# The Only One I Know

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1990 single by the Charlatans

"The Only One I Know" UK 12-inch cover artwork Single by the Charlatans from the album Some Friendly B-side "Everything Changed" "Imperial 109" "You Can Talk to Me" Released 14 May 1990 (1990-05-14) Recorded March 1990 Studio The Winding Studios (Wrexham, Wales) Genre Madchester[1] baggy[2] Length 4:00 Label Situation Two Songwriters John Baker Martin Blunt Jon Brookes Tim Burgess Rob Collins Producer Chris Nagle The Charlatans singles chronology "Indian Rope" (1990) "The Only One I Know" (1990) "Then" (1990) Music video "The Only One I Know" on YouTube

"**The Only One I Know**" is the second single by English rock band [the Charlatans](/source/The_Charlatans_(UK_band)). It was their first top-10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the [UK Singles Chart](/source/UK_Singles_Chart). In the UK, it was the highest-charting single from the *[Some Friendly](/source/Some_Friendly)* album. Its best showing in the United States was on the [Modern Rock Chart](/source/Alternative_Songs), where it reached No. 5 in September 1990.

## Background

The song contained lines directly lifted from [the Byrds](/source/The_Byrds)' 1967 song "Everybody's Been Burned,"[1] while the melody prominently features an organ riff lifted from the [Deep Purple](/source/Deep_Purple) rendition of the song "[Hush](/source/Hush_(Billy_Joe_Royal_song))".[3] In addition, Martin Blunt has described Jon Baker's guitar part as resembling that of [the Supremes](/source/The_Supremes)' "[You Keep Me Hangin' On](/source/You_Keep_Me_Hangin'_On)".

[Tim Burgess](/source/Tim_Burgess_(musician)) has described the song as being "about teenage feelings: I like somebody, why do they not like me? I was 21 or 22, but still had those powerful emotions". According to him, the band initially intended to record a different song, "Polar Bear", for release as their second single, but after both a friend of Burgess' and their record label [Beggars Banquet Records](/source/Beggars_Banquet_Records) suggested that "The Only One I Know" would be a better choice they changed plans. Burgess has described the song as having an unusual construction: "I’m still not sure which bit is the chorus. The title and main hook is in the verse, but the intro – before the main song crashes in – gives people just enough time to get on the dancefloor". Blunt has said that the [breakdown](/source/Breakdown_(music)) to his bass part after the second verse was influenced by [funk](/source/Funk) and [Stax Records](/source/Stax_Records)' [southern soul](/source/Southern_soul) sound. After the band recorded the track at The Winding Studios in Wrexham, it underwent further mixing by Chris Nagle at [Strawberry Studios](/source/Strawberry_Studios) in [Stockport](/source/Stockport).[4] but filming resumed after brief negotiations.

The song was also included as a track on the 1990 compilation album *[Happy Daze](/source/Happy_Daze_(compilation_album))*.

## Music video

A music video was released for the song and was directed by Kim Peters in her directorial debut, a friend of the band's then-manager Steve Harrison whom previously worked as a graphic designer with no prior experience of filming music videos,[5] and depicts the band performing the song at a warehouse in [Sandbach](/source/Sandbach), owned by a friend of Harrison, which was filmed in the evening with an audience of friends and fans. Police officers, having been informed that an illegal [rave](/source/Rave) was allegedly happening at the venue, arrived,[6] and filming resumed after brief negotiations. Some of these officers appear in the final video.[7]

## Track listings

All tracks were written by Baker, Blunt, Brookes, [Burgess](/source/Tim_Burgess_(musician)), and [Collins](/source/Rob_Collins_(musician)), except "[Then](/source/Then_(The_Charlatans_song))", written by Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, and Collins.

**7-inch single**[8]

1. "The Only One I Know" – 3:56

1. "Everything Changed" – 3:21

**12-inch single**[9]

- A1. "The Only One I Know" – 4:00

- B1. "Imperial 109" (edit) – 3:44

- B2. "Everything Changed" – 3:23

**UK CD single**[10]

1. "The Only One I Know" – 3:56

1. "Imperial 109" (edit) – 3:41

1. "Everything Changed" – 3:21

1. "You Can Talk to Me" – 4:49

- "You Can Talk to Me" was recorded on 20 March 1990 for the [John Peel](/source/John_Peel) Show, [BBC Radio 1](/source/BBC_Radio_1), first broadcast on 9 April 1990. The US CD single switches tracks two and three.[11]

**US cassette single**[12]

1. "The Only One I Know" (edit) – 3:25

1. "Then" (alternative take) – 5:45

## Charts

Chart (1990–1991) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[13] 75 Ireland (IRMA)[14] 11 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 56 UK Singles (OCC)[16] 9 US Album Rock Tracks (Billboard)[17] 37 US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard)[18] 5

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales United Kingdom (BPI)[19] Gold 400,000‡ ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s). United Kingdom 14 May 1990 12-inch vinyl CD Situation Two [20][21] 21 May 1990 7-inch vinyl [22] Australia 16 July 1990 7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl cassette Situation Two RCA Beggars Banquet [23]

