Relocating to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, McClinton emerged in a partnership with fellow Texan Glen Clark, performing a combination of country and soul music. They achieved a degree of artistic success, releasing two albums before splitting, with McClinton embarking on a solo career. Emmylou Harris had a number 1 hit in 1978 with his composition "Two More Bottles of Wine", and McClinton's "B Movie Boxcar Blues" was covered on the first album of The Blues Brothers, Briefcase full of blues. His 1980 album, The Jealous Kind contained his only Top 40 hit single "Givin' It Up for Your Love".
After a rest period during much of the '80s, McClinton made a welcome return in 1989 with the fiery album Live From Austin, taped during an Austin City Limits appearance. He won a 1991 Grammy for his duet with Bonnie Raitt, "Good Man, Good Woman", and reached the Top 5 of the country charts with the Tanya Tucker duet, "Tell Me About It". He recorded the opening title song "Weatherman" for the Bill Murray film Groundhog Day. The fledgling label Rising Tide offered One of the Fortunate Few in 1997, but the label quickly folded. In addition to releasing two new studio albums in the early 2000s, New West Records issued Delbert McClinton Live in 2003, a compilation of songs from throughout his career.
McClinton is the star of the upcoming musical documentary: "Rocking the Boat: A Musical Conversation and Journey" by Hawaii-based film maker Jay Curlee. The feature includes interviews and performances by McClinton, Marcia Ball, Rodney Crowell, Stephen Bruton, Wayne Toups, Jimmy Hall,Paul Thorn, Jeffrey Steele and Teresa James. Sometime author, musician, sheriff and now Texas gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman also stars. The film will be entered in the 2006 Telluride Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and Hawaii International Film Festival.
Best Of Me
Delbert McClinton Lyrics
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Didn't need nothin' in this life of mine
Was havin' a good time just bein' free
But you smiled that smile and just wouldn't listen
Now you're makin' it hard for me to keep resistin'
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
Well, my kind of love I don't spread around
Waitin' on a man that suits me to a T
Well, I tried to hold back in every way I could
But it's hard to fight the feelin' when it feels this good
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You got a power of persuasion
And that's drivin' my imagination
And girl I'm beginnin' to see a world of possibilities
And I know the only way for me to win
Is just to give up, go on, and give in
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You got a power of persuasion
And that's drivin' my imagination
And girl I'm beginnin' to see a world of possibilities
And I know the only way for me to win
Is just to give up, go on, and give in
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
Well, ain't no use in me tryin' to save myself
My will power's gone, there ain't nothin' left
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You got a power of persuasion
That's drivin' my imagination
And girl I'm beginnin' to see a world of possibilities
Ain't no use in me tryin' to save myself
My will power's gone, there ain't nothin' left
Oh baby you're 'bout to get the best of me
The lyrics of Delbert McClinton's "Best of Me" convey a story of a person who was content and fulfilled with their life until they meet someone who drastically changes their mindset. At first, the singer asserts that they were perfectly fine without anyone else, stating they didn't need anything in their life. However, they can't help but be drawn in by the person's charm and allure. As the song goes on, the singer admits that they've been waiting for someone to come along whom they feel is perfect, but this person they've met may be the right one.
The lyrics also describe the struggle many people face when trying to resist someone who is tempting them. Despite the singer's best attempts, their love interest is slowly breaking down their barriers and taking over their thoughts. They grapple with this internal struggle of wanting to remain strong but ultimately realizing they can't fight their desires any longer. The song’s title “Best of Me” is an implication that the singer feels they are giving the best of themselves to the other person, and eventually, they will be entirely conquered.
Overall, the lyrics convey feelings and emotions many individuals feel when they meet someone who they believe is the one they've been waiting for. The internal battle of resisting the temptation and ultimately giving in to one's desires is a common theme in much of music and literature.
Line by Line Meaning
I told you I was doin' just fine
I claimed to be doing well
Didn't need nothin' in this life of mine
I did not feel I needed anything
Was havin' a good time just bein' free
I was enjoying my freedom
But you smiled that smile and just wouldn't listen
Your charming smile captivated me
Now you're makin' it hard for me to keep resistin'
You are putting pressure on me to not resist you
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You are about to win me over completely
Well, my kind of love I don't spread around
I am very selective in whom I love
I been savin' it up for a long time now
I have been preparing my heart for a long time
Waitin' on a man that suits me to a T
I have been waiting for the perfect man for me
Well, I tried to hold back in every way I could
I tried to resist you as much as possible
But it's hard to fight the feelin' when it feels this good
Your affection is hard to resist
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You are winning me over completely
You got a power of persuasion
You have the ability to convince me
And that's drivin' my imagination
Your influence is fueling my fantasies
And girl I'm beginnin' to see a world of possibilities
You are opening up new horizons for me
And I know the only way for me to win
I know that the only way to succeed is to give in
Is just to give up, go on, and give in
I must surrender and let you have me
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You are about to completely win me over
Well, ain't no use in me tryin' to save myself
It is pointless for me to try to resist anymore
My will power's gone, there ain't nothin' left
I have no more strength to resist you
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You have completely won me over
Oh baby, you're 'bout to get the best of me
You have conquered me completely
You got a power of persuasion
Your persuasive abilities are very strong
That's drivin' my imagination
You are fueling my imagination with all sorts of possibilities
And girl I'm beginnin' to see a world of possibilities
You are showing me a different side of life that I never imagined before
Ain't no use in me tryin' to save myself
There's no point in me trying to resist anymore
My will power's gone, there ain't nothin' left
I have completely given in to you
Oh baby you're 'bout to get the best of me
You have completely won me over
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MCCLINTON, NICHOLSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind