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One of Us (Joan Osborne song)

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"One of Us" is a song by American singer Joan Osborne for her debut studio album, Relish (1995). Written by Eric Bazilian of the Hooters and produced by Rick Chertoff, the song was released on November 21, 1995 by Blue Gorilla and Mercury, as Osborne's debut single and lead single from Relish. It became a hit in November of that year, peaking at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earning three Grammy nominations. "One of Us" was also a hit around the world, topping the charts of Australia, Canada, Flanders, and Sweden, reaching number six on the UK Singles Chart, and becoming a top-20 hit in at least 12 other countries. The song went on to serve as the opening theme for the American television series Joan of Arcadia. The music video for "One of Us" was directed by Mark Seliger and Fred Woodward, and filmed in Coney Island, New York City.

"One of Us"
Single by Joan Osborne
from the album Relish
B-side
  • "Dracula Moon"
  • "Crazy Baby" (live)
ReleasedNovember 21, 1995 (1995-11-21)
Studio
GenreAlternative pop[1]
Length
  • 5:21
  • 4:15 (edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Eric Bazilian
Producer(s)Rick Chertoff
Joan Osborne singles chronology
"One of Us"
(1995) 		"St. Teresa"
(1996)
Music video
"One of Us" on YouTube

In 2007, the song was ranked at number 54 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s"[2] and number ten on the network's "40 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '90s".

Composition and recording

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Regarding his experience of writing "One of Us", Eric Bazilian said, "I wrote that song one night—the quickest song I ever wrote—to impress a girl. Which worked, because we're married and have two kids."[3] The girl in question was Sarah, a Swedish girl he met on a plane when the Hooters were flying in to play in a festival in Sweden. He invited her to Philadelphia when he was making Joan Osborne's album Relish together with Rob Hyman and Rick Chertoff. While they were watching a documentary on the making of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, she became interested in four-track recording and asked him to record one. Bazilian had a guitar riff that he had been playing that day, so he recorded that expanded into a song. However, he did not have the lyrics, so he tried to write the lyrics after she fell asleep. He had the voice of Brad Roberts from Crash Test Dummies in his mind when he wrote the lyrics. He had trouble finishing the line "a stranger on the bus", and Sarah suggested "Tryin' to make his way home?" after she woke up.[4] As for the line "Just a slob like one of us", Bazilian said that he did not intend to mean God was a slob, rather the song is about human beings.[4]

Bazilian recorded a demo of "One of Us", which was later used as a hidden track on his first solo album (The Optimist). Bazilian had intended to send the demo to Crash Test Dummies, but played the demo to Chertoff and Osborne. He said: "And it really hadn't even occurred to me that it was something that Joan might do, but Rick, in his wisdom, asked Joan if she thought she could sing it." Osborne agreed to record the song, singing to a live demo of a guitar. Bazilian said of the recording: "And when I got into my car and popped the cassette in, I started practising the Grammy speech that I should've gotten to give."[3]

At the start of the song, a fragment of a song by a 1930s singer named Nell Hampton was added. Osborne had heard the song on an album of Appalachian folk songs and Chertoff suggested using it after Osborne played the song in the studio.[4] For the lead and solo, Bazilian used his 1954 Gibson Gold Top Les Paul for the studio recording.[5]

Lyrics

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The song deals with various aspects of belief in an anthropomorphic God by asking questions inviting the listener to consider how one might relate to such a God: for example "Would you call [God's name] to his face?" or "Would you want to see [God's face] if seeing meant that you would have to believe in things like heaven and in Jesus and the saints and all the prophets?"

The album version starts off with the first four lines of a recording titled "The Aeroplane Ride", made on October 27, 1937, by American folklorist Alan Lomax and his wife Elizabeth for the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress, with Mrs. Nell Hampton of Salyersville, Kentucky, singing a variation of the 1928 John S. McConnell hymn "Heavenly Aeroplane".[6][7]

Critical reception

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Roch Parisien from AllMusic named the song "a simple, direct statement of faith, honest and unadorned, one framed in a near-perfect chorus and delectable Neil Young-ish guitar riff".[8] Melody Maker wrote, "For appalling lyrics combined with enormous success though, no one could touch God-botherer Joan Osborne. Check out these lines from her extraordinary 'One of Us'—What if God were one of us/Just a slob like one of us/Just a stranger on the bus/Trying to make his way home/Like a holy rolling stone/Nobody calling on the phone/'Cept for the Pope, maybe, in Rome."[9] Alan Jones from Music Week commented, "Joan Osborne has come up with a delicious debut single 'One of Us' – an electrically charged and retro-styled song with an intimate vocal. The track addresses the question 'What if God was one of us?, just a slob like one of us' placing him on the bus and taking phone calls from the Pope, doing so with humour, energy and a great tune, in a taut clutter-free production. A real find."[10] Paul Evans from Rolling Stone said it "imagines a God as hurt as any human".[11]

Music video

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The accompanying music video for "One of Us" was directed by Mark Seliger and Fred Woodward, and was mainly filmed at Coney Island. It intercuts shots of attractions (roller coasters, ferris wheels, and the New York Aquarium, with vintage-style sepia-tone images and shots of Osborne singing in front of the camera.

