One in a Million (Aaliyah song)

Did You Know?

• "One in a Million" peaked at number two on the US Dance Club Songs chart on May 10, 1997.
• Aaliyah performed "One in a Million" on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee on February 14, 1997.
• The song was nominated for Best R&B/Soul Single – Female at the 1998 Soul Train Music Awards.

Recording and production

"One in a Million" was among the earliest songs Aaliyah recorded with Timbaland and Missy Elliott. Elliott wrote the song in a rap-singing style because she did not know how to write songs for singers, approaching each record as if she were rapping. Initially, Elliott was afraid to play the record for Aaliyah due to its unusual sound, but Aaliyah liked it upon hearing it. Elliott later remarked that Aaliyah understood the music was a new sound being created, not just the current trend.

After the song was completed and sent to radio, stations initially refused to play it, citing difficulties blending it in because its cadence was unprecedented. Blackground Records CEO Jomo Hankerson recalled that program directors objected to what they called "cricket sounds" in the song; one director in Chicago stated he would not play a record with crickets. Atlantic Records suggested remixing the song to make it more radio-friendly, but Hankerson refused and removed the tapes from the studio to prevent any unauthorized remixes, insisting on the original version.

Music and lyrics

"One in a Million" is an ethereal mid-tempo R&B and club ballad that fuses funk, electronica, trip hop, and drum and bass. Andrew Unterberger from Billboard called it a "twitchy, booming slow jam" that sounded both lush and minimal. The production incorporates rapid-fire staccato beats, shimmering synths, and cricket sounds, along with sounds of birds and aircraft. Melodically, the song's cadences resemble those of a rapper, with Aaliyah's slow, soulful singing juxtaposed against Timbaland's drum-and-bass mixing. Chris Richards from The Washington Post noted that Aaliyah sings in her steadiest, warmest voice, gently melting time as she stretches syllables. Author Kirsty Fairclough observed that the record features maximal vocalization, with Aaliyah's voice stopping near the end as a twangy guitar sound picks up the outro.

Critical reception

Khal from Complex stated that "One in a Million" showcased an unstoppable trio and helped change the game by proving that slow songs did not need slow drum beats. Georgette Cline from The Boombox praised the instrumental as dripping with sex appeal and highlighted Aaliyah's lyrical delivery. Quentin B. Huff from PopMatters felt the song represented Aaliyah better in the slow jam department and praised the production for being hard yet romantic. udiscovermusic noted that Aaliyah's ethereal vocals were on full display and that the song was a perfect distillation of the era's pervasive sounds.

In a retrospective review, Billboard praised Aaliyah's vocals for effortlessly dominating the beat through her captivating swagger and tone, stating that the song's sound remained untouched and that Aaliyah was ahead of her time. Variety writers remarked that there was nothing like it on the radio at the time of its release, commending Missy's writing, Timbaland's production, and Aaliyah's rap-singing stylings.

Music video

The music video for "One in a Million" was directed by Paul Hunter and filmed in Los Angeles. Hunter met Aaliyah through her uncle at a meeting in a New York studio, after which he was chosen to direct. Filming went smoothly and remained on schedule; Hunter recalled that Aaliyah drove with the production crew to the next location instead of calling for a limo. For the video, Aaliyah worked with stylist Derek Lee for the first time.

Lee's agent referred him because other stylists had brought Aaliyah clothes she did not like, often putting her in dresses. After meeting Aaliyah, Lee was asked to fly to Los Angeles immediately to style the video. With only a few hours to retrieve clothes, he obtained pieces from sex shops on Christopher Street in New York's West Village, the only stores open late at night. He also had his assistant in Los Angeles request that the motorcycle jumpsuit Aaliyah wore be sent from New York overnight.