“One Less Lonely Girl” is a song by Canadian recording artist Justin Bieber. The song was written and produced by Bieber's mentor Usher, as well as Ezekiel Lewis, Balewa Muhammad of The Clutch, and A-Rex duo Sean Hamilton and Hyuk Shin. It was released exclusively to iTunes as the second single from his debut release, My World on October 6, 2009, and was later released to more digital distributions and mainstream and rhythmic radio soon after. The song was positively received, with critics commending the song's delivery and comparing it to pop-R&B ballads by Chris Brown and Beyoncé. It was a success in the United States & Canada, Bieber's highest peaks in the countries at sixteen and ten, respectively, until "Baby" bested the record in 2010. It also charted in the Belgium (Flanders) tip chart and in Germany within the top thirty, and also charted in Austria, Australia, and United Kingdom. The music video features Bieber attracted to a girl he sees in the laundromat, as he leads her on a scavenger hunt to win a date with her. Bieber has performed the song in a number of live appearances including the Fearless Tour, The Next Star, and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
Background[]
"I think it's really important these girls have something so they can be one less lonely girl." |
— Bieber explained of the song's meaning to MTV.[1] |
In 2008, A-Rex created the song meant for a project by R&B singer Noel Gourdin. The song eventually found its way onto Justin Bieber’s first album the following year.[2]
Trivia[]
- While filming the "One Less Lonely Girl" music video, the puppy in the video peed on Justin.
- Selena asked Justin to stop doing One Less Lonely Girl and he said no.
- The OLLG flowers was Justin's idea.
Music video[]
In an October 7, 2009, exclusive with MTV News, Bieber confirmed that a music video had been shot in Watertown, Tennessee (a small town approximately 50 miles east of Nashville, Tennessee) with Roman White who directed the music video for You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift. The video premiered on perezhilton.com on October 9, 2009, and was released to iTunes three days later. It later premiered on Bieber's official site and YouTube on October 13, 2009, Bieber's mother, Pattie Mallette, makes a cameo during the flower stand scene in the music video. While filming the music video, Bieber joked and said, "It’s like the biggest town I’ve ever been in." He went on to say, "“It’s really small and quaint and cute and cool. Everyone probably knows everyone I guess." Promotional photography took place around the town a few days before the rest of the video shoot, including Bieber holding posters of his first shoot, and with an old turquoise truck. The video was the first to feature Bieber wearing his signature dog tag. In a behind-the-scenes feature, Bieber said that a fan gave it to him, and it belonged to one of their friends that died in the war. Bieber stated, "I wear it because its cool and kind of a memory." The basic concept of the video is Bieber's goal to win a girl's heart after leading her around the town. Director Roman White said, "It’s romantic, it’s in a laundromat...that’s all it takes to win a girl is strung lights".
In the music video, Bieber is attracted to a girl he sees every day washing clothes at the local laundromat. In the opening scenes, Bieber is wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, similar to the gray one he wore in the One Time video, along with a cranberry shirt. One day while he is waiting for his clothes and is tuning his guitar, she drops a scarf, and he picks it up. In the laundromat scene Bieber is wearing a mixed purple, blue & orange plaid collared shirt, with a dark purple tee. The girl comes back the next day however he is not there. He then posts a sign beside the washer that he found her missing scarf. He leads the girl on a scavenger hunt for the scarf, posting signs with pictures of him on them around the town to encourage her to go on a date with him. He takes pictures of him in situations such as buying chocolate for her and the puppies scene, and others, with notes doting quips of what he would do for her. During the date and ending scenes Bieber has on a white striped collared shirt, with a dark cyan tee. She finally finds him at the end of the video and they have their date.
Polaroids[]
A set of 14 color Polaroids used in the music video were sold on an auction. The images are meant to be clues in the video for Bieber’s love interest to find him, and many show Justin wearing the red scarf that brought them together. The set was estimated to bring $1,200 during a four-day auction event hosted by Julien's Auctions in early December 2011. The price after the auction is unknown.
Performances[]
Date | Event | City | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
June 20, 2009 | Mix 93.3 Red White & Boom 14 | Kansas City | Acoustic |
June 22, 2009 | Private Concert at Q100 Atlanta Studio | Atlanta | Acoustic |
July 3, 2009 | Red, White & Boom Columbus | Columbus | Acoustic |
July 7, 2009 | Alice Cooperstown | Cooperstown | Acoustic |
July 14, 2009 | 107.9 The End | Sacramento | Acoustic |
July 15, 2009 | KKRZ Z100 Portland | Sacramento | Acoustic |
July 18, 2009 | Summer Smash | Tulsa | Acoustic |
July 21, 2009 | Mix 96.1 | San Antonio | Acoustic |
July 25, 2009 | Z103.5 Summer Rush 2009 | Halifax | Acoustic |
July 26, 2009 | Toronto | Acoustic | |
July 28, 2009 | B937's Just Show Up Show | Easley | Acoustic |
July 29, 2009 | Q100 | Atlanta | Acoustic |
July 31, 2009 | K104.7 SplashDown Beach | Fishkill | Acoustic |
August 1, 2009 | Family Frenzy | Syracuse | Acoustic |
August 7, 2009 | MuchOnDemand | Toronto | Acoustic |
August 11, 2009 | XL 106.7 | Tavares | Acoustic |
August 13, 2009 | Coca-Cola Lounge | Chicago | Acoustic |
August 14, 2009 | Rock the Rapids | Plainfield Township | Acoustic |
August 15, 2009 | Party 105FM Mega Jam | Medford | Acoustic |
August 17, 2009 | Universal Music London | London | Acoustic |
August 26, 2009 | Back To School Bash | New Orleans | Acoustic |
August 28, 2009 | mtvU VMA Tour | Jackson | Acoustic |
August 29, 2009 | Arthur Ashe Kids' Day 2009 | New York City | Acoustic |
September 1, 2009 | Nintendo World Store | New York City | Acoustic |
September 7, 2009 | Six Flags New England | Agawam | Acoustic |
September 8, 2009 | Kiss 108 | Medford | Acoustic |
September 14, 2009 | Channel 933 | San Diego | Acoustic |
September 15, 2009 | Radio Disney | Burbank | Acoustic |
September 24, 2009 | Tiki Rocks The Square | New York City | |
September 25, 2009 | Z100 private concert | New York City | |
September 27, 2009 | The Next Star | Toronto | Acoustic |
October 9, 2009 | Hofstra University | Hempstead | |
October 12, 2009 | The Today Show | New York City | |
October 16, 2009 | Greenwood High School | Greenwood | Acoustic |
October 17, 2009 | 107.5 the River's McFaddens Garage | Nashville | Acoustic |
i106 studio | Acoustic | ||
October 21, 2009 | FM 97 WLAN | Lancaster | Acoustic |
October 22, 2009 | 99.3 KISS FM private concert | Harrisburg | Acoustic |
97 BHT private concert | Scranton | Acoustic | |
October 23, 2009 | FM 97 WLAN | Lancaster | Acoustic |
October 24, 2009 | 98.5 KLUC's Private Session | Las Vegas | |
October 29, 2009 | Microsoft Store Opening | Mission Viejo | |
November 6, 2009 | Kool Haus | Toronto | |
November 7, 2009 | WiLD 941 Last Damn Show | Tampa | |
November 8, 2009 | Kidd's Kids benefit show | Orlando | Acoustic |
November 12, 2009 | Rave/Eagles Club | Milwaukee | |
November 13, 2009 | Q100 private concert | Atlanta | Acoustic |
November 15, 2009 | Good Morning America | New York City | Acoustic |
November 17, 2009 | My World Release Party | Universal City | Acoustic |
November 19, 2009 | It's On with Alexa Chung | New York City | Acoustic |
November 23, 2009 | Fearless Tour opening | Wembley | |
November 24, 2009 | Manchester | ||
November 26, 2009 | VIVA Live! | Berlin | Acoustic |
December 1, 2009 | 107.9 The End's Jingle Ball | Sacramento | |
December 4, 2009 | Johnjay and Rich | Phoenix | Acoustic |
Johnjay and Rich's Strictly Tucson Phooson | Tucson | ||
December 5, 2009 | Channel 955 concert | Detroit | |
December 6, 2009 | 101.3 KDWB's Jingle Ball | Saint Paul | |
December 9, 2009 | Q102's Jingle Ball | Sacramento | |
December 10, 2009 | Kiss 108's Jingle Ball | Lowell | |
December 11, 2009 | Z100's Jingle Ball All Access Lounge | New York City | |
Z100's Jingle Ball | |||
December 12, 2009 | B96 Jingle Bash | Rosemont | |
December 14, 2009 | Free concert at Citadel Outlets | Commerce | |
December 16, 2009 | Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel | Providence | |
December 17, 2009 | Star 94's Jingle Jam | Atlanta | |
December 18, 2009 | 104.1 KRBE Not So Silent Night | Houston | |
December 19, 2009 | Radio Disney Concert | Orlando | |
December 20, 2009 | 106.9 K-Hits Jingle Ball | Tulsa | |
