Only You

## Song by Calum Scott

"**Only You**" is a song by English singer-songwriter Calum Scott, released as the eighth track from his debut studio album, *Only Human* (2018). It was co-written by Scott, Mark Pendergrast and Steve Garrigan, with production handled by Fraser T. Smith.

## Background

He told *Billboard* that it was based on his personal childhood experiences, where his male friends started to get girlfriends though he wasn't interested in pursuing a romantic relationship. He continued, "I was confused, I was starting to get a bit upset about myself. I started to not eat properly, I started to lose sleep, and I told one of my friends, 'I'm just not really interested in girls.' And he's like, 'Are you trying to tell me you're gay?' And I was like, 'Well I don't know mate, maybe. I don't know what's going on with me.' And then I watched him tell all the other boys in my group, and from then, they just abandoned me." This resulted in Scott learning to suppress his sexuality for fear of losing friends, and felt isolated.

He named one of his closest friends to the present, Dan, who he could relate to, also being gay. Scott described Dan as his "rock" and "shoulder to cry on", helping him to come out to his family. The song as a whole is "a tribute to friendship and companionship, the strength and the power that friendship and loyalty hold. [Dan]'s helped me all the way through until now with my sexuality. I just needed to pay homage to him, as well as paying homage to all friends out there and those who've stood by their friends".

## Personnel

* Adam Wakeman – hammond organ
* Althea Edwards, Paul Boldeau, Sabrina Ramikie – background vocals
* Anna Croad, Debbie Widdup, Eleanor Mathieson, Jenny Sacha, Natalia Bonner, Patrick Kiernan, Sally Jackson, Stephen Morris, Tobie Tripp – violin
* Ben Epstein – bass guitar
* Bill Zimmerman – assistant mixer
* Bryony James, Bryony Moody – cello
* Calum Scott – vocals, writer
* Dan Ewin – assistant recording engineer
* Emma Owens, Nick Ban – viola
* Fraser T. Smith – producer, drum programming
* Jamiel Blake – drums
* Manon Grandjean – recording engineer
* Mark Pendergrast – writer
* Phil Tan – mixing engineer
* Reuben James – piano
* Richard Pryce – double bass
* Rosie Danvers – string arranger, cello
* Steve Garrigan – writer

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro]

Only you, you, you

Only you, you, you

[Verse 1]

I remember in the schoolyard

The children didn't understand

So they bullied me with silence

Just for being who I am

So I got good at keeping secrets

I used to blend in with the crowds

On the inside I was screaming

With you I didn't have to hide

[Chorus]

Only you could see that I was hurting

Only you ever cared to understand

Always know that I'd do the same

I'd do anything for you my friend

It's true

[Verse 2]

I used to stare up at the ceiling

Wide awake all through the night

While the world was busy sleeping

I was so caught up in my mind

[Chorus]

Only you, could see that I was hurting

Only you ever cared to understand

Always know that I'd do the same

I'd do anything for you my friend

It's true, so true

[Bridge]

Oh, when I'm all alone

A million miles away from home

You're still with me, you'll always be

My rock and shoulder to lean on

When every hope I have is gone

I'll turn to you, you know it's true

[Chorus]

Only you could see that I was hurting

Only you ever cared to understand

Always know that I'd do the same

I'd do anything for you my friend

It's true, so true

[Outro]

And I know, 'til the bitter end

I'll be proud to call you my best friend

It's true, so true

## References

1. ↑ Weatherby, Taylor (9 March 2018). "Calum Scott Details How Accepting His Sexuality & Being 'Only Human' Played into His Songwriting". *Billboard*.