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The Osmonds – One Bad Apple

About the Song

“One Bad Apple” by The Osmonds is a classic hit that carries the unmistakable charm and energy of the early 1970s. Released in 1970 as part of their album Osmonds, this song skyrocketed to success, becoming a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidifying The Osmonds’ place in pop music history. It’s a track that perfectly encapsulates the era’s fusion of bubblegum pop and soul influences, offering a melody that is both infectious and timeless.

At its core, “One Bad Apple” is a playful, upbeat anthem about love, trust, and second chances. The lyrics tell a lighthearted story about not letting one sour experience ruin your faith in love. The line “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl” became a catchy, enduring phrase that resonated with audiences of all ages. It’s a message that still feels relevant today—a reminder to approach relationships and life with an open heart, even after disappointment.

Musically, the song showcases the youthful energy and vocal harmony that made The Osmonds a household name. It’s often compared to the style of The Jackson 5, with its funky bassline, dynamic rhythm, and soulful delivery. This resemblance is no coincidence, as the song was written by George Jackson, a prominent figure in soul and R&B songwriting, originally intended for The Jackson 5. However, it found its perfect home with The Osmonds, who infused it with their own flair and charisma.

The song also marked a pivotal moment for The Osmonds, transitioning them from a family group primarily known for barbershop-style harmonies into mainstream pop sensations. “One Bad Apple” became the launching pad for their subsequent success, influencing the trajectory of their careers and inspiring many other family bands that followed.

Whether you’re revisiting it for nostalgia or hearing it for the first time, “One Bad Apple” is a song that invites you to tap your feet, sing along, and embrace the optimistic spirit it conveys. It’s a reminder of why the music of The Osmondscontinues to endure, offering joy and connection across generations.

Video 

Lyrics: One Bad Apple 

I can tell you’ve been hurt
By that look on your face, girl
Some guy brought sad
Into your happy worldYou need love
But you’re afraid that if you give in
Someone else will come along
And sock it to you againOne bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, give it one more try
Before you give up on loveOne bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, I don’t care what they say
I don’t care what you heard

I could make you happy, baby
Satisfy you, too
But how can I
If you won’t give me a chance to prove my love to you?
Won’t you just give me one chance?
I’ll give you my guarantee That you won’t be hurt again

One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, give it one more try
Before you give up on love

One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, I don’t care what they say
I don’t care what you heard now

I’ve been noticing you, baby
For a long, long time
And I’m not ashamed to tell the world
That you really messed up my mind

Girl, to me you’re like a dream come true
I’d rather hurt myself
Than to ever hurt you

One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, give it one more try
Before you give up on love, girl

One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl
Oh, I don’t care what they say
I don’t care what you heard now

One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl

 

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SHE WAS A BRIDE AT FIFTEEN, A MOTHER AT SIXTEEN, AND THE FIRST WOMAN NASHVILLE EVER HAD TO CALL “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR” — THEN SHE NAMED HER BABY AFTER THE BEST FRIEND SHE’D JUST BURIED, AND THAT BABY SPENT A LIFETIME MAKING SURE NEITHER VOICE WAS FORGOTTEN. Loretta Lynn came out of Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, with nothing but a coal miner’s last name and a voice that could pin a grown man to his chair. Married before she could drive. Four children by twenty-two. Then she wrote songs that scared Nashville half to death — about cheating husbands, birth control pills, and women who’d had enough. Sixteen number-ones. Presidential Medal of Freedom. The whole world calling her the Coal Miner’s Daughter. In 1963, her best friend Patsy Cline died in a plane crash. The next year, Loretta gave birth to twins. She named one of them Patsy. That little girl grew up backstage, between tour buses and honky-tonks. She formed The Lynns with her twin sister Peggy. Earned CMA nominations. Then she did something quieter and heavier — she stepped behind the glass and co-produced her mother’s final albums alongside Johnny Cash’s son. Loretta died October 4, 2022. That first birthday without her, Patsy woke up reaching for a phone call that wasn’t coming — her mama singing “Happy Birthday,” the way she always had. Does knowing Loretta named her daughter after a ghost she never stopped grieving make “I Fall to Pieces” feel like it belongs to both of them now?

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