Customer Reviews

The One

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is definitely my favorite album by Elton John.I am really fond of its subtle and philosophic character.Practically every song here has something unique and at the same time all songs have something common and are united by the same spirit of warmth and care. The title track has wonderful lyrics.I also love the video to the song.Simple Life,The Last Song and Runaway Train are great,too. Buy it.

"The One" is the second of three great albums which Elton John recorded from the late 1980's through the mid 1990's; the others are "Sleeping with the Past" and "Made in England". More than the others, this album truly shows the great range and depth of his talent, from great country rock ("Whitewash County") to soul ("On Dark Street") and finally, to mature pop ballads ("Simple Life", "The One", "Emily", "Understanding Women" and "The Last Song"). And he has a brilliant rock and roll classic duet with Eric Clapton, "Runaway Train", too. Although Elton relies mostly on studio musicians, with the notable exceptions of long-time band mates Davey Johnstone and Guy Babylon, his ensemble does play well together. And Elton shows that he is still at the peak of his form as a vocalist and as a pianist (e. g. his jam session at the end of "Whitewash County"). Fans of great 1990's pop/rock and roll music won't be disappointed. Along with "Made in England" and "The Road to El Dorado", this is an essential Elton John CD for the present phase of his career.

Elton John has been criticised over the past two decades for 'failing' to come up with albums to match the standard of "Captain Fantastic" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Well, those days have gone and times change. "The One" perhaps isn't the greatest album of all time, but is still one of the best of Elton's. Check it out for "Simple Life" and the terrific title track, plus the return of the old genuis on "The Last Song".

Whitewash County, The North, The Last Song and last but not least The One. Four brilliant songs on this cd. The others are just very good. I think The One is one of Elton John's best songs - and with his huge list - that's saying something. Not oddly, The One went straight to Number One.

"The One" is Elton John's greatest album from the 90's.He finally got his act together and recorded an enjoyable record to listen to."The One,Simple life," and the heartbreaking song about a son lossing his life to Aids,"The Last Song," were huge hits."When a Women doesn't want you," is a fantastic ballad,and the duet with Eric Clapton,"Runaway train," is great,but my favorite song from the CD is "Whitewash Country." I love the fiddle,and Elton's Jam session at the end.If you want to hear some wonderfull Elton John Music,this is "The One."

Although there are a lot of frillsy special effects, these special touches help make The One a quality release. And the Title Track is just so darn beautiful. Possibly one of Elton's best songs. Simple Man, Understanding Women, Runaway Train, and Dark Street are also strong cuts. Elton John is a quality artist and it is further proven here as well as on other releases as he can adapt to many changes in the music scene.

After a string of mediocre albums in the mid-1980s, Elton John's musical quality began to increase once again, leading to the release of a string of albums that recalled Elton and (Bernie) Taupin's music of the 1970s. "The One" was one of those releases that proved Elton John still had the ability to turn out consistently good music.

The opening song seems to speak of Elton's personal difficulties through the late 70s and through the 80s. The song speaks of returning to innocence and uses several phrases to indicate being in troubled times. Interestingly, the song switches between the individual "I" and "we." I am unsure of whether Taupin was trying to indicate that Elton was the one with the power to lead their team to success, or some other meaning. Regardless, this song is musically excellent and well produced, if a bit bombastic. The song is also the second-longest on this CD, and I enjoy every second of it. This song was a top-40 release in the U.S.

The second song on this CD is a wonderful song that foreshadows songs that Elton would soon write for famous soundtracks. Similar to the first song the production is soaring and expansive. Yet the style fits the subject, meeting that one person, that the song is instantly enjoyable. The song should be a ballad, but the complexity and volume of the music strains the definition of ballad. In any case, this song became a hit for Elton, rising into the top 10 in the U.S.

The third song has interesting lyrics and some catchy hooks, but the song seems to be a bit mundane after the first two songs on this CD. In fact, the lyrics of "Sweat It Out" exceed the music, which is only fair.

"Runaway Train" offers a blues-flavored duet with Eric Clapton. Clapton also powers this song with his guitar, making this song one of the more potent songs on this CD. While this song misses rising to the level of great, it remains a good song musically and lyrically.

Elton chose to interpret "Whitewash County" with a slight country flavor that generates another listenable song. While less than inspired, the song is serviceable and, for better or worse, can cause your foot to start tapping with its beat.

I enjoy "The North." This relatively simple song focuses on the music, which is simpler and mellower than in most of the songs on this CD. Elton's music effectively fills out the words with simplicity, making this song one of the more interesting songs on this CD. This song is a good lead in to another mellow, but much more serious, song. "When a Woman Doesn't Want You" is about what happens when a man is in a position to take advantage of a woman, but she says "no." The music and lyrics are serious and well done, the quality of both making the pairing of the last song and this song excellent.

The next song borrows some musical elements from "The Simple Life." "Emily" is in the tradition of "Eleanor Rigby," about an old lady, apparently living on the edge of poverty, with more friends in the cemetery than are living. The music is somber and nicely produced. I could have seen this song released as a single, though the topic might have kept it from rising very high in the charts.

"On a Dark Street" is musically one of the weaker songs on this CD and a song that I find myself wanting to get through to move closer to "The Last Song." "Understanding Women" is a bit better than "On a Dark Street," but the electronic opening and funky beat seem to be holdovers from a previous era.

"The Last Song" is the final song on this version of this CD. This beautiful song about a man making peace with his father before dying of AIDS always sends chills down my spine. Elton kept the music simple and beautiful, matching the serious of the topic and the situation. This song was yet another top-40 U.S. song for Elton. I am surprised this song did not rise higher given the power and beauty of the song. Songs such as this are the reason I listen to music.

Elton John has proven that he has staying power in the musical world. While this CD failed to achieve the popularity of his music from the 1970s, it also had songs that exceeded much of his music of the 1970s. Elton at last had gotten to the point in his career where he has perfected his skill as a songwriter and as a singer. While the weaker songs on this CD keep it from being a five star album, it is a must have for Elton John fans and anyone looking for a decent album.

I saw Elton in concert in 1973, 1976 and then in 1998. He's only gotten better with the years. How many artists can play three solid hours of solid hits. He's become a legend, and relaxed with who he is. "Simple Life" was a triumph when I saw him in 1998. The power of this song's arrangements won't let you sit still. The harmonica really jelled this song into a higher sphere. Then comes "The One". This was the song I had to hear live, and I did. My partner and I shared in a moment so incredibly powerful. What powerful lyrics. What a great into. What a delivery. Even though this was written by Taupin, this is Elton's song. You know he believes every word he's saying. You know his pain and elation in this one. "Sweat It Out" good LP song but doesn't stand out for me. "Runaway Train" I like the guitar on this one. Clapton makes this piece stand out. This one is on the same level as "Simple Man". "Whitewash County" not a favorite of mine. "The North" the piano has the same deep throated power as does "The One". "The North" could have been on one of his early masterpieces, has that kind of feel and quality. "When A Woman Doesn't Want You" fits perfect into this collection. "Emily" sounds a little forced. Like he doesn't really feel what he's singing. "On Dark Street" great title with a good beat. "Understanding Women" good song but not Elton's. "The Last Song" his most tender and heart breaking song since "I Need You To Turn To". This one makes me weak with the emotions and sentiment of my own pain and loss of so many friends. For me, Elton came alive in collection. He had something to say, a reason to sing and play piano. In another words, the right formula for a great album.

It's surely the best Elton John's album in the past 15 years. It's not a classical E.J.'s album, because it's quite rock, with almost no piano heard. But it's so deep and sweet.

this is a great album.Its worth buying just for the title song alone'the one'.This song's lyrics are full of solitude(like it mentions'drunken nights in dark hotels') and over that its music is composed so brilliantly.This track 'the one' has go to be the best work of Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever alongwith 'candle in the wind'.Although 'the one' was released way back in 1992 i still hear it and i know i will continue hearing it in years to come.It's a piece of art.