Only One Love in My Life cover

Only One Love in My Life

Ronnie Milsap · 1978

34 min · 10 tracks · country music

A heartfelt blend of country and soul that highlights Milsap's emotive vocal delivery and masterful piano arrangements.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Only One Love in My Life — This title track showcases Milsap's signature emotional depth, combining poignant lyrics with a memorable melody that cemented its status as a classic.
  • →
    Let's Take the Long Way Around the World Start here — Opening the album, this track sets an inviting tone with its upbeat tempo and romantic themes, highlighting Milsap's smooth vocal style.
  • →
    I'm Not Trying to Forget — This song features a reflective narrative about love lost, showcasing Milsap's ability to convey vulnerability through his performance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album combines strong songwriting with skilled performances, creating an engaging country-soul experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of piano as the primary instrument, often leading the melodies in each track.
  • The first half of the album maintains a mid-tempo pace, while the latter half introduces slower ballads that create a reflective atmosphere.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
  • heartfelt ballads for reflection
  • warm vibes for cozy evenings
  • soothing melodies for road trips

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking fast-paced excitement
  • prefer standalone singles only

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Further established Milsap's reputation after his earlier commercial success.
Themes
heartfelt romance· nostalgic reflections· southern love stories
Career context
Released in 1978, Only One Love in My Life marked Ronnie Milsap's sixth studio album, following his commercial breakthrough with 1976's Ronnie Milsap Music. At this point in his career, Milsap was solidifying his position as a key figure in the country music scene, embracing a crossover appeal that incorporated elements of pop and blue-eyed soul.
Stylistic neighbors
Charlie Rich· Kenny Rogers· Al Green

Tracklist

  • 1 Let's Take the Long Way Around the World Start here 3:22
  • 2 Back in My Mind Again 3:14
  • 3 Only One Love in My Life 3:28
  • 4 I'm Not Trying to Forget 3:00
  • 5 No Relief in Sight 2:57
  • 6 Once I Get Over You 3:38
  • 7 Santa Barbara 4:13
  • 8 Too Soon to Know 3:21
  • 9 Yesterday's Lovers Never Make Good Friends 3:29
  • 10 I've Got the Music in Me 3:30

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata