One-Two-Five Explained

One-Two-Five
Type:	single
Artist:	10cc
Album:	Look Hear?
B-Side:	Only Child
Released:	7 March 1980^[1]
Length:	4:01 (single version) 5:21 (album version)
Label:	Mercury
Producer:	10cc
Prev Title:	For You and I
Prev Year:	1978
Next Title:	It Doesn't Matter at All
Next Year:	1980

"One-Two-Five" is a song by 10cc released as a first single in 1980 from the album Look Hear?. It is a reference to disco's 125 beats per minute tempo.^[2]

Release and promotion

"One-Two-Five" was released as a first single outside America ahead of the album Look Hear?. The song was promoted by a music video directed by Russell Mulcahy based on the Eric Stewart's idea of 'disco-ectomy'.^[2]

The single failed to chart in the band's native UK, which was the first time since 1974's The Original Soundtrack that a lead single wouldn't become a hit. However, the song became a top 10 hit in Norway.

Personnel

• Eric Stewart – lead vocals, electric guitar
• Graham Gouldman – second lead vocals, bass, electric guitar
• Rick Fenn – electric guitar
• Duncan Mackay – Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer
• Paul Burgess – drums, percussion
• Stuart Tosh — percussion, backing vocals

Notes and References

1. Web site: Music Week. 30.
2. Book: Newton, Liam. The Worst Band in the World. Rocket 88. 2020. 9781910978450.
3. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian)

   . David Kent (historian) . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book . . 1993 . 0-646-11917-6.