Only U

After her successful second studio album Chapter II (2003), which topped the Billboard 200 chart and was certified Platinum, spawned two hit singles, "Rock wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Rain on Me",{{cite web|title=Chapter II - Ashanti : Awards : AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/chapter-ii-mw0000032733/awards|work=AllMusic|access-date=March 28, 2013}} and earned her three Grammy nominations,{{cite news|title=Rock on the Net: Ashanti|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/artists-a/ashanti.htm|access-date=March 28, 2013|newspaper=Rock on the Net}} Ashanti released her first Christmas album called Ashanti's Christmas in 2003. However, the album received overwhelming negative reviews and did not provide much success on the charts.{{cite web|title=Concrete Rose - Ashanti : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/concrete-rose-mw0000367358|work=AllMusic|access-date=March 28, 2013}}

Later in September 2004, Ashanti collaborated with Ja Rule and R. Kelly on the track "Wonderful" for Rule's sixth studio album R.U.L.E. The song was a success, topping the UK Singles Chart and peaking inside the top 10 in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, as well as reaching the top 20 in Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany.{{cite web|title=Ja Rule featuring R. Kelly and Ashanti - Wonderful - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.us/song/601|work=Music Charts|access-date=March 28, 2013}} A month later, on October 18, 2004, "Only U" was serviced to US urban radio,{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-10-15.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=Radio & Records|issue=1577|page=17|date=October 15, 2004|access-date=June 19, 2021}} and on October 26, the song was released through iTunes and Amazon as the lead single from Ashanti's third studio album, Concrete Rose (2004).{{cite web|title=iTunes - Music - Only U - Single by Ashanti|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/only-u-single/id27141085|work=iTunes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818000028if_/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/only-u-single/id27141085|archive-date=August 18, 2017|access-date=March 28, 2013}}{{cite web|title=Amazon.com: Only U: Ashanti : MP3 Downloads|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017WCZE4/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1278548962&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0007D08DO&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0QGMEEDH4X3GDCN3WDSF|work=Amazon.com|access-date=March 28, 2013}} The song was released to radio stations on January 11, 2005.[http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01/11/2005&Format=1 R&R :: Going for Adds :: CHR/Top 40] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231060403/http://gfa.radioandrecords.com/publishGFA/GFANextPage.asp?sDate=01%2F11%2F2005&Format=1|date=December 31, 2014}} Radio and Records. Retrieved March 29, 2013

The official remix was included on Ashanti's 2005 compilation album Collectables by Ashanti, and features Caddillac Tah, Young Merc, Ja Rule, and Black Child.{{cite web|title=Collectables by Ashanti: AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/collectables-by-ashanti-mw0000260404|work=AllMusic|access-date=March 28, 2013}} There is a second official remix that replaces Caddillac Tah and Young Merc with Dipset rappers Cam'ron and Juelz Santana.

"Only U" was written by Ashanti, Seven Aurelius, and Irv Gotti, with production handled by the latter two. "Only U" is a rock-tinged song. The song's introduction uses a sample of Club Nouveau's 1986 song "Why You Treat Me So Bad", followed by a guitar riff, taken from the song "Presence" by Aurelius.{{cite AV media notes|others=Ashanti|title=Concrete Rose|year=2004|type=liner notes|publisher= The Inc. Records}} Lyrically, "Only U" has Ashanti imagining a man providing sexual pleasure for her, finding herself always standing by his side or looking for reasons to be close to him, acting out of character and falling for him more with each day.{{cite news|title=The Bland Is Out There >> Music Review: Ashanti "Only U"|url=http://dusk411.joeuser.com/article/68388|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=The Bland Is Out There|date=March 12, 2005}}

"Oh I can't wait to get next to you/ Oh I just can't leave you alone/ Boy you got me doing things that I would never do," she sings. In the chorus, she emphasizes that the guy is only one who makes her feel in love and turned on, "Only u can make me feel and only u can take me there," she chants.

