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"1 Thing"
Single by Amerie
from the album Touch
ReleasedJanuary 18, 2005 (2005-01-18)
Studio
Genre
Length4:01
LabelColumbia
Songwriters
ProducerRich Harrison
Amerie singles chronology
"Paradise"
(2003) 		"1 Thing"
(2005) 		"Touch"
(2005)
Music video
"1 Thing" on YouTube

"1 Thing" is a song by American singer Amerie from her second studio album, Touch (2005). Written by Amerie and Rich Harrison and produced by the latter, the song is influenced by go-go rhythms and prominently samples the Meters' 1970 funk recording of "Oh, Calcutta!", written by Stanley Walden. Its lyrics focus on an unidentified "thing" that fuels a romantic attraction. It also appeared on the soundtrack to the 2005 romantic comedy film Hitch.

"1 Thing" received acclaim from critics, and peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four in the United Kingdom, becoming Amerie's sole top-10 single in the former and her first in the latter ("Take Control" reached number 10 in 2007) and her biggest hit single worldwide. Its digital download and ringtone releases were each certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). A remix of "1 Thing" featuring rapper Eve is also present on Touch.

The song earned Amerie a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006, and was also nominated for Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Track at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards. It was later named the 22nd and 25th best song of the 2000s decade by Rolling Stone and Robert Christgau, respectively.

Conception and release

[edit]

In 2004, when working on her second album Touch, Amerie enlisted the services of producer Rich Harrison, who had helped produce and write her first album All I Have. In May 2004, Harrison heard "Oh, Calcutta!" by the Meters for the first time and began working on the beat accompanying the ten-second back-and-forth breakdown between Meters drummer Ziggy Modeliste and guitarist Leo Nocentelli. Harrison said he loved the work of the Meters, especially Modeliste, commenting, "Ziggy, he's crazy."[1] He processed the way the breakdown could be "flipped", added a bongo drum, a cowbell, and a ride cymbal, and sent it to Amerie.[1] According to Harrison, they wrote and finished the song in two to three hours.[1]

Amerie's manager and eventual husband, Len Nicholson, felt the song was "the single" to release.[2] When executives at Amerie's label, Columbia/Sony Urban Music, heard "1 Thing", they felt that the song's choruses needed to be "bigger".[1] They recommended that more music be added to the percussion-focused beat, but Harrison and Amerie replied that adding more to the beat would overpower the song.[3] Harrison and Amerie returned to the studio several times to rework the track.[1] Each time they submitted a new version to the label, Columbia told them that the song sounded unfinished, but was unable to specify what should be changed.[1][3] The label continued to refuse to release "1 Thing"; in Amerie's words, "People just weren't getting it".[1]

Later in 2004, six months after recording "1 Thing", Amerie and Harrison leaked it to US radio stations in an attempt to get it released officially.[1][4] The response from DJs and listeners was positive, and it consequently received airplay across the country. Columbia Records attempted to suppress the song because it was an unofficial release, and because Jennifer Lopez (another artist on the label) had expressed interest in recording the song for her own album, Rebirth.[4] Radio stations refused to retract the song from their playlists, and Columbia eventually began promoting "1 Thing" as a single, making it a last-minute addition to the Hitch soundtrack.[1] Lopez settled on another Harrison-produced, funk-infused track, the Usher outtake "Get Right".[4] The song was officially serviced to American urban radio stations on January 18, 2005.[5]

Theme and sound

[edit]
'1 Thing'
A sample of "1 Thing".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"1 Thing" was produced by Harrison and is built around a sample of the Meters' 1970 version of the theme song from the musical Oh! Calcutta!, "Oh, Calcutta!", written by Stanley Walden. Built around The Meters' funky beat-driven percussion, "1 Thing" finds Amerie lamenting an aspect of a relationship that keeps her satisfied. Even if other factors are less than positive, there is one thing that keeps her hooked ("It's this one thing that's got me trippin'"). Amerie said that the song was inspired by a conversation she had with Harrison "about relationships and how there's always one thing that keeps you attracted to someone. No matter what they do or how they act, there's that one undeniable thing that keeps you coming back."[2] She told Blender that the "one thing" "could be bringing flowers, or something more ... physical. People think I'm just this good girl, but there are other sides they don't see."[1]

