Youre the best thing dance song

"U R the Best Thing"
Youre the best thing dance song

Standard artwork for the 1994 reissue

Single by D:Ream
from the album D:Ream On Volume 1
Released22 June 1992
Genre
  • Dance-pop
  • house
Length
  • 4:09 (1992 version)
  • 4:08 (1993 version)
  • 4:05 (1994 Perfecto radio mix)
Label
  • FXU (all releases)
  • Rhythm King (1992)
  • Magnet (1993, 1994)
Songwriter(s)Peter Cunnah
Producer(s)
  • D:Ream
  • Tom Frederikse
  • David Morales
  • Sasha
  • Paul Oakenfold
  • Steve Osborne
D:Ream singles chronology
"U R the Best Thing"
(1992)
"Unforgiven"
(1993)
Music videos
"U R the Best Thing" (1993 version) on YouTube
"U R the Best Thing" (1994 version) on YouTube

"U R the Best Thing" is the debut single of Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, included on their first album, D:Ream On Volume 1 (1993). Originally a club hit released in 1992, the song has been remixed and re-released twice: in 1993 and in 1994. The 1994 version, also known as the Perfecto mix (by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne), was most successful peaking at number three in Scotland, number four on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. It also peaked at number 13 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The 1993 version reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. There were made three different music videos for the song.

The track was voted "#1 Single Of The Year" by BBC Radio in 1993.[1] In 1996, British magazine Mixmag included the song as number 96 in their 100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time list.[2]

Critical reception[edit]

1992 version[edit]

In 1992, British newspaper Lennox Herald described "U R the Best Thing" as a "house track with hypnotic song and certain club smash."[3] Mixmag deemed it a "heart-stopping, piano pounding epic." A reviewer from Music Week called it "excellent", adding that it "mates well-crafted lyrics with some of this year's most essential samples and breaks".[4] James Hamilton from the magazine's RM Dance Update stated that the track is "featuring some soaring support by D'borah Asher but made most exciting by its rippling vibes breaks, husky pop singer Peter Cunnah and DJ Al McKenzie's thumping and surging jangly house bounder".[5]

1993 version[edit]

In 1993, Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "The element that sets this record apart from the pack of wolves vying for recognition is that there is a real song tucked beneath the barrage of studio tricks and house beats. Here is one that doesn't lose any of its appeal once you stop twirling; the melody and lyrics stay with long after daylight. Props to the group's masterminds, Peter Cunnah and M Mackenzie, for going the extra mile and giving us something to feel and whistle to."[6] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report noted that "the pair blends a house sound with a just a taste of alternative."[7] Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "More dance crossover only it is hard to describe it as such this time, with such a strong pop chorus and vocal. This one may well emulate the current success of Robin S and climb slowly and gradually into the 10."[8] Andy Beevers from Music Week rated the song five out of five, complimenting the "superb new Morales mixes which have been getting a great dancefloor reaction".[9] James Hamilton from the magazine's RM Dance Update described it as a "wriggling jangly canterer".[10]

1994 version[edit]

In 1994, Scottish newspaper Dundee Courier picked it as a "standout" track from the album.[11] A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "Yep, it's them again with their umpteenth rerelease. Remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne, it's another step up the stairs to stardom for the pop dance duo."[12] The magazine's Maria Jimenez constated that the track's "longevity is assisted by this wide spectrum of new remixes".[13] Alan Jones from Music Week rated the remix four out of five, adding it as "a bankable follow up to their number one hit, Things Can Only Get Better."[14] Tim Jeffery from the magazine's RM Dance Update said, "These new Perfecto mixes keep the attractive flute part while adding strings and a distictive piano sound to make the song an anthem once again. Stylish, commercial and probably a hit second time around."[15] Another editor, James Hamilton deemed it a "attractive huskily crooned throbbing 122.9bpm" Perfecto remix.[16] John Kilgo from The Network Forty commented, "Looking for a flavorful uptempo dance track? Look no further than this techno jammer that has scored the #1 position on the dance charts."[17] Pop Rescue noted the "big" vocals from D’Borah Asher and the house piano, adding that "this song does feel somewhat more mellow though, giving Peter plenty of space to show off his vocals in the verse."[18] Adam Higginbotham from Select described it as "perfect feelgood pop-dance record" and said it "left no one in any doubt about where they were coming from."[19] Darren Ressler from Vibe called it a "buoyant" smash.[20]

Track listings[edit]

