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One (Harry Nilsson song)
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"One Is the Loneliest Number" redirects here. For the novel, see Tom Clancy's Net Force Explorers: One is the Loneliest Number.
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"One"
Single by Harry Nilsson
from the album Aerial Ballet
B-side
"Sister Marie"
Released
1968
Recorded
1967
Genre
Chamber pop[1]
Label
RCA
Songwriter(s)
Harry Nilsson
Producer(s)
Rick Jarrard
Harry Nilsson singles chronology
"Good Old Desk"
(1967) "One"
(1968) "Everybody's Talkin'"
(1968)
"Good Old Desk"
(1967) "One"
(1968) "Everybody's Talkin'"
(1968)
"One" is a song written by Harry Nilsson and made famous by Three Dog Night whose recording reached number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100[2] in 1969 and number four in Canada. The song is known for its opening line "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do". Nilsson wrote the song after calling someone and getting a busy signal. He stayed on the line listening to the "beep, beep, beep, beep..." tone, writing the song. The busy signal became the opening notes of the song.
In 1968, Al Kooper released the song on his debut album I Stand Alone. In 1969, the song was recorded by Australian pop singer Johnny Farnham, reaching number four on the Go-Set National Top 40 Chart.[3]
"One"
Single by Three Dog Night
from the album Three Dog Night
B-side
"Chest Fever"
Released
April 1969
Recorded
1968
Length
3:06 (album)
2:55 (single)
Label
Dunhill
Songwriter(s)
Harry Nilsson
Producer(s)
Gabriel Mekler
Three Dog Night singles chronology
"Try a Little Tenderness"
(1969) "One"
(1969) "Easy to Be Hard"
(1969)
"Try a Little Tenderness"
(1969) "One"
(1969) "Easy to Be Hard"
(1969)
Contents
[hide]
1 Three Dog Night version
2 Chart performance
2.1 Weekly charts
2.2 Year-end charts
3 Other versions
4 In media
5 References
6 External links
Three Dog Night version[edit]
"One" was released as the second single from Three Dog Night's eponymous first album. It became their first of seven gold records over the next five years.
The song reached number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and spent three weeks at number two on the Cash Box Top 100.[4] It also reached number four in Canada.
Chart performance[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
Chart (1969)
Peak
position
Australia Go-Set 39
Canada RPM 4
New Zealand (Listener) 16
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[5] 5
U.S. Cash Box Top 100[6] 2
Year-end charts[edit]
Chart (1969)
Rank
Canada[7] 20
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] 11
U.S. Cash Box [9] 16
Other versions[edit]
John Farnham, released as a double-sided single with "Mr. Whippy" in 1969.
Mike Melvoin released an instrumental arrangement of "One" on his 1970 album The Plastic Cow Goes Moooooog.
The New Seekers released a version on the 1971 album Beautiful People.
In 1992, it was recorded by the band Chainsaw Kittens on the single for the song "High in High School".
The song was recorded by Aimee Mann for the 1995 Nilsson tribute album For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson. Mann's version also appears in the 1999 film Magnolia and on the film's soundtrack.
The song was recorded by the rock band Filter for the soundtrack to the 1998 film The X-Files: Fight the Future. There is also a scene in the movie where Mulder says to a bartender (played by an uncredited Glenne Headly), "You know, one is the loneliest number."
Dokken included the song on their 1999 album Erase the Slate.
The Beta Band closed their 2001 album Hot Shots II with "Won", a hip-hop track built around extensive samples of Nilsson's song.
Alva Noto and Blixa Bargeld, working together for their ANBB project, included a version of this song on their 2010 album Mimikry.
Mastodon recorded an arrangement of the song for the Army of Two trailer.
Electric Six recorded a cover version of the song for use in the trailer for Army of Two, but their version was rejected in favour of the Mastodon version.[10] It was subsequently included on their 2015 complilation album Mimicry and Memories.[11]
In media[edit]
In 1995, the song was sung briefly on The Drew Carey Show at the Warsaw Pub between both Carey and his boss, Mr. Bell, in the first-season episode "Nature Abhors a Vacuum".
The 1999 film Magnolia, by Paul Thomas Anderson, uses this song for its intro.
This song was used in a 2002 episode of the animated comedy series Family Guy called "Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows".
This song was quoted by Robert Barone in an episode[which?] of Everybody Loves Raymond.
