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45 single, Side A. RCA (PB-11577) (1979)
Image credit: make1968 at 45cat.com
"You're the Only One" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on May 14, 1979, by RCA Records as the first single from Dolly's twenty-first solo studio album, Great Balls of Fire. It was written by Carol Bayer Sager and Bruce Roberts and produced by Dean Parks and Gregg Perry. The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Dolly's eleventh song to top the chart. ​​"You're the Only One" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

Track listing

Original 45 single
Side A
  • You're the Only One (Carole Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts) 3:23
Side B
  • Down (Dolly Parton) 3:35

Brazil 45 single
Side A
  • You're the Only One (Carole Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts) 3:23
Side B
  • Help! (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) 2:45

Peru 45 single
​Side A
  • You're the Only One (Carole Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts) 3:23
Side B
  • Great Balls of Fire (Otis Blackwell, Jack Hammer) 3:17

Promotional videos

Promotional videos were filmed for both sides of the single. "You're the Only One" features Dolly performing the song in a white dress against a hazy gray backdrop, while "Down" depicts Dolly performing the song in a white dress against a gray backdrop surrounded by pink flowers. "Help!" was used as the single's B-side in Brazil and its promotional video features three different shots of Dolly performing the song side by side. "Great Balls of Fire" was used last the B-side in Peru and the video features Dolly performing the song in a white dress against a black backdrop with purple and pink lights surrounding her.

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the May 26, 1979 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "A love ballad with a sob story recitation is delivered effectively by Parton. A change of pace from her recent frenetically tempoed numbers, this features a solid orchestral accompaniment. A strong percussion beat backs the Parton vocal track."

Cashbox also reviewed the single in their May 26, 1979 issue. It said, "Dolly again comes up with a song that, with her unique delivery, will appeal to all formats of radio. Programmers should be eager to add this cut from her upcoming album, Great Balls of Fire."
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Billboard review, May 26, 1979.
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Cashbox review, May 26, 1979.

Commercial performance

"You're the Only One" debuted at number 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 9, 1979. It peaked at number one on the chart dated July 28, its eighth week on the chart, where it remained for a second week. It charted for 14 weeks. It also peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number one on the Cashbox Country Singles chart and number 68 on the Cashbox Top 100 chart. The song was a hit in Canada as well, peaking at number one on both the RPM Country Singles chart and the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. It peaked at number 63 on the RPM Top Singles chart. The single peaked at number 33 in Australia on the Kent Music Report.

Accolades

​​"You're the Only One" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 15th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 1980.

Personnel

The Great Balls of Fire liner notes do not give credits for individual songs. To view credits for the album as a whole please visit the album's page.

Alternate artwork
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Japan 45 single, picture sleeve. RCA (SS-3214) (1979)
Image credit: rufftuff at 45cat.com