"Only U" received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Hattie Collins of The Guardian called it "a deliciously dark song."{{cite news|last=Collins|first=Hattie|title=CD: Ashanti, Concrete Rose | Music | The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2004/dec/10/popandrock.shopping3?INTCMP=SRCH|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=December 10, 2004}} Chuck Arnold of People Magazine wrote that "the rock-edged 'Only U,' show Ashanti truly blossoming."{{cite news|last=Arnold|first=Chuck|title=Picks and Pans Review: Ashanti: People.com|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20146556,00.html|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=People|date=January 17, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231141638/https://people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20146556,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 31, 2014}} Khalil Regarty of The Age called it "a No. 1-single-by-numbers in which Aurelius' Linkin Park-style guitar riffs sit atop a shuffling beat the Trackmasters or the Neptunes could have put their hands to."{{cite news|last=Regarty|first=Khalil|title=Concrete Rose - Reviews|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/Reviews/Concrete-Rose/2005/01/13/1105423569409.html|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=The Age|date=January 14, 2005}} Low Key of MV Remix wrote that "'Only U' finds Ashanti taking a risk with a rock-influenced sound, which thankfully works out well. Ashanti sounds better than ever over Seven Aurelius smashing guitar riffs and ambient sirens, making for one of her best efforts yet."{{cite news|last=Key|first=Low|title=MVRemix Urban Album Reviews: Ashanti - Concrete Rose|url=http://www.mvremix.com/urban/reviews/ashanti.shtml|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=MV Remix}} Steve Jones of USA Today praised the song for having "engaging beats and airy vocals," writing that "it works well."{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Steve|title=USATODAY.com - 'Concrete Rose' has consistency|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2004-12-13-listen-up_x.htm|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|date=December 13, 2004}}

"The Bland Is Out There" review was positive, writing that, "The beat complements Ashanti's slight voice It's the one single so far which has fit right into her range. There isn't any high-pitched screaming or an excess of 'baby's' for her to sing. 'Only U' is...worth a listen." Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times was mixed, writing that the song "revolves around a corroded keyboard line that sounds distinctly menacing - that is, until Ashanti arrives, singing, 'Ooh, I can't wait to get next to you'."{{cite news|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|title=The New York Times > Arts > Music > Critic's Choice: New CD's|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/13/arts/music/13choi.html?pagewanted=print&position=&_r=0|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 13, 2004}} Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it a "promising edgy, rock-leaning" song.{{cite news|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|title=Ashanti: Concrete Rose | Music Review | Slant Magazine|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/ashanti-concrete-rose/528|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=Slant Magazine|date=December 26, 2004}}

"Only U" proved to be successful on the charts. In the United States, the song debuted at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart issue dated November 24, 2004,{{cite news|title=US Singles Top 100 (November 20, 2004) - Music Chart|url=http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2004/47|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=Music Charts}} and peaked at number 13 on the chart issue dated January 22, 2005.{{cite news|title=US Singles Top 100 (January 22, 2005) - Music Chart|url=http://acharts.us/us_singles_top_100/2005/03|access-date=March 29, 2013|newspaper=Music Charts}} In March 2005, the single was certified gold. The song was also a success on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, peaking at number 10, while it also peaked at number 8 on the Rhythmic Top 40 chart and number 19 on the Top 40 Mainstream chart.{{cite web|title=Concrete Rose - Ashanti: Awards: AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/concrete-rose-mw0000367358/awards|work=AllMusic|access-date=March 29, 2013}} In the United Kingdom, the song was even more successful, debuting at number 2, becoming her most successful solo single in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|title=Ashanti | Artist | Official Charts|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/ashanti/|work=The Official Charts Company|access-date=March 29, 2013}} On the Irish Singles Chart, the song debuted and peaked at number 4, on the chart issue dated January 27, 2005.{{cite web|title=Ashanti - Only U - Music Charts|url=http://acharts.us/song/628|work=Music Charts|access-date=March 29, 2013}}

The song also reached top-twenty positions in several countries. In New Zealand, "Only U" debuted at number 31, on February 7, 2005, and peaked at number 14, on February 14, 2005.{{cite web|title=charts.nz - Ashanti - Only U|url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashanti&titel=Only+U&cat=s|work=charts.nz|access-date=March 30, 2013}} In Switzerland, the song was her best solo single on the charts, peaking at number 12 on the Swiss Singles Chart.{{cite web|title=Ashanti - Only U - Hitparade.Ch|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashanti&titel=Only+U&cat=s|work=Hitparade.Ch|access-date=March 30, 2013}} In Germany, the song also peaked at number 12, on the German Singles Chart. In the Flanders region of Belgium, the song debuted at number 36 before peaking at number 17 in its second week.{{cite web|title=Ashanti - Only U - ultratop.be (Flanders)|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl///song/1931/Ashanti-Only-U|work=Ultratop|access-date=October 16, 2023}} In the Netherlands, the single debuted and peaked at number 18 on the Dutch Top 40 chart. Elsewhere, the song attained top-forty positions. In the Wallonia region of Belgium, the song debuted at number 38 before climbing to its peak of number 23 in its second week.{{cite web|title=Ashanti - Only U - ultratop.be (Wallonia)|url=https://www.ultratop.be/fr///song/1931/Ashanti-Only-U|work=Ultratop|access-date=October 16, 2023}} In Australia, the song debuted and peaked at number 24 on the ARIA Charts. In Austria, the song debuted at number 41, while it peaked at number 30, in its fourth week.{{cite web|title=Ashanti - Only U - Austrian Charts.at|url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashanti&titel=Only+U&cat=s|work=Austrian Charts|access-date=March 30, 2013}} In France, the song debuted and peaked at number 33 on the SNEP chart week of March 26, 2005.{{cite web|title=Les Charts.com - Ashanti - Only U|url=http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashanti&titel=Only+U&cat=s|work=Les Charts|access-date=March 30, 2005}}

There are two official versions of the video, both directed by Hype Williams and shot in Vancouver and Mexico City. It is notable for making use of a blue-hue effect in numerous shots with overt noir and neo-noir influences in many shots. The first version is the original video (which has an alternate version itself) and the second version is the Dance Version, which was only aired on BET.

The original version is shot in widescreen format but the slots that are normally left black at the top and bottom of the screen were replaced with upside down or reversed images of the main shot in the middle of the screen, which flickered back and forth to give the illusion that two scenes were playing at once. The alternate version had the scenes shown in regular widescreen format with the shots and the top and bottom of the screen plain black.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0zs-3-5JEo |title=Only U (Alternate Version) |via=YouTube |access-date=June 7, 2008}} It opens with a Blade Runner-inspired environment and imagery of Ashanti's face projected onto a skyscraper—similar to a scene in Blade Runner. In addition, there is a scene where she is sitting down on a seat while smoking as she appears to be watching something through a projector—again, a shot similar to that of a scene in Blade Runner. The rest of the video features Ashanti in various situations, posing and wearing a variety of outfits. In one scene, Ashanti is in the shower and in another she is inside a cocoon-like lamp as air gushes from beneath, creating a vacuum effect—reminiscent of the scene in Blade Runner where Zhora (Joanna Cassidy) goes to dry her hair inside a clear, fishbowl-like dryer. The video ends with her and a group of female dancers performing the song in concert. Bottles of Herbal Essences hair products are seen during the shower scene as Ashanti was the then-new spokesperson for the haircare company.{{cite news |last=Slotek |first=Jim |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/A/Ashanti/2005/03/16/962776-sun.html |title=Ashanti lets her hair down |newspaper=Toronto Sun |date=March 16, 2005 |access-date=March 20, 2009 |via=Jam! |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711063344/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/A/Ashanti/2005/03/16/962776-sun.html |archive-date=July 11, 2012}} Seven Aurelius, who co-wrote and produced the song, makes a guest appearance at the beginning and at the end of the video playing the guitar.

The "Dance Version" of the video consisted of the dance scene that is also shown at the end of the original video, with Ashanti and the back-up dancers dancing throughout the entire video. Seven Aurelius makes a cameo appearance in this version as well at the beginning and at the end of the video as the guitar player. Director Hype Williams featured his signature style of widescreen format in this version of the video also, except the slots that are normally left blank at the top and bottom of the screen were replaced with upside down or reversed images of the main shot in the middle of the screen.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a21wvCrc-9o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/a21wvCrc-9o |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Only U (Dance Version) |via=YouTube |access-date=June 7, 2008}}{{cbignore}}

The song was sampled by Playboi Carti for the track "Cocaine Nose" on his 2025 album Music.{{Cite news |last=Beaumont-Thomas |first=Ben |date=2025-03-17 |title=Playboi Carti: Music review – the most anticipated rap album this decade was worth the wait |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/17/playboi-carti-music-review-the-most-anticipated-rap-album-this-decade-was-worth-the-wait |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

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US 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2004|type=US 12-inch single vinyl disc|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=B0003859-11}}

:A1. "Only U" (clean)

:A2. "Only U" (instrumental)

:A3. "Only U" (a cappella)

:B1. "Turn It Up" (featuring Ja Rule—clean)

:B2. "Turn It Up" (featuring Ja Rule—main)

:B3. "Turn It Up" (featuring Ja Rule—instrumental)

UK 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2005|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=2103787}}

:A1. "Only U" – 3:07

:B1. "Turn It Up" (radio edit featuring Ja Rule) – 4:21

:B2. "Spend the Night" – 3:30

UK CD1{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2005|type=UK CD1 liner notes|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=2103785}}

1. "Only U" – 3:07
2. "Turn It Up" (radio edit featuring Ja Rule) – 4:21
3. "Spend the Night" – 3:30
4. "Only U" (video)

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UK CD2 and European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2005|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=2103786}}{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2005|type=European CD single liner notes|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=0075021037793}}