Despite being based on a New Orleans funk sample, the song belies a strong go-go influence. Harrison likened the two based on their heavy use of percussion and chant.[1] Amerie stated, "You don't hear go-go outside of D.C. ... I was like, 'We have to do it in an up-tempo way because when you hear it on the radio in D.C., it's fast.' ... So it's a fresh sound for everybody but people in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area. They [already] know what it is."[6]

Critical reception

[edit]

"1 Thing" received acclaim from music critics. In its review of Touch, Rolling Stone named the song "an early front-runner for song-of-the-summer status", also ranking it the number one single of 2005.[7] Pitchfork stated that Harrison "knows something about horns, big glorious ascending heavenly anthemic horns" and "drums, huge sweaty riotous back-and-forth second-line old-school Clyde Stubblefield drums."[8] AllMusic described "1 Thing" as being "just as exciting" as "Oh, Calcutta!" for how it "[flails] all over the place with unbound joy".[9]

The song received second place behind Kanye West and Jamie Foxx's "Gold Digger" on the 2005 Village Voice Pazz & Jop list, a survey of several hundred music critics conducted by Robert Christgau.[10] Blender ranked "1 Thing" number 191 on its list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born". It praised the song's "cascading drums...and Amerie's frantic, top-of-her-range vocals".[11] Calling it "a pretty fucking smart move to wrap perfect pop around a question that stays open all night", Pitchfork listed the song as the second best single of 2005, behind Antony and the Johnsons' "Hope There's Someone".[12] The song was ranked 32nd on Pitchfork's top 500 songs of the 2000s,[13] and the publication included "1 Thing" in its collection of The Pitchfork 500.[14] Christgau named it the 25th best song of the 2000s.[15] Björk also dubbed it the "Best! Song! Ever!"[16]

The song received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, but lost to Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together".[17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

In the United States, "1 Thing" debuted at the bottom of the Billboard Hot 100 on February 12, 2005. The song gradually climbed the chart over a 10-week period, peaking at number eight on the chart dated April 23, 2005, and exited the chart after a total of 20 weeks.[18] Additionally, the single topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in on April 30, 2005,[19] while reaching numbers 13 and 28 on the Rhythmic Top 40 and Pop 100 charts, respectively.[20][21] The song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in October 2005 for digital sales and in June 2006 for ringtone sales.[22]

In the United Kingdom, "1 Thing" debuted and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart in late May 2005. It went on to spend 14 weeks on the chart and became the 38th best-selling single of 2005.[23][24] In neighboring Ireland, the single debuted at number 10 on the Irish Singles Chart. It climbed to number six two weeks later, remaining on the chart for another nine weeks.[25] "1 Thing" was successful in continental Europe, where it peaked at number 13 on the European Hot 100 Singles chart.[26] It reached the top 10 in Denmark, Finland, and Norway; the top 20 in Belgium and the Netherlands; and the top 40 in France, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. The song was also commercially successful in Oceania, reaching the top 20 in Australia and New Zealand.[27]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "1 Thing", co-directed by Chris Robinson and Amerie, publicly revealed the singer's sexual side.[2] It focuses on her dance routines, featuring her as a go-go dancer in various setups, intercut with footage from the film Hitch. Amerie approached Robinson with the video's concept in mind,[28] and the two collaborated again when directing the music video for the following single, "Touch".

Foo Fighters member Dave Grohl showed the video for "1 Thing" during 24 Hours of Foo, during a segment in which each member of the band presented one song that they considered their "guilty pleasure".[citation needed]

Covers and other uses

[edit]

American punk rock band T.S.O.L. released a cover of "1 Thing" as a 12-inch vinyl single in 2019. The band have attached a political theme to their version of the song.[29] Frontman Jack Grisham said:

