With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker was one of the definitive quiet storm singers of the '80s. Gifted with a strong, supple alto, Baker was influenced not only by R&B, but jazz, gospel, and traditional pop, which gave her music a distinctly adult sophistication. Smooth and mellow, but hardly lifeless, it made her one of the most popular romantic singers of her time.
Baker was born January 26, 1958, in Toledo, OH, and raised in nearby Detroit, where she grew up listening to female jazz singers like Sarah Vaughan, Nancy Wilson, and Ella Fitzgerald. At age 12, she began singing a gospel choir, and by age 16 she was performing with several local bands. In 1975, she successfully auditioned for Chapter 8, one of Detroit's most popular acts at the time; the group eventually signed with Ariola and released an album in 1979, but were immediately dropped when the label was acquired by Arista (which didn't care for Baker's vocals). Chastened, Baker worked low-paying jobs in Detroit and eventually found steady work as a receptionist at a law firm. In 1982, Otis Smith -- an executive who'd worked with Chapter 8 -- contacted Baker about recording for his new label Beverly Glen. Happy with her employment benefits and skittish over the experience with Arista, Baker was reluctant at first, but eventually flew out to the West Coast to record her debut album, The Songstress, in 1983. Though it didn't gain quite enough exposure to become a hit, it did help Baker build a strong fan base through word-of-mouth and she was signed by Elektra in 1985.
Working with producer Michael J. Powell (an old Chapter 8 cohort), Baker released her major-label debut Rapture in 1986. It was a platinum, Grammy winning smash, appealing to both urban and adult contemporary listeners and producing two all-time quiet storm classics in "Caught Up in the Rapture" and "Sweet Love." Baker toured the world in 1987 and her guest appearance on the Winans track "Ain't No Need to Worry" won a Grammy. Her equally stylish follow-up album, Giving You the Best That I Got, appeared in 1988, spawning more staples in the title track and "Just Because." "Giving You the Best That I Got" also won Baker two more Grammys, for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song. For her third Elektra album, Baker decided to handle a greater share of the songwriting, hence the title Compositions, which was released in 1990 and featured even stronger jazz inflections than Baker's previous work (not to mention all live instruments).
Following Compositions, Baker took a break from recording and touring; after having her first son in 1993, she returned to the studio to craft Rhythm of Love, which was released in 1994. In the years that followed, Baker was mostly silent, despite her fans' clamoring for a jazz album; instead, she raised her family and became embroiled in contract disputes with Elektra, which eventually led her to move to Atlantic. She began working on a new album in 2000, but had to start over from scratch due to defective recording equipment that made the original tracks unsalvageable. In 2004 it was announced that she had signed with Blue Note and still working on her new album. In the meantime, the Atlantic imprint Rhino released Night of Rapture: Live, a 1987 concert originally available on video. Baker finally returned to the studio in 2003 and issued My Everything, her first album in 10 years. Two years later she released her first holiday album, Christmas Fantasy.
You're the Best Thing Yet
Anita Baker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An understanding hand, when the world calls me grand
You protect my heart, right from the start
Sensitive vibes are strong and true
The very best I've always shared with you
And if I should fall, or if I'm standing tall
I can see you standing there, always willing to share
Each and every part of me
(Repeat chorus twice)
Deep down in my mind, I wonder at the blessing that I could find
Someone as loving as you
Could bring into my life this feeling so right
And so true
Like the flowing waters of a silver stream
And like the misty vision in a midnight dream
Such a wonder of life to me
So rare is found such a reason to be
(Repeat chorus twice)
Like the flowing waters of a silver stream
And like the misty vision in a midnight dream
Such a wonder of life to me
So rare is found such a reason to be
(Repeat chorus twice)
Vamp: You're so wonderful
You're so beautiful
You're the best thing yet
To ever come into my life
(Repeat vamp)
The song "You're the Best Thing Yet" by Anita Baker is a tribute to a person who has been the perfect partner and support system for the singer. The chorus of the song expresses the sentiment that the person is the best thing that has ever happened to the singer. The person has been understanding, protective, and has provided sensitive vibes that are always true. The song describes a deep appreciation for the person's willingness to stand by the singer's side, whether she falls or stands tall. The singer sees this person as someone who can see things that she cannot see and has become a part of her.
In the second verse, the lyrics dive deeper into the singer's mind. She wonders at the blessing of finding someone as loving as the person the song is about. This person has brought into the singer's life a feeling that is so right and true. The analogy of the flowing waters of a silver stream and the misty vision in a midnight dream portray the magic that the singer sees in this person. The song ends with the vamp repeating the chorus.
Overall, this song is a beautiful ode to a person who has been a constant support system for the singer, and celebrates the deep appreciation and gratitude that the singer has for their presence in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the best thing yet, to ever come into my life
You are the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me.
An understanding hand, when the world calls me grand
You always understand me when the world cannot.
You protect my heart, right from the start
You have always been there for me and have protected me.
Sensitive vibes are strong and true
Your sensitivity towards me is genuine and undying.
The very best I've always shared with you
I have shared my best moments with you ever since we met.
And if I should fall, or if I'm standing tall
Whether I am at my lowest or highest, you are always there for me.
I can see you standing there, always willing to share
I can always count on you to share everything with me.
Each and every part of me
You love every single part of me, without exception.
You see things I never, never see
You help me see things that I never would have without you.
Deep down in my mind, I wonder at the blessing that I could find
I can't believe that I could be so blessed to have found you in my life.
Someone as loving as you
There is no one else in the world as loving as you are.
Could bring into my life this feeling so right
You have brought into my life a feeling that is just so right.
Like the flowing waters of a silver stream
Our relationship is as pure and refreshing as a spring of silver water.
And like the misty vision in a midnight dream
Our love is almost too good to be true, like a dream that is too hazy to make sense of.
Such a wonder of life to me
Our love is the most wondrous thing to me.
So rare is found such a reason to be
Our love is so rare and special that it gives me a reason to live and love.
You're so wonderful
You are just an amazing person, in every way.
You're so beautiful
Your beauty, both inside and out, is just awe-inspiring.
You're the best thing yet
You are without a doubt the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me.
To ever come into my life
I will forever be grateful that you came into my life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Geronne Turner, Patrick Moten
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Terrance Martindale
Can we please acknowledge the musicality of this. She ripped it. The band. My goodness. It's so magic. The ending Loop. They showed out. Anita was like I'm not done yet....you're so wonderful, you're so beautiful.... Over and over again. A love song
Stephanie McNeil
I totally agree 👍
Kim Thornton
@Tamika Stewart-Kline this came out in the early 80s and she met Walter in the early ninetys 🤔🤔🤔
imnina4eva
Literally my FAVORITE part of the song.
Jake Davis
@Terrance Martindale yes sir u are still right 5 years later.
Charlene Lattimore
@keisha D p
Lakia Barr
I absolutely love Anita Baker! Nobody sings like this anymore!
acegenerator
That's when it had soul
Carla Linton
Carla Linton. Lakia Barr. I love ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Anita Baker too. Nobody don't sing like this anymore. Except for My Black Hip Hop Soul Sista Mary J Blige. Both of them are absolutely talented and legends. I love ❤️❤️❤️ Good singers like Anita Baker and My Black Hip Hop Soul Sista Mary J Blige.
Reena Jones
@Celeste Darby a1aa