BoA’s “Only One” is a poignant, self-composed R&B ballad about a painful breakup. The lyrics capture the bittersweet reality of a couple silently realizing they have grown apart, sharing the mutual pain of deciding to let each other go to avoid further hurting.

Song Credits

  • Artist: BoA
  • Album: Only One
  • Released: February 27, 2013
  • Length: 3:39
  • Label: SM Entertainment
  • Lyrics: BoA
  • Producer: BoA

BoA “Only One” Official MV

BoA “Only One” Lyrics

Japanese

離れていく今も you’re the only one
愛しいそのすべてが you’re the only one
痛くても苦しくっても だけど goodbye
この先もきっと ずっと
You’re the only one, only one

お互いに探り合って
些細な言い訳が散らばった
過ごした時間さえ冷たくって
二人を切なく見つめてる (見つめてる)

ここから二人そうよ飛び立つの
それぞれの道を選んでゆくの
遠回りし続けた言葉たちが
強く背中押して so, I’ll let you go

本当は素直に you’re the only one (you’re the only one)
君に伝えたかった you’re the only one
痛くても苦しくっても だけど goodbye
さよなら言わせてよ you’re the only one
Only one

突然の言葉で シナリオみたいに進んでく
ずれてゆくずれてゆく台詞だけが
噛み合わず 空を舞い ピリオドをうつ oh

始まりも終わりも同じように
息もできないくらい鮮やかな scene
溢れ出す思いが空しくさせるの
どうすれば今を乗り越えられる

本当は素直に you’re the only one (only one)
君に伝えたかった you’re the only one (woo)
痛くても苦しくっても だけど goodbye (goodbye)
ありがとう言わせてよ you’re the only one
You’re the only one

いつの日か今が思い出になって (I will let you go)
笑顔で誰かの隣にいても (my baby can’t forget)
君の中の私が消え去っても (woo)
この先もきっと ずっと you’re the only one, only one

Only one, only one
You’re the only one, only one

Romanized

Hanareteku ima mo you’re the only one
Itoshii sono subete ga you’re the only one
Itakute mo kurushikute mo dakedo good bye
Kono saki mo kitto zutto you’re the only one, only one

Otagai ni saguriatte
Sasai na iiwake ga chirabatta
Sugoshita jikan sae sametakute futari wo setsunaku mitsumeteru
Kokokara futari sou na tabidatsu no
Sorezore no michi wo erande yuku no
Toomawarishi tsuzuketa kotobatachi ga
Tsuyoku senaka oshite So, I’ll let you go

Hontou wa sunao ni you’re the only one
Kimi ni tsutaetakatta you’re the only one
Itakute mo kurushikute mo dakedo good bye
Sayonara iwasete yo you’re the only one, only one

Totsuzen no kotoba de SCENARIO mitai ni susundeku
Zureteyuku zureteyuku serifu dake ga
Kamiawazu sora wo mai PERIOD wo utsu
Hajimari mo owari mo onaji you ni
Iki mo dekinai kurai azayaka na SCENE
Afuredasu omoi ga munashiku saseru no
Dousureba ima wo norikoerareru

Honto wa sunao ni you’re the only one
Kimi ni tsutaetakatta you’re the only one
Itakutemo kurushikutemo dakedo good bye
Arigatou iwasete you you’re the only one

Itsu no hi ka ima ga omoide ni natte (I will let you go)
Egao de dareka no tonari ni itemo (My baby can’t forget)
Kimi no naka no watashi ga kiesattemo
Kono saki mo kitto zutto you’re the only, only one

Translation

You’re only getting farther – you’re the only one
As much as I loved you, you’re the only one
It hurts and hurts and it’s foolish but good bye
Though I may never see you again, you’re the only one
Only one

We awkwardly sit across each other,
Making small talk and asking what’s new
The moments when the conversation stop for a moment
The cold silence freezes us

We will become strangers at this place right now
Someone will shed tears and be left alone but
I hate seeing you try not to scar me and feel ill at ease
So I’ll let you go

My love, good bye now – you’re the only one (you’re the only one)
Even at the moment we break up, you’re the only one
It hurts and hurts and it’s foolish but good bye
Though I may never see you again, you’re the only one

Only One
You’re the only one, Only One

At my sudden works, you seem to be relieved for some reason
Where did we go wrong?
Did we hope for different places starting from long ago?

The sharpness of the vast difference of our start and end
And the pain that stabs my heart – why is it so similar?
My overwhelmed heart crumbles emptily in just one moment
How can I stand up again?

My love, good bye now – you’re the only one (you’re the only one)
Even at the moment we break up, you’re the only one
It hurts and hurts and it’s foolish but good bye
Though I may never see you again, you’re the only one

When will my head erase you? (I will let you go)
One day, two days, one month, if long term then a few years (My baby can’t forget)
And someday in your memories,
I won’t live in it, you will erase me

Only One Only One
You’re the only one, Only One

BoA “Only One” Meaning

“Only One” by BoA is a heartfelt ballad about two people realizing that their relationship has come to an end. Although they still care deeply for each other, they understand that they have grown apart and must let go to avoid causing more pain.

The song focuses on the bittersweet emotions of a mutual breakup. Rather than blaming one another, both individuals share the same sadness and quietly accept that their futures are heading in different directions.

A key theme is the contrast between past and present. Once, they were each other’s “only one,” but time and change have created distance between them. The lyrics capture the heartbreak of watching a meaningful relationship slowly fade despite lingering affection.

Overall, “Only One” is a touching reflection on love, loss, and acceptance. It portrays the difficult reality that sometimes letting go is the most loving choice, even when the feelings remain.