In Disney's Recess: School's Out (2001), the song is also played.
The song was sung by Nathan Lane and was featured on the soundtrack Stuart Little 2 in 2002.
In 2004, the song appears in the third episode of House ("Occam's Razor"). Dr. House references the song's opening line during a discussion with his team, and the song later plays over the episode's last scene.
Also in 2004, the song is briefly sung by Donkey in the film Shrek 2.
The Muppets and Jimmy Fallon performed an impromptu rendition of the song on the set of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon while rehearsing for the 2009 Christmas performance.
In 2013, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic created a video using "One" to promote their US Open final match.
In 2013, Lisa Simpson sang the song at the beginning of episode 536 of The Simpsons, dated November 24, 2013.
The Three Dog Night version of "One" was used in a winter of 2012-13 ad campaign for Ahold's Stop & Shop, Giant of Landover, Giant of Carlisle, and Martin's supermarket chains.
In 2014, the Three Dog Night cover of the song appeared in the teaser trailer for season five of the American crime drama Boardwalk Empire.
In October 2016, an original version recorded by Harry Nilsson was used in Masters of Sex TV series (season four, called "Coats or Keys").
Also in October 2016, the Harry version was used in The Blacklist TV series (episode 6, season four, called "The Thrushes").
The Three Dog Night version appeared in the 2016 video game Mafia 3.
In February 2017, the song was featured in The Lego Batman Movie.
Three Dog Night's version appears in a 2017 TV commercial for OraVet animal dental hygiene.
References[edit]
Jump up ^ "Playlist: Best Harry Nilsson songs for what would be his 75th birthday". Azcentral.com. 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
Jump up ^ "One (song by Three Dog Night) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved 2016-08-20.
Jump up ^ Nimmervoll, Ed (13 September 1969). "National Top 40". Go-Set. Waverley Press. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
Jump up ^ http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19690719.html
Jump up ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
Jump up ^ http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19690719.html
Jump up ^ http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.6104&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062
Jump up ^ Musicoutfitters.com
Jump up ^ http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1969YESP.html
Jump up ^ http://www.electricsix.co.uk/discography/mimicry-and-memories/
Jump up ^ "Final track listing for Mimicry and Memories". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
External links[edit]
Review of "One" on allmusic.com
[show]
v
t
e
Harry Nilsson
Studio albums
Spotlight on Nilsson
Pandemonium Shadow Show
Aerial Ballet
Harry
Nilsson Sings Newman
The Point!
Nilsson Schmilsson
Son of Schmilsson
A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night
Pussy Cats
Duit on Mon Dei
Sandman
...That's the Way It Is
Knnillssonn
Flash Harry
Soundtracks
Skidoo
The Point!
Son of Dracula
Popeye
Remixes
Aerial Pandemonium Ballet
Compilations
Early Tymes
A Touch More Schmilsson in the Night
Nilsson '62: The Debut Sessions
Hollywood Dreamer
Nilsson The RCA Albums Collection
Singles
"All for the Beatles"
"Sixteen Tons"
"You Can't Do That"
"River Deep – Mountain High"
"One"
"Everybody's Talkin'"
"Me and My Arrow"
"Without You"
"Jump into the Fire"
"Coconut"
"As Time Goes By"
"Subterranean Homesick Blues"
"Save the Last Dance for Me"
"Many Rivers to Cross"
"A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Everyday)"
"Sail Away"
"Just One Look/Baby I'm Yours (medley)"
Other songs
"This Could Be the Night"
"Ten Little Indians"
"The Puppy Song"
"Old Dirt Road"
"You're Breakin' My Heart"
Collaborations
John Lennon
Pussy Cats
Every Man Has a Woman
Ringo Starr
Ringo
Son of Dracula
Goodnight Vienna
Ringo's Rotogravure
Stop and Smell the Roses
Keith Moon
Two Sides of the Moon
Hal Willner
Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films
Related articles
Discography
RCA Victor
The Monkees
Midnight Cowboy
Richard Perry
The Hollywood Vampires
The Lost Weekend
The Telephone
"Pussy Cats" Starring the Walkmen
For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson
Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him)?
