"Save the Best for Last" is a 1992 single, written by Phil Galdston, Wendy Waldman and Jon Lind in March 1989. It is considered Vanessa Williams' signature song. The lyrics' redemptive themes resonated with Williams' story, as she had put together a successful recording career following her earlier Miss America resignation scandal. The song is a ballad about a young female admirer of a single man who stands by and watches as the object of her desires goes through years of dating, before he finally unexpectedly decides to initiate a relationship with the singer.
"Save the Best for Last" was not written specifically for Vanessa Williams. A number of other singers were offered the song; they all turned it down. While recording her album The Comfort Zone, at the last minute, a song had to be replaced. Williams was played "Save the Best for Last", and she said: "I can't believe nobody wants this song. I have to have this song."
Video Save the Best for Last
Commercial performance
The single was Williams' third number one on the Soul singles chart and topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks in 1992. "Save the Best for Last" was ranked fourth in the Billboard Top 100 hits of 1992, becoming the biggest success of Williams' music career. The song also went to number one on the U.S. Adult Contemporary and R&B charts; it remained atop these charts for three weeks apiece. Internationally, the single reached number one in Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada, number two in Ireland, and number three in the United Kingdom and Japan. ASCAP named it as its Song of the Year, meaning it was performed more than any other song in 1992; it was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1993, losing to Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" in both categories.
Maps Save the Best for Last
Chart positions
Music videos
There are two versions of the music video for this single. Along with the original version, the song was reworked and re-released as a Christmas single in 1993. It recharted for several years as a holiday favorite, with a new snowy videoclip version played on MTV.
Official versions
- "Save the Best for Last" (Album Version) - 3:38
Track listings
Europe single
- "Save the Best for Last" 3:39
- "2 of a Kind" 5:15
- "Dreamin'" 5:25
US Maxi-CD
- "Save the Best for Last" 3:39
- "Freedom Dance (Get Free!)" (LP Version) 4:13
- "Freedom Dance (Get Free!)" (Free Your Body Club Mix) 6:59
- "Freedom Dance (Get Free!)" (Vanessa's Sweat Mix) 5:21
- "The Right Stuff" (UK Mix) 6:18
UK vinyl, 7"
- A "Save the Best for Last" 3:39
- B "2 of a Kind" 5:15
Netherlands 12", promo
- A "Save the Best for Last" 3:39
- B1 "2 of a Kind" 5:15
- B2 "Dreamin'" 5:25
Renditions
In 1994, saxophonist Marion Meadows covered the song for his album Forbidden Fruit. Also in 1994, Filipino singer Kuh Ledesma recorded a version with jazz violinist Noel Pointer on her album The Voice and the Violin. In 1995, then new-age/new adult contemporary pianist Brian Culbertson covered the song for his album Modern Life. In 2003, the song was covered by Lester Bowie Brass Fantasy on the album When the Spirit Returns. The song was also covered by the band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.
Other language versions
The tune is the basis of Märchenland Gefühl (German: Fairy Tale Feeling) and Iets Heeft je Zachtjes Aangeraakt (Flemish/Dutch: Something you softly touched), both by Belgian artiste Dana Winner. Hong Kong cantopop singer Shirley Kwan also has a Cantonese cover version entitled "Why Us" (為何是æˆ'å€').
See also
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1992 (U.S.)
- List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1992 (U.S.)
- List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1992 (U.S.)
References
External links
- SingerUniverse Magazine account of the song's writing
- Save the Best for Last. Discogs.com.
- Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
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