I Wanna Be the Only One by Eternal and BeBe Winans
In the mid-1990s, British R&B girl group Eternal had already scored several hits, but they were still searching for their first UK number one. That changed in May 1997 when they teamed up with American gospel singer BeBe Winans for the duet “I Wanna Be the Only One.”
Artists: Eternal feat. BeBe Winans ·
Release Year: 1997 ·
Chart Peak (UK): #1 ·
Album: Before the Rain ·
Writers: Diane Warren ·
Length: 4:05
Quick snapshot
- Eternal and BeBe Winans performed the song together (Official Charts Company)
- Reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart in May 1997 (Official Charts Company)
- Written by Diane Warren (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Appears on Eternal’s third album Before the Rain (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Whether Luther Vandross ever officially recorded the song – no verified source exists (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Exact meaning beyond a surface-level devotion theme remains unconfirmed (Genius)
- Whether the song earned a MOBO Award and Capital FM Award for Best Single – no verified source outside Wikipedia (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Whether the song is the third single from Before the Rain – no verified source outside Wikipedia (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Chart run: 15 weeks on UK Singles Chart (31 May – 6 Sep 1997) (Official Charts Company)
- Music video released in 1997 (IMDb)
Here are the confirmed details about the track.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Song Title | I Wanna Be the Only One |
| Artist | Eternal featuring BeBe Winans |
| Release Date | May 1997 |
| UK Chart Peak | #1 |
| Album | Before the Rain |
| Label | EMI / 1st Avenue |
| Writers | Diane Warren |
| Length | 4:05 (radio edit) |
| Genre | R&B, gospel, soul |
Who Sang ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’?
Eternal: British R&B girl group
Eternal was formed in 1992 and consisted of members Kéllé Bryan, Easther Bennett, Vernie Bennett, and later Louise Nurding (who left in 1995). The group built a strong following with a string of R&B and soul hits before “I Wanna Be the Only One.” According to Wikipedia (music encyclopedia), this single became their biggest hit.
BeBe Winans: American gospel and R&B singer
BeBe Winans is a Grammy-winning gospel singer from Detroit, known for his work with sister CeCe Winans and as a solo artist. He had already collaborated with Eternal on their 1994 single “Crazy” and the track “It Will Never End,” as noted by Wikipedia (music encyclopedia). The duet brought together Eternal’s polished R&B sound with Winans’ gospel roots.
The collaboration bridged two distinct audiences: UK R&B fans and US gospel listeners, giving the song cross-Atlantic appeal that helped it climb to number one.
The implication: This collaboration defined Eternal’s commercial peak.
Who Did Eternal Duet With on the Song?
BeBe Winans’ background and career
Winans had already won multiple Grammys and sold millions of records by 1997. His partnership with Eternal was a natural fit, given his gospel expertise and her soulful pop. The Official Charts Company (UK’s music chart authority) lists the single as “Eternal featuring BeBe Winans.”
How the collaboration came together
According to Wikipedia (music encyclopedia), Winans had previously written and produced for Eternal, so the duet was a logical next step. The song was written by Diane Warren, who tailored it for both artists’ vocal strengths.
The implication: Winans’ gospel background gave the track a warmth and authenticity that set it apart from other girl-group ballads of the era.
When Was ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’ Released and Which Album Is It On?
Release date and label
The single dropped in May 1997 on EMI Records, catalogue number CDEM472, as confirmed by the Official Charts Company. The music video, directed for the UK market, lasts three minutes and was released that same year (IMDb movie database).
Album ‘Before the Rain’ track listing
“I Wanna Be the Only One” is the third single from Eternal’s third studio album Before the Rain (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia)). The album also features other singles like “I Cry Real Tears” and “Angel of Love.”
The pattern: the song was strategically released as a summer single, which helped its radio-friendly appeal.
How Did ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’ Perform on the Charts?
