Of Jamaican descent, and the second youngest of nine children, he was born in Lewisham, London. He is known as the 'King of Lovers Rock'. His music is sometimes closer to R&B, and pop, than to reggae music itself. His first major album was the self-titled Maxi Priest (1988) along with his cover of Cat Stevens' Wild World established him as one of the British reggae top singers this internationally acclaimed vocalist, is the only UK reggae act to score an American Billboard Number One. That was with a track entitled "Close To You", which was released in 1990.
In addition, a duet with Roberta Flack - "Set The Night To Music", also reached the U.S. Top Ten in 1991. In the latter half of his lengthy recording career, he has favoured working alongside other established, or up and coming, artistes. For example, Maxi Priest has worked with Sly & Robbie, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Jazzie B, Apache Indian, Roberta Flack and Shabba Ranks.
Best Of Me
Maxi Priest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
We shared our lives together
For so many years
Been through stormy weather
But oh this change of feeling
Has got me so confused
Feeling so rejected
Feeling like I'm used
What more can I say
What more can I do
Seems I'm wasting my time
Trying to show you
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
Seems I've been to hell and back
Only just to please you
And you're still believing
That I don't give a damn
Yes I've made my mistakes
With no intent to hurt you
Tried so very hard
Just to make you understand
What more can I say
What more can I do
Seems I'm wasting my time
Trying to show you
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
Whoa oh hey
Oh yeah
Very best of me baby, ooh
Can't you see, yeah
What more can I do
What more can I say
Seems I'm wasting my time
Trying to show you
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
You've got the best of me
More than I can give
In every part of me
Just for you I live
...
In Maxi Priest's song Best Of Me, the lyrics speak of a romantic relationship that is coming to its end. The singer begins by acknowledging that his partner has received the best of him, even more than he could offer. He feels as if he's given everything he could in the relationship, and has nothing left to give. The couple has been through many experiences together, good and bad, but a change in feeling has caused him to be confused and feel rejected. He laments that he's wasted his time trying to make things work and show his true feelings.
As the song progresses, the singer expresses how he has gone above and beyond to please his partner, even going to hell and back, but to no avail. His partner still doesn't believe that he cares for her and thinks he doesn't give a damn. He admits to making mistakes, but they were not meant to hurt her. He tries extremely hard to make her understand, but it seems as she's not willing to listen.
In conclusion, the lyrics convey the feeling of a person who has given their all in a relationship, but it's not reciprocated. He feels as if he's wasting his time, trying to show his partner how much he cares about her, and has come to the realization that he can't do more than he already has.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got the best of me
You have taken all that I have to give
More than I can give
You have demanded more than I have to offer
In every part of me
You have consumed me completely, body and mind
Just for you I live
You are the sole purpose for my existence
We shared our lives together
We have spent a significant amount of time together
For so many years
For a long period of time
Been through stormy weather
We have faced difficult challenges together
Shared our joys and tears
We have experienced both happiness and sadness together
But oh this change of feeling
However, my emotions have shifted
Has got me so confused
I am unsure of what to think or feel
Feeling so rejected
I have been dismissed and unvalued
Feeling like I'm used
I feel like I have only been taken advantage of
What more can I say
I have expressed myself as best I can
What more can I do
I have done everything I can think of
Seems I'm wasting my time
It appears that my efforts are pointless
Trying to show you
Attempting to make you understand
Seems I've been to hell and back
I have gone through a lot of pain and suffering
Only just to please you
My struggles have been for your satisfaction
And you're still believing
You continue to hold this belief
That I don't give a damn
That I don't care about your feelings
Yes I've made my mistakes
I am not without fault
With no intent to hurt you
I did not mean to cause you pain
Tried so very hard
I put forth my best effort
Just to make you understand
In hopes that you might comprehend
Whoa oh hey
An exclamation of emotion
Oh yeah
Another exclamation of emotion
Very best of me baby, ooh
My ultimate effort and dedication were devoted to you
Can't you see, yeah
I hope you recognize and understand what I have given you
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Written by: Max Alfred Elliott, Peter Hunnigale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
maurocinosi
Clássico dos anos 90, Maxi Priest com o" Best of me". Belas recordações, canção maravilhosa! Brasília, 13/09/2019.
jdanieleloy almeida
I love Maxi Priest! His music is forever!
Claudio Guggino
Wow! This takes me to my youth! Beautiful!
Always love listening to Maxi Priest.....
jcommerce
I saw him at Sunsplash early 90s and I was blown away. I had negative expectations but, seeing him live, it was incredibly rootsy and I was sold on him.
Nicole Kelly
What negative expectations u had of Maxi priest? Really now!!!
Brooklyn Six
Still love this 1990 hit by Maxi Priest!
SOUL STALGIA RECORDS
In 2020 - What a Blessing of a talent Maxi Priest is... Good Feel Music.
SuperSweetness1986
I love this song soooooooooooooooo much!
The Notorious. K.I.D
Timeless music that’s appealing to any age
Aaronplayz 57
Love his soulful voice .