The band, fronted by Mary Davis, was initially famous for the post-disco hit "Take Your Time (Do It Right)" in 1979. In 1982, they joined forces with then-new production team Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who went on to craft a string of R&B hits for the group, including "Just Be Good to Me", "Tell Me If You Still Care", "Borrowed Love", and "The Finest".
The Jam/Lewis produced SOS Band hits are notable for popularizing the use of the Roland TR-808 drum machine (and its distinctive cowbell sound) in popular music. The group continues to tour and perform to this day.
The song "Just Be Good to Me" was remixed by Beats International (Aka Norman Cook or Fatboy Slim) the song made its way to UK number one single as "Dub Be Good To Me". The song was reworked with the bassline to the Clash's "Guns of Brixton".
The Finest
S.O.S Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You learn to hold on
You learn to appreciate
The finer things in life, the finest
If I had a chance
I'd always choose love
Up or down, good or bad, I don't mind
My friends say I'm lucky
To have someone as good as you
My love's understanding
Understanding how to hold on to you
After all that we've been through
Time won't change the way I feel about you
Out of all the loves before
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
If I had to choose
I'd be by myself
I want to be in love
But with nobody else, uh
Time flies when you're with me
Goes so slow whenever you're away
Make up my mind and I'm positive (a better love)
A better love will never come my way
After all that we've been through (mm, hm)
Time won't change the way I feel about you (mm, mm)
Out of all the loves before (mm, hm, hm)
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
After all that we've been through (that we've been through)
Time won't change the way I feel about you
Out of all the loves before
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
Know (know)
You keep me in love (you keep me in love)
I'm lost (you're lost)
Just call me, I'll come (just call me and I'll come)
No other love before (no other love)
Could do what you do (could do what you do)
A little so much (oh)
So much more from you (much more)
No one else will do (no one else will do)
There's no substitute
Your love's the finest love I've ever know, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me (oh)
After all (oh) that we've been through (that we've been through)
Time won't change (change) the way I feel about you (no, no, no, no)
Out of all (hm) the loves before (the finest love)
You're the finest (uh huh) I'll ever know (finest I ever)
After all (oh) that we've been through (that we've been through)
Time won't change the way I feel about you
Out of all the loves before (out of all the loves I had before)
You're the finest (yes, you are) I'll ever know (finest I ever)
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The lyrics of the song "The Finest" by S.O.S Band touches upon the idea of appreciating the finer things in life, especially when it comes to love. As the song progresses, the lyrics describe how the singer values genuine love over everything else, and the sense of comfort that comes with being together with someone who understands and supports you through thick and thin. The singer's assurance that he/she will never find a love as precious as this again conveys a sense of permanence and contentment with their current situation.
The song's lyrics are a testament to the beauty of real love that lasts a lifetime. The song describes that love and human relationships are more important than material possessions. The song is an ode to a particular love interest – someone who has stood the test of time, and it's about the importance of celebrating and cherishing that person. The song highlights that love takes hard work and effort, but it's worth it for the right person.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Finest" by S.O.S Band emphasize the importance of finding and holding onto true love, which is the essence of a happy and fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
As life goes on
Over time, as one ages and experiences different things
You learn to hold on
You learn how to persevere through difficult situations and not give up
You learn to appreciate
You become more grateful and thankful for the things you have
The finer things in life, the finest
The most valuable and high-quality things in life
If I had a chance
If given the opportunity
I'd always choose love
I would choose to prioritize love over anything else
Up or down, good or bad, I don't mind
No matter the circumstance, I am willing to love and be loved
Just as long as it's real
As long as the love between two people is genuine and sincere
My friends say I'm lucky
People close to me believe that I am fortunate
To have someone as good as you
To be in a relationship with someone as kind and worthwhile as you
My love's understanding
The love that I have for you is patient and accepting
Understanding how to hold on to you
I know how to stay committed to our relationship
After all that we've been through
Despite the challenges we have faced together
Time won't change the way I feel about you
The love I have for you will not diminish or fade over time
Out of all the loves before
Of all the past relationships I have had
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
You are the best and most exceptional love I have ever experienced
If I had to choose
If I had no other option
I'd be by myself
I would rather be alone
I want to be in love
But I do desire a loving connection with someone
But with nobody else, uh
But only with you
Time flies when you're with me
When we are together, time seems to pass quickly
Goes so slow whenever you're away
When we are apart, time seems to move slowly
Make up my mind and I'm positive (a better love)
I have made a decision and I am confident in it
A better love will never come my way
I will never find a love that is better than the love we share
You keep me in love
You are responsible for sustaining my feelings of love and affection
I'm lost (you're lost)
Without you, I feel directionless or confused
Just call me, I'll come
If you need me, I will be there for you
No other love before
None of my previous relationships
Could do what you do
None of my past loves were able to give me what you give me
A little so much (oh)
Even though it might seem small or insignificant, it means so much to me
So much more from you (much more)
I know you are capable of giving me even more love and affection
No one else will do
No other person can replace you in my heart
There's no substitute
No one can fill the role you have in my life
Your love's the finest love I've ever know, oh, oh, oh.
