The One

Album: Stronger With Each Tear (2009)
Charted: 63
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Blige told Angie Martinez on her New York radio show that this song introduces the world to "Crazy Mary."
  • Blige uses Auto-Tune on this song. She explained why to Martinez: "It was for effect. I wanted 'Crazy Mary' to get her shine on. She couldn't get her shine with my regular voice. I used the effect. I used it as a telephone effect or reverb."
  • This song features the Canadian rapper Drake. Blige told Martinez: "I'm actually a fan. Drake is incredible. I met him at Summer Jam, very respectable. That was the first time I met him. Really nice kid. I love the record ['Best I Ever Had']. Every woman in the world should love that record. [He's] very innocent and humble. He's like, 'I'm just doing what I do and happy to be doing it.'"
  • This is the lead single from Blige's ninth studio album. She wrote the track with Drake and Ester Dean. Dean is a hip-hop artist who earned the nickname "The Song Machine" for her ability to churn out hits, including Katy Perry's "Firework" and Rihanna's "Rude Boy." Producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is also listed as a co-writer.
  • Stronger With Each Tear is Blige's ninth album to debut at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also peaked at #2 on the US albums chart, breaking her streak after three consecutive #1 albums on the tally.
  • This was used in a 2009 AT&T commercial that features Blige strutting the runway in a variety of outfits that complement different styles of phones.
  • This was used on the TV series Brothers & Sisters in the 2010 episode "Run Baby Run."
  • This peaked at #32 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
  • Blige on the album's theme of strength: "The album represents who and what I am right now. I'm a stronger human being after all the growing pains. It's about life, love, change, strength - mostly really knowing who you are and being confident in that."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?