  • CD maxi, Europe (1992)
  1. "U R the Best Thing" – 4:09
  2. "U R the Best Thing" (D:Ream dub) – 6:33
  3. "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full mix) – 7:55
  4. "U R the Best Thing" (12-inch mix) – 6:18
  5. "U R the Best Thing" (accapella) – 4:57
  6. "U R the Best Thing" (Slow Hand Super Summer Disco mix) – 6:20
  • CD maxi, Europe (1993)
  1. "U R the Best Thing" – 4:08
  2. "U R the Best Thing" (D:Ream extended 12-inch mix) – 6:13
  3. "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full edit) – 6:52
  4. "U R the Best Thing" (Def Klub mix) – 7:56
  5. "U R the Best Thing" (Mo Bass Part II) – 11:12
  6. "U R the Best Thing" (Def radio mix) – 3:37
  • CD maxi, Europe (1994)
  1. "U R the Best Thing" (Perfecto radio mix) – 4:05
  2. "U R the Best Thing" (Original 7-inch mix) – 4:05
  3. "U R the Best Thing" (Perfecto mix) – 6:43
  4. "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full mix) – 7:58
  5. "U R the Best Thing" (Mo Bass Pt II) – 11:13
  6. "U R the Best Thing" (D·Ream extended mix) – 5:50

Charts[edit]

Chart (1992) Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) 72
UK Dance (Music Week)[21] 4
Chart (1993) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) 50
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[22] 62
Europe Dance (Music & Media)[23] 11
Ireland (IRMA) 6
UK Singles (OCC) 19
UK Dance (Music Week)[24] 1
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) 1
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[25] 9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[26] 46
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[27] 13
Finland (IFPI)[28] 18
Germany (Official German Charts)[29] 65
Ireland (IRMA) 6
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[30] 26
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31] 25
Scotland (OCC)[32] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 35
UK Singles (OCC) 4
UK Dance (Music Week)[34] 7

Release history[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sholin, Dave (23 July 1993). "Gavin Picks: Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  2. ^ "The 100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time". Mixmag. 1996. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  3. ^ Lennox Herald. 3 July 1992. p. 28.
  4. ^ "Dance" (PDF). Music Week. 13 June 1992. p. 6. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  5. ^ Hamilton, James (27 June 1992). "DJ Directory: Out On Monday" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 5. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. ^ Flick, Larry (8 May 1993). "Dance Trax: Things Get Better For D:Ream; Junior Boy Jams" (PDF). Billboard. p. 27. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  7. ^ Sholin, Dave (23 July 1993). "Gavin Picks: Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  8. ^ Masterton, James (18 April 1993). "Week Ending April 24th 1993". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  9. ^ Beevers, Andy (10 April 1993). "Market Preview: Dance - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 9. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  10. ^ Hamilton, James (17 April 1993). "Djdirectory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 7. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  11. ^ Dundee Courier. 27 January 1994. p. 7.
  12. ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 16 April 1994. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  13. ^ Jimenez, Maria (9 April 1994). "Groovemix: Short Grooves" (PDF). Music & Media. p. 7. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  14. ^ Jones, Alan (5 March 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles - Pick of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. p. 12. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  15. ^ Jeffery, Tim (19 March 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 7. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  16. ^ Hamilton, James (26 March 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert). p. 4. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  17. ^ Kilgo, John (24 June 1994). "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 22. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  18. ^ "Review: "On Vol. 1" By D:ream (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  19. ^ Higginbotham, Adam (1 September 1993). "Reviews: New Albums". Select. p. 86. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  20. ^ Ressler, Darren (1 November 1993). "D:Ream - On". Vibe. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 4 July 1992. p. 22. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  22. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 22 May 1993. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  23. ^ "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. 26 June 1993. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  24. ^ "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 24 April 1993. p. 22. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  25. ^ "D:Ream – U R The Best Thing". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  26. ^ "D:Ream – U R The Best Thing" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  27. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 9 April 1994. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  28. ^ Week 13, 1994.
  29. ^ "D:Ream – U R The Best Thing" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  30. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – D:Ream" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  31. ^ "D:Ream – U R The Best Thing" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  32. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 27 March 1994 - 02 April 1994". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  33. ^ "D:Ream – U R The Best Thing". Swiss Singles Chart.
  34. ^ "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 26 March 1994. p. 24. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  35. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 20 June 1992. p. 19.
  36. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 10 April 1993. p. 21.
  37. ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. 12 March 1994. p. 21.

Did Brian Cox play on things can only get better?

But popstar-turned-astronomer Brian Cox admits he would not lend his smash hit song, Things Can Only Get Better, to help Ed Miliband's election bid. The popular professor warned he cannot see a 'clear direction' from today's Labour party, in stark contrast to 1997 when 'everybody supported Blair'.

Who recorded You are the best thing?

"You Are the Best Thing" is the lead single of the album Gossip in the Grain by American folk singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne released on August 26, 2008, by Stone Dwarf Music, LLC, under license to RCA/JIVE Label Group, a unit of Sony Music Entertainment.

When did you are the best thing come out?

2008You Are the Best Thing / Releasednull