"One Is the Loneliest Number" was originally written by Harry Nilsson, a prolific American song writer. Though Nilsson recorded the original version of this song, the version on this page is performed by the band Three Dog Night. There are many artists who have "covered" (recorded their own version of) this song, maybe because it is so catchy.
A catchy song is a song that is simple and appealing, and stays in your mind for a long time after you've heard it. If a song is "catchy", you might find yourself singing it often... sometimes without even knowing it! Catchy songs often become immensely popular and successful songs for this reason.
Exercise: Watch the video and answer the comprehension questions below the lyrics.
"One" written by Harry Nilsson, performed by Three Dog Night
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Two can be as bad as one, it's the loneliest number since the number one
"No" is the saddest experience you'll ever know
Yes it's the saddest experience you'll ever know
'Cause one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
One is the loneliest number, whoa-oh worse then two
It's just no good anymore since you went away
Now I spend my time just making rhymes of yesterday
One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
One is the loneliest
One is the loneliest
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
It's just no good anymore since you went away
(Number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do (number)
One....
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the loneliest number? Why do you think it is the loneliest number?
2. What does the song say about the number 2? What do you think "2" is referring to?
3. According to the song, what one word is the saddest experience? Why?
4. In this song, the numbers 1 and 2 are symbols. Meaning, this song is about something else besides these numbers. What is the song really about?
5. (Opinion question) Do you like this song? Why or why not? Share your opinion in the comments below.
Answers:
1. One is the loneliest number, because it represents the loneliness of a single person.
2. The song says "two can be as bad as one". "Two" could possibly refer to a romantic couple that does not work well together: arguing, fighting, and hurting each other's feelings.
3. "No" is the saddest experience. One possible reason: "No" is the romantic partner's answer to the question of whether they should stay together as a couple.
4. This song is about a breakup. A breakup is when a romantic couple separates. Breakups are almost always painful, thus this song is about the pain of being alone and missing your partner after they leave.
5. If you'd like, leave your thoughts or opinion about this song in the comments section below.
Bonus section:
If you liked this song, check out the original version by Harry Nilsson and the Aimee Mann version from 1999.
Header photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán