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"One Shot"
Single by Mabel
Released	31 August 2018 (2018-08-31)
Genre	Tropical pop R&B
Length	3:55
Label	Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Mabel McVey Kelly Kiara Gabriel Kusimo Jordan D. Reid
Producer(s)	GA JD. Reid
Mabel singles chronology
"Ring Ring" (2018) "One Shot" (2018) "Don't Call Me Up" (2019)
Music video
"One Shot" on YouTube

"One Shot" is a song by English singer Mabel, included on the 2019 reissue of her debut mixtape Ivy to Roses. It was released by Polydor Records on 31 August 2018. "One Shot" peaked at number 44 on the UK Singles Chart.

Writing and release

Mabel co-wrote "One Shot" with songwriter Kelly Richardson, and producer GA at the end of 2017; they finished the song in an hour. JD. Reid later provided additional production and thus also received a songwriting credit. After the release of her singles "Finders Keepers" and "Fine Line", Mabel "wanted to make another up-tempo, playful track that people could dance to." She recalled, "It was kind of what I had been looking for, like a progression from 'Finders Keepers' and 'Fine Line' that was still up-tempo but had some more attitude. 'Cause I think 'Fine Line' and 'Finders Keepers' are quite sweet, but I have a side to me that is quite sassy so I wanted to put that into a song."

"One Shot" became a crowd favourite during Mabel's summer festival performances, months prior to its single release. It was released by Polydor Records on 31 August 2018. On 21 September 2018, remixes by Alex Ross and Banx & Ranx were commissioned. A remix featuring verses by rappers Yungen and Avelino was released on 18 October 2018. An acoustic version was made available on 2 November 2018.

Composition

"One Shot" is an up-tempo tropical pop, R&B song with a lightly propulsive rhythm. It is written in the key of D minor with a tempo of 109 beats per minute. The production features soft synths and steel drums. Michael Love Michael of Paper magazine describes it as a "warm, globally minded sonic palette" that combines "soulful vocals with playful wordplay."

Mabel said the lyrics are about "playing hard to get and knowing what you want. I do believe that when it comes to relationships that you have to set the bar high and know your worth so that you never settle, and that's what 'One Shot' is about." She explained that the song is also about being upfront with your love interest: "I think there is a misconception that being open and honest, and saying what it is you want is something we should be embarrassed about. But that's just not me. I am a very honest person, I always tell somebody what I am looking for, and I don't want people to waste my time basically."

Reception

Critical response

"One Shot" was well received by music critics. Robin Murray of Clash magazine regarded the track as "a superb end to the summer, an instantly addictive return from a bold pop voice." In The Independent, Jake Hall touted it as "a guaranteed hit", highlighting its "sunny" steel drums as a "sonic continuation" of "Finders Keepers". Gary Ryan of NME described it as "a fizzing Jägerbomb of a track which is basically 'Finders Keepers' with a spray-job (if it ain't broke…)." Evening Standard critic Rick Pearson viewed the song as "a showcase for her low, soulful voice, inviting comparison with Dua Lipa."

Chart performance

In September 2018, "One Shot" debuted at number 57 on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 7,737 units. It peaked at number 44 and spent 11 weeks on the chart. In Ireland, "One Shot" peaked at number 64 on the Irish Singles Chart and charted for a total of seven weeks.

Track listing

Personnel

• GA – production
• JD. Reid – additional production
• Lorna Blackwood – vocal production
• Phil Tan – mixing
• Stuart Hawkes – mastering
• Cameron Gower Poole – vocal engineering

Credits adapted from Qobuz.

Charts

Certifications

References

1. ^ Mabel (5 September 2018). "Mabel talks 'One Shot', Fashion, Old-School R&B & More" (Interview). Interviewed by Robert Bruce. Capital XTRA. Retrieved 12 July 2019 – via YouTube.
2. ^ "One Shot". Qobuz. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
3. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (31 August 2018). "Mabel drops new track 'One Shot'". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
4. "Mabel shares new single 'One Shot'". DIY. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
5. ^ "One Shot". Qobuz. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
6. ^ "One Shot". Qobuz. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
7. ^ "One Shot". Qobuz. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
8. ^ Pearson, Rick (13 December 2018). "Mabel review: Free spirit brings the house down". Evening Standard. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
9. Levine, Nick (10 September 2018). "10 Things You Need to Know This Week September 10–16". BBC America. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
10. "One Shot (Remiix) by Avelino, Yungen, Mabel". Beatport. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
11. Heward, Emily; Binns, Simon; Cooper, Matthew (10 June 2018). "Parklife 2018: Liam Gallagher lit up Heaton Park delivering a touching final chapter to a special day - Sunday review". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
12. Love Michael, Michael (31 August 2018). "Bops Only: 10 Songs You Need to Start Your Weekend Right". Paper. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
13. Marland, Kenza (9 November 2018). "Mabel: 'I'm just trying to be myself and encourage other young women to be themselves'". The List. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
14. Murray, Robin (31 August 2018). "Mabel Shares New Single 'One Shot'". Clash. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
15. Hall, Jake (26 April 2018). "Mabel, live Review, O2 Forum Kentish Town: A guaranteed hit". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
16. Ryan, Gary (7 December 2018). "Mabel proves a pop powerhouse at riotous Manchester gig". NME. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
17. Jones, Alan (10 September 2018). "On a promise: Calvin Harris & Sam Smith climb to singles No.1". Music Week. p. 37. ISSN 0265-1548.
18. "Mabel". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
19. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Mabel %5BUK%5D". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
20. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
21. "British single certifications – Mabel – One Shot". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 November 2019.

• 2018 singles
• 2018 songs
• Mabel (singer) songs
• Polydor Records singles
• Songs written by Mabel (singer)