You're the One

[Lori]

It's alright I'll come 'round when you're not in
And I'll pick up all my things
Everything I have I bought with you
But that's alright too
It's just everything I do
We did together
And there's a little piece of you
In whatever
I've got everything I need
I've got petrol in the car
I've got some money with me
There's just one problem

You're the only one I want
You're the only one I want
You're the only one I want
You're the only one I want

It's alright I know where I'm going
I'm going to stay with my friend
Mmm, yes, he is very good looking
The only trouble is

He's not you
He can't do what you do
He can't make me laugh and cry
At the same time
Let's change things
Let's danger it up
We're crazy enough
I just can't take it

You're the only one I want
You're the only one I want
You're the only one I want
You're the only one I want

I know where I'm going
But I don't want to leave
I just have one problem
We're best friends, yeah?
We tied ourselves in knots
Doing cartwheels 'cross the floor
Just forget it alright

Sugar?
Honey?
Sugar?

[Adey]

I think that this is a very unusual song for KB to have written.

As it seems to be a 'break up' song, it makes me wonder if this is a personal lyric or if she is singing about someone else's situation. If it is about her own experience, she has certainly layed out her feelings plainly without any apparent attempt to obsure or dilute the message. So is it a last love letter to a someone?

At one time, I half wondered if it might be a collection of her thoughts on the passing of her Mother, but disguised in the form of song type that everyone is familiar with - possibly to protect her own privacy.

If we take the song at face value, I am left to wonder who on earth she was referring to. Del Palmer? I know that they had split up, but I don't know enough (anything) about her private life to know when. We know from the sleeve notes that he performed his usual recording & mixing duties on the the Red Shoes. An amicable split? If it is a tribute to him and they were apart by then, how uncomfortable must he have felt working on the track?

So there it is, a mystery to me and the jury is still out. Perhaps the answer to this is well known and I've just never come across any reference to it. Has anyone any thoughts on this or actual knowledge about the song that can help?

[strabley]

I don't know anything for sure, but I have always assumed the song was about Del. What would be more awkward, him working on the album or him notworking on the album? Hey, if Fleetwood Mac could do it, so can Kate and Del. What an interesting relationship they mustve had. Always thought it was funny (not ha ha funny) that she chose Del to be strapped in the chair as the guinea pig for the horrible sounds in the Experiment IV video! What does that say? Oh sorry I suppose that's a bit off topic...

I just recalled something that might be worth a mention here. I thought this song was about Del BEFORE I knew they split up! I now remember my first reaction being "Oh my God Kate and Del broke up!" Only later to find out that in fact they did...

[Adey]

Sheila said:

I just recalled something that might be worth a mention here. I thought this song was about Del BEFORE I knew they split up! I now remember my first reaction being "Oh my God Kate and Del broke up!" Only later to find out that in fact they did...

Thanks Sheila, that's interesting. You had the benefit of hearing the track without the knowledge of the split, and still reached the conclusion that i've been hedging around... Also, Yeh, you're right about Fleetwood Mac

[Adey]

Thanks Xan. Yes I agree it is superbly done and I did notice the restraint followed by the emtional outburst at the end " just forget it allright! " As you say, very Kate.

You seem more interested in why the song works so very well for you and how it moves you, than in the person she is singing about. That's cool.

[Xanadu]

Adey said:

You seem more interested in why the song works so very well for you and how it moves you, than in the person she is singing about. That's cool.

Well, I suppose that's because it is such an exquisite, poignant and simple song. Perhaps one of the most delicately and painfully arranged (along with OEMLionheart) and just feels like your heart could burst from emotion when listening.

Actually had a discussion about this song last night (because of this topic) and why it is so resonant. It is the resignation about the end of the relationship, not the pain, that builds here. Also, it's a mature and amicable split of two who did have a wonderful relationship at one time, and they are trying to remain respectful in their separation, as to not tarnish what was precious. You can feel the love for one another in this song, but also the void of a growing relationship. She remains strong, but her voice betrays her a few times (she sounds like she is holding back tears), until the end with the final plea to try and make it work again. Then, in true "Kate" fashion, she quickly feels embarassed for the outburst, and says "just forget it, alright."

It really doesn't matter if it is about her relationship (although, I do find it hard to image that it's not), since it is so simple. The only interpretation left is one of a personal nature. If you feel this song, than you have been connected with her intention.

Even Stevie Nicks wrote her best material (and will openly admit the lover) when it was about a specific relationship. My two favorites being "Storms" about Fleetwood and "Silver Springs" about Buckingham are just heartwrenching.

Another song that leaps to mind that makes me feel the same as "You're The One" is Eric Carmen's "Boats Against The Current." Actually, he has claimed this as his personal best in his opinion. It's quite similiar with maybe the hint of a more positive ending..."But perfection is consuming, and we find we're only human after all, and we've both been taking the fall... seasons are changing, oh, the reasons are changing, but the story isn't ending and we find ourselves pretending one more day, while the years keep slipping away. Tomorrow, we'll run a little bit faster... we're going to find what we're after at last... the feelings that we left in the past... there's romance in the sunset, we're boats against the current to the end."

Another similarly poignant song is "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA. Now, I know your thinking "ABBA? You mean like "Waterloo" ABBA?" But this was written and performed late and after their relationships fell apart. It's sung in quite a matter of fact way about the insecurity of trying to maintain a cordial working relationship after your entire life has been changed. "... I don’t wanna talk, if it makes you feel sad... you’ve come to shake my hand... I apologize if it makes you feel bad, seeing me so tense, no self-confidence... but you see the winner takes it all..."

I think I'm going to take a break... as I'm a little choked now.

But basically the lack of anger, blame, resentment, and abandonmant usually associated with a separation is why I think it's so resonant. It's more melancholy and wistful, and lonely. You can also say the same for ASIL.

[Adey]

I started this thread by commenting how unlike Kate's usual style this is. I thought this was intentional and after reading Xan & Sheilas' posts, I'm convinced of it.

It seems clear that KB wanted to make her point as plainly and as simply as possible. She wanted to be honest with no room for misunderstanding it seems.

Is it about Del Palmer? Probably.

[Adey]

Xanadu said:

Another similarly poignant song is "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA. Now, I know your thinking "ABBA? You mean like "Waterloo" ABBA?" But this was written and performed late and after their relationships fell apart. It's sung in quite a matter of fact way about the insecurity of trying to maintain a cordial working relationship after your entire life has been changed. "... I don’t wanna talk, if it makes you feel sad... you’ve come to shake my hand... I apologize if it makes you feel bad, seeing me so tense, no self-confidence... but you see the winner takes it all..."

A brilliant piece of pop music and great, honest sentiment. No-one appreciated ABBA until they'd gone, me included..

[strabley]

Xanadu said:

Even Stevie Nicks wrote her best material (and will openly admit the lover) when it was about a specific relationship. My two favorites being "Storms" about Fleetwood and "Silver Springs" about Buckingham are just heartwrenching.

.

My favorite breakup Stevie song is the song she wrote about Don Henley, "Sara" . Sara was the name she would have given to their unborn child. Henley dumped her after hearing she aborted his child without his consent. It chokes me everytime.

The original Silver Springs is breathtaking. Too bad people only know the less emotional, more subdued live version, which is great, but not as great as the original.

[Xanadu]

Sheila said:

My favorite breakup Stevie song is the song she wrote about Don Henley, "Sara" . Sara was the name she would have given to their unborn child. Henley dumped her after hearing she aborted his child without his consent. It chokes me everytime.

The original Silver Springs is breathtaking. Too bad people only know the less emotional, more subdued live version, which is great, but not as great as the original.

I just love that we share so much in common, Sheila. Thanks so much for writing this, actually I hadn't realized that. I had read that Sara was like her name for her poetess/muse, much like Rhiannon, like an alter ego. She even used the name when she checked into rehab once. But I did know about the abortion, but not that it was actually Henley. And Silver Springs just gives me chills, the original but the live is alright.... did you know that it may have been the reason she wanted to go solo? It is ironic that it was only released as the B-side to Go Your Own Way, then the live singles were flipped. We should compare our Stevie experiences sometime, maybe in PM or on another thread, considering we were even at the same show.

Adey, are you an ABBA fan? I think they should really get more respect than the usually do.

[Adey]

ABBA are right back in favour in the UK, so much so that Bjorn Again, the leading UK Abba tribute band can sell out a 10,000 seat arena like the National Exhibition Centre in the midlands. It took me years to appreciate them - I could never get past " Waterloo ".

I can now however, see just how good they actually were. The 2 guys (whose names I can't even pronounce, let alone spell) were fantastic pop songwriters. Winner.... is a great song, but my favourite is " Thank You For the Music ". Corny as hell, but who cares? Makes me feel good.

Stevie Nicks is mentioned. I like some of her stuff too but I'm not a huge fan. Her voice can be monotonous and static, but she had her moments. I saw her some years ago - she was very overweight, had to helped on and off the stage and was generally out of it. It was very sad.... I adore her love letter to Joe Walsh - " Has anyone ever written anything for you? " about the child he lost, and Leather & Lace, that she performed with Don H. If Kate ever relaxed enough to do a covers album (I'd probably be horrified!) I'd love to hear her do both of those songs. The latter with Don Henley, who is probably the US artist I enjoy the most at the moment. (I played "Inside Job" constantly for about 3 months when it was released, and have performed Boys of Summer and New York Minute, with my old band many times) I'm not familiar with Storms or Silver Springs, I'll look out for them. (Didn't she write Beauty & the Beast about her relationship with Mick Fleetwood?)

[Adey]

Oops, also meant to say -

Thank God that hard drugs don't seem to have been a feature of Kate's story. Imagine that incredible talent smashed on the rocks of Cocaine...

[madscientist]

Mmmm. Were the seeds sewn in The Sensual World?

Deeper understanding (as the people here grow colder);
Between a man and a woman;
Never be mine (I want you as the dream not the reality...)


Just a thought....

MM

[knobtwister]

The wah wah background vocals are brillient. Great song, I had guessed it was about her mother, but really I had no idea.

[tannis]

You're The One
Again featuring Hammond organ and Fender piano, this track also includes a rare synthesizer melody line and features Jeff Beck on guitar. "His style is completely different from Eric Clapton's - they're both great players but with very different approaches. Jeff came in a couple of times to fix things up because he wasn't completely happy with them, and the end result is like classic '70's and 80's rock, with the Hammond from Gary Brooker again."
Future Music interview with Del Palmer, "Well red", Nov. 1993
www.gaffaweb.org/reaching/i93_fm.html