One Love

Album: The Very Best Of The Stone Roses (1990)
Charted: 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Like many of The Stone Roses songs, this contains biblical references. For instance, the line "You feel my flow and you flood my brain" has its origin in John's Gospel, where Jesus proclaimed in John 7 v37-38, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." Christ was referring to the Holy Spirit who would unite his disciples after his ascension with one love and power and bring eternal life.
  • In an interview with the February 1998 Uncut magazine, Ian Brown was asked if he agreed that "One Love" was a mistake. Said Brown: "I agree. The chorus wasn't strong enough. We tried for an anthem. We wanted to cover all bases and ended up covering none."
  • This was a non-album single, which was released in the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Japan, Spain, and France. It was The Stone Roses last original release until "Love Spreads" in December 1994. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Edward Pearce - Ashford, Kent, England, for all above

Comments: 2

  • Bryan from Hull, United KingdomI think the extended version is excellent and has a great groove.
  • Martin from Eastbourne, EnglandMaybe some singers could make something out of this insipid, meaningless, soulless dirge, but not Ian Brown. Worse than anything on the first album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.