About the song
“Only You (And You Alone),” often simply known as “Only You,” is a timeless pop classic composed by Buck Ram. Originally recorded by The Platters with lead vocals by Tony Williams in 1955, this song has become one of the most iconic tracks in the history of popular music. The journey of “Only You” from its initial recording to its eventual success is as fascinating as the song itself.
The Platters first recorded “Only You” for Federal Records on May 20, 1954. However, this initial recording was not released at the time. It wasn’t until 1955, after the group had moved to Mercury Records, that they re-recorded the song on April 26. This new version was released in May of that year and quickly became a major hit. Interestingly, in November 1955, Federal Records decided to release the original 1954 recording as a single, with “You Made Me Cry” on the B-side, but it did not achieve the same success as the Mercury version.
The story behind the creation of the successful version is a testament to the group’s persistence and creativity. Platters bass singer Herb Reed recalled that they had tried recording the song numerous times without success. One day, while rehearsing in a car, the car jerked, and Tony Williams sang “O-oHHHH-nly you.” What initially made them laugh turned into a serendipitous breakthrough. Buck Ram noted that Williams’ voice “broke” during rehearsal, an effect they decided to keep in the recording, adding a unique touch to the song. This version also features Ram himself playing the piano, the only Platters recording with him in this role.
“Only You” held the number 1 position on the U.S. R&B charts for seven weeks and peaked at number five on the Billboard Top 100 chart. It stayed on the charts for an impressive 30 weeks, outperforming a rival cover by The Hilltoppers. When The Platters’ track “The Great Pretender” was released in the UK, “Only You” was included as the flipside, introducing European audiences to The Platters’ music. Both songs were featured in the 1956 film *Rock Around the Clock*, further cementing their popularity.
The Platters re-recorded a slightly longer version of “Only You” for Musicor Records in 1966, which appeared on the album *I Love You 1,000 Times*. This re-recording allowed the song to continue captivating new generations of listeners.
In 1999, the 1955 Mercury Records recording of “Only You (And You Alone)” was deservedly inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, a fitting recognition of its enduring impact and legacy. The song remains a beloved classic, emblematic of The Platters’ smooth harmonies and Tony Williams’ soulful lead vocals, and it continues to be cherished by music lovers around the world.
Video
https://youtu.be/3FygIKsnkCw
Lyrics
Only you can make all this world seem right
Only you can make the darkness bright
Only you and you alone can thrill me like you do
And fill my heart with love for only you
Oh, only you can do make all this change in me
For it’s true, you are my destiny
When you hold my hand I understand the magic that you do
You’re my dream come true, my one and only you
Oh oh, only you can do make this change in me
For it’s true, you are my destiny
When you hold my hand I understand the magic that you do
You’re my dream come true, my one and only you