The Only One I Know

About

The Only One I Know was written by Rob Collins, John Day, Tim Burgess, Jon Brookes and Martin Blunt of The Charlatans. Robbie Williams recorded the song with producer Mark Ronson for Ronson’s 2007 album Version, which featured reinterpretations of British pop and indie classics. The collaboration was later included on In and Out of Consciousness.

The Charlatans’ 1990 original is regarded as a cornerstone of the Madchester scene, built around Hammond organ riffs and a swaggering rhythm. Ronson’s reworking, with Williams on lead vocals, transforms it into a horn-driven funk track that nods to 1970s American soul and police drama soundtracks. The pairing of Williams’s smooth phrasing with Ronson’s brassy production gave the song a new, danceable energy while retaining its wistful tone.

“I’ve always liked Robbie. He’s got that great sense of British pop melody, and he brings that cheeky, soulful vibe to everything he sings.”Mark Ronson

The track was praised for balancing respect for the original with the freshness of Ronson’s arrangements, echoing the producer’s later success with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. Williams’s version debuted live when Ronson performed at Glastonbury 2007, with Tim Burgess of The Charlatans joining him on stage. Its combination of indie heritage and retro funk made it one of the standout reinterpretations from Version, showcasing both Ronson’s and Williams’s ability to bridge genres with style.