Larry Graham, One in a Million You | 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏

In the 12^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏, we highlight “One in a Million You” performed by Larry Graham.

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.  To be fair, it is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, it’s that ONE hit that earned them recognition. So, in the 12^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏, we dive into 🎵 “One in a Million You”,  the one hit wonder by 🎙 Larry Graham.

“But one day, the sun ☀️ came a-shinin’ through / The rain 🌧️ had stopped 🛑 and the skies were blue.” 🎙 Larry Graham (b. 1946) is renowned for playing bass in 🎙 Sly & The Family Stone as well as fronting 🎙 Graham Central Station.  The baritone is also renowned for one big, beloved solo hit, 🎵 “One in a Million You”.  “One in a Million You” is the opening track and crème de la crème of Graham’s 1980 album, fittingly titled, 💿 One in a Million You. This R&B gem 💎 experienced pop success, reaching no. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.  On the R&B songs chart, it peaked at no. 1. Graham received his sole 🏆 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for this gem at the 23^rd Annual Grammy Awards (he ultimately lost to 🎙 George Benson).    

“One in a Million You” is all about that extra special person.  Written by 🎼✍ Sam Dees, the lyrics are utterly sublime, beginning with epic opening lines, “Love had played its games on me so long / I started to believe I’d never find anyone.” That sentiment is so relatable.  Likewise, in the second verse, Graham admits, “I was a lonely man with empty arms to fill.” What happened, though? “Then, I found a piece of happiness to call my own / And life is worth livin’ again / For to love you, is to live.” Yes, yes, yes ❤️ ❤️ ❤️! The chorus is where the singer’s bread is truly buttered.  The expressiveness with which he sings amplifies the level of authenticity, particular as the record progresses. 

“A one in a million chance of a lifetime 

And life showed compassion 

And sent to me a stroke of love called ‘You’ 

A one in a million you.” 

Well-performed, well-written, and well-produced, 🎵 “One in a Million You” is an R&B classic for the ages.  Yes, it was the only pop hit for Graham as a solo artist, but, it cemented his legacy, PERIOD.

Appears in 🔻:

• 12 Songs Focused on a Million (2021)

🎙 Larry Graham • 💿 One in a Million You • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1980 

Larry Graham, One in a Million You: 1 Hit WONDERful 👏👏👏 No. 12 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Warner; Julia Larsen, Kurchakto, RDNE Stock project, Victor Terrell from Pexels; Andrew Martin from Pixabay]