The Only Ones reformed in 2007 after their biggest hit "Another Girl, Another Planet" was used in a Vodafone ad campaign in 2006, and picked up as the introduction theme to Irish DJ Dave Fanning's radio show. The band completed a comeback UK tour in June 2007, and continued touring throughout 2008 and 2009. New material was recorded in 2009 and played live, but has yet to be released.
The Only Ones were originally formed in August 1976 in South London by Peter Perrett. Perrett had been recording demos since 1972, and in late 1975 he was looking for a bass player. He was introduced to John Perry as a possible candidate, but Perry wanted to concentrate on playing guitar instead. By August 1976, Perry and Perrett had found drummer Mike Kellie (ex-Spooky Tooth) and bass guitarist Alan Mair, who previously had success with the Scottish band The Beatstalkers. Their first single, "Lovers of Today", self-released on the Vengeance record label, was immediately made "record of the week" by three of the four main music papers. A year later they signed to CBS. Their next single "Another Girl, Another Planet" became a popular and influential song, and remains the band's best-known song. It is often featured on various musical box-sets featuring a punk rock or new wave theme. After its inclusion on the 1991 compilation album The Sound of the Suburbs, it was re-released as a single and reached no. 57 in the UK singles chart.
The band released their debut studio album The Only Ones in 1978, which was well received by both reviewers and fans. The band's follow-up album, Even Serpents Shine, was released the following year. A year later, they released their final studio album, Baby's Got a Gun. In the summer of 1980, they supported the Who on their tour of the United States, and in 1982 the band officially disbanded. In subsequent years, the Only Ones gained a fierce cult following and its posthumously-released records – live performances, BBC Television and radio shows, and compilation albums – now outnumber their studio albums. Unusually, The Only Ones' discs were never deleted from the CBS catalogue and remain in-print to-date.
In an interview published in the 10 November 2006 issue of the tabloid newspaper, The Daily Record, Alan Mair commented that he was set to reform The Only Ones after their Summer 2006 Vodafone advertisement generated interest. On 21 February 2007, Perry confirmed via his MySpace page that the band would reform for a five-date UK tour in June. Besides these dates, they played a number of festivals, debuting at All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, England, on 27 April. During the summer, they also played at the two-part Wireless Festival in Hyde Park, London, Harewood House, (near Leeds), and the Connect Music Festival at Inveraray Castle in Scotland on 1 September.
News of the tour prompted coverage in several UK national newspapers and the dates were met with positive reviews. During these gigs, the band played a new song called "Dreamt She Could Fly".
The press also reported that three of the band were keen to record a new studio album following the tour, but that Perrett seemed hesitant. In April 2008, the band were seen on Later... with Jools Holland performing their song, "Another Girl, Another Planet", and a new song entitled "Black Operations". The band also played other new songs including "Is This How Much You Care" and "Magic Tablet" live on a Canal+ TV special in Paris and an acoustic/unplugged session for Radio 6 Queens of Noize. A live DVD of the Shepherds Bush Empire show was released in March 2008. Other rumoured releases included DVDs from a show on the band's last US tour, and a re-release of Faster Than Lightning, which was released on VHS in 1991 and on DVD in 2012.
All three CBS studio albums, remastered by Alan Mair, were re-released with bonus tracks in February 2009. "Another Girl, Another Planet" was used in the film D.E.B.S. (2004), as well as in the 2010 hit film Paul. Sony BMG announced a January 2012 release date for an Only Ones box set in the "Original Album Classics" series. The set comprised the three remastered studio albums, plus various B-sides and out-takes. The Only Ones topped the bill at the 2012 Rebellion Festival in Blackpool on 4 August of that year.
In late 2014 the Only Ones (minus Mike Kellie) played some gigs in Tokyo, co-headlining with the Flamin' Groovies. In August 2014 Perrett began playing solo shows (Felipop festival, Spain) using his sons' band Strangefruit, followed by more dates in 2015 (Hebden Bridge, Bristol, London etc.) with the same formation. This, combined with a series of interviews in which he spoke scathingly about former Only Ones members, fuelled speculation that the Only Ones had split up again.
The band members' musical proficiency distinguished them from most of their peers. Their dominant drug-related lyrical themes on songs such as "Another Girl, Another Planet," and "The Big Sleep," also fit in with the Zeitgeist of the era on both sides of the Atlantic. Perrett and Kellie caught the eye of Johnny Thunders, founding member of the New York Dolls and the Heartbreakers, and worked as sidemen on Thunders' solo debut album, So Alone, notably appearing together on the classic "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory". However, drug addiction, particularly heroin use, derailed their career, and singer/guitarist/songwriter Perrett has only sporadically been heard from since the band split in 1982. He briefly resurfaced in the mid 1990s with the album, Woke Up Sticky.
Lead guitarist Perry went on to play as an active session guitarist for artists including The Sisters of Mercy, Evan Dando and Marianne Faithfull. More recently, he has written several well received music biographies on the Who's seminal hits compilation Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy, the Rolling Stones' double album Exile on Main Street and in 2004, Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland. During 2005-2006, he played and recorded with singer-songwriter Freddie Stevenson.
The Only Ones have been influential on the indie rock and alternative rock scenes ever since their initial success, on bands such as The Replacements, Blur, Nirvana, and more recently The Libertines. Several bands have covered their song "Another Girl, Another Planet", including The Libertines (at London Forum with Perrett guesting), The Replacements and Blink 182. Their song "The Whole of the Law" was covered by Yo La Tengo on their album, Painful.
Mike Kellie (24 March 1947 – 18 January 2017)
Discography
Studio albums
The Only Ones (1978)
Even Serpents Shine (1979)
Baby's Got a Gun (1980)
The Only Ones formed in 1976 in London, England. The band broke up in 1982 and reunited in 2007.
Language Problem
The Only Ones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So I guess I’ll throw in some pain for good measure
Good measure
Ah ha, ah ha
You’ll be possessed and I can't be the possessor
I love my mother but I wouldn’t want to have sex with her
I’ve been outside this world and
I’ve seen all kind of girls
But I wish that I could talk to you
Ba ba ba bbbciffpvbyayzuaoo!
Ever since I heard the way ya talk, (I) wanted you
You know I’m worth fooling
(guitar solo)
Taking drugs is one thing we got in common
It helps to overcome the language problem
The problem
Ah ha, ah ha
Feels the same in any language
And we both know how it can itch
And we really enjoy the damage
Ah ha, ah ha gjgjqwljroew!
Ever since I heard the way ya talk, (I) wanted you
You know I’m worth fooling
(guitar solo)
The song "Language Problem" by The Only Ones talks about the complexities of love and relationships. The opening line itself is a commentary on the cynicism surrounding love, where the singer's parents believe that love doesn't exist just for pleasure. The next line "So I guess I'll throw in some pain for good measure" reflects how love is not just about pleasure and happiness but also involves pain and heartbreak.
The chorus of the song takes a darker turn with the singer acknowledging possessiveness in relationships but acknowledging that he can't be the possessor. The line "I love my mother but I wouldn’t want to have sex with her" is a clear sign of how the singer separates love and sex, stating that he can love someone but not engage in sexual relationships with them.
The song then takes on a lighter mood with the refrain "Ever since I heard the way ya talk, (I) wanted you" highlighting the attraction the singer has for someone he wishes to talk to. The use of a nonsensical sound in the middle of the refrain further highlights the emotional and physical attraction that the singer feels towards the other person. The last verse of the song is about finding common ground in taking drugs and overcoming the "language problem" that they both have.
Overall, "Language Problem" is a song that touches upon various themes surrounding love, language, and relationships. It talks about the complexities and pitfalls of love and how it can be hard to communicate and find common ground with the ones we love.
Line by Line Meaning
My parents told me that love don’t exist just for pleasure
My parents warned me that love isn't just about pleasure and I should expect some pain along the way.
So I guess I’ll throw in some pain for good measure
I'm willing to add some pain to our love story to make it more interesting.
You’ll be possessed and I can't be the possessor
You'll be the one in control and I won't try to dominate you.
I love my mother but I wouldn’t want to have sex with her
I have a close relationship with my mother but it's not romantic or sexual.
I’ve been outside this world and
I've traveled and experienced different cultures.
I’ve seen all kind of girls
I've met many girls from different backgrounds.
But I wish that I could talk to you
I wish we could communicate effectively despite any language barriers.
Ever since I heard the way ya talk, (I) wanted you
I was attracted to you from the moment I heard you speak.
You know I’m worth fooling
I'm confident that you'll find me interesting and worth spending time with.
Taking drugs is one thing we got in common
We have a shared interest in using drugs as a way to cope with our problems.
It helps to overcome the language problem
Using drugs together can help us communicate despite any language barriers.
Feels the same in any language
Our shared experiences and feelings are universal and transcend language barriers.
And we both know how it can itch
We both understand the side effects and risks of drug use.
And we really enjoy the damage
Despite the risks, we find pleasure in our drug use.
Ever since I heard the way ya talk, (I) wanted you
I'm still attracted to you and want to be with you despite any challenges.
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.