The One (Tamar Braxton song)
"The One" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Christian Ward | ||||
Producer(s) | K.E. on the Track | |||
Tamar Braxton singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"The One" on YouTube |
"The One" is a song by American singer
The song received positive reviews from critics who associated it with summer and praised Braxton's vocals. Reviewers commented on the use of samples, believing they were already overused in past music. The single peaked at number four on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 and number 34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Gil Green directed the music video, which features Braxton on a date at the Santa Monica Pier. Braxton further promoted "The One" through live performances, including on her Love and War Tour in 2014.
Background and recording
Braxton co-wrote the song with LaShawn Daniels, Christian Ward, Jean-Claude Oliver, and Shaunice Lasha Jones for her second studio album Love and War (2013).[1][note 2] She had previously recorded music with her sisters—Toni, Traci, Towanda, and Trina—in the group the Braxtons before pursuing a solo career in 2000 with the release of her debut album Tamar, which proved unsuccessful.[6][7] Braxton had more creative control with Love and War,[8] with writing credits on nine of its fourteen tracks.[1] After listening to the demo for "The One", Daniels, Jones, and Ward worked on the lyrics and Braxton suggested further revisions and changed small parts.[5] James Mtume, Sean Combs, and the Notorious B.I.G. are credited as songwriters because of the samples.[1] K.E. also received songwriting credits and performed the backing vocals for the track.[1][note 3]
Michael Donaldson
Music and lyrics
A
"The One" uses a lyric from "Juicy": "It was all a dream."[12] A writer for BET described this as a vocal sample of the Notorious B.I.G. rapping the line,[12] but Donaldson said it was Ward's voice pitched to sound like B.I.G.[5] For the chorus, "You know very well who you are / You're the only one / You've got my heart / And you had a few / Boy, one too many / But I'm the only one to wake you up.", Braxton parallels the one used in "Juicy": "You know very well who you are / Don't let 'em hold you down, reach for the stars / You had a goal, but not that many / 'Cause you're the only one, I'll give you good and plenty.”[12]
Release and promotion
The music video for "The One" was previewed on May 30, 2013, during an episode of
Gil Green directed the music video in April 2013 at the Santa Monica Pier.[2] Braxton was pregnant during its filming. Discussing the concept with Rap-Up, she said it was based on going out on a date in high school; she likened it to when "you go to the park and you hang out and you get all cutie, and it's just funners".[20] Throughout the video, she spends time with her partner by dancing, playing carnival games, going on rides, and having caricatures drawn for them.[21] Critics praised the video's atmosphere as upbeat,[22] which Jet's Srhett believed complimented the single's "fun summer time vibe".[23] A writer for Essence enjoyed its focus on Braxton's "fun and flirty side".[24]
Braxton performed "The One" at an industry showcase in Los Angeles,
Reception
"The One" received a positive response from critics. AllMusic's Andy Kellman cited the single as a highlight from Love and War; he believed that it proved Braxton was capable of having a successful music career alongside contemporary artists like Ciara, Rihanna, Trey Songz, and Keyshia Cole.[17] In the Democrat and Chronicle, Sheila Rayam thought the song would get listeners singing and dancing.[35] In 2019, Tidal's Yoh Phillips wrote that "The One" was "well-received", and K.E. on the Track said it had cross-generational appeal, explaining: "The young and old can be attached to it."[4]
Reviewers praised Braxton's vocals.
The use of samples in "The One" was noted by reviewers,[40] several of whom believed they had been overused in past songs.[41] Sound on Sound's Paul Tingen identified "Juicy Fruit" as "one of the most sampled songs in music history".[5] Melody Charles of SoulTracks criticized the single's use of samples as "downright lazy",[42] and WBLK's Rodney B More disliked how many singers have referenced "Juicy Fruit".[43] Lipshutz was less critical of the samples, and felt that the song's short length prevented it from becoming stale.[3]
For the week of May 25, 2013, "The One" peaked at number four on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart; it was on the chart for 22 weeks.[44] The single reached number 34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for the week of June 29, 2013, and it was on the chart for 20 weeks.[45] The track was at number 88 on the Year-End version of the latter chart.[46][note 6] "The One" was certified Gold in 2023 by the Recording Industry Association of America, which denotes 500,000 units based on sales and streams.[48]
Formats and track listing
- Audio CD[15]
- "The One" – 2:54
- "Love & War" - 4:02
- Digital download[49]
- "The One" – 2:54
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Love and War:[1]
|
|
|
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[48] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Notes
- ^ In 2013, Tamar Braxton attributed Christian Ward and LaShawn Daniels as producers for "The One",[2] but Love and War's liner notes and Billboard credit K.E. on the Track as the sole producer.[1][3]
- ^ Michael Donaldson, who mixed "The One", said that LaShawn Daniels was a vocal producer for the song,[5] but this is not credited in the liner notes.[1]
- ^ The liner notes for Love and War credit K.E. on the Track as the background vocalist for "The One",[1] although Michael Donaldson said he only used Shaunice Lasha Jones for the song's backing vocals.[5]
- radio programmers, and music executives.[25][26] These events are done to build interest in an artist.[25]
- ^ Along with "The One", the medley included Love and War singles "Love and War" and "All the Way Home".[32]
- ^ Billboard determines its Year-End charts by looking at the "aggregated numbers for each artist and title from the weekly charts"; these numbers reflect physical and digital sales, radio airplay, and streaming.[47]
References
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Love and War 2013.
- ^ a b c Devin 2013b.
- ^ a b c Billboard 2013.
- ^ a b Phillips 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Tingen 2013.
- ^ Jordan 2013.
- ^ Yahoo! Music 2012.
- ^ Brown 2013.
- ^ a b c Johnson 2014.
- ^ a b Iandoli 2013.
- ^ Shea 2013.
- ^ a b c BET.
- ^ Apple Music 2013; Epic Records 2013; Spotify 2013
- ^ Apple Music 2013; "The One" 2013; Spotify 2013
- ^ a b "The One" 2013.
- ^ Devin 2013a.
- ^ a b Kellman.
- ^ a b Epic Records & Streamline Records 2013.
- ^ TV Guide A.
- ^ Devin 2013c.
- ^ The Boombox; Devin 2013b; Devin 2013c; Epic Records & Streamline Records 2013; Essence 2020
- ^ Devin 2013c; Essence 2020; Srhett 2013
- ^ Srhett 2013.
- ^ Essence 2020.
- ^ a b Weissman 2015, p. 24.
- ^ Weissman 2015, p. 35.
- ^ a b TheLadyLana 2013.
- ^ Devin 2013d.
- ^ TV Guide B.
- ^ Devin 2013e.
- ^ Arceneaux 2013.
- ^ a b Devin 2013f.
- ^ Charles 2014.
- ^ Charles 2019.
- ^ Rayam 2013, p. 3C.
- ^ Billboard 2013; Iandoli 2013; rtmphayes 2013
- ^ rtmphayes 2013.
- ^ Devin 2013c; Jobson 2013; Robinson 2013; Schwiegershausen, Reid & Dobbins 2013; Srhett 2013
- ^ Robinson 2013.
- ^ Billboard 2013; Charles; More 2013; Kellman
- ^ Billboard 2013; Charles; More 2013; Kellman
- ^ Charles.
- ^ More 2013.
- ^ a b Billboard A.
- ^ a b Billboard B.
- ^ a b Billboard C.
- ^ Billboard 2012.
- ^ a b Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Spotify 2013.
Citations
- Arceneaux, Michael (October 29, 2013). "History of Beef: Tamar Braxton Versus K. Michelle". VH1. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023.
- "The Best of 2012: The Year in Music". Billboard. December 14, 2012. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023.
- "Braxton Family Values". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 21, 2023.
- Brown, Shelley (November 12, 2013). "Tamar Braxton". Flaunt. Archived from the original on December 17, 2022.
- Charles, Laurie (May 19, 2014). "Tamar Braxton – Fillmore Miami Beach". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017.
- Charles, Melody. "Tamar Braxton – Love & War". SoulTracks. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021.
- Charles, Melody (April 13, 2019). "Concert Review: Stokley, Dru Hill, Tamar Braxton and Jagged Edge hit Dallas". SoulTracks. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021.
