The Big One (Black song)

"The Big One" is a song by English singer-songwriter Black, which was released by A&M in 1988 as the lead single from his second studio album Comedy. The song was written by Black and produced by Dave "Dix" Dickie. "The Big One" reached number 54 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.[2]

"The Big One"
Single by Black
from the album Comedy
B-side"You Are the One"
Released12 September 1988[1]
Length3:52
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)Black
Producer(s)Dave Dix
Black singles chronology
"Paradise"
(1988)		 "The Big One"
(1988)		 "You're a Big Girl Now"
(1988)
Official audio
"The Big One" on YouTube

Background

"The Big One" was inspired by the breakdown of Vearncombe's first marriage and subsequent divorce. Speaking of the song's writing and recording, Black told Music & Media in 1988,

"The song just sort of fell out. It all happened at the same time; the melody, lyrics, the arrangement - another five-minute wonder. I demoed it, the record company said great, the producer loved it, we went in and did it and I was very pleased with the way it came out. It's the best vocals I think I've ever done; well, perhaps not the best, but the most appropriate. It has the most character, it speaks volumes with very few words and, as usual, it's because I meant every word."[3]

Critical reception

On its release, David Giles of Record Mirror wrote, "While not quite in the same class as the sublime 'Paradise', Col's newie ought to sell enough to keep him in black bedspreads for a few more months." He also praised the B-side, "You Are the One", for being "a rousing ballad full of drama".[4] Marcus Alton of the Newark Advertiser stated, "Vearncombe croons back into our hearts after about a year away from Hitsville. Seems he's been staying in Soul City."[5] Bob Eborall of the Ealing Leader described "The Big One" as being "pleasantly warm and relaxed for the autumn air".[6]

Formats
7-inch single[7]
No.TitleLength
1."The Big One"3:52
2."You Are the One"3:52
12-inch single[8]
No.TitleNotesLength
1."The Big One"The Bigger One4:38
2."You Are the One" 3:52
3."The Big One" 3:52
4."Scrapbook of Ghosts" 4:03
CD single[9]
No.TitleNotesLength
1."The Big One" 3:52
2."You Are the One" 3:52
3."Scrapbook of Ghosts" 4:03
4."The Big One"The Bigger One4:38
CD single (Japan)[10]
No.TitleLength
1."The Big One"3:52
2."You Are the One"3:52

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes and the Comedy CD album booklet.[9][11]

The Big One

  • Black – lead vocals, guitar
  • Dave Dix – keyboards
  • Martin Green – saxophone
  • Steve Pearce – bass
  • Gavin Harrison – drums
  • Martin Ditcham – percussion
  • Derek Green – backing vocals

Production

  • Dave Dix – producer (all tracks)
  • Dave Anderson – engineer ("The Big One")
  • Mike Pela – mixing engineer ("The Big One")

Charts
Chart (1988–89) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[12] 123
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[13] 26
Italy (Musica e dischi)[14] 17
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 54
West Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 43

References
  1. Smith, Robin (10 September 1988). "News: Releases". Record Mirror. p. 11. ISSN 0144-5804.
  2. "BLACK - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  3. Stratton, Sally (15 October 1988). "Spotlight: Black's Future Looks Bright" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 42. p. 40. Retrieved 27 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
  4. Giles, David (17 September 1988). "45". Record Mirror. p. 30.
  5. Alton, Marcus (23 September 1988). "Hit the Deck". Newark Advertiser. p. 24.
  6. Eborall, Bob (18 November 1988). "Bob Eborall's Record Spin". Ealing Leader. p. 23.
  7. The Big One (UK and European 7-inch single sleeve notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. AM 468, 390 365-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. The Big One (UK and European 12-inch single sleeve notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. AMY 468, 390 365-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. The Big One (UK and European CD single liner notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. AMCD 468, 390 365-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. The Big One (Japanese CD single liner notes). Black. A&M Records. 1988. S10Y3055.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. Comedy (UK CD album booklet). Black. A&M Records. 1988. CDA 5222.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. "Week commencing 6 March 1989". Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  13. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Black". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 31. ISBN 978-952-7460-01-6.
  14. "M&D: Classifiche". musicaedischi.it. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  15. "Black: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Black – The Big One" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
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