I'm the Only One


"I'm the Only One" is a Melissa Etheridge song that appears on her 1993 album Yes I Am. The single was released in 1993, reaching number 12 in Canada and number 26 in the Netherlands. In the United States it was slow to gain momentum, but it eventually peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in January 1995. It remains one of her biggest hits.

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.

Music video

The music video for "I'm the Only One" was directed by David Hogan, marking their first collaboration on a video. 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.
It largely shows Etheridge performing at a club as well as same-sex couples making out to her sensual music.

Covers

The song has been covered many times on American Idol. In the Top 4 of season one, it was covered by Nikki McKibbin on 80's/90's week. In the Top 10 of season four, the song was covered by Nadia Turner on 90's week. In the Top 16 of season five, Kellie Pickler covered it, before advancing to the Top 12. In season ten, Lauren Alaina covered the song on Top 12 week, when the contestants were to choose one song from the year they were born.
On the first season of The Voice, Beverly McClellan covered the song on the 7th episode, the first week of live rounds.
In November 2011, Mark Salling covered the song in Glee's episode "I Kissed a Girl".

Track listing

All songs were written by Melissa Etheridge.
  1. "I'm the Only One" – 4:15
  2. "I'm the Only One" '' – 5:30
  3. "Yes I Am" – 5:02

    Credits and personnel

Weekly charts

Chart Peak
position

Year-end charts

Chart Position
US Billboard Hot 10092