- Devin (January 18, 2013a). "Tamar Braxton Visits 106 & Park". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021.
- Devin (April 24, 2013b). "Tamar Braxton Readies Summertime Single 'The One'". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023.
- Devin (May 30, 2013c). "Video: Tamar Braxton – 'The One'". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023.
- Devin (July 30, 2013d). "Tamar Braxton Presents Love And War At L.A. Showcase". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022.
- Devin (October 2, 2013e). "Tamar Braxton Covers Rihanna's 'Diamonds' at Paris Show". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on October 20, 2021.
- Devin (December 2, 2013f). "Jennifer Hudson, Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle, & Wale Perform at Soul Train Awards". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023.
- Streamline Records (2013). Love and War (Media notes). Tamar Braxton.
- Streamline Records (2013). "The One" (Media notes). Tamar Braxton. 88883 72932 2.
- Idolator. Archivedfrom the original on October 9, 2016.
- Jobson, C. Shardae (May 7, 2013). "'The One' by Tamar Braxton". The Source. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021.
- Johnson, Kevin C. (October 19, 2014). "Tamar Braxton Brings Killer Voice, Over-the-Top Tamar-Isms to Ambassador Concert". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017.
- Jordan, Chris (October 24, 2013). "Tamar Braxton Says Wait for Success Was Worth It". USA Today. Asbury Park Press. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023.
- Kellman, Andy. "Love and War Review by Andy Kellman". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023.
- TheLadyLana (July 31, 2013). "Tamar Braxton Myxed Love And War at LA Showcase". The Source. Archived from the original on August 4, 2013.
- More, Rodney B (May 7, 2013). "Download or Delete – Tamar Braxton 'The One'". WBLK. Archived from the original on February 26, 2019.
- "Must-See: Check Out Tamar Braxton's New Video 'The One'". Essence. October 28, 2020. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023.
- "'The One' by Tamar Braxton". The Boombox. May 7, 2013. Archivedfrom the original on July 25, 2021.
- "'The One' – Single by Tamar Braxton". Apple Music. May 7, 2013. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023.
- "'The One' by Tamar Braxton". Spotify. May 7, 2013. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018.
- Phillips, Yoh (March 4, 2019). "The Art of Sampling Biggie". Tidal. DJBooth. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021.
- Rayam, Sheila (September 24, 2013). "Tamar Braxton: Love and War". Entertainment. Newspapers.com.
- Robinson, Phoebe (August 29, 2013). "The 20 Best Songs That Represent Summer 2013". Glamour. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023.
- rtmphayes (May 7, 2013). "Check Out Tamar Braxton's New Single 'The One'". Michigan Chronicle. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023.
- Schwiegershausen, Erica; Reid, Hilary; Dobbins, Amanda (July 22, 2013). "100-Person Poll: Song of Summer Edition". Vulture. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015.
- Shea, Ryan (April 18, 2013). "Tamar Braxton Talks Braxton Family Values, RuPaul and More – Exclusive Interview". The Boombox. Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2022.
- "Single Reviews: Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mayer Hawthorne, Tamar Braxton". Billboard. May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023.
- Srhett (May 31, 2013). "Watch Tamar Braxton's 'The One'". Jet. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018.
- "Tamar Braxton (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023.
- "Tamar Braxton: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023.
- "Tamar Braxton's Love and War Lands in Stores Today September 3" (Press release). Sony Music Entertainment. Epic Records. September 3, 2013. Archivedfrom the original on October 16, 2023.
- "Tamar Braxton – 'The One'". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on October 5, 2023.
- "Tamar Braxton Says First Album Sounded Too Much Like Toni Braxton". Yahoo! Music. December 20, 2012. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023.
- "Tamar & Vince". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021.
- Tingen, Paul (November 2013). "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Mikey Donaldson". Sound on Sound. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023.
- "Video for Tamar Braxton's 'The One' to Premiere Today" (Press release). Streamline Records. May 30, 2013. Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2023.
- Weissman, Richard (2015). Understanding the Music Business. .
- "When Artists Sample the Notorious B.I.G." BET. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023.
- "Year-End Charts: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023.