After appearing in a school talent show in 1984, Patterson auditioned for the television show Kids Incorporated. Proving to be "a natural," he undoubtedly landed the part and was cast as "The Kid", remaining on the show for a number of years. Onward and upward, Patterson continued to evolve, gaining experience as a backup vocalist for several artists (including Kids co-star Martika). Following his vocal contributions on Colour Club's self-entitled album, as well as writing for other artists (his credits include Brandy's platinum Top 5 smash "Baby", and Tevin Campbell's hit "Back to the World"), Patterson signed with MCA Records. Collaborating with Keith Crouch and Jamey Jaz, among others, he released his own self-entitled debut in 1997.
Stirring rave reviews, the album launched Patterson into an even larger limelight (with the single "Where You Are" receiving widespread airplay on R&B radio). Patterson, soon after, developed global recognition, as well as a loyal following in the United States and abroad.
Patterson went to work, handcrafting his followup, Love in Stereo, with Jaz and new collaborators such as Van Hunt. When Love in Stereo was released in late 1999, its reviews topped those of its predecessor, slating Patterson as one, of few artists, whose vocal ability was classified as so "distinctive," he need not rely solely on the mainstream music market to gain his footing in the film and music industry, nor afford his music massive, worldwide, international appeal..
Although Patterson's path eventually diverged from MCA's, he remained indispensable amongst industry affiliates, continuing to perform live, working as a session singer, and contributing to both soundtracks (Brown Sugar) and compilation albums (Steve Harvey's Sign of Things to Come), while working on his next album.
After Hours, Patterson's third album, was released internationally early in 2004, again garnering positive reviews. Now, with the conception of his own label, the album released in the United States during late October 2004. Wine & Spirits followed in the Fall of 2007. Wine & Spirits, not only spoke to Patterson's consistency as a versatile, smooth-crooning performer, known for his scintillating, sultry provocative vocal style; but it also, signified, for Patterson, a career of longevity, divinely masterminded from his childhood endeavors to crossing the threshold as a multi-level, music mogul, independently signed, produced and operated. The project further evidenced Patterson's "musical muscularity," spawning itself in such diverse arrangements as the reflective lamentation of "Stars," to the smooth-jazz contours in one of the album's many "feel-good" hits, entitled "Feels Good," to Patterson's resident, high-frequency, timbres, echoing in the uptempo, "Higher Love," which, inevitably, served as the artist's professional and personal testimony of growth, triumph and spiritual ascension.
Patterson's next project, the highly anticipated CD, BLEUPHORIA, is scheduled to drop in the fall of 2010. It is expected to be nothing short of what Patterson's proud fanbase has always enjoyed from him: an astronomical, stellar work of art.
The Best
Rahsaan Patterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I gotta let you know just what I feel
We've had better days than what's been happening lately
I don't wanna walk away
But I gotta be real with you
And I've heard you say you're gonna change
But I'm afraid that it's too late
It's too late
You're more than just a friend to me baby
And I won't do you wrong no matter what's going on
And though I feel the need to leave it pains me
Right down to my bones the hurt is so strong
And I've heard you say you're gonna change
But I'm afraid it's too late
It's late
Oh, I believe that it's too late
It's too late
It's too late
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
I've spent days and nights contemplating
Over you and me and the road I'm taking
And I hope in the end that you won't hate me
I know you feel the same if you'd only face it
And I've heard you say you're gonna change
But I'm afraid that it's too late
It's too late
Oh, I believe that it's too late
It's too late
It's too late
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
(That I can do, yeah)
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
(I can do)
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
(I can do)
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
I'm giving you the best of me
The best it's true
But I can't get the best from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
(The best that I can do)
The song "The Best" by Rahsaan Patterson is a bittersweet expression of romance and disappointment. In the first verse, the singer confesses that they need to be honest with their partner because things have gone sour. Despite wanting to hold on, the singer acknowledges that they might need to walk away. The second verse reaffirms that their partner is more than just a friend but they cannot continue with the pain that accompanies the relationship. The chorus is a repetition of the song's title with the lyrics expressing how the singer is giving the best of themselves to their partner, but they cannot receive the same in return. Thus, goodbye becomes the best option.
The song is filled with the agony of a relationship that could have been great but failed due to a lack of reciprocation. The singer has put in significant efforts, but it is not enough to sustain the relationship. The pain that ensues is palpable and reflects the helplessness that accompanies lost romantic love. The song ultimately underscores that sometimes, despite the love, the best thing to do is to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
There's no other way to say it baby
I have to communicate my feelings to you, and there's no other way to do it than to be honest
I gotta let you know just what I feel
It's important for me to tell you how I feel
We've had better days than what's been happening lately
Our relationship has been struggling lately
I don't wanna walk away
I don't want to end our relationship
But I gotta be real with you
But I have to be honest with you
And I've heard you say you're gonna change
I've heard you promise to change
But I'm afraid that it's too late
But I'm worried that it's too late for us to fix things
You're more than just a friend to me baby
I have romantic feelings for you beyond just being friends
And I won't do you wrong no matter what's going on
I will always treat you respectfully
And though I feel the need to leave it pains me
Even though I feel like I need to break up with you, it hurts me to do so
Right down to my bones the hurt is so strong
The pain of leaving you is deeply felt
Oh, I believe that it's too late
I truly feel that it's too late for us to fix things
I'm giving you the best of me
I'm giving you my all in this relationship
But I can't get the best from you
But I'm not receiving the same level of effort and commitment from you
So I guess goodbye is the best thing I can do
So, unfortunately, breaking up is the best option
I've spent days and nights contemplating
I've spent a long time thinking about our relationship
Over you and me and the road I'm taking
I've been considering both of our feelings and the direction our relationship is heading
And I hope in the end that you won't hate me
I hope that in the end, you won't resent me for breaking up with you
I know you feel the same if you'd only face it
I believe that you also know our relationship isn't working but are avoiding facing it
(That I can do, yeah)
That's all I can do for us
(I can do)
(The best that I can do)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RAHSAAN PATTERSON, VAN HUNT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind