British pop star Lola Young finds the fun in sexuality with “One Thing,” a groovy, unapologetic, and innuendo-filled fever dream – and her first single of 2025 following last year’s breakout album, ‘This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway.’
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Stream: “One Thing” – Lola Young
“Oh hi” is the first thing we hear from her, serving as a simple, yet captivating introduction to one of Lola Young’s best tracks to date.
This opening sets the stage for the sexy, groovy ride of the British singer/songwriter’s first song of the year, “One Thing.” Released May 16 via A Day One / Island Records, the track is smooth and sensual, infused with a touch of humor. Young candidly explores her sexuality and flips gender norms in and out of the bedroom, creating a breath of fresh air. Her raunchy lyrics and funky bass lines combine to form a new flavor that sticks to the palate, making it an excellent earworm.
Oh, hi
I wanna take you on a little ride
I wanna make you feel so nice
I wanna make you feel
appreciated when you’re deep up in me
When you’re deep up inside
I wanna show you just what I like
I wanna kiss you slow,
wanna f* you rough
I wanna eat you up,
I wanna cook you lunch,
I wanna love you, babe
When discussing the track, Young explains, “It’s a song that, on first listen, sounds like I’m talking about one thing. Sex. Which I am, of course. However, sex in itself is never about one thing.”
She is spot on. Although “One Thing” is filled with innuendo, it still manages to be complex. There’s a clear commentary on sexuality and the gender roles often associated with it. Sex can be fun, gross, and even weird at times, and she takes these ideas in refreshing directions. Her confidence shines through, making it clear that she is unapologetic about her sexuality, inviting the listener to feel the same way. With lines like “Save that big d*ck energy for my mouth” making the final cut, she leans into the wacky aspects of it all.
You know where I wanna be,
I want you right under me
Can you just live a little, let your hair down?
I’m screaming for you,
I can’t breathe, turn the light off,
I’ma wet the sheets
There’s plenty enough for me to go ’round
Break your bed and then the sofa
I wanna pull you closer
Everybody wants to know ya
But me, I only want one thing
I don’t even want your number
Don’t care if you got another
‘Cause tonight, I’m your only lover
And I’ma give you that one thing
I’ma give you that one thing
In heteronormative dating, it is commonly expected that men initiate encounters, showing the most sexual interest as sex is socially considered a masculine trait. Young beautifully flips this expectation on its head, much like many pop stars have begun to do. “One Thing” showcases her in the driver’s seat; she takes the lead on the first date, makes the first move, and initiates even the first kiss. This dynamic is reflected in both the lyrics and the music video.
The video features Young energetically pursuing various men and even becoming a champion in a boxing match. It alternates between different scenarios before ultimately descending into chaos, where Young ends up bloody and battered in the ring, while everyone else plays with messy desserts. This chaos could be interpreted as a commentary on over-sexualization; allowing sex to dominate all aspects of life can leave one bruised and battered, just like in her video.
The boxing match serves as a metaphor for many things, but most plainly, it represents a romantic encounter. We start the music video with her preparing for the match, pumping herself up in the mirror, as she goes after one man after another, accumulating a pile of bodies on the ring floor. This parallels the way men often brag about their “body count” in music, illustrating how much sex they do or do not have. Young engages with this concept through the fighting in the ring.
In the ring, the respective cornermen represent the opposite sex. Young has men spraying water in her mouth and patching up her wounds while her love interest receives makeup touch-ups from women. It’s a small detail but underscores the theme of reversed gender roles.
You look so cute with no clothes on
It feels so right when I’m acting so wrong
No small talk, that shit’s too long
And you’re breakin’ my back, you’re so, so strong
And I want you so bad, like “OMG”
Turnin’ off my phone to DND
And a couple little hours is all I need
Panties still on, you can go in between me, and…
Musically, the track begins with a subtle pluck of a guitar and a low groove from an electric bass, which Young expertly rides.
Her nearly spoken-word delivery in the first verse is distinctive, with her accent intertwining with the lyrics compellingly. As the scene unfolds in the ring, the music becomes more vibrant. Just as the cornermen challenge these norms, the instrumentation itself subverts expectations. The first verse expresses what she wants to do upon meeting someone – it’s raunchy and cheeky. The lyrics just before the drop, “I wanna f* you up, I wanna eat you up, I wanna love you, babe,” convey her playful confidence, as if she knows something we don’t (and she does). The track transitions into a grainy, enchanting pre-chorus that builds tension before abruptly delivering an incredibly catchy hook.
You know how I wanna be, I want you right under me
Can you just live a little and let your hair down?
Nobody will ever know, we can put on our own little show
Save that big-dick energy for my mouth, yeah
Break your bed and then the sofa
I wanna pull you closer
Everybody wants to know ya
But me, I only want one thing
I don’t even want your number
Don’t care if you got another
‘Cause tonight, I’m your only lover
And I’ma give you that one thing (Yeah)
I’ma give you that one thing, that one thing,
that one thing, that one thing, ah
I’ma give you that one thing (All night)
“One Thing” stands apart from Young’s previous hit, “Messy,” which leans more on her vocals and emotional depth (the track was also featured in Atwood Magazine‘s 2024 Songs of the Year). While the instrumental in “Messy” supports the song beautifully, it doesn’t stick in your mind the way “One Thing” does. The bass line is nearly unforgettable. Young collaborated with producers Carter Lang and Solomonophonic to perfect the groove, giving it that pop of funk that works so well with her voice.
Women’s sexuality has traditionally been a taboo topic, kept behind closed doors. However, artists like Lola Young bring it to the forefront, sharing their messy sex lives with the same openness that men have long enjoyed.
With its sexy lyricism, alluring vocals, and rhythmic instrumentation, “One Thing” serves as an impactful preview of her new era.
All my life, all my life
Been waitin’ for you all my life
Gonna do me right, do me right
Oh, boy, you’re gonna do me, do me, do me
All my life, all my life
Been waitin’ for you all my life
Gonna do me right, do me right
Oh, boy, you’re gonna do me, do me, do me
All my life, all my life
Been waitin’ for you all my life
Gonna do me right, do me right
Oh, boy, you’re gonna do me, do me, do me
Yeah, yeah, yeah
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Stream: “One Thing” – Lola Young
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© Lily West, Eliana Shymansky
© Lily West, Eliana Shymansky
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