This is definitely my favorite album by Elton John.I am really fond of its subtle and philosophic character.Practically every song here has something unique and at the same time all songs have something common and are united by the same spirit of warmth and care. The title track has wonderful lyrics.I also love the video to the song.Simple Life,The Last Song and Runaway Train are great,too. Buy it.

Elton John has been criticised over the past two decades for 'failing' to come up with albums to match the standard of "Captain Fantastic" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Well, those days have gone and times change. "The One" perhaps isn't the greatest album of all time, but is still one of the best of Elton's. Check it out for "Simple Life" and the terrific title track, plus the return of the old genuis on "The Last Song".

"The One" is Elton John's greatest album from the 90's.He finally got his act together and recorded an enjoyable record to listen to."The One,Simple life," and the heartbreaking song about a son lossing his life to Aids,"The Last Song," were huge hits."When a Women doesn't want you," is a fantastic ballad,and the duet with Eric Clapton,"Runaway train," is great,but my favorite song from the CD is "Whitewash Country." I love the fiddle,and Elton's Jam session at the end.If you want to hear some wonderfull Elton John Music,this is "The One."

After a string of mediocre albums in the mid-1980s, Elton John's musical quality began to increase once again, leading to the release of a string of albums that recalled Elton and (Bernie) Taupin's music of the 1970s. "The One" was one of those releases that proved Elton John still had the ability to turn out consistently good music.

The opening song seems to speak of Elton's personal difficulties through the late 70s and through the 80s. The song speaks of returning to innocence and uses several phrases to indicate being in troubled times. Interestingly, the song switches between the individual "I" and "we." I am unsure of whether Taupin was trying to indicate that Elton was the one with the power to lead their team to success, or some other meaning. Regardless, this song is musically excellent and well produced, if a bit bombastic. The song is also the second-longest on this CD, and I enjoy every second of it. This song was a top-40 release in the U.S.

The second song on this CD is a wonderful song that foreshadows songs that Elton would soon write for famous soundtracks. Similar to the first song the production is soaring and expansive. Yet the style fits the subject, meeting that one person, that the song is instantly enjoyable. The song should be a ballad, but the complexity and volume of the music strains the definition of ballad. In any case, this song became a hit for Elton, rising into the top 10 in the U.S.

The third song has interesting lyrics and some catchy hooks, but the song seems to be a bit mundane after the first two songs on this CD. In fact, the lyrics of "Sweat It Out" exceed the music, which is only fair.

"Runaway Train" offers a blues-flavored duet with Eric Clapton. Clapton also powers this song with his guitar, making this song one of the more potent songs on this CD. While this song misses rising to the level of great, it remains a good song musically and lyrically.

Elton chose to interpret "Whitewash County" with a slight country flavor that generates another listenable song. While less than inspired, the song is serviceable and, for better or worse, can cause your foot to start tapping with its beat.

I enjoy "The North." This relatively simple song focuses on the music, which is simpler and mellower than in most of the songs on this CD. Elton's music effectively fills out the words with simplicity, making this song one of the more interesting songs on this CD. This song is a good lead in to another mellow, but much more serious, song. "When a Woman Doesn't Want You" is about what happens when a man is in a position to take advantage of a woman, but she says "no." The music and lyrics are serious and well done, the quality of both making the pairing of the last song and this song excellent.

The next song borrows some musical elements from "The Simple Life." "Emily" is in the tradition of "Eleanor Rigby," about an old lady, apparently living on the edge of poverty, with more friends in the cemetery than are living. The music is somber and nicely produced. I could have seen this song released as a single, though the topic might have kept it from rising very high in the charts.

"On a Dark Street" is musically one of the weaker songs on this CD and a song that I find myself wanting to get through to move closer to "The Last Song." "Understanding Women" is a bit better than "On a Dark Street," but the electronic opening and funky beat seem to be holdovers from a previous era.

"The Last Song" is the final song on this version of this CD. This beautiful song about a man making peace with his father before dying of AIDS always sends chills down my spine. Elton kept the music simple and beautiful, matching the serious of the topic and the situation. This song was yet another top-40 U.S. song for Elton. I am surprised this song did not rise higher given the power and beauty of the song. Songs such as this are the reason I listen to music.

Elton John has proven that he has staying power in the musical world. While this CD failed to achieve the popularity of his music from the 1970s, it also had songs that exceeded much of his music of the 1970s. Elton at last had gotten to the point in his career where he has perfected his skill as a songwriter and as a singer. While the weaker songs on this CD keep it from being a five star album, it is a must have for Elton John fans and anyone looking for a decent album.

this is a great album.Its worth buying just for the title song alone'the one'.This song's lyrics are full of solitude(like it mentions'drunken nights in dark hotels') and over that its music is composed so brilliantly.This track 'the one' has go to be the best work of Elton John and Bernie Taupin ever alongwith 'candle in the wind'.Although 'the one' was released way back in 1992 i still hear it and i know i will continue hearing it in years to come.It's a piece of art.