Another Girl, Another Planet: The ongoing sound of The Only Ones

The Only Ones are an English rock band that formed in London in 1976, blending elements of punk rock, power pop, and classic rock. The band is best known for their hit single "Another Girl, Another Planet," which has become an enduring cult favorite and is often cited as one of the greatest songs of the punk era (the song does have a similar vibe to "Ever Fallen in Love" by the Buzzcocks).

The original lineup consisted of:
Peter Perrett (vocals, guitar) – Known for his distinctive voice and lyrical style, Perrett was the primary songwriter for the band, with the song "Lovers of Today" opening the door for a record deal.

John Perry (guitar, not to be confused with Aerosmith's Joe Perry) – His intricate and melodic guitar work was a defining feature of the band's sound.

Alan Mair (bass) – A veteran of the Glasgow music scene, Mair brought a solid and inventive bass style.

Mike Kellie (drums) – Previously a member of Spooky Tooth and a prolific session musician, Kellie provided the driving rhythms.

Music and style of The Only Ones

The Only Ones' music is characterized by its blend of punk's raw energy with more sophisticated melodies and lyrics, often reflecting themes of love, alienation, and drug addiction. Their sound has been described as a mix of punk, power pop, and new wave, with an undercurrent of classic rock influences (soundwise, they aren't entirely unlike glam rock, either).

Thus far, the band released three studio albums: The Only Ones (1978), Even Serpents Shine (1979), and Baby's Got a Gun (1980), which was their best charting album desite not containg their biggest hit.

Despite critical acclaim, the band struggled to achieve widespread commercial success. After their initial run, The Only Ones disbanded in 1982, with members pursuing various other musical projects. However, their legacy grew over time, particularly due to the popularity of "Another Girl, Another Planet."

Reunited and worth a listen

The band reunited in the mid-2000s for a series of concerts and tours, rekindling interest in their music. The Only Ones resumed performing on stage at festivals and gigs between 2007–2017. Then, in 2023, started up yet again, including with some new songs.

The Only Ones have been cited as an influence by many bands and artists across various genres. Their blend of punk energy and melodic rock has ensured their place in the annals of rock history, and they continue to be appreciated by fans of punk, new wave, and classic rock alike. So, if you are assembling a classic punk playlist, you might want to include the rock 'n roll/power pop/new wave punk of The Only Ones alongside fare like Descendents' Milo Goes to College.

Assorted trivia

According to an article by The Guardian, All Music Guide called "Another Girl, Another Planet" "arguably the greatest rock single ever recorded." The Guardian piece also extensively details the band's epic drug problems.

Their first album was engineered by Steve Lillywhite. Lillywhite would become a multi-Grammy Award-winning record producer, working with many popular acts, such as XTC, Big Country, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Simple Minds, Ultravox, the Psychedelic Furs, Toyah, David Byrne, Talking Heads, U2, The Rolling Stones, The Pogues, Peter Gabriel, Morrissey, The Killers, Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Guster, and Counting Crows. That's not a bad career!