## Notable cover versions

The song was covered in a [funk](/source/Funk)-infused take by English musician, DJ and producer [Mark Ronson](/source/Mark_Ronson) for his 2007 studio album of cover versions, *[Version](/source/Version_(album))*, featuring vocals by pop superstar and former [Take That](/source/Take_That) member [Robbie Williams](/source/Robbie_Williams) (having previously co-produced Williams' seventh studio album *[Rudebox](/source/Rudebox)* the year prior).[24] The [Apple Music](/source/Apple_Music) description of *Version* dubs Ronson and Williams' rendition as having "transformed a [baggy](/source/Baggy) anthem into a [Northern soul](/source/Northern_soul) stomper".[25] This version was also featured on select editions of Williams' 2010 greatest hits album *[In and Out of Consciousness: Greatest Hits 1990–2010](/source/In_and_Out_of_Consciousness%3A_Greatest_Hits_1990%E2%80%932010)*.[24][26] When Ronson performed the song during his set at the 2007 [BBC Electric Proms](/source/BBC_Radio_2_Electric_Proms), after Williams was unavailable, the Charlatans' frontman [Tim Burgess](/source/Tim_Burgess_(musician)) stepped in on vocals alongside [Mark Collins](/source/Mark_Collins_(musician)), the band's guitarist since 1991.[27]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-BBC_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-BBC_1-1) ["BBC – Music TV – Pop on trial – 1950s-1990s"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/musictv/popontrial/decades/index.shtml?d=90s&a=show&t=show&c=show&n=18&q=hide&m=hide). [BBC Online](/source/BBC_Online). Retrieved 5 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [*Version (Bonus Tracks) by Mark Ronson on Apple Music*](https://music.apple.com/us/album/version-bonus-tracks/270051041), 14 April 2007, retrieved 1 August 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Raggett, Ned. ["The Charlatans UK – Only One I Know"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/only-one-i-know-mw0000674831). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved 22 March 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Simpson, Dave (15 November 2021). ["The Charlatans: how we made The Only One I Know – 'I'm still not sure which bit's the chorus'"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/nov/15/charlatans-how-we-made-the-only-one-i-know-chorus-spencer-davis). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved 24 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Burgess 2013, p. 49

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WillsSheehan39_6-0)** Wills; Sheehan 1999, pp. 39

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WillsSheehan3940_7-0)** Wills; Sheehan 1999, pp. 39–40

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** *The Only One I Know* (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). [Situation Two](/source/Situation_Two). 1990. SIT 70.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** *The Only One I Know* (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Situation Two. 1990. SIT 70 T.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** *The Only One I Know* (UK CD single liner notes). Situation Two. 1990. SIT 70 CD.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *The Only One I Know* (US CD single liner notes). [RCA Records](/source/RCA_Records). 1990. 2690-2-HS.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** *The Only One I Know* (US cassette single sleeve). RCA Records. 1990. 2451-4-HS.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ryan, Gavin (2011). *Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010*. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Ireland2_14-0)** "[The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Only One I Know](http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=The%20Only%20One%20I%20Know)". [Irish Singles Chart](/source/Irish_Singles_Chart). Retrieved 5 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_The_Charlatans_15-0)** "[The Charlatans – The Only One I Know](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Charlatans&titel=The+Only+One+I+Know&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Single Top 100](/source/Dutch_Single_Top_100). Retrieved 5 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-UK_16-0)** "[Official Singles Chart on 16/6/1990 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19900616/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 5 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mainstream_17-0)** ["Mainstream Rock Airplay"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1991-01-19/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. 19 January 1991. Retrieved 11 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Alternative_18-0)** ["Alternative Airplay"](https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-airplay/1990-09-15/). *Billboard*. 15 September 1990. Retrieved 11 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-United_KingdomCharlatansThe_Only_One_I_KnowsingleCertRef_19-0)** ["British single certifications – Charlatans – The Only One I Know"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved 7 June 2024. *Select*singles*in the Formats field.* *Type*The Only One I Know Charlatans*in the "Search:" field.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** "New Singles". *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. 12 May 1990. p. 43.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Singles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060501065530/http://www.thecharlatans.net/singles.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.thecharlatans.net/singles.html) on 1 May 2006. Retrieved 19 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** "New Singles". *Music Week*. 19 May 1990. p. 37.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** "New Release Summary: Singles". *[The ARIA Report](/source/The_ARIA_Report)*. No. 27. 15 July 1990. p. 19.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_24-1) [*Mark Ronson feat. Robbie Williams - The Only One I Know - hitparade.ch*](https://hitparade.ch/song/Mark-Ronson-feat.-Robbie-Williams/The-Only-One-I-Know-324324), retrieved 11 July 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** [*Version (Bonus Tracks) by Mark Ronson on Apple Music*](https://music.apple.com/us/album/version-bonus-tracks/270051041), 14 April 2007, retrieved 1 August 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["Robbie Williams - The Greatest Hits 1990-2010 In And Out Of Consciousness (3CD Deluxe Edition) - CDs at Play.com (UK)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100821093448/http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/16101726/The-Greatest-Hits-1990-2010-In-And-Out-Of-Consciousness/Product.html). *www.play.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/16101726/The-Greatest-Hits-1990-2010-In-And-Out-Of-Consciousness/Product.html) on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["BBC - Electric Proms 2007 - Mark Ronson and special guests with the BBC Concert Orchestra"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2007/artists/markronson/). *www.bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

## External links

- [The Charlatans "The Only One I Know" music video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RJwW77Lsj8) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

- [Mark Ronson "The Only One I Know" audio featuring Robbie Williams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozUr19F0NRo) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube_video_(identifier))

v t e The Charlatans Martin Blunt Tim Burgess Mark Collins Tony Rogers Rob Collins Studio albums Some Friendly Between 10th and 11th Up to Our Hips The Charlatans Tellin' Stories Us and Us Only Wonderland Up at the Lake Simpatico You Cross My Path Who We Touch Modern Nature Different Days We Are Love Compilations Melting Pot Forever. The Singles Singles "The Only One I Know" "Then" "Over Rising" "Me. In Time" "Weirdo" "Tremelo Song" "Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over" "One to Another" "You're So Pretty – We're So Pretty" Related articles Discography Telling Stories

Authority control databases MusicBrainz work MusicBrainz release group

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Only One I Know](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Only_One_I_Know) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Only_One_I_Know?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.