TINA TURNER "(SIMPLY) THE BEST"

By Mark Nobes

Firstly, you can watch the original video for "(Simply) The Best" in the video above. There is also another video further down this page featuring Tina Turner performing the song live at Wembley.

Released in September 1989, this anthemic track was produced by the legendary Dan Hartman and Tina herself, and reached #5 on the official UK singles chart (achieving a platinum sales certificate) and #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was released as the lead single from Tina Turner's highly successful Foreign Affair album.

The original title of the song was "The Best", but the "Simply" part was added in brackets to later releases of the song (including on compilation albums), as many people mistakenly refer to the song by the chorus phrase "Simply The Best".

The track was written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman for Bonnie Tyler, who released it as a single in 1988, although it would only reach #95 in the UK. It featured on her album Hide Your Love. Many extra parts were added to Tina's cover version, including an extra bridge, a key change, and a splendid sax solo by Edgar Winter.

Other UK Top Ten hits from the Foreign Affair album were "I Don't Wanna Lose You" and "Steamy Windows".

Tina Turner's long musical career spans five decades. Apart from her numerous singles and albums with her husband, Ike, in the 60s (they divorced in the mid 70s), as a solo artist she released 9 studio albums, 68 singles, 5 compilation albums, 17 video albums, 45 music videos and 2 soundtracks. 

These are the two postcards included with limited edition releases of "The Best".

Chart Positions

"The Best" entered the official UK singles chart at No.27 on August 27th 1989, climbing to No.5 on September 17th and remaining their for two weeks, while Black Box were at No.1 with "Ride On Time". Indeed, this was a time when electronic dance music was starting to become more popular, leaving more traditional rock and pop acts with an even greater challenge to get noticed. Nonetheless, the sheer quality of "The Best" (which no dance act could match) ensured that it did get plenty of airtime, and it spent a respectable 14 weeks in the Top 100.
The song became a top 5 hit in seventeen charts around the globe.
The single re-entered the Official UK charts again in 2010, reaching no.9, and also reached No.1 in the Scottish Singles Sales Chart in the same year on 25th April. Following her death on May 24th 2023, the song re-entered the UK chart on 26th May at No.8.

Formats

UK 7 Inch Vinyl - Capitol Records CL 543

A