"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
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)
Audio sample
"One of Us"
  • file
  • help
Music video
"One of Us" on YouTube

"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, as Osborne's debut single and lead single from Relish, and 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.

Background

Regarding Eric Bazilian's experience with "One of Us", he 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. But we were in the middle of writing Joan's album, which was a group effort with Rick Chertoff and Joan and Rob and I, and I did a demo of 'One of Us,' this wacky little demo which I ended up putting as a hidden track on the CD of my first solo record, and I played [it] for them. 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. And I think it was better that he asked it that way rather than 'Do you want to sing it?' Because the answer to that might not have been yes. But she definitely said she could sing it, and we did a little live demo of a guitar and her singing it. And when I got into my car and popped the cassette in, I started practicing the Grammy speech that I should've gotten to give."[1] For the lead and solo, Bazilian used his 1954 Gibson Gold Top Les Paul for the studio recording.[2]

Lyrics

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".[3][4]

Critical reception

Roch Parisien from AllMusic called 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".[5] Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "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."[6] Paul Evans from Rolling Stone said it "imagines a God as hurt as any human".[7]

In 2007, the song was ranked at number 54 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s"[8] and number ten on the network's "40 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the '90s".

Music video

The accompanying music video for "One of Us" was directed by Mark Seliger and Fred Woodward, and was mainly shot in Coney Island, with various attractions like rollercoasters, ferris wheels and the New York Aquarium shown, interchanged with vintage-looking shots in sepia, and Osborne singing in front of the camera.

Track listings

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Sales and certifications for "One of Us"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[47] Platinum 70,000^
Belgium (BEA)[62] Gold 25,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[63] Platinum  
United States (RIAA)[64] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "One of Us"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 19, 1995 Contemporary hit radio
[65]
November 21, 1995 CD [66]
United Kingdom January 29, 1996
  • CD
  • cassette
 Mercury [67]
Japan February 25, 1996 CD
  • Blue Gorilla
  • Mercury
 [68]

Cover versions and parodies

See also

References

  1. ↑ Will Harris (February 25, 2008). "Popdose Interview: Eric Bazilian of the Hooters".
  2. ↑ "One of Us". Gearslutz.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The aeroplane ride / Nell Hampton [sound recording]" Traditional Music and Spoken Word Catalog from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
  4. ↑ A sample of the recording "The Airplane Ride" by Nell Hampton from the album "The Gospel Ship" (New World Records) Archived June 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ↑ Roch Parisien. "Joan Osborne – Relish – Review". AllMusic.
  6. ↑ Jones, Alan (February 3, 1996). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 27. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ Evans, Paul (May 4, 1995). "Rollin' & Tumblin'". Rolling Stone. Issue 707.
  8. ↑ "100 Greatest Songs of the '90s". Blog.vh1.com. December 13, 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2007. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  9. ↑ One of Us (US CD single liner notes). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1995. 422 852 368-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ 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)
  11. ↑ One of Us (US cassette single sleeve). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1995. 422 852 368-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ One of Us (Australian cassette single sleeve). Joan Osborne. Blue Gorilla, Mercury Records. 1995. 852 368-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ 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)
  14. ↑ 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)
  15. ↑ 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)
  16. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  17. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  18. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  19. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  20. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2878." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2945." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  22. ↑ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2845." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  23. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. June 1, 1996. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Hits of the World – Denmark". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 17. April 27, 1996. p. 61. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
  25. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 14. April 6, 1996. p. 18. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Joan Osborne: One of Us" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  27. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in French). Les classement single.
  28. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 14. April 6, 1996. p. 22. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  30. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Nr. 156: Vikuna 10.2. – 16.2. '96". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). February 10, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  31. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – One of Us". Irish Singles Chart.
  32. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 13, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  33. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  34. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". Top 40 Singles.
  35. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". VG-lista.
  36. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  37. ↑ "Joan Osborne – One of Us". Singles Top 100.
  38. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  39. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  40. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  41. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  42. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  43. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  44. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Joan Osborne Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  46. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles: February 10, 1996". Cash Box. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  47. 1 2 "1996 ARIA Singles Chart". ARIA. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Rapports annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  50. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  51. ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  52. ↑ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  53. ↑ "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.
  54. ↑ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1996" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 1996" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  56. ↑ "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Single top 100 over 1996" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  58. ↑ "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Top 100 Singles 1996". Music Week. January 18, 1997. p. 25.
  60. ↑ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40–1996 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  61. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
  62. ↑ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1996". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  63. ↑ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – Joan Osborne – One of Us". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  65. ↑ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1112. September 15, 1995. p. 35. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  66. ↑ "One of Us / Dracula Moon". Amazon. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  67. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 27, 1996. p. 37. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  68. ↑ "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.
  69. ↑ "Reviews & Previews: Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 15, 1996. pp. 74–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  70. ↑ Benitez-Eves, Tina (April 30, 2022). "10 Songs You Didn't Know Prince Wrote for Other Artists". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  71. ↑ "What If God Smoked Cannabis". Bobrivers.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  72. ↑ "The Not Al Page". Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  73. ↑ "Dr.Evil What If GOD was one of us". November 16, 2008. Retrieved May 25, 2022 – via YouTube.
  74. ↑ "Vanilla Sky 'one of us' !". Retrieved April 17, 2022 – via YouTube.
  75. ↑ Malkin, Mark (September 29, 2010). "Hallelujah? Glee Has a Spiritual Awakening". E! Online. E!. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  76. ↑ "STOPPOK - Ergebnisse". Stoppok.de. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
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