Perhaps one of the reasons I enjoy doing Essie Country’s Real Country Music Song of the Week series is because it gives me the opportunity to share songs I love—not just songs that happened to be the biggest hits.
I’m not talking about my disdain for today’s fake country music. Even years ago, my favorite country songs weren’t necessarily the most popular or the ones that reached number one.
I Know One is my favorite Jim Reeves song. I like it even more than his signature hit, He’ll Have to Go. That song wasn’t just a number one country hit—it became one of the biggest country records of all time.
By comparison, I Know One reached only number six on the Billboard country chart in 1960. It was a solid hit, but not one of Jim Reeves’ biggest chart successes. In fact, it ranks ninth among his country hits.
Why do I find this song so appealing? There are several reasons.
First, even though it is a song about a lost love, its upbeat tempo, warm melody, and easy-to-remember lyrics make it an effortless song to sing along with.
The second reason I like this song so much is simple—I just enjoy listening to Jim Reeves sing it. His smooth baritone voice and clear delivery allow you to hear every inflection and understand every word.
Finally, what makes this song truly special to me are the background vocals that accompany Jim throughout the recording. The perfect harmonies and almost playful vocal interjections add warmth and emotion without ever distracting from his lead vocal. They don’t compete with Jim Reeves—they complement him, creating a richness that, to my ears, makes an already wonderful song even better.
Charts measure popularity. They don’t always measure personal favorites. More than sixty years after it was recorded, “I Know One” remains my favorite Jim Reeves song—and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
If you’ve never heard I Know One, or if it’s been years since you last listened to it, I encourage you to give it another listen. Pay special attention to the background vocals.
Their harmonies and subtle vocal interjections add warmth, character, and just the right touch of emotion, perfectly complementing Jim Reeves’ unforgettable voice. You just might discover why it has remained my favorite Jim Reeves song for more than sixty years.
I Know One by Jim Reeves
