AllMusic editor Ed Hogan found that "while it could be argued that Osborne's A&M albums were generally "too pop," he seems absolutely regenerated on Only Human, digging his vocal chops into material that accommodates his extensive range. It's a head-scratcher as to why this is his only Arista release; it would have been very interesting to hear Osborne continue in this mode."^[3] Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Osborne’s voice is so silky and warm that he can anchor a varied collection of songs – ranging from the up-tempo [...] to the more personal, blustery [...] For any other singer, such an eclectic mix of musical styles like in Only Human, might seem like a desperate, unfocused grab for pop-chart success. But for Osborne it’s merely a reflection of a 20-year-long career that has dominated both black and pop radio [...] For all his forays into many musical genres, Osborne seems most at home, as he always has, in the ballads, where the drum machines don’t crowd his voice."^[4] Ian Cranna in Q Magazine remarked that "the chief pleasure here is in Osborne's confident, accomplished singing".^[1]

• Jeffrey Osborne – lead vocals, backing vocals (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9–11), arrangements (6, 8)
• Terry Burrus – keyboards (1)
• Alan Friedman – programming (1)
• Barry Eastmond – keyboards (2, 4, 5, 7, 9–11), drum programming (2, 5, 7, 9, 10), arrangements (2, 4, 5, 7, 9–11), synth solo (7), string arrangements and conductor (9, 11)
• Eric Rehl – synthesizers (2, 4, 7, 9–11), synthesizer programming (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
• Ron Skies – additional synthesizer programming (2)
• Kendo Scott – keyboards (3)
• Darryl Duncan – all instruments (6), arrangements (6)
• Robert Brookins – all keyboards (8), all programming (8), arrangements (8)
• Mike Campbell – guitars (2, 5)
• Georg Wadenius – guitars (4)
• Nick Moroch – guitars (11)
• Anthony Jackson – bass (4, 11)
• Sam Sims – bass (9)
• Buddy Williams – drums (4)
• Terry Silverlight – drums (11)
• Vincent Henry – alto sax solo (4)
• Grover Washington Jr. – alto sax solo (5)
• Al Boson – vocal arrangements (3)
• Edith Wint – string contractor (9, 11)
• Richard Hendrickson – concertmaster (9, 11)
• Kathryn Russell – backing vocals (1)
• Dian Sorel – backing vocals (1)
• Lillias White – backing vocals (1)
• B.J. Nelson – backing vocals (2, 9)
• Karen Anderson – backing vocals (3)
• Cydné Monet – backing vocals (3)
• Tawatha Agee – backing vocals (4)
• Dennis Collins – backing vocals (4)
• Yolanda Lee – backing vocals (4, 7, 10)
• Nikki Richards – backing vocals (4)
• Alex Brown – backing vocals (6, 8)
• Joey Diggs – backing vocals (6)
• Portia Griffin – backing vocals (6)
• BRIGHT EYES – rap (6)
• Lynn Fiddmont – backing vocals (8)
• Marlena Jeter – backing vocals (8)
• Keith John – backing vocals (8)

• P. Dennis Mitchell – recording engineer (1)
• Earl Cohen – recording and mixing (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
• Khaliq-O-Vision (Khaliq Glover) – recording (6, 8), mixing (6)
• Keith Cohen – mixing (8)
• Carl Beatty – string recording (9, 11)
• Curt Frasca – assistant engineer (1)
• Garvey Clark Jr. – recording and mix assistant (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
• Mike Harlow – recording and mix assistant (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
• Dave Lebowitz – recording and mix assistant (2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11)
• Tracy Chisholm – assistant engineer (6)
• Kimm James – assistant engineer (8)
• Carolyn Quan – art direction, design
• Adrian Buckmaster – photography
• Cecille Parker – wardrobe stylist
• Rudy Calvo – grooming, make-up
• Jack Nelson – management

Studios

• Recorded at Axis Studios, East Bay Studios, Soundtrack Studios and Greene Street Recording (New York, NY); Studiodad Digital (Brooklyn, NY); Wings West Recording (Northridge, CA).
• Strings recorded at Right Track Recording (New York, NY).
• Mixed at The Sandbox Studios (Easton, CT); Soundcastle and Larrabee Sound Studios (Hollywood, CA).