Only One Woman

"Only One Woman" is a song and the first single by English 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.

"Only One Woman"
Single by The Marbles
B-side	"By the Light of a Burning Candle"
Released	1968
Recorded	July 1968 IBC Studios, London, England
Length	2:43
Label	Polydor (UK) Cotillion (US)
Songwriter(s)	Barry Gibb Robin Gibb Maurice Gibb
Producer(s)	Barry Gibb Maurice Gibb Robert Stigwood
The Marbles singles chronology
"Only One Woman" (1968) "The Walls Fell Down" (1969)

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.[3] In the Netherlands, it reached number three.[4]

Their performance in a French TV of the song was televised on 192TV.[5]

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 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[6] 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 3 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] 43 France (IFOP)[9] 18 Ireland (IRMA)[10] 8 Italy (FIMI)[11] 46 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[4] 3 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 3 New Zealand (RIANZ)[13] 1 Norway (VG-lista)[14] 6 South Africa (Springbok Radio)[15] 1 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 5 UK Singles (OCC)[3] 5 West Germany (Official German Charts)[17] 6

Year-end charts Chart (1968) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[18] 43 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[19] 8 Chart (1969) Position South Africa (Springbok Radio)[20] 19

Cover versions

• The Bee Gees recorded their own version for inclusion on their album Main Course. It featured lead vocals by Barry but was finally not released.
• Nigel Olsson, recently released from Elton John's band as their drummer, released his second self-titled studio album. This album included a cover of "Only One Woman", which was also released as a single.
• Alcatrazz with Graham Bonnet himself, re-recorded the song on their third album, Dangerous Games, released in 1986.
• Alien, a Swedish rock band with Jim Jidhed as lead vocalist, reached number one in Sweden with their cover version.[21] It was also 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.

See also

• List of number-one singles in 1969 (New Zealand)

References

1. Brennan, Joseph. "Gibb Songs : 1968". Columbia University. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
2. "Official Singles Chart Top 50: 02 October 1968 – 08 October 1968". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
3. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
4. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Marbles - Only One Woman" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
5. The Marbles – Only one woman ( Rare Original Footage French TV 1968 ) on YouTube
6. "Austriancharts.at – Marbles – Only One Woman" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
7. "Ultratop.be – Marbles – Only One Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5898." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
9. "InfoDisc : Tous les Titres par Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Select "The Marbles" from the artist drop-down menu. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
10. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Only One Woman". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
11. "Indice per Interprete: M" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Creative Commons. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
12. "Dutchcharts.nl – Marbles – Only One Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
13. Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts (1st ed.). Wellington: Transpress. ISBN 978-1-8774-4300-8.
14. "Norwegiancharts.com – Marbles – Only One Woman". VG-lista. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
15. "South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
16. "Swisscharts.com – Marbles – Only One Woman". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
17. "Offiziellecharts.de – Marbles – Only One Woman". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Marbles"
18. "Jaaroverzichten 1968" (in Dutch). ULTRATOP & Hung Medien / hitparade.ch. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
19. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1968" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
20. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1969". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
21. "Alien – Only One Woman". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 April 2014.