I like go-go music and soul and anything that really moves. I first heard Amerie's "1 Thing" in 2005, when it was released. Fucking infectious man, the way that groove keeps rolling, and she's such a great vocalist. The lyrics were your basic relationship trip but then it hit me, this isn't just a song about some dude, these lyrics read like a song to a system or a government that'd been up to no good. When she sang, "memories keep ringing bells" I was thinking of the state of our union today, the turmoil in our society, and where we'd been before—I was musing on our involvement in the Middle East, Latin America, Vietnam. I was thinking about the dirty deeds that this nation had been up to and then she sang, "why don't you just admit it" and I realized that no one in power, not in this country, was ever gonna admit that we were wrong.[30]

Their cover would later appear on their 2024 album, A-Side Graffiti.[31]

American rapper Lauryn Hill sampled "1 Thing" during live performances, using the song during the second and last part of her single "Doo Wop (That Thing)".[32] Likewise, British girl group Girls Aloud used the song as an interlude in performances of their 2004 single "Love Machine" during their Chemistry Tour in 2006.[33] Additionally, alternative rock band Elbow covered the song in a comedic fashion for an August 2005 performance on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.[34]

The song was played during the pole dancing scene in the 2010 film Somewhere,[35] and a gospel rendition of the song was included in the 2023 musical comedy Praise This.[36] It has also been placed in the soundtracks for many video games, notably Saints Row 2 and Grand Theft Auto V.[citation needed]

Remixes

[edit]

The song's only official remix features guest vocals from rapper Eve,[37] and an alternate version of the music video was created for it. Amerie said that she chose Eve to appear on the remix because most other female R&B singers were accompanied by male rappers, and that Eve "epitomizes that whole independent fearless female doing her thing. She's fashionable and very much a woman even though she definitely has a lot of attitude, the strength that most would attribute to men. ... With '1 Thing' being such an aggressive track, it was perfect to see two females really doing it."[38]

Unofficial remixes of "1 Thing" would later materialize, with rappers Fabolous and B.G. releasing versions of the song. DJ Siik would remix "1 Thing",[39] using instrumentals by Japanese producer Nujabes. Stylus Magazine listed his remix seventh on its list of the top ten remixes of 2005, commenting that "it's enough to warrant a whole change of venue, from the sizzling pep of the dance floor to the silk luxury of the bedroom."[40] Most of these unofficial remixes were released on mixtapes and Amerie would later praise them, particularly those by Fabolous, B.G., and Juelz Santana.[41]

Track listings

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Touch.[45]

Recording and management

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "1 Thing"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[72] Platinum 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[73] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "1 Thing"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States January 18, 2005 Urban radio Columbia [5]
March 8, 2005 Digital download [74]
March 28, 2005 Contemporary hit radio [75]
United Kingdom May 12, 2005 Digital download [76]
May 23, 2005
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
 [77]
Australia CD [78]
Denmark May 30, 2005 [79]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

1 Thing

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"1 Thing" is a by American R&B singer , released on January 5, 2005, as the lead single from her second studio album, Touch. Written by and producer , the track prominently samples the 1970 funk recording "Oh! Calcutta!" by and incorporates rhythms, creating a distinctive blend of R&B, , and dance elements. The song's infectious hook and Amerie's energetic vocals propelled it to commercial success, peaking at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the chart, marking her highest-charting single in the United States. Internationally, "1 Thing" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart, while also charting in , , and several European countries. Its inclusion on the soundtrack for the 2005 film Hitch, starring , further boosted its visibility and cultural impact. Critically acclaimed for its innovative production and Harrison's signature style—previously showcased in Beyoncé's ""—the track earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in 2006 and has been praised as a defining R&B hit of the mid-2000s. A remix featuring rapper was also released, enhancing its crossover appeal. Over the years, "1 Thing" has endured as a fan favorite, influencing subsequent R&B productions and remaining a staple in Amerie's live performances, including her June 2025 NPR Tiny Desk Concert with go-go legends Backyard Band, where she closed the set with an energetic rendition that sparked viral fan excitement.

