Only One Woman Explained

Only One Woman
Cover:	Only One Woman cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	the Marbles
B-Side:	By the Light of a Burning Candle
Released:	1968
Recorded:	July 1968
Studio:	IBC (London, England)
Length:	2:43
Next Title:	The Walls Fell Down
Next Year:	1969

"Only One Woman" is a song and the first single by English musical duo the Marbles, written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees. It later also appeared on their self-titled album The Marbles.

Recording and reception

It was recorded around July 1968 in IBC Studios, London. The backing track was created by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Colin Petersen, with an orchestral arrangement by Bill Shepherd. Colin plays the same percussion effect as on "I've Gotta Get a Message to You". The song exists only in a mono mix.

The song was the biggest hit they had in their short-lived career.^[1] It entered the UK chart at number 24^[2] and eventually peaked at number five on 2 November 1968. In the Netherlands, it reached number three.

Their performance in a French TV of the song was televised on 192TV.

Personnel

Graham Bonnet – lead vocal
Trevor Gordon – backing vocal
Barry Gibb – guitar
Maurice Gibb – bass, piano
Colin Petersen – drums
Bill Shepherd – orchestral arrangement

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Chart (1968–1969)	Peak position
France (IFOP)^[3]	18
Italy (FIMI)^[4]	46
New Zealand (RIANZ)^[5]	1
South Africa (Springbok Radio)^[6]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1968)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)^[7]	43
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[8]	8

Notable cover versions

Alien, a Swedish rock band with Jim Jidhed as lead vocalist, reached number one in Sweden with their cover version.^[10] The cover appeared on the band's self-titled debut album in 1988.
The song was covered by Declan Galbraith on his "Thank You" album and by German actor and singer Uwe Ochsenknecht (simply billed as "Ochsenknecht") in 1992.
Czech singer Lucie Bílá covered the song as "Zpíváš mi Requiem", which became a moderately successful hit in the Czech Republic in that year.
In 1986, heavy metal band Alcatrazz (which was fronted by ex-Marbles member Graham Bonnet) covered the song for their Dangerous Games album.

Notes and References

Web site: Joseph . Brennan . Gibb Songs : 1968 . . 24 April 2014.
Web site: Official Singles Chart Top 50: 02 October 1968 – 08 October 1968 . . 30 July 2013.
Web site: InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste . InfoDisc . Select "The Marbles" from the artist drop-down menu . 30 July 2013 . fr.
Web site: Indice per Interprete: M . . 24 April 2014 . it.
Book: Scapolo, Dean . The Complete New Zealand Music Charts . 1st . . 2007 . Transpress . 978-1-8774-4300-8.
Web site: South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M) . Rock.co.za . 30 July 2013.
Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1968 . ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. . 24 April 2014 . nl.
Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1968 . . 24 April 2014 . nl.
Web site: Top 20 Hit Singles of 1969 . Rock.co.za . 24 April 2014.
Web site: Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien . Alien – Only One Woman . 24 April 2014.