1.) Alfred Jesse Smith (born July 26, 1941 in Shreveport, Louisiana), better known by the stage name Brenton Wood, is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his two 1967 hits: Oogum Boogum Song and Gimme Little Sign.
When he was a child his family moved west to San Pedro in Los Angeles, California. In his high school years his family relocated to nearby Compton, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.
Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in Compton College. Soon after he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood (some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During his period there his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming an accomplished pianist.
After signing with Double Shot Records he had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached number 19 on the R&B charts and number 34 on the pop listing. His biggest hit came in September the same year. "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and also #19 on the R&B charts. In the song gimme little sign is not sung, instead the chorus repeats "give me some kind of sign".
"Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded by Ricky Nelson.
Some of his more unknown songs are also worth listening to, such as "Me and You," "Baby You Got It," and "18 With a Bullet."
Best Thing I Ever Had
Brenton Wood Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For me and my conscience are having a fight
I really treated you bad
Best thing that I've ever had
Best thing that I've ever had
Let me tell ya now
I'm so sorry, but what can I say
I really treated you bad
Best thing that I've ever had
Best thing that I've ever had
I should have known from the start
I should have treated you right, but now I hurt
The only girl I ever loved
But baby, give me a break and tell me
Tell me there's something that I can do
Anything babe, I don't want to lose you
I really treated you bad
Best thing that I've ever had
Best thing that I've ever had
Best thing that I've ever had
In Brenton Wood's song "Best Thing I Ever Had," we can hear the remorse and regret of a man who realizes that he has treated the love of his life badly. The lyrics start with the admission that he couldn't sleep and is struggling with his conscience after mistreating his lover. He then goes on to say that he couldn't even eat anything, feeling unable to move on from this mistake. The repetition of the line "Best thing that I've ever had" reinforces his realization that he has lost the best thing that ever happened to him.
The pain in the singer's voice is palpable as he acknowledges that he should have known better all along and treated his lover right. He clearly loves her deeply and is begging for forgiveness, saying that he doesn't want to lose her. The lyrics are a poignant reminder of the importance of treating those we love with kindness and respect, and the potentially devastating consequences of taking them for granted.
Overall, "Best Thing I Ever Had" is a powerful and emotional song that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of losing someone they love due to their own mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
I couldn't sleep, baby, a wink last night
I was unable to sleep at all last night because I was having a conflict with my conscience about the way I've been treating you, my love.
For me and my conscience are having a fight
My conscience is telling me that I've been treating you badly, but I've been trying to justify my actions to myself.
I really treated you bad
I must admit that I was insensitive and unkind to you, and I'm deeply sorry.
Best thing that I've ever had
You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I realize that now. I'm grateful for your love and presence in my life.
Let me tell ya now
Listen to what I have to say, my dear.
I couldn't eat, honey, a thing today
I had no appetite all day because of the guilt and regret I feel about mistreating you.
I'm so sorry, but what can I say
I apologize for my behavior, but I don't know how else to express my remorse.
I should have known from the start
I realize now that I should have treated you with love and respect from the very beginning.
I should have treated you right, but now I hurt
I caused you pain and heartache by not treating you the way you deserved, and I'm filled with regret.
The only girl I ever loved
You are the only woman I have ever truly loved, and I want to do better by you.
But baby, give me a break and tell me
Please forgive me and give me a chance to make things right between us.
Tell me there's something that I can do
Please give me specific actions I can take to show you that I'm committed to treating you better in the future.
Anything babe, I don't want to lose you
I'm willing to do anything to keep you in my life and prove my love to you.
Best thing that I've ever had
I reiterate that you are the most important and valuable thing in my life, and I will do my utmost to treat you accordingly.
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: HOOVER, SMITH, WINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffk2053
Brenton Wood never ever sang a bad song. All his material is A+.
@demarbieuxme
My Dad dedicated this song Ε£o my mom he was from Fresno California so he had that cali spanglish smooth talker he was in prison and recorded a tape of a bunch of oldies and after every song he said something really the only way i can hear his voice he passed away when i was 5 when he was released from prison he was coming from Fresno to Phoenix az to come see me and my sister and fell asleep at the wheel got into an accident and died. Love you dad 36 years later and still wish you were here R.I.H MR.BEN DEMARBIEUX LOVE YOU DAD FOREVER ππ½ππ½ππ½βοΈπ₯π₯π
@nancysalas608
My husband passed away to young at 40 and he dedicated this song to me. We were separated for 5 yrsπ
@zappzapper
You guys were still married but not living together?
@davidvelsquez6360
This song is sad but ohhh so true. I love you babe
@honey_bee65
Love me some Brenton Wood
@tracieguzman7554
He was fine as wine back in the days. Best thing I ever had, Bobbi
@rhodaalvarez3142
love this song!
@isabelbracamonte2149
Get down Brenton Wood ππ½ Always can listen to this Song over and over again. β€οΈβ€οΈπΊπΈπ²π½πΊπ’
@blessedone167
Such a sweet song.