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

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.