I'm the Only One

"I'm the Only One"
"I'm the Only One"
Single by Melissa Etheridge
from the album Yes I Am
B-side	"I'm the Only One" (live)
Released	September 7, 1993
Studio	A&M (Hollywood)
Length	4:54
Label	Island
Songwriter	Melissa Etheridge
Producers	Hugh Padgham; Melissa Etheridge;
Melissa Etheridge singles chronology
Music video
	"I'm the Only One" on YouTube

"I'm the Only One" is a song by American singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge from her fourth studio album, Yes I Am (1993). It was released as the album's first single in September 1993 by Island Records, reaching No. 12 in Canada and No. 26 in the Netherlands. In the United States, it was slow to gain momentum, but after the success of "Come to My Window", it was re-released, peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1995. It remains Etheridge's biggest hit on either chart and earned her a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song in 1995.^[1]

Content

Like many songs on her first album, Melissa Etheridge, "I'm the Only One" deals with non-monogamous relationships. In the verses, the singer tells how much she suffers because her partner desires someone else. In the chorus, the singer reminds her partner that even if her partner is in a new relationship, that the singer will always be the only one who really loves them with passion.

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref.
1995	Grammy Award	Best Rock Song	Nominated	^[1]
1995	GLAAD Media Award	Outstanding Music Video	Won	^[2]
1996	ASCAP Pop Music Award	Most Performed Songs	Won	^[3]

Music video

The music video for "I'm the Only One" shows Etheridge performing at a club, with several close-up shots of her face, while couples dance sensually. It was directed by David Hogan, marking their first collaboration on a video,^[4]^[5] and won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Video.^[2] Hogan, who became friends with Etheridge, later helmed several other of her videos, including "Your Little Secret" in 1995 and "I Want to Be in Love" in 2001.^[4]

Track listings

All songs were written by Melissa Etheridge, except for Maggie May, written by Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton.

US cassette single^[6]

"I'm the Only One" (album version) – 4:54
"Maggie May" (live) – 6:18

US maxi-CD single^[7]

"I'm the Only One" (album version) – 4:54
"Maggie May" (live) – 6:18
"Ain't It Heavy" (live) – 4:13
"I'm the Only One" (live) – 5:26

UK 7-inch single^[8]

A. "I'm the Only One" (edit) – 4:15

B. "I'm the Only One" (live) – 5:30

UK CD single^[9]

"I'm the Only One" (edit) – 4:15
"Bring Me Some Water" – 4:22
"I'm the Only One" (live) – 5:30
"Yes I Am" (live) – 5:02

Dutch CD single^[10]

"I'm the Only One" (edit) – 4:15
"I'm the Only One" (live) – 5:30
"Yes I Am" (live) – 5:02

Credits and personnel

Vocals and acoustic guitar by Melissa Etheridge
Drums and percussion by Mauricio Fritz Lewak
Electric guitar by Waddy Wachtel
Keyboards by Scott Thurston
Bass by Pino Palladino
Engineering by Hugh Padgham
Assistant engineering by Greg Goldman, John Aguto, and Mike Baumgartner
Mixing by Hugh Padgham
Mastering by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1993–1995)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[11]	58
Canada Retail Singles (The Record)^[12]	10
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[13] 1993 peak	12
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[14] 1994 peak	35
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)^[15]	25
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[16]	28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[17]	26
Quebec (ADISQ)^[18]	7
US Billboard Hot 100^[19]	8
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[20]	1
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[21]	28
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[22]	10
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)^[23]	4
US Cash Box Top 100^[24]	5

Year-end charts

Chart (1993)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[25]	96

Chart (1994)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[26]	92

Chart (1995)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[27]	44
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[28]	16
US Top 40/Mainstream (Billboard)^[29]	38

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	September 7, 1993	Album rock alternative radio	Island	^[30]
Australia	October 18, 1993	CD cassette		^[31]
United Kingdom	November 1, 1993	7-inch vinyl CD cassette		^[32]

