What makes Only Human by Dina Carroll notable?

The album reached number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold, demonstrating its commercial impact. Additionally, it featured the hit single Only Human, which became a defining track of the era and showcased Carroll's vocal prowess amid the rising popularity of contemporary R&B. Only Human is Dina Carroll's second studio album, following her successful debut, So Close. Released in 1996, this album solidified her presence in the UK pop and R&B scenes during a time when she was transitioning from breakthrough success to sustained acclaim.

How many songs are on Only Human?

Only Human has 12 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Only Human

Dina Carroll · 1996

56 min · 12 tracks · contemporary R&B

Soulful melodies intertwine with contemporary R&B grooves, showcasing emotional depth and polished production throughout.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Only Human — As the title track and lead single, it encapsulates the album's themes of vulnerability and resilience while showcasing Carroll's powerful vocal delivery.
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I Didn't Mean to Hurt You — This track highlights a more introspective side of Carroll, delving into themes of regret and emotional complexity that resonate throughout the album.
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The Perfect Year — A lush ballad that beautifully showcases Carroll's vocal range and emotional intensity, this track stands out for its reflective lyrics about love and longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features polished production and strong vocal performances but lacks standout compositions throughout.

What we noticed

The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a smooth groove, followed by the hit single which maintains this pace but adds a more pronounced emotional intensity.
Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the soulful quality of the melodies.
The last three tracks shift towards slower tempos, creating a reflective conclusion to the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Escaping 4:47
2 Only Human 5:17
3 Give Me the Right 5:27
4 World Come Between Us 3:47
5 Love Will Always Bring You Back to Me 4:19
6 I Didn't Mean to Hurt You 6:26
7 Living for the Weekend 3:31
8 Mind Body & Soul 4:34
9 Run to You 5:04
10 Do You Think I'm in Love 4:07
11 I Don't Want to Talk About It 5:30
12 The Perfect Year 3:46

What to play next

Listen next

Dina Carroll

1999

Go back to

So Close

1993

Full Dina Carroll discography Artists like Dina Carroll

contemporary R&B soul

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata