Cheap Trick – One On One (1982)
As much as we love new music at Hard Rock Hideout, sometimes we have to take a few minutes to remember the classics.
2012 marks the 30th anniversary (Released April 30th, 1982) of Cheap Trick’s sixth (and possibly most underrated) album, One On One.
One on One is a very easy album to listen to from beginning to end. Even with eleven songs, it clocks in under thirty five minutes. This album features an eclectic mix of pop rockers, and a song or two that you wouldn’t expect from Cheap Trick. Cheap Trick has some mild success with the song “She’s Tight”. This was a top 20 rock hit for Cheap Trick, and still sounds great today.
Why the song “I Want You” doesn’t get airplay today mystifies me. It is a short rocker that seems tailor-made for the radio.
“If You Want My Love” is one of my favorites on One On One. This song is dripping with the influence of The Beatles, but that is what makes it so cool.
“Oo La La La” might have some silly lyrics, but this song is also ridiculously catchy.
I am not sure how to classify the song, “Saturday at Midnight”. Is it disco? Is it rock? You can definitely tell this one is from the eighties with its keyboard effects, but I like it anyway.
Could “I Want Be Man” have influenced a young Trent Reznor? This song almost sounds like early Industrial rock, before their was a genre. I know many Cheap Trick fans hate this song, but I think it is cool for what it is.
The album “Four Letter Word” sounds as if it could have been on a Billy Squier album. It is a semi heavier number, and a really good tune.
One On One is first album to feature Jon Brant on bass. A position he filled for several years before Tom Petersen’s return. I don’t know if Brant added a heavier influence to the songs, but he was a good addition to Cheap Trick even if it was temporary at best.
One On One might be thirty years old this year, but it still sounds better than a lot of the crap that is on the FM dial. Do yourself a favor and check this CD out!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- I Want You
- One on One
- If You Want My Love
- Oo La La La
- Lookin’ Out For Number One
- She’s Tight
- Time is Runnin’
- Saturday at Midnight
- Love’s Got a Hold on Me
- I Want Be Man
- Four Letter Word
Cheap Trick is:
Robin Zander – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Rick Nielsen – lead guitar, backing vocals
Jon Brant – bass, backing vocals
Bun E. Carlos – drums, percussion
Leave A Comment ↓
I jus folkin LOVED this album….you totally forgot to mention “Your Love Has Got Me”…..Great song!!!!
Brings me back to a great time of my life!!!!
TURN IT UP JACKSON!!!!!
Brilliant album indeed. ‘I Want You’ was a perfect wake-up call on Dutch radio for a couple of weeks but didn’t chart unfortunately.