References

^ ^a ^b "Melissa Etheridge". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "GLAAD Honcho Blasts Talkers at Awards". March 20, 1995.
^ "Billboard". Books.google.com. June 1996. p. 102.
^ ^a ^b Lindsay, Bethany (July 27, 2015). "Interview: Music Video Director David Hogan". Songfacts.com. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
^ Luck, Joyce (1997). "Melissa Etheridge: Our Little Secret (page 194)". ECW Press (Google Books). ISBN 9781550222982. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
^ I'm the Only One (US cassette single sleeve). Island Records. 1994. 422-854 068-4.
^ I'm the Only One (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Island Records. 1994. 422-854 069-2.
^ I'm the Only One (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Island Records. 1993. IS579, 862 762-7.
^ I'm the Only One (UK CD single liner notes). Island Records. 1993. CID 579, 862 941-2.
^ I'm the Only One (Dutch CD single liner notes). Island Records. 1993. 74321 16252 2.
^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 13 Feb 1994". ARIA. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
^ "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard. November 13, 1993. p. 52. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2305." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2694." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.–23.11 '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 17, 1994. p. 16. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Melissa Etheridge – I'm the Only One" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. 25 September 1993. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
^ "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "U.S. Cash Box Chart Entries – 1990 – 1996" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
^ "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
^ "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-80. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
^ "The Year in Music 1995: Top 40/Mainstream Top Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 3, no. 51. December 15, 1995. p. 8.
^ Flick, Larry (September 4, 1993). "Nirvana, Meilencamp Ready Sept. Sets". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 36. p. 12. 'I'm The Only One' goes to album-rock and alternative radio Sept. 7.
^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 18/10/93: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 193. October 17, 1993. p. 19.
^ "Single Releases". Music Week. October 30, 1993. p. 27.

Melissa Etheridge – Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled – Bonus DVD

External links

musicmoz.org

[Gram-1] "Melissa Etheridge". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved October 15, 2022.

[Gladd-2] "GLAAD Honcho Blasts Talkers at Awards". March 20, 1995.

[3] "Billboard". Books.google.com. June 1996. p. 102.

[songfacts-4] Lindsay, Bethany (July 27, 2015). "Interview: Music Video Director David Hogan". Songfacts.com. Retrieved April 16, 2016.

[gbooksjl-5] Luck, Joyce (1997). "Melissa Etheridge: Our Little Secret (page 194)". ECW Press (Google Books). ISBN 9781550222982. Retrieved April 16, 2016.

[6] I'm the Only One (US cassette single sleeve). Island Records. 1994. 422-854 068-4.

[7] I'm the Only One (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Island Records. 1994. 422-854 069-2.

[8] I'm the Only One (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Island Records. 1993. IS579, 862 762-7.

[9] I'm the Only One (UK CD single liner notes). Island Records. 1993. CID 579, 862 941-2.

[10] I'm the Only One (Dutch CD single liner notes). Island Records. 1993. 74321 16252 2.

[11] "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 13 Feb 1994". ARIA. Retrieved February 23, 2016.

[12] "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard. November 13, 1993. p. 52. Retrieved May 21, 2025.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-13] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2305." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[can94-14] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2694." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[15] "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (17.–23.11 '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). November 17, 1994. p. 16. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[sc_Dutch40_-16] "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 1993" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[sc_Dutch100_Melissa_Etheridge-17] "Melissa Etheridge – I'm the Only One" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[18] "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. 25 September 1993. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 November 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2025.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Melissa_Etheridge-19] "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[sc_Billboardadultcontemporary_Melissa_Etheridge-20] "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[sc_Billboardadultpopsongs_Melissa_Etheridge-21] "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_Melissa_Etheridge-22] "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[sc_Billboardpopsongs_Melissa_Etheridge-23] "Melissa Etheridge Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[24] "U.S. Cash Box Chart Entries – 1990 – 1996" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-05-30.

[25] "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2019.

[26] "Billboard Top 100 – 1994". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.

[27] "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.

[28] "The Year in Music: Hot Adult Contemporary Singles & Tracks" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-80. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 28, 2021.

[29] "The Year in Music 1995: Top 40/Mainstream Top Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 3, no. 51. December 15, 1995. p. 8.

[30] Flick, Larry (September 4, 1993). "Nirvana, Meilencamp Ready Sept. Sets". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 36. p. 12. 'I'm The Only One' goes to album-rock and alternative radio Sept. 7.

[31] "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 18/10/93: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 193. October 17, 1993. p. 19.

[32] "Single Releases". Music Week. October 30, 1993. p. 27.

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v t e Melissa Etheridge
Albums	Melissa Etheridge Brave and Crazy Never Enough Yes I Am Your Little Secret Breakdown Skin Lucky The Awakening A New Thought for Christmas Fearless Love 4th Street Feeling This Is M.E. MEmphis Rock and Soul The Medicine Show One Way Out
Compilations	Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled
Notable singles	"Bring Me Some Water" "Like the Way I Do" "No Souvenirs" "You Can Sleep While I Drive" "I'm the Only One" "Come to My Window" "If I Wanted To" "Your Little Secret" "I Want to Come Over" "Angels Would Fall" "Scarecrow" "I Want to Be in Love" "Breathe" "Refugee" "I Need to Wake Up" "Message to Myself" "Fearless Love"
Featured singles	"Cry Baby"/"Piece of My Heart" "Just Stand Up!" "Sing"
Related articles	Discography Awards and nominations Julie Cypher Tammy Lynn Michaels Linda Wallem "I Am Not My Hair"

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