You Ain't the Only One

"You Ain't the Only One" was written by Mary J. Blige along with Patrick "Pat" Kelly, Jezus Rose, Angelo "Doc" Velasquez for her fifteenth studio album Gratitude (2024).^[1] Production on the song was overseen by Kelly, Velasquez, Aidan Brody and Will Campbell.^[1] In an interview with People at the evening of her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Blige commented on the song: "I listen to a lot of stories that my fans talk to me about. I've been through a lot, but sometimes you listen to other people's stories, and you say, 'Wow, I'm just complaining' because their stories is worse than yours. Everyone has something that they're dealing with and that they're suffering through. The single is basically saying, 'You're not alone. You're not the only one out here dealing with life. Life is not life-ing for you only'."^[2]

Vibe editor Mya Abraham called "You Ain't the Only One" an "uptempo, relatable groove where [Blige] provides reassurance to listeners dealing with life’s ebb and flows,"^[3] while Essence editor Okla Jones described the song as a "powerful anthem, offering comfort and solidarity through relatable lyrics."^[4] Edward Bowser, writing for Soul in Stereo, called it a "one-two punch of empowerment" that reminded him "of something from an 80s sitcom, and that's not a diss – sure, the song's themes are a bit heavy, but the upbeat lyrics provide a lot of hope, and Mary has always danced through her pain."^[5] Devin Morton from HotNewHipHop found that "You Ain't the Only One" was "quintessential adult contemporary R&B. Blige sounds at home over the beat, and the beat itself is an upbeat one. Lyrically, the track talks about the ups and downs of life, saying that if you've ever felt down, "you ain't the only one." She reminds listeners to go through life by remembering your goals and what you've already achieved, and to "play the hand you were dealt"."^[6]

Released on October 18, 2024 as the second single to precede parent album Gratitude,^[7] "You Ain't the Only One" debuted at number 43 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart in the week ending January 18, 2025.^[8] It has since peaked at number 18 in the week of October 26, 2024.^[9][10] The same week, the song also reached the top spot on Billboard's US Adult R&B Songs chart,^[9] becoming Blige's tenth number-one hit as well her third consecutive number-one single on the chart.^[10] With nine Adult R&B chart toppers, "You Ain't the Only One" moved Blige into a tie with singer Charlie Wilson for the third-most number-one hits only after Alicia Keys and Toni Braxton.^[10]

A music video for "You Ain't the Only One" was directed by frequent collaborator Eif Rivera.^[11] The visuals were released through Blige's official YouTube account on October 21, 2024.^[11]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Breathing."^[1]