The One Thing
Michael Bolton · 1993
51 min · 10 tracks · pop rock
A blend of emotive ballads and upbeat pop rock, showcasing Bolton's powerful vocals and heartfelt lyricism.
Top tracks — play these first
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Said I Loved You... But I Lied Start here — As the lead single, this track encapsulates Bolton's signature style, combining dramatic melodies with poignant lyrics about regret and love.
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Completely — This song features an infectious chorus and showcases Bolton's vocal range, making it a quintessential example of his romantic balladry.
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The One Thing — The title track stands out for its catchy hook and lyrical exploration of longing, perfectly blending Bolton’s soulful delivery with pop sensibilities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Bolton's vocal prowess but follows familiar pop rock structures without significant innovation.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature strong, soaring choruses that highlight Bolton's vocal range and emotional delivery.
- Several songs incorporate orchestral arrangements, particularly strings, which enhance the balladic elements.
- The album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with only two tracks significantly deviating to faster or slower tempos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 emotional build throughout
- heartfelt ballads for connection
- uplifting anthems for sing-alongs
- for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid slow, steady pacing
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Bolton's reputation after his Grammy-winning success.
- Career context
- Released in late 1993, The One Thing marked Michael Bolton's commercial peak following the success of his Grammy-winning album Time, Love & Tenderness. This album continued to solidify his reputation as a leading figure in adult contemporary music during the early '90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Kenny Rogers· Richard Marx· Bryan Adams
Tracklist
- 1 Said I Loved You... But I Lied Start here 5:06
- 2 I'm Not Made of Steel 5:11
- 3 The One Thing 5:09
- 4 Soul of My Soul 5:42
- 5 Completely 4:25
- 6 Lean on Me 5:20
- 7 Ain't Got Nothing If You Ain't Got Love 5:04
- 8 A Time for Letting Go 5:39
- 9 Never Get Enough of Your Love 5:06
- 10 In the Arms of Love 4:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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