Background and development

Conception

Following the release of Amerie's debut album All I Have in 2002, she continued her collaboration with producer , whom she had met through a mutual friend while attending college near Washington, D.C.. Their partnership, which began during sessions for her first record, evolved as Harrison proposed incorporating elements of music—a genre rooted in the city's nightlife—to infuse her sophomore project with a distinctive regional flavor. Harrison's inspiration for the track stemmed from a trip to , shortly after completing All I Have, where he attended a go-go club and sought to capture its energetic percussion in a context. Drawing from his own teenage experiences playing in local go-go bands, he crafted an initial beat in his home studio located in his father's basement, looping a percussion sample from ' 1969 funk track "Oh! Calcutta!" to evoke that raw, driving rhythm. This raw demo formed the foundation of what would become the for Amerie's album Touch. During a session, co-authored the with Harrison, centering the composition around the repetitive "one thing" to emphasize a singular, compelling focus in relationships. She provided initial feedback on the demo, suggesting the of vocal ad-libs to enhance its dynamic and align with the go-go-inspired groove. This early creative exchange highlighted their mutual influence, with Amerie's emotive delivery shaping Harrison's production choices.

Recording

The recording of "1 Thing" took place in 2004, primarily at in and Nightflight Studios in Washington, D.C., with mixing conducted at Soundtrack Studios in . led the production, handling instrumentation on keyboards and programming while co-providing vocal production alongside , who recorded the lead vocals. The sessions unfolded over a single session lasting approximately 3-4 hours, during which Amerie tracked her vocals in a physically demanding process marked by repetition and high-energy delivery to capture the track's go-go-infused energy. Harrison layered the chopped and re-assembled sample from ' 1969 track "Oh! Calcutta!" with live drums and additional elements, creating a funky that complemented Amerie's performance. Vocals were captured in one or two primary takes, then duplicated and stacked to build layered harmonies, with editing facilitated through digital audio workstations like . Recording engineer Scotty Beats and assistant Bram Tobey supported the technical aspects of the sessions.

Composition

Musical style and production

"1 Thing" is an R&B track infused with , , and elements, characterized by its heavily percussive and rhythmic drive. The song operates at a of 125 beats per minute in the key of , employing a 4/4 with a distinctive off-kilter groove derived from its that evokes a 5/4 feel. The structure adheres to a verse-chorus format, opening with an extended intro that prominently features the sampled to establish the infectious before transitioning into verses and a repeating chorus. A bridge introduces call-and-response vocals, enhancing the song's interactive, live-band reminiscent of go-go performances. Production, led by , centers on a prominent percussion loop sampled from ' 1970 track "Oh! Calcutta!", which provides the clattering drum opening and vintage backbone flipped into a modern vibe. Harrison's signature "bounce" , inspired by 1970s , is achieved through minimalistic synth layers that underscore the beat without overpowering it, creating a lean, focused sound. As noted of the sample, "The original sample, you can feel the vibe there, but the way he flipped it is what really made it feel ." Instrumentation emphasizes a core setup of from the sample, a driving , handclaps for rhythmic punctuation, and sparse guitar riffs that add subtle texture to the funk foundation. The arrangement eschews heavy strings or elaborate , maintaining a raw, percussive essence that highlights the interplay between the beat and vocals.

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of "1 Thing" center on a core theme of in relationships, emphasizing a single key desire—the unidentified "one thing"—that overrides superficial attractions and fosters deep attachment, inspired by 's own romantic experiences. has described the song as capturing the idea that "there's always one thing that keeps you attached to somebody, even if the relationship isn't good for you," reflecting a selective focus on authentic emotional or sensual connections amid relational complexities. The chorus drives this message home through its insistent repetition: "It's this one thing that got me trippin' / It's this one thing that got me trippin' (you did) / This one thing my soul may be feeling / It's this one thing you did (oh-oh)." These lines convey the overwhelming pull of that singular element, portraying it as a for and obsession while underscoring the narrator's awareness of its power. In the verses, delves into sensuality and selectivity, illustrating the internal conflict of resisting yet succumbing to desire, as in "Broke it off but I can feel it in my bones / Like a that's coming down on me / Can't deny, can't deny, the season's over." Such highlights female agency in navigating attraction, prioritizing inner fulfillment over external validations in a way that echoes personal on past relationships. The conversational tone, laced with rhythmic phrasing like stuttered exclamations and direct addresses, draws from R&B traditions to create an intimate, vibe that mirrors spoken-word . Interpretations position the track as emphasizing female agency in romance, with the narrator asserting control by pinpointing what truly captivates her amid potential relational pitfalls. has noted the song's open-ended nature, leaving the "one thing" ambiguous and for listeners to interpret through their own experiences, enhancing its relatable . The go-go influences in her spirited delivery further amplify this sense of bold self-expression.

Release and promotion

Singles and formats

"1 Thing" was first issued as a digital single in the United States on January 18, 2005, via under Urban Music. A CD maxi-single followed on March 29, 2005, in the same market, cataloged as 82876 66228 2. International releases commenced shortly thereafter, with variations by region; for instance, the saw a CD single release in May 2005, debuting on the Official Singles Chart that month. European markets received editions in mid-2005, often featuring extended mixes and additional remixes. The single appeared in multiple formats to target different audiences, including digital downloads for mainstream consumers, CD maxi-singles with bonus tracks, and 12-inch vinyl pressings aimed at club DJs. The standard CD maxi-single included the , album version, a remix featuring , and an instrumental version. Vinyl editions typically contained the album version, instrumental, and takes for remixing purposes. Remix packages, such as the Eve collaboration, were distributed as promotional CD-Rs and incorporated into commercial singles to broaden in urban radio rotations. Regional differences were evident in track listings and content; European releases, for example, offered extended versions and bonus remixes like the Mark Ronson Sunshine Vocal of "Talkin' to Me," alongside enhanced video elements, under catalog numbers such as 675940 2. These adaptations catered to local preferences, with 12-inch formats more prevalent in club-heavy markets like the and (Columbia 675940 6). The single also served as the sole release from the soundtrack to the 2005 film Hitch, integrating it into promotional tie-ins for the movie.

Marketing and tie-ins

The promotional campaign for "1 Thing" began with a strategic leak to U.S. radio stations in late 2004, orchestrated by Amerie and producer Rich Harrison to compel Columbia Records to release the track as a single, leading to widespread airplay by early 2005. This grassroots push was complemented by high-profile television appearances, including a live performance on MTV's Total Request Live on April 22, 2005, where Amerie showcased the song's energetic go-go rhythms to a prime-time audience. She also performed on BET's 106 & Park during the 2005 Spring Bling special, further amplifying its visibility among urban music viewers. A key tie-in that enhanced the song's crossover appeal was its inclusion on the soundtrack for the Hitch, starring , which was released on February 8, 2005, and prominently featured "1 Thing" as the opening track. This placement introduced the single to a broader pop audience beyond R&B listeners, contributing to its mainstream momentum without additional product placements in advertisements at the time. The track was integrated into Amerie's summer 2005 concert tour supporting her album Touch, where it served as a centerpiece in setlists, such as at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte on July 22, energizing crowds with live renditions. To extend its reach in club environments, Columbia released several remixes tailored for DJ spins, including the "Dubplate Mix" and versions featuring guest rappers like Eve, which gained traction in dance and urban radio circuits. Label efforts included partnerships for in-store promotional play of the song and video at retailers like , the Gap, and , designed to immerse shoppers in its infectious beat during the peak album rollout period.

Critical reception

Contemporary reviews

Upon its release in 2005, "1 Thing" received widespread acclaim from critics for its vibrant energy and innovative production, often highlighted as a standout track on Amerie's sophomore album Touch. lauded the track's "sweaty, berserk drum break" and Amerie's exhilarating vocal yelps, likening its "dizzy sunkissed freedom" to Beyoncé's "" while noting how it propelled the single to evoke the arrival of spring on radio. However, some reviewers critiqued the track's heavy dependence on its signature sample, with noting that while "1 Thing" felt light and airy—elevating it above similar Harrison productions like Jennifer Lopez's ""—it prioritized the beat over deeper artistic innovation. The album Touch aggregated to a score of 70/100 based on 12 reviews, with critics frequently citing "1 Thing" as its undisputed highlight amid a mixed reception for the rest of the project.

Retrospective assessments

In the years following its release, "1 Thing" has received renewed acclaim for its innovative fusion of go-go rhythms with , positioning it as a pivotal track in the genre's evolution. A 2020 retrospective described the song as a "modern day go-go classic," crediting and producer for drawing on 's go-go tradition—characterized by its percussive drive and communal energy—to create a mainstream hit that bridged regional sounds with global pop accessibility. This assessment underscored the track's role in elevating underrepresented influences, with Harrison's sampling of ' "Oh, Calcutta!" serving as a brief nod to funk's foundational grooves while amplifying go-go's polyrhythmic pulse. Pitchfork's 2009 ranking of the decade's top tracks further solidified "1 Thing" as a high point in Amerie's catalog and R&B, lauding its disorienting yet exhilarating structure that "seems to hover in midair for four minutes" through layered percussion and Amerie's dynamic vocals, marking it as a bold departure from formulaic production. Marking its 20th anniversary in 2025, reflections emphasized the song's timelessness amid R&B's continued . In a interview published on April 18, 2025, discussed how "1 Thing" endures due to its emotional universality and rhythmic , revealing that the label initially resisted it as too unconventional before its breakthrough success validated her artistic risks.

Commercial performance

Chart positions

"1 Thing" debuted on the at number 100 on February 12, 2005, gradually climbing the chart to reach its peak position of number 8 during the week ending April 23, 2005, where it spent three weeks; the song remained on the chart for a total of 20 weeks. On the chart, the single peaked at number 1, accumulating 26 weeks overall. The song saw strong international reception, entering various national charts in spring 2005 and sustaining presence through the summer. In the , "1 Thing" debuted at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart on June 4, 2005, rising to number 4 the following week and spending 14 weeks in the top 75. It peaked at number 13 on Australia's Singles Chart after debuting in May 2005, with a total chart run of 12 weeks. In the , the track reached number 5 on the Top 40 chart, entering in late May and charting for 10 weeks.
CountryChartPeak PositionEntry DateWeeks at PeakTotal Weeks
Billboard Hot 1008February 12, 2005320
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs1N/AN/A26
UK Singles Chart4June 4, 2005114
ARIA Singles Chart13May 15, 2005112
Dutch Top 405May 28, 2005110

Sales and certifications

In the United States, "1 Thing" achieved 500,000 digital downloads, earning a RIAA certification; its ringtone version also received certification. As of 2025, no further RIAA certifications have been awarded, though streaming equivalents contribute to ongoing metrics per RIAA methodology. Internationally, the song earned a BPI certification in the on October 21, 2022, for 600,000 units including streams, upgraded from Silver in 2005. No certification was awarded in . The advent of streaming has bolstered its performance, with equivalents from and contributing to the BPI upgrade; Nielsen SoundScan data highlights added volume post-2010.

Music video

Concept and production

The music video for "1 Thing" was directed by Chris Robinson, centering on an urban dance theme that highlighted Amerie's dynamic choreography and go-go-inspired aesthetics amid cityscape and warehouse settings. Filming took place in Washington, D.C., in early 2005, with production emphasizing high-energy sequences to sync with the song's rhythm, including post-production edits for rhythmic visual effects. The was crafted by , who coordinated a large ensemble of dancers in leather outfits designed to evoke street-style intensity, while challenges arose in synchronizing the mass routines to the track's pulsating beat. The video's creation tied directly to the single's rollout, capturing the song's vibrant essence.

Release and reception

The music video for "1 Thing," directed by Chris Robinson, was released in early 2005 to promote the lead single from Amerie's sophomore album Touch. It debuted on Black Entertainment Television (BET) in March 2005 and entered heavy rotation on MTV starting in April, with its wider distribution aligned with the physical CD single release. The video garnered substantial viewership on emerging online platforms and was popular on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL), underscoring its appeal to younger audiences. This exposure amplified the song's momentum, with fans crediting the video's infectious energy for boosting its cultural virality. The video received positive attention for its . Overall, the video earned an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Female Video in 2005, reflecting its strong industry recognition.

Legacy and other uses

Soundtrack appearances and samples

"1 Thing" served as the for the of the 2005 romantic comedy film Hitch, starring , where it underscored key scenes and contributed to the album's commercial success. The track also appeared in Sofia Coppola's 2010 drama Somewhere, playing during a sequence involving twin strippers at the , enhancing the film's atmospheric curated by Coppola. On television, the song featured in season 2, episode 3 ("Aquamansion") of HBO's Entourage in 2005, providing background music during a party scene. More recently, it was included in season 6, episode 4 ("Mazey Day") of Netflix's in 2023, accompanying a montage that highlighted the episode's themes of fame and downfall. The song's distinctive go-go rhythm and percussion, derived from a sample of The Meters' 1970 instrumental "Oh, Calcutta!", has made it a popular choice for sampling in subsequent tracks. Rapper Consequence directly sampled the vocal hook and beat in "Got Me Trippin'" from his 2010 mixtape Movies on Demand 2, with production by Q-Tip that layered additional hip-hop elements over the original's foundation. Producer Sango incorporated vocal snippets and the rhythmic structure into "She Yells" from his 2013 project Da Rocinha 2, blending it with Brazilian influences for a vibe. British grime artist Elf Kid flipped the percussion loop into the upbeat "Golden Boy" in 2015, marking his debut single and earning radio play on BBC Radio 1. Other notable post-2005 uses include the 2023 tracks "" by Jonjthan, which interpolates the chorus melody, and "One Thing" by KiLLOWEN, a direct beat sample in an electronic remix context. Beyond film and television, "1 Thing" has appeared in various video games, expanding its cultural footprint in . It was featured on the 2007 karaoke title R&B for PlayStation platforms, allowing players to perform the track. The song also soundtracked in 2008, playing on the fictional radio station The Mix 107.77 during gameplay. Later inclusions encompass 's Non-Stop-Pop FM station in 2013 and the dance in 2012, where it served as a playable track with choreographed routines.

Covers, remixes, and influence

The official remix of "1 Thing" featuring Eve was released in 2005 and included on the song's remix EP, which also featured a version with rapper B.G., an instrumental, and a call-out hook edit. An extended "Overextended Mix" incorporated additional verses from Eve, Royce da 5'9", and Fabolous, with DJ Clue providing scratches and hosting elements, highlighting the track's hip-hop crossover appeal. "1 Thing" has inspired several cover versions, including an reinterpretation by Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra in 2007, which retained the song's funky percussion while shifting to a rock-infused lounge style. The offered a steelpan-driven cover in 2016 on their album The Incredible Bongo Bandite, emphasizing the track's rhythmic groove through instrumentation. Unauthorized mashups and live renditions have also proliferated online, often blending the song with contemporary electronic or pop elements. The song's incorporation of go-go rhythms, sampled from The Meters' "Oh, Calcutta!" and produced by Rich Harrison, played a key role in reviving the Washington, D.C.-born genre within mainstream R&B during the mid-2000s. This influence is evident in Beyoncé's "Upgrade U" from her 2006 album B'Day, also produced by Harrison, which adopted a similar bouncy, percussion-heavy go-go template to blend hip-hop swagger with R&B sensuality. Harrison's signature style—characterized by layered claps, horn stabs, and infectious grooves—continued to echo in 2010s R&B production trends.

Recent revivals and cultural impact

In 2025, marking the 20th anniversary of its release, "1 Thing" received renewed attention through a feature where reflected on the song's enduring legacy and the enthusiastic fan response to her recent performances. delivered a live rendition of "1 Thing" at the in 2025, showcasing the track's high-energy rhythms and earning praise for revitalizing its classic appeal amid a setlist of R&B staples. Earlier that year, on June 6, she performed the song with a full band during her Tiny Desk Concert, blending intimate acoustics with the original's funky percussion to highlight its timeless R&B essence. These appearances sparked widespread fan reactions on , with the Tiny Desk set going viral on platforms like and , where users celebrated its nostalgic vibe and 's vocal delivery. The song has solidified its role as a symbol of 2000s empowerment anthems, capturing themes of irresistible attraction and self-assured desire through its bold, sample-driven sound. Its inclusion in Rolling Stone's 2024 list of the 100 Greatest R&B Songs of the 21st Century underscores this lasting significance, positioning it among influential tracks that fused funk samples with modern R&B. Additionally, "1 Thing" experienced a streaming resurgence in the 2020s, bolstered by TikTok trends from 2022 to 2024 that revived its danceable beat and lyrics for user-generated challenges, contributing to its early-2020s popularity spike.

