Song Information
In 1987, Liverpool-based musician Anthony Griffiths penned the song for his band, "Jo Jo & The Real People". It was not intended to be released as a single. The band later shortened their name to The Real People and it was not included among the 12 tracks of their eponymous debut album The Real People in 1991 on CBS Records.
In 1995, Cher recorded the song and released it in 1996 as the first U.S. and second European official single for her twenty-second album It's a Man's World. The song was virtually unknown prior to the release of Cher's version.
For Cher, although Walking in Memphis was chosen as the first single, One by One proved to be more successful in the United Kingdom when it charted at number seven. In the United States the single performed fairly on the Billboard's Hot 100, but was a big hit on Billboard's Adult Contemporary, Hot Dance Club Play and Hot Dance Singles Sales charts.
Music Video
The original video was released in the United Kingdom, which follows the story of an unhappy couple who struggle with problems, but later make up when they realize how much they actually love each other. When the video was released in the United States it followed the same concept, but some scenes were added and some were taken off, the beginning was also much different including animations which followed the beat of the song. Finally a third video was released due to the popularity of the single's club remix. Dan Rucks or most famously known as Dan-O-Rama remixed the video by using a combination of both original videos. The remix used for the video was the Junior Vasquez vocal edit.
Notable live performances
* Cher performed the song on the fifth leg of her The Farewell Tour. The Junior Vasquez Club Vocal Mix was sung as part of the "Love Medley".
* The song was performed the in U.S. on Late Night with David Letterman in 1996.[1]
One By One
Cher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like a child without a home
The love you give me keeps me hangin' on
Oh honey, all I ever need is you
You're my first love, you're my last
You're my future, you're my past
And loving you is all I ask, honey
All I ever need is you
Sure as summer follows spring, all the things you do
Give me a reason to build my world around you
Some men follow rainbows, I am told
Some men search for silver some for gold
I have found my treasure in your soul, honey
All I ever need is you
Without love I'd never find the way
Through ups and downs of every single day
I won't sleep at night until you say, my honey
All I ever need is you
The song "One By One" by Cher is a heartfelt ballad about the power of love in a person's life. The lyrics speak of feeling lost and alone, but finding solace in the love of another person. The opening lines reveal the singer's vulnerability when she is down and feeling like a child without a home. However, the love given to her by her partner keeps her going, and she believes that all she needs is their love to be happy.
The lyrics go on to describe the depth of the singer's love for her partner. She sees them as her first and last love, and her future and past. The chorus emphasizes that loving her partner is all she asks for, and all she needs to be happy. The imagery used throughout the song paints a picture of a deep and meaningful connection between two people, with the changing seasons acting as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life.
The song conveys a sense of security and commitment, with the singer feeling that she has found her treasure in the soul of her partner. The final lines emphasize the importance of love in the singer's life, with her saying that without it, she would not be able to make it through the challenges of each day. The message of the song is clear: love can provide the strength and support needed to face life's difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes when I'm down and all alone
There are times when I feel sad and isolated
Just like a child without a home
It's like I'm a lost kid who has nowhere to belong
The love you give me keeps me hangin' on
Your affection is what helps me stay hopeful and motivated
Oh honey, all I ever need is you
You are my everything, my one and only
You're my first love, you're my last
You are the one I fell in love with and the one I'll love forever
You're my future, you're my past
You are both my destiny and my history
And loving you is all I ask, honey
All I want is to love you and be loved back
Winters come and they go, and we watch the melting snow
Seasons change, and we witness nature's transformations
Sure as summer follows spring, all the things you do
I can always count on your actions and your love
Give me a reason to build my world around you
You inspire me to create a happy life centered around you
Some men follow rainbows, I am told
Some people chase dreams and illusions, allegedly
Some men search for silver some for gold
Some people seek riches and treasures, while others seek love
I have found my treasure in your soul, honey
I have discovered my priceless treasure in you, my darling
All I ever need is you
You are the only thing I need to be happy
Without love I'd never find the way
Love is the guiding light that leads me through life
Through ups and downs of every single day
In good times and bad times, you are always there for me
I won't sleep at night until you say, my honey
I cannot rest peacefully until you tell me you love me, my love
All I ever need is you
You are my only necessity, my everything
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edward Benton Reeves, Jimmy Holiday
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind