One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back

One Way Ticket to Hell... and Back is the second studio album by the British rock band the Darkness. It was released on 28 November 2005 through Atlantic Records, reaching number 11 on the UK Album Chart and eventually attaining platinum status in the UK. Three singles were released from the album. The lead single, "One Way Ticket", reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart, as did the second single "Is It Just Me?"

Background

The album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, best known for his work with Queen, a major influence on the Darkness. Bassist Frankie Poullain left the band part way through the recording of the album, with bass guitars on the album played by Dan Hawkins. Poullain said that "Hazel Eyes" is his favourite track on the record, saying, "I defy anyone after a couple of beverages to listen to 'Hazel Eyes' standing up and NOT get the Michael Flatleys." Poullain was already familiar with six of the ten songs on the album, having played "Hazel Eyes", "Dinner Lady Arms", "Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time" and "English Country Garden" on tour with the band before his departure. He also co-wrote four of the tracks featured on the album. The working title for the album was The Painstaking.

In November 2025, the band released a 20th anniversary deluxe edition of the album, contaning a remaster of the album, along with 3 bonus discs containing b-sides, demos, and live recordings.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Justin Hawkins and Dan Hawkins except where noted.

Other tracks

• "Wanker" (B-side to One Way Ticket) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:07
• "Grief Hammer" (B-side to One Way Ticket) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:12
• "Shake (Like a Lettuce Leaf)" (B-side to Is It Just Me?) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:18
• "Shit Ghost" (B-side to Is It Just Me?) (J. Hawkins/D. Hawkins) – 3:10

Reception

Reviews for the album were mixed. Q magazine proclaimed it the 22nd best album of 2005. However Planet Sound remarked how it was the "world's most expensive penis joke", regarding the costly delay of the album, and hyper-masculine themes throughout. In an interview with The Sun, Dan said that it cost £1 million to make.

Personnel

• Justin Hawkins – vocals, lead guitars, sitar, piano, Hammond organ, Mini-moog, synths
• Dan Hawkins – guitars, bass, tubular bells, marching drums, tambourine, triangle, backing vocals
• Ed Graham – drums
• Richie Edwards – bass, backing vocals

Additional musicians

• Freddy Gomez – pan flute on "One Way Ticket"
• Stuart Cassells – bagpipes on "Hazel Eyes"

Charts

Certifications

External links

• in Sound on Sound
• at Metacritic