“The One That You Love” is a song by the soft rock band Air Supply, released in April 1981 with “I Want to Give It All” on the B-side. The track is from their album of the same name and is one of the group’s most successful and memorable songs, contributing significantly to their popularity in the early 1980s.
Air Supply, consisting of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, is known for their romantic ballads and soft rock hits. “The One That You Love” was written by Graham Russell, who was the primary songwriter for the band. The song exemplifies Air Supply’s signature style, characterized by lush melodies, emotive lyrics, and the harmonious blend of Russell’s songwriting and Hitchcock’s distinctive vocal delivery.
Musically, “The One That You Love” features a blend of soft rock and pop elements. The arrangement includes gentle piano melodies, orchestral strings, and subtle guitar work, all complementing Hitchcock’s powerful and heartfelt vocals. The song builds to a climactic chorus, showcasing the band’s ability to create emotionally charged and melodically rich music.
“The One That You Love” was a major commercial success for Air Supply. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming the band’s only song to achieve this milestone. The single’s success solidified Air Supply’s presence in the American music market and helped boost the popularity of the album, which also performed well on the charts.