Doris Troy, Just One Look | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 36th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “Just One Look” performed by the late soul musician, Doris Troy. 

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 36^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we dive into “Just One Look”,  the one-hit wonder by Doris Troy.

“Just one look, and I feel so hard / In love with you, oh-oh, oh-oh.” ‘Oh-oh’ indeed, Doris Troy (1937 – 2004).  The late soul musician had one claim to fame: “Just One Look”. “Just One Look” is the third track from her 1963 debut album, Sings Just One Look And Other Memorable Selections. Her and Gregory Carroll penned it.  Artie Ripp produced.  Notably, “Just One Look” marked her sole entry on the pop charts. It peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It fared even better on the R&B charts, reaching no. 3.

The good news is this sole hit by Troy is the bomb! Doris Taylor sings with incredible passion and soul.  The melodies are memorable from an initial listen and pleasing to the ears. The lyrics are simple and uncomplicated, yet relatable and unforgettable. Matters of the heart drive the narrative: “Say you will, will be mine / Forever and always, oh-oh-oh-oh.” The bridge keeps “Just One Look” engaging, providing contrast to the verses. She sings, “I thought I was dreamin’ / but I was wrong, yeah, yeah, yeah / Oh, but I’m gonna keep on schemin’ / ‘Til I can make you, make you my own.” Oh, snap! Besides superb vocals and ear-catching lyrics from Taylor, the accompaniment is awesome too.  Groovy and oozing with the vintage soul aesthetic, Doris has ample fuel for her fire.  Ultimately, “Just One Look” doesn’t require extensive analysis.  This soul classic speaks for itself.  Yes, it sucks that Troy never earned another hit, but, when your sole hit is the caliber of this one, you count your blessings.  She says it best herself in the chorus/outro: “Just one look, that’s all it took.”

Doris Troy // Sings Just One Look And Other Memorable Selections // Atlantic // 1963

Doris Troy, Just One Look: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 36 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic; Elias Souza from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]