Post per page not working if no category specified

Question

I'm going crazy...

<?php query_posts(array('cat' => 3, 'posts_per_page' => 1)); ?>

This shows 1 post (there is two in the category) >> OK

<?php query_posts(array('posts_per_page' => 1)); ?>

This shows 4 posts (there is four in the whole database) >> WTF? :P

This is crazy... or am I ?

Note: I only have one loop (this one), in this template.

Answer 1

If you want to change your array to exclude sticky, then this should work

get_posts( array( 'post__not_in' => get_option( 'sticky_posts' ), 'posts_per_page' => 1 ) );

Answer 2

You are calling an array with only one paramater. Change your code to: <?php query_posts('posts_per_page=1'); ?>