Songfacts®:

• This is the first single release by Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber, who came to prominence when his uploaded videos on YouTube started to draw views by the millions. He explained to Billboard magazine: "I started YouTube after I was in a singing. It turned out that people started liking it…so I just kept posting more videos." R&B superstar Usher took the then-13-year-old under his wing, and got him an audition with Antonio L.A. Reid at Island Records. Reid signed Justin to Island Records in October 2008.
• The song is taken from My World, Justin's debut album. He was 15 when it was released. Justin's mentor, Usher, released his self-titled debut album at the age of 15 too.
• Justin co-wrote this song with major league collaborators The-Dream and Midi-Mafia. The song is about one of his favorite subjects, puppy love. Justin told Billboard magazine: "It's just a fun pop record, and it's a song that the girls definitely like."
• Usher appears in the song's music video as the owner of the house, in which the party takes place.
• Justin explained the song's lyrical content to Digital Spy: "'One Time' is basically about being in a typical teen relationship so it's a song everyone can relate to. You know when you're younger and you thought it was love, but then later on you realize it was just puppy love? That's what the song's about."
• Steve Bartels, president/COO of Island Def Jam Music Group, was present the day in 2007 when Justin signed for Island Records. Asked to perform for the label staff, Bartels recalled to The Hollywood Reporter that Bieber "literally jumped up on the conference room table and broke into 'One Time,' which would be his first single. Everyone was blown away by this 12-year-old kid. It was this magical moment."