Track listings

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Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Sales and certifications for "One of Us"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[48] Platinum 70,000^
Belgium (BEA)[63] Gold 25,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[64] Gold 30,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[65] Platinum  
United States (RIAA)[66] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Release dates and formats for "One of Us"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 19, 1995 Contemporary hit radio
[67]
November 21, 1995 CD [68]
United Kingdom January 29, 1996
  • CD
  • cassette
 Mercury [69]
Japan February 25, 1996 CD
  • Blue Gorilla
  • Mercury
 [70]

Cover versions and parodies

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Casalena, Em (October 26, 2024). "5 Iconic One-Hit Wonders of the '90s Alternative Scene". American Songwriter. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". Blog.vh1.com. December 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Will Harris (February 25, 2008). "Popdose Interview: Eric Bazilian of the Hooters".
  4. ^ a b c Simpson, Dave (June 24, 2024). "'I'm not calling God a slob': how Joan Osborne made One of Us". The Guardian.
  5. ^ "One of Us". Gearslutz.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  6. ^ "The aeroplane ride / Nell Hampton [sound recording]" Traditional Music and Spoken Word Catalog from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress [1]
  7. ^ A sample of the recording "The Airplane Ride" by Nell Hampton from the album "The Gospel Ship" (New World Records)[2] Archived June 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Roch Parisien. "Joan Osborne – Relish – Review". AllMusic.
  9. ^ "Women On Top". Melody Maker. December 21, 1996. p. 41. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Jones, Alan (February 3, 1996). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 27. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Evans, Paul (May 4, 1995). "Rollin' & Tumblin'". Rolling Stone. Issue 707.
  12. ^ US formats:
  13. ^ Australian formats:
    • One of Us (Australian CD single liner notes). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1996. 852 368-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
    • One of Us (Australian cassette single sleeve). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1996. 852 368-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ One of Us (European CD single liner notes). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1996. 852 438-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ One of Us (UK cassette single sleeve). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1996. JOMC 1, 852 438-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ One of Us (UK CD single liner notes). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1996. JOACD 1, 852 439-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  18. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  19. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  20. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  21. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2878." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  22. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2945." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  23. ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2845." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  24. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 22. June 1, 1996. p. 15. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  25. ^ "Hits of the World – Denmark". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 17. April 27, 1996. p. 61. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
  26. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 14. April 6, 1996. p. 18. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  27. ^ "Joan Osborne: One of Us" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  28. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in French). Les classement single.
  29. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  30. ^ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 14. April 6, 1996. p. 22. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  31. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Nr. 156: Vikuna 10.2. – 16.2. '96". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 10, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  32. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – One of Us". Irish Singles Chart.
  33. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 13, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  34. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  35. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". Top 40 Singles.
  36. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". VG-lista.
  37. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  38. ^ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". Singles Top 100.
  39. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  40. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  41. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  42. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  43. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  44. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  45. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  46. ^ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  47. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles: February 10, 1996". Cash Box. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  48. ^ a b "1996 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  50. ^ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  51. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  52. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  53. ^ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  54. ^ "Music & Media 1996 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. December 21, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  55. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1996" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  56. ^ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  57. ^ "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  58. ^ "Single top 100 over 1996" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  59. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  60. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. January 18, 1997. p. 25.
  61. ^ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1996 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  62. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  63. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  64. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Joan Osborne" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  65. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  66. ^ "American single certifications – Joan Osborne – One of Us". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  67. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1112. September 15, 1995. p. 35. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  68. ^ "One of Us / Dracula Moon". Amazon. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  69. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 27, 1996. p. 37. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  70. ^ "ワン・オブ・アス | ジョーン・オズボーン" [One of Us | Joan Osborne] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  71. ^ "Reviews & Previews: Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 15, 1996. pp. 74–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  72. ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (April 30, 2022). "10 Songs You Didn't Know Prince Wrote for Other Artists". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  73. ^ "What If God Smoked Cannabis". Bobrivers.com. October 13, 2003. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  74. ^ "The Not Al Page". Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  75. ^ Malkin, Mark (September 29, 2010). "Hallelujah? Glee Has a Spiritual Awakening". E! Online. E!. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
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