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The One is the twenty-third studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released on 22 June 1992. It was recorded at Studio Guillame 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.

The One spent three consecutive weeks at #2 without ever reaching #1 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Lionel Richie's Back to Front compilation. However, it was John's biggest selling album in the US since 1975.

Olle Romo collaborated with John and lyricist Bernie Taupin on one song, "Runaway Train", on which Eric Clapton sings a duet with John. Pink Floyd's David Gilmour makes an appearance playing guitar on "Understanding Women". John's former drummer, Nigel Olsson and female backing vocalist Kiki Dee (who along with John had a duet with the song "Don't Go Breaking My Heart") and longtime guitarist Davey Johnstone provided backing vocals on a few songs.

This was John's first album project since his rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addictions and bulimia in 1990. This is the last studio album to feature his Roland RD-1000 digital piano. John started playing a Yamaha Disklavier piano shortly after. The One was certified 2x platinum in the US by the RIAA.

Contents[]

 [hide*1 Track listing

Track listing[edit][]

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

  1. "Simple Life" – 6:25
  2. "The One" – 5:53
  3. "Sweat It Out" – 6:38
  4. "Runaway Train" – 5:23 (Duet with Eric Clapton)
  5. "Whitewash County" – 5:30
  6. "The North" – 5:15
  7. "When a Woman Doesn't Want You" – 4:56
  8. "Emily" – 4:58
  9. "On Dark Street" – 4:43
  10. "Understanding Women" – 5:03
  11. "The Last Song" – 3:21

Bonus tracks (1999 Polygram International reissue)[edit][]

  1. "Suit of Wolves" – 5:37
  2. "Fat Boys and Ugly Girls" – 4:13

Personnel[edit][]

Production[edit][]

B-sides[edit][]

Song Format
"Suit of Wolves" "The One" 7"/CD (US/UK)
"Fat Boys and Ugly Girls" "The One" CD (US/UK)
"Understanding Women" (Remix) "Runaway Train" CD (US/UK)
"The Man Who Never Died" (Remix) "The Last Song" 7"/CD (UK)
"Song for Guy" (Remix) "The Last Song" CD (UK)
"Simple Life" (Hot Mix) "Simple Life" 7"/CD (US)
"Simple Life" (Original Mix) "Simple Life" CD (US)

Certifications[edit][]

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Austria (IFPI Austria)[6] Platinum 50,000x
Canada (Music Canada)[7] 3× Platinum 300,000^
France (SNEP)[8] Platinum 300,000
Germany (BVMI)[9] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[10] 6× Platinum 600,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[11] Gold 100,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[12] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[13] 2× Platinum 100,000x
United Kingdom (BPI)[14] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[15] 2× Platinum 2,000,000^

  • sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Charts[edit][]

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