[show]
v
t
e
Three Dog Night
Danny Hutton
Michael Allsup
Paul Kingery
Pat Bautz
Eddie Reasoner
David Morgan
Cory Wells
Chuck Negron
Jimmy Greenspoon
Floyd Sneed
Joe Schermie
Skip Konte
Al Ciner
Gary Moon
Richard Campbell
Studio albums
Three Dog Night (1968)
Suitable for Framing (1969)
It Ain't Easy (1970)
Naturally (1970)
Harmony (1971)
Seven Separate Fools (1972)
Cyan (1973)
Hard Labor (1974)
Coming Down Your Way (1975)
American Pastime (1976)
It's a Jungle (1983)
Live albums
Captured Live at the Forum (1969)
Around the World with Three Dog Night (1973)
Compilations
Golden Bisquits (1971)
Joy to the World: Their Greatest Hits (1975)
The Best of 3 Dog Night (1982)
Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975 (1993)
20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Three Dog Night (1999)
Singles
"Nobody"
"Try a Little Tenderness"
"One"
"Easy to Be Hard"
"Eli's Coming"
"Celebrate"
"Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"
"Out in the Country"
"One Man Band"
"Joy to the World"
"Liar"
"An Old Fashioned Love Song"
"Never Been to Spain"
"The Family of Man"
"Black & White"
"Pieces of April"
"Shambala"
"Let Me Serenade You"
"The Show Must Go On"
"Sure As I'm Sittin' Here"
"Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)"
"Til the World Ends"
"Everybody Is a Masterpiece"
"It's a Jungle Out There"
Discography
Book
[show]
v
t
e
John Farnham
Studio albums
Sadie
Everybody Oughta Sing a Song
Looking Through a Tear
Christmas Is... Johnny Farnham
Johnny
Together
Johnny Farnham Sings the Shows
Hits Magic & Rock 'N Roll
Johnny Farnham Sings Hits from the Movies
J.P. Farnham Sings
Uncovered
Whispering Jack
Age of Reason
Chain Reaction
Then Again...
Romeo's Heart
33⅓
The Last Time
I Remember When I Was Young: Songs from the Great Australian Songbook
Jack
Friends for Christmas
Live albums
Johnny Farnham Sings The Big Hits Of '73 Live!
Full House
Live At The Regent Theatre
Highlights from The Main Event
John Farnham & Tom Jones – Together in Concert
The Acoustic Chapel Sessions
Two Strong Hearts Live
Compilation albums
The Best of Johnny Farnham
Johnny Farnham's Greatest Hits
Anthology 1: Greatest Hits 1986–1997
Anthology 2: Classic Hits 1967–1985 (Recorded Live)
Anthology 3: Rarities
Love Songs
One Voice: The Greatest Hits
The Essential
The Essential 3.0
Videos & DVDs
The Main Event
Anthology - The Videos
An Audience with John Farnham
The Last Time
One Voice: The Greatest Clips
John Farnham & Tom Jones – Together in Concert
Classic Jack Live!
Chain Reaction Live in Concert
With The Sydney Symphony Live at the Sydney Opera House
Two Strong Hearts Live
EPs & Singles
"Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)"
"Underneath the Arches"
"I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
"One"
"Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head"
"Help!"
"You're the Voice"
"Pressure Down"
"A Touch of Paradise"
"Reasons"
"Age Of Reason"
"Two Strong Hearts"
"Beyond the Call"
"When Something Is Wrong with My Baby"
"Everything's Alright"
"Everytime You Cry"
"The Last Time"
"We Will Rock You"
"Downhearted"
"Even When I'm Sleeping"
Related articles
Discography
Awards
Little River Band
Darryl Sambell
Glenn Wheatley
[show]
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Filter
Richard Patrick
Jonathan Radtke
Tim Kelleher
Bobby Miller
Brian Liesegang
Matt Walker
Rob Patterson
Phil Buckman
Studio albums
Short Bus
Title of Record
The Amalgamut
Anthems for the Damned
The Trouble with Angels
The Sun Comes Out Tonight
Crazy Eyes
Compilations
The Very Best Things (1995–2008)
Singles
"Hey Man Nice Shot"
"(Can't You) Trip Like I Do"
"One"
"Welcome to the Fold"
"Take a Picture"
"Where Do We Go from Here"
"Soldiers of Misfortune"
"Happy Together"
"Gimme All Your Lovin'"
"What Do You Say"
Related articles
Discography
Army of Anyone
The Damning Well
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1967 songs
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