THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

844-The Charlatans-The Only One I Know.

1990- Number 9 single.

Best Bit- At 2.54.At the height of the ‘Madchester’ music scene in 1990, the University of Manchester was the most sought after destination for university applicants in the UK, it appears they didn’t want to just come and learn, they wanted to listen as well.

The Charlatans are considered one of the leading exponents of the ‘Madchester’ music scene, although they formed in the West Midlands, of England in 1988, with only their lead singer Tim Burgess hailing from the Manchester area, having been born in Salford. To date they have released 13 studio Albums, three of which have reached Number 1, and had 22 top 40 singles in the UK.’The Only One I Know’ was released as the bands second single, from their debut Album ‘Some Friendly’ in 1990, and although only the band members receive writing credits, this track is heavily influenced by two other songs.The lyrics,’Everyone has been burned before, everybody knows the pain,’ are from the ‘Byrds’ 1967 song ‘Everybody’s Been Burned,’ and the organ riff is lifted from Deep Purple’s version of the Joe South song ‘Hush’ (see also best songs 550.)

The lyrics to ‘Everybody’s Been Burned’ tell us that although you will probably get hurt by trying to love someone, it is still better than hiding away, and not trying to love at all.’The Only One I Know’ is a tale of loving someone far more, than they probably love you.’

The only one I see,is mine when she walks down the street. The only one I know, has carved her way in to me.’