley only lived to be 36 years young after his premature death from cancer in 1981.  Even so, the legacy that he left after such a short life is absolutely awesome.  Want to get real pissed off by an unfortunate fact? Marley was NEVER nominated for, nor won a Grammy.  Pardon my French, but that’s all sorts of fucked up.  Moving on, and washing my mouth out with soap, 🎙 Bob Marley & The Wailers’ 1977 album, 💿 Exodus, is among the great musical masterpieces of all time.  The hits are endless, with the likes of 🎵 “Exodus”, 🎵 “Jamming”, and 🎵 “Three Little Birds” featured – all classics.  That said, the classic not named gets our attention on this ONE-centric list is 🎵 “One Love / People Get Ready.”

The backdrop of “One Love / People Get Ready” features typical reggae cues, in all their tropical glory.  The groove, the vibe, and the overall aesthetic is nothing short of awe-inspiring.  While the writing credits for 🎵“One Love” are attributed to Marley & The Wailers, 🎵“People Get Ready” is a beloved gospel-tinged soul classic by soul icon 🎙 Curtis Mayfield (performed with 🎙 The Impressions). The medley works so seamlessly, you could honestly believe (if you didn’t know better) that this one original song by Marley.  The songwriting and the message specifically, is spot on.

“One love! One Heart
Let’s get together and feel all right
Hear the children crying (One love!)
Hear the children crying (One heart!)
Saying: Give thanks and praise to the Lord and I will feel alright
Saying: Let’s get together and feel all right.”