1. "Only U" – 3:07
2. "Turn It Up" (radio edit featuring Ja Rule) – 4:21

French CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2005|type=French CD single liner notes|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=988 069 2}}

1. "Only U"
2. "Wonderful" (remix with Ja Rule and R. Kelly)

Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2005|type=Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=2103778}}

1. "Only U"
2. "Turn It Up" (featuring Ja Rule)
3. "Only U" (Kelly G's club mix)
4. "Only U" (video)

Japanese CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Only U|others=Ashanti|year=2004|type=Japanese CD single liner notes|publisher=The Inc. Records|id=UICD-5008}}

1. "Only U" (radio edit)
2. "Only U" (remix)
3. "Only U" (instrumental)

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{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Ashanti|title=Only U|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2022|id=18540-79-1|access-date=November 25, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Ashanti|title=Only U|award=Gold|relyear=2004|certyear=2005|digital=true}}

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{{Infobox song

| name = Split (Only U)

| cover = Tiësto & The Chainsmokers - Split (Only U).jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = Tiësto and the Chainsmokers

| album = Collide (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

| released = August 31, 2015

| recorded = 2014/15

| studio =

| length = 5:06

| label = {{hlist|Musical Freedom|Spinnin'}}

| writer = {{hlist|Marcus Vest|Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr.|Tijs Verwest|Alexander Pall|Andrew Taggart}}

| producer = {{hlist|7 Aurelius|Irv Gotti|Tiësto|the Chainsmokers}}

| chronology = Tiësto

| prev_title = The Only Way Is Up

| prev_year = 2015

| next_title = Chemicals

| next_year = 2015

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = The Chainsmokers

| type = singles

| prev_title = Waterbed

| prev_year = 2015

| title = Split (Only U)

| year = 2015

| next_title = Until You Were Gone

| next_year = 2015

}}

}}

"Split (Only U)" is a song by Dutch disc jockey and producer Tiësto and American disc jockeys and producers the Chainsmokers. It was released on August 31, 2015, in the Netherlands. The song is included in the soundtrack of the 2016 action movie, Collide.

In the track, Tiësto and the Chainsmokers used a sample of "Only U". The track was premiered during Tiësto's set at Ultra Europe 2015 in Split, Croatia.{{cite web |url=https://www.guettapen.com/2015/08/31/preview-tiesto-the-chainsmokers-split-musical-freedom/ |title=Release : Tiësto & The Chainsmokers - Split (Only U) [Musical Freedom] |work=guettapen.com |date=August 31, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2020}} The title of the track comes from the name of the city.

Fabien Dori from French webmedia Guettapen praises the track that he considered as "excellent", despite the fact that he notices a second part of the track with a "too offensive" sound of the synthesizers.

The music video premiered on Spinnin' Records' official YouTube Channel on September 3, 2015. The music video was directed by Joe Zohar and produced by Moving Box Studios.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klIF0nhsxxM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/klIF0nhsxxM |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Tiësto & The Chainsmokers - Split (Only U) [Official Music Video] |work=YouTube |access-date=October 12, 2020}}{{cbignore}} The music video starts with the Chainsmokers waking up after a party in their hotel room of Las Vegas. They receive a scoffer Snapchat message from Tiësto and decide to get revenge. They decide to kidnap him while he is producing music in his room. With a bag on his head, they bring him out of Las Vegas to kill him in the desert after that the prisoner digs his own tomb. Later, for the night, the duo guest two girls in their room to spend the night together. But, they die after a retaliation of the new walking dead.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/6685825/tiesto-the-chainsmokers-kidnap-kill-revenge-split-only-u-video |title=The Chainsmokers Kidnap, Kill Tiësto in 'Split (Only U)' Video: Watch |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 12, 2020}}

Digital download (MF132)

1. "Split (Only U)" – 5:06

2017 translucent blue 7-inch vinyl

1. "Split (Only You)" (extended mix) – 5:06
2. "Split (Only You)" (radio edit) – 4:18

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{{Reflist}}

{{Ashanti}}

{{Tiësto}}

{{The Chainsmokers}}

Category:2004 songs

Category:2004 singles

Category:2015 singles

Category:American pop rock songs

Category:Ashanti (singer) songs

Category:Music videos shot in Canada

Category:Music videos shot in Mexico

Category:Music videos directed by Hype Williams

Category:Songs written by Andrew Taggart

Category:Songs written by Ashanti (singer)

Category:Songs written by Channel 7 (musician)

Category:Songs written by Irv Gotti

Category:Songs written by Tiësto

Category:Spinnin' Records singles

Category:Tiësto songs