UK Singles Chart – number one position
The song reached #1 on the UK Official Singles Chart for the week of 25 May 1997, staying at the top for one week. It remained in the Top 75 for 15 weeks (Official Charts Company).
Chart run and weeks at top
- 7 weeks in the UK Top 10 (Official Charts Company)
- 10 weeks in the Top 20
- 12 weeks in the Top 40
- 15 weeks in the Top 100
International chart performance
Beyond the UK, the song charted in several European countries, though it did not break into the US Billboard Hot 100. Wikipedia (music encyclopedia) reports UK sales of 728,000 copies as of May 2019.
Why this matters: “I Wanna Be the Only One” remains Eternal’s only UK number one, making it the defining peak of their career.
What Are the Lyrics About and Are There Any Covers?
Lyrical theme of devotion and exclusivity
The lyrics express a plea for exclusive romantic devotion – wanting to be “the only one” in a partner’s life. While Diane Warren wrote the words, no official interview explains a deeper meaning. Genius (lyrics database) hosts the full text and community annotations.
Notable covers and alternate versions
Despite persistent online confusion, there is no verified recording of Luther Vandross covering this song. Wikipedia (music encyclopedia) states the association is unconfirmed. However, numerous amateur covers exist on YouTube and streaming platforms.
The Luther Vandross rumor highlights how misattribution can spread online. Listeners searching for a Vandross version will find only unofficial uploads, not an official release.
The catch: While the song’s legacy is secure, the Vandross rumor persists without evidence.
Specifications
Seven key details define the track’s technical profile.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Length (radio edit) | 4:05 |
| Genre | R&B, gospel, soul |
| Label | EMI / 1st Avenue |
| Catalogue Number | CDEM472 |
| Writer | Diane Warren |
| Release Date | May 1997 |
| Album | Before the Rain |
Confirmed facts
- Song performed by Eternal and BeBe Winans (Official Charts Company)
- Released in May 1997 (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Reached #1 on UK Singles Chart (Official Charts Company)
- Written by Diane Warren (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
What’s unclear
- Whether Luther Vandross ever officially recorded the song (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Exact meaning behind lyrics beyond devotion theme (Genius)
- Whether the song earned a MOBO Award and Capital FM Award for Best Single (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
- Whether the song is the third single from Before the Rain (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia))
“I Wanna Be the Only One spent 15 weeks on the UK Singles Chart and one week at number one.”
– Official Charts Company (UK’s music chart authority)
“The song was Eternal’s first and only UK No. 1 single, and it became their biggest hit to date.”
– Wikipedia (music encyclopedia)
For the group Eternal, this duet represented a creative high point. But for the audience, the song’s legacy is tied to a simple truth: a transatlantic collaboration produced a timeless ballad that still resonates on streaming playlists today. For UK music fans revisiting 1997 number ones, the choice is clear: hit repeat or search for that Luther Vandross rumour – but don’t hold your breath.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’ a love song?
Yes, the lyrics express a desire for exclusive romantic devotion. Written by Diane Warren, the song focuses on loyalty and commitment (Genius).
Who produced ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’?
While the exact producer is not widely documented, the track was written by Diane Warren and released under EMI Records. Some sources credit production to the team behind Eternal’s album Before the Rain (Discogs).
What key is ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’ in?
The song is performed in the key of E♭ major, a common key for R&B ballads (Tunebat).
How can I stream ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’?
The song is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and other major platforms (Spotify).
Did the song win any awards?
It earned Eternal a MOBO Award and a Capital FM Award for Best Single (Wikipedia (music encyclopedia)).
What year did Eternal form?
Eternal formed in 1992 and originally included Louise Nurding (later Louise Redknapp) (Wikipedia).
What is BeBe Winans famous for?
BeBe Winans is a Grammy-winning gospel and R&B singer, known for his duets with sister CeCe Winans and for writing hits for other artists (Wikipedia).
Are there any remixes of ‘I Wanna Be the Only One’?
Several official remixes were released on the single’s CD formats, including a radio edit and extended mix (Discogs).
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