''The One'' is the twenty-third studio album by British recording artist Elton John, released on 22 June 1992. It was recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell in Paris, produced by Chris Thomas and managed by John Reid. The album was dedicated to Vance Buck, and its cover artwork was designed by

Gianni Versace Giovanni Maria "Gianni" Versace (; 2 December 1946 – 15 July 1997) was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman. He was the founder of Versace, an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances, make-u ...

. ''The One'' spent three consecutive weeks at No. 2 without reaching No. 1 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by the Lionel Richie compilation '' Back to Front''. However, it was John's biggest-selling album in the US since 1976, and was certified 2× platinum in that country by the RIAA. It is also Johns only No. 1 album in Germany.

Background

Olle Romö Olle Romö is a Swedish music producer, songwriter, and drummer. Romo rehearsed with Swedish progressive rock group Kaipa in early 1982, however he left the group after a few weeks to join Eurythmics, and he was a drummer for them from the mid-to ...

collaborated with John and lyricist Bernie Taupin on one song, "

Runaway Train A runaway train is a type of railroad incident in which unattended rolling stock is accidentally allowed to roll onto the main line, a moving train loses enough braking power to be unable to stop in safety, or a train operates at unsafe speeds d ...

", in which Eric Clapton sang a duet with John. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour also made an appearance, playing guitar on "Understanding Women". John's long-standing drummer

Nigel Olsson Nigel Olsson (born 10 February 1949) is an English rock drummer and singer best known for his long-time affiliation with Elton John. A dynamic drummer and backing vocalist, Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as a member of the Elton J ...

and female backing vocalist

Kiki Dee Pauline Matthews (born 6 March 1947), better known by her stage name Kiki Dee, is an English singer. Known for her blue-eyed soul vocals, she was the first female singer from the UK to sign with Motown's Tamla Records. Dee is best known for h ...

(who had duetted with John on his hit single "

Don't Go Breaking My Heart "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is a 1976 duet by English musician Elton John and English singer Kiki Dee. It was written by John with Bernie Taupin under the pseudonyms "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche", respectively, and intended as an affectio ...

") and longtime guitarist

Davey Johnstone David William Logan Johnstone (born 6 May 1951) is a British rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his long-time collaboration with Elton John as a member of the Elton John Band. Career Johnstone's first work was with Noel Murphy in ...

provided backing vocals on a few songs. ''The One'' was John's first album project since his rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addictions and

bulimia Bulimia nervosa, also known as simply bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging or fasting, and excessive concern with body shape and weight. The aim of this activity is to expel the body of calories eaten ...

in 1990. On the album he returned to playing an acoustic piano (a Yamaha

Disklavier Disklavier is a brand of reproducing pianos manufactured by Yamaha Corporation. The first Disklavier was introduced in the United States in 1987. The typical Disklavier is a real acoustic piano outfitted with electronic sensors for recording and ...

) in place of the Roland RD-1000 digital piano that had featured heavily on the previous albums ''

Reg Strikes Back ''Reg Strikes Back'' is the 21st studio album by English musician Elton John. Released in 1988, it was his self-proclaimed comeback album, and his own way of fighting back against bad press. The "Reg" in ''Reg Strikes Back'' refers to John's b ...

'' (1988) and '' Sleeping with the Past'' (1989), although he did use the RD-1000 again on his later album '' Duets'' (1993).

Track listing

All songs composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except "Runaway Train", co-written by

Personnel

* Elton John – vocals, acoustic piano (1-3, 5–8, 11), organ (4, 5), electric piano (9, 10) * Mark Taylor – keyboards (1–3, 6, 7) *

Guy Babylon Guy Babylon (December 20, 1956 – September 2, 2009) was an American keyboardist/composer, most noted for his work with Elton John. Babylon was born in New Windsor, Maryland. He attended Francis Scott Key High School before moving on to the ...

– keyboards (2–5, 7–11), programming (2–5, 7–11) * Adam Seymour – guitar (1, 2, 6, 7) *

– guitar (2–5, 7–9), backing vocals (7, 9) * Eric Clapton – guitar (4), vocals (4) * David Gilmour – guitar (10) *

Pino Palladino Giuseppe Henry "Pino" Palladino (born 17 October 1957) is a Welsh musician, songwriter, and record producer. A prolific session bassist, he has played bass for acts such as The Who, the John Mayer Trio, Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan, Jeff Beck ...

– bass (1–8, 10) *

Olle Romo Olle Romö is a Swedish music producer, songwriter, and drummer. Romo rehearsed with Swedish progressive rock group Kaipa in early 1982, however he left the group after a few weeks to join Eurythmics, and he was a drummer for them from the mid-to ...

– drums (1-10), percussion (1-10), drum programming (1–10) * Beckie Bell – backing vocals (4) * Carole Fredericks – backing vocals (4) * Jonice Jamison – backing vocals (4) *

– backing vocals (7, 9, 10) *

– backing vocals (7, 9)

Production

* Produced by Chris Thomas * Recorded and Engineered by David Nicholas * Assistant Engineers – Alex Firla and Andy Strange * Assistant Engineer on "Runaway Train" – Andy Bradfield * Tracks #1–3, 5–9 & 11 recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell (Paris, France). * "Runaway Train" recorded at Studio Guillaume Tell and The Town House (London, England). * "Understanding Women" recorded at

Air Studios Associated Independent Recording (AIR) is an independent recording company founded in London in 1965 by record producer Sir George Martin and his business partner John Burgess, after their departure from Parlophone. The studio complex was founded ...

(London). * Mixed at Air Studios * Cutting at

The Hit Factory The Hit Factory is a recording studio in New York City owned and operated by Troy Germano. History On March 6, 1975, Edward Germano, a singer, record producer, and one of the principal owners of the Record Plant Studios New York, purchased the ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. * Album Coordination – Steve Brown * Studio Coordination – Adrian Collee and Sam Stell *Technician to Eric Clapton – Lee Dixon * Technician to Mark Taylor – Vince Barker * Photography – Patrick Dermarchelier * Cover Design Concept –

* Management – John Reid

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:One, The Elton John albums 1992 albums Albums produced by Chris Thomas (record producer) The Rocket Record Company albums