References

  1. https://genius.com/Amerie-1-thing-radio-edit-lyrics/q/release-date
  2. https://www.musicradar.com/artists/i-will-say-when-i-first-heard-it-it-was-a-little-like-ok-it-was-that-moment-when-i-was-like-all-right-im-gonna-sing-over-this-kay-how-amerie-created-a-00s-r-and-b-funk-classic-with-producer-rich-harrison-and-a-little-help-from-the-meters
  3. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/amerie/1-thing
  4. https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2005-04-23/
  5. https://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=1%2BThing%2Bby%2BAmerie&id=2145
  6. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/amerie-1-thing/
  7. https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/120384/all
  8. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/amerie-one-thing-2005-week-1235946492/
  9. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/amerie-on-making-1-thing-best-songs-21st-century-714687/
  10. https://www.okayplayer.com/how-amerie-made-a-modern-day-go-go-classic-with-1-thing/681987
  11. https://www.npr.org/2025/06/06/g-s1-69594/amerie-tiny-desk-concert
  12. https://www.nhpr.org/2025-06-06/amerie-tiny-desk-concert
  13. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/q-and-a/a35417/ameriie-interview-1-thing-tenth-anniversary/
  14. https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/here-comes-the-drums-6340966/
  15. https://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/amerie2.shtml
  16. https://genius.com/The-meters-oh-calcutta-lyrics/q/release-date
  17. https://musicbrainz.org/release/ecb5b243-a4f4-42b9-9167-33258153e10e
  18. https://www.discogs.com/release/1416648-Amerie-1-Thing
  19. https://www.instagram.com/p/DEmySFkycdm/
  20. https://genius.com/Amerie-1-thing-lyrics/q/producer
  21. https://gearspace.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-and-production/60850-ameries-production-recording-techniques.html
  22. https://getsongbpm.com/song/1-thing/wpwyWR
  23. https://www.hooktheory.com/theorytab/view/amerie/1-thing
  24. https://genius.com/Amerie-1-thing-lyrics
  25. https://modeaudio.com/magazine/6-great-guitar-samples-in-hip-hop
  26. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/the-100-greatest-songs-of-the-century-so-far-666874/
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6jfTp1T84o
  28. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/amerie-reaches-with-touch-63045/
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/819205-Amerie-One-Thing-The-Dubplate-Mix
  30. https://archive.org/stream/bub_gb_MQ0EAAAAMBAJ/bub_gb_MQ0EAAAAMBAJ_djvu.txt
  31. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/458-touch/
  32. https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/amerie-touch/
  33. https://www.metacritic.com/music/touch/amerie
  34. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7693-the-top-500-tracks-of-the-2000s-20-1/
  35. https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2005-06-04/
  36. https://acharts.co/australia_singles_top_50/2005/30
  37. https://acharts.co/song/712
  38. https://www.buzzjack.com/forums/topic/251745-2022-bpi-certifications/
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8112644/
  40. https://imvdb.com/video/amerie/1-thing
  41. http://washman.com/one_thing.html
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8112644/locations
  43. https://tanishascott.com/choreography/
  44. https://www.urbandanceleague.com/post/interview-with-choreographer-tanisha-scott
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbqVg_23otg
  46. https://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2005/mtvvmas.htm
  47. https://genius.com/albums/Amerie/1-thing-ep
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOS4hQiOmSU
  49. https://www.facebook.com/Billboard/videos/amerie-on-20-year-anniversary-of-1-thing-fan-reaction-to-tiny-desk-performance-b/727830079684366/
  50. https://thatgrapejuice.net/2025/06/ameries-background-singer-claps-back-at-mean-nasty-critics-of-rb-divas-tiny-desk-performance/
  51. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PizSSUfetg
  52. https://www.reddit.com/r/popculturechat/comments/1l6e34x/amerie_is_going_viral_for_her_tiny_desk/
  53. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-rnb-songs-21st-century-1234878625/
  54. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-rnb-songs-21st-century-1234878625/the-internet-special-affair-1234878878/
  55. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/WMG/ToddInTheShadowsOHW
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