December 21, 2009 | 98.7 AMP's Jingle Kringle | Detroit | Acoustic |
December 22, 2009 | Live @ Much | Toronto | |
December 31, 2009 | Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2010 | Las Vegas | |
January 9, 2010 | Atlantis Theatre | Bahamas | Acoustic |
January 17, 2010 | Science Museum | London | Acoustic |
Date | Event | City | Acoustic |
---|---|---|---|
February 4, 2010 | VH1's Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam | Miami | |
February 5, 2010 | The Early Show | Los Angeles | |
February 13, 2010 | 102.7 KIIS FM Free Concert | Acoustic | |
February 14, 2010 | Valentine's Day Special Concert | Hollywood | |
February 16, 2010 | Northview High School | Covina | Acoustic |
MOViN 99.7's Justin Bieber Experience | San Francisco | Acoustic | |
February 20, 2010 | Pop-Con | Uniondale | |
March 9, 2010 | QVC | West Chester | Acoustic |
March 16, 2010 | New York City | MTV's Live Leak | Acoustic |
March 21, 2010 | Rodeo Houston | Houston | |
March 24, 2010 | Special Concert at Rosemont Theatre | Rosemont | |
March 25, 2010 | |||
April 5, 2010 | Easter Egg Roll | Washington, D.C. | |
April 11, 2010 | Walmart Soundcheck | New York City | |
April 21, 2010 | Duo Music Exchange | Tokyo | |
May 14, 2010 | Channel 933's Summer Kick Off Concert 2010 | San Diego | |
May 15, 2010 | 2010 Wango Tango | Los Angeles | |
June 5, 2010 | Fearless Tour opening | Foxborough | |
June 6, 2010 | Summertime Ball 2010 | London | |
June 12, 2010 | Justin Bieber at Atlantis | Bahamas | |
November 2, 2010 | Golden Ticket Concert | Phoenix | Acoustic |
November 30, 2010 | Showcase NRJ & Universal Mobile | Paris | |
December 8, 2010 | Susquehanna Bank Center | Camden | Playback |
December 11, 2010 | B96 Jingle Bash | Chicago | Playback |
June 11, 2011 | Benefit concert for College Track | Saratoga |
Date | Event | City | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
June 9, 2012 | Summertime Ball 2012 | London | |
June 10, 2012 | London Live | Acoustic | |
June 10, 2012 | México Suena Justin Bieber | Mexico City | |
June 16, 2012 | Avon Theatre | Stratford | Acoustic |
June 18, 2012 | Macy's Presents: Believe | New York City |
Tour | Date | Performances |
---|---|---|
My World Tour | 2010-2011 (All dates) | 130 |
Believe Tour | 2012-2013 (All dates) | 162 |
Purpose World Tour | March 11, 2016 | 1 |
Merchandise[]
The "One Less Lonely Girl" phrase spawned several products from Bieber's official store to have the coined phrase on them. One of the products is a cranberry colored scarf, the same color as a shirt Bieber wore in the music video. One end of the scarf has a patch with the "One Less Lonely Girl" phrase on it and the other end has a signature by Bieber. Tamar Antai of MTV Buzzworthy called the scarf "boundsly adorable" and "a total bargain for less loneliness". Another product was a white t-shirt that had the phrase stylized as "1LessL♥nleyGirl" in variations of sky blue colors. In December 2009, Bieber teamed up with 1-800-Flowers for a promotion. The company came out with a One Less Lonely Girl-branded bouquet of red "intuition" roses and a Valentine's Day card from Bieber, depicting the singer holding a heart. Packages could either have a twenty-four or twelve count stems, and a red, silver or clear vase. The flowers could be set for delivery between January 12-February 12, 2010, before Valentine's Day. The first one thousand customers received a free replica of the scarf in the One Less Lonely Girl video. A portion of the proceeds went to Pencils of Promise, a charity that helps build schools in developing areas of the world. Bieber frequently participates in the charity. A contest was also set in place in which a winner would be greeted with their flowers by Bieber himself, or could win the flower bouquet and other Justin Bieber merchandise.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Alright let’s go
[Chorus 1]
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl, one less lonely girl
One less lonely girl, one less lonely girl
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl, one less lonely girl
One less lonely girl
[Verse 1]
How many “I told you’s” and “start over’s”
And shoulders have you cried on before?
