One Life

Album: Awakening (2011)
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Songfacts®:

  • Morrison penned this reflective meditation on life shortly before tragic death of his alcoholic father. Despite its difficult circumstances, the lyrics are positive and uplifting. "I got one life, one life, one life," he sings, "and I'm gonna live it I got one life, one life, one life and I'm gonna live it right."
  • During a concert at Leicester's De Montfort Hall Morrison told the audience this is his little daughter Elsie's favorite song of his, which she has re-named "Baby Girl." So the proud father also calls it that now.
  • Ten of the 12 songs on Awakening were produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, who also helmed Duffy's acclaimed debut album. "I was a bit nervous to meet him - his musical background is so different to mine," Morrison admitted. "And that created a bit of tension in me to want to please him. So every time I sang I was really going for it, and he kept saying, 'Chill out - you're singing too much. Sing it softer.' But it clicked on the second day, and from then on I knew it was going to be epic; I was so excited."

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