You're the One (Greta Van Fleet song) explained

You're the One
Type:single
Artist:Greta Van Fleet
Album:Anthem of the Peaceful Army
Recorded:2018
Genre:Rock
Label:Republic
Prev Title:When the Curtain Falls
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Lover, Leaver
Next Year:2019

"You're the One" is a song by American rock band Greta Van Fleet. It was their second single off of their first studio album Anthem of the Peaceful Army. It reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in March 2019.[1]

Background

The song was released as the second single from the band's first studio album Anthem of the Peaceful Army on October 16, 2018, three days prior to the album's release.[2] A live acoustic version was recorded prior for Radio.com, and released on the same day.[2] The song was the earliest written song on the album, being written when brother Jake and Josh Kiszka were just 17 years old in 2013.[3] The song is credited as being written by all four member of the band.[4] Prior to the song’s release as a single, the band performed the song live in March 2018 with Elton John at his benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.[5] On January 18, 2019, the band performed the song and “Black Smoke Rising” live on Saturday Night Live.[6] [7] A clip of the recording of 'You're the One' went viral on TikTok for Josh Kiszka's dramatic head movements.

Composition and themes

Musically, journalist described the song as a "rock ballad" and "more laid back" than much of the band's material released at the time.[8] [9] Jake Kiszka described the song as being inspired by the 1960s folk music revival, taking inspiration from artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez.[10] The song was described as melodic, mid-tempo song, with a backing track of clean guitar notes, bass, drums, and organ.[11] Beyond the common comparisons the band commonly receives to the work of Led Zeppelin, the song was also compared to the work of The Allman Brothers and Bad Company.[12] [13] The drumming was described as similar to the Led Zeppelin song "Your Time is Gonna Come".

Lyrically, the song was described as a "dirt-road-rambling, lovelorn tune".[2] While generally described as a heartfelt love song about unrequited love for a female, it was also noted how at one point, the narrator describes her as young, pretty, and evil.[14] [11] [12]

Reception

Uproxx praised the song for having a "huge and catchy chorus that is begging to be chanted by a festival crowd" and "a gorgeous song that features a sense of timelessness that few modern rock bands could pull off."[8]

Personnel

Band

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Greta Van Fleet Chart History. Billboard. March 12, 2019.
  2. Web site: EXCLUSIVE: Greta Van Fleet Unleash "You're The One", Join Us For An Acoustic Performance. 16 October 2018. Radio.com. 23 January 2019.
  3. Web site: Going Behind Greta Van Fleet's Rock Renaissance With Jake Kiszka. Joe. DiVita. Loudwire.com. 17 October 2018 . 23 January 2019.
  4. Web site: Listen To New GRETA VAN FLEET Song 'Anthem'. Blabbermouth. 5 October 2018. BLABBERMOUTH.NET. 23 January 2019.
  5. Web site: Watch Greta Van Fleet Jam With Elton John. Brian. Ives. Loudwire.com. 5 March 2018 . 23 January 2019.
  6. Greta Van Fleet Perform 'Black Smoke Rising' and 'You're the One' on 'SNL': Watch. Billboard. 23 January 2019.
  7. Web site: Watch Greta Van Fleet's Performance Of 'Black Smoke Rising' On 'SNL'. 20 January 2019. Uproxx.com. 23 January 2019.
  8. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Share The Stadium-Ready Rock Ballad 'You're The One'. 16 October 2018. Uproxx.com. 23 January 2019.
  9. Web site: Greta Van Fleet take their foot off the gas on new track You're The One. Scott Munro. Classic Rock Magazine. 17 October 2018 . 23 January 2019.
  10. Web site: Listen to New Greta Van Fleet Song 'You're the One'. Martin. Kielty. Ultimate Classic Rock. 18 October 2018 . 23 January 2019.
  11. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Show Melodic Side With 'You're the One'. Chad. Childers. Loudwire.com. 18 October 2018 . 23 January 2019.
  12. Web site: Greta Van Fleet Blasts Toward the Past. Jon. Pareles. 17 October 2018. 23 January 2019. The New York Times.
  13. Web site: NEW MUSIC: Greta Van Fleet "You're The One". 7 December 2018. Alt929boston.com. 23 January 2019.
  14. Web site: Greta Van Fleet can't get the Led out of its sound on 'Anthem of the Peaceful Army' debut. Greg. Kot. Chicagotribune.com. 19 October 2018 . 23 January 2019.
  15. Web site: Lista Przebojów Trójki - Polskie Radio Online . 20 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191031083325/http://lp3.polskieradio.pl/utwor/artykul18031,5525_youre_the_one.aspx . 31 October 2019 . dead .
  16. Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019. Billboard. March 19, 2020.