How many promises? Be honest, girl
How many tears you let hit the floor?
How many bags you packed just to take them back?
Tell me that, how many “either or’s”?
But no more if you let me inside of your world
There’ll be one less lonely girl
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh oh, saw so many pretty faces before I saw you, you
Now all I see is you
I’m coming for you, I’m coming for you
No, no, don’t need these other pretty faces like I need you
And when you’re mine, in the world
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
[Chorus 2]
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, I’m gonna put you first
I’m coming for you, I’ll show you what you’re worth
That’s what I’m gonna do
If you let me inside your world
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
[Verse 2]
Christmas wasn’t merry, 14th of February
Not one of ‘em spent with you
How many dinner dates, set dinner plates
And he didn’t even touch his food
How many torn photographs are you taping back?
Tell me that, couldn’t see an open door
But no more, if you let me inside of your world
There’ll be one less lonely girl
[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, oh oh, saw so many pretty faces before I saw you, you
Now all I see is you
I’m coming for you, I’m coming for you
No, no, don’t need these other pretty faces like I need you
And when you’re mine, in the world
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
[Chorus 2]
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, I’m gonna put you first
I’m coming for you, I’ll show you what you’re worth
That’s what I’m gonna do
If you let me inside your world
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
[Bridge]
I can fix up your broken heart
I can give you a brand new start
I can make you believe yeah
I just wanna set one girl free to fall (Free to fall)
She’s free to fall (Fall in love)
With me
Her heart’s locked and know what, I got the key
I’ll take her and leave the world with one less lonely girl
[Chorus 1]
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl, one less lonely girl
One less lonely girl, one less lonely girl
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl, one less lonely girl
One less lonely girl
[Chorus 2]
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
I’m coming for you, I’m gonna put you first
I’m coming for you, I’ll show you what you’re worth
That’s what I’m gonna do
If you let me inside your world
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
[Chorus 2]
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl (Yeah, yeah)
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl (Yeah, yeah)
I’m coming for you, one less lonely girl (To you, girl)
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl (Yeah)
I’m coming for you, I’m gonna put you first
I’m coming for you, I’ll show you what you’re worth
That’s what I’m gonna do
If you let me inside your world
There’s gonna be one less lonely girl
[Outro]
Yeah, only you shawty, hahaha
Credits[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]
- Producer: Balewa Muhammad / Ezekiel Lewis / Hyuk Shin / Sean Hamilton
- Composer: Balewa Muhammad / Ezekiel Lewis / Hyuk Shin / Sean Hamilton
- Lyricist: Balewa Muhammad / Ezekiel Lewis / Hyuk Shin / Sean Hamilton
- Assistant Mixer: Giancarlo Lino
- Mixer Dave Pensado / Jaycen-Joshua Fowler
- Recording Engineer: Dave Hyman / Ezekiel Lewis
- Studio Personnel: Dave Hyman / Dave Pensado / Ezekiel Lewis / Giancarlo Lino / Jaycen-Joshua Fowler
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Hanek, Joel (October 7, 2009). "Justin Bieber Readies Second Single 'Lonely Girl'". MTV.
- ↑ Gardner, Eriq (March 28, 2011). "Justin Bieber’s ‘One Less Lonely Girl’ Prompts Fight Over Royalties". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ Bieber, Justin. "Credits / My World / Justin Bieber – TIDAL". Tidal.