The love I have with you is the best and most special love I have ever experienced
Oh, baby, you're the finest
You are the best and most exceptional love I have ever experienced
The finest I've seen
You are the highest quality love I have seen in my life
The finest one for me
You are the perfect love for me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@XNATIONHEADQUARTERS
As life goes on
You learn to hold on
You learn to appreciate
The finer things in life, the finest
If I had a chance
I'd always choose love
Up or down, good or bad, I don't mind
Just as long as it's real
My friends say I'm lucky
To have someone as good as you
My love's understanding
Understanding how to hold on to you
After all that we've been through
Time won't change the way I feel about you
Out of all the loves before
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
If I had to choose
I'd be by myself
I want to be in love
But with nobody else, uh
Time flies when you're with me
Goes so slow whenever you're away
Make up my mind and I'm positive (a better love)
A better love will never come my way
After all that we've been through (mm, hm)
Time won't change the way I feel about you (mm, mm)
Out of all the loves before (mm, hm, hm)
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
After all that we've been through (that we've been through)
Time won't change the way I feel about you
Out of all the loves before
You're the finest I'll ever know (finest I ever)
Know (know)
You keep me in love (you keep me in love)
I'm lost (you're lost)
Just call me, I'll come (just call me and I'll come)
No other love before (no other love)
Could do what you do (could do what you do)
A little so much (oh)
So much more from you (much more)
No one else will do (no one else will do)
There's no substitute
Your love's the finest love I've ever know, oh, oh, oh.
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me (oh)
After all (oh) that we've been through (that we've been through)
Time won't change (change) the way I feel about you (no, no, no, no)
Out of all (hm) the loves before (the finest love)
You're the finest (uh huh) I'll ever know (finest I ever)
After all (oh) that we've been through (that we've been through)
Time won't change the way I feel about you
Out of all the loves before (out of all the loves I had before)
You're the finest (yes, you are) I'll ever know (finest I ever)
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest one for me
Oh, baby, you're the finest
The finest I've seen
Oh, baby, you're the finest
@jamesculver3724
I can’t count the number of times me and my sister cleaned the house on a Saturday morning and this was playing. This song will live forever. I really start mopping good when Alexander O’Neal starts singing!!
@Chamuel1310
I feel yah, Babe - What my peeps & your peeps call “Get Shyt done around the house” music. 🤣👏🏽💪🏽😎
@tiffanysimpson-crumpley6502
Hell yeah 💯
@maneets2413
IT MAKES IT EVEN MORE LEGIT IF YOU USED THE MOP HANDLE AS YOUR MICROPHONE🤷🏾♂️🙌🏾😂
@MG-xy2sd
@@maneets2413 oh my, FACTS!!!
@jamesstewart9138
That not Alexander O’Neal. I was shocked!!!
@TheBishopDon
man if you didn't grow up on this type of music, I feel bad for you
@lossiiburns
😂😂😂😂
@johnrlucerojr8439
That's when music had real heart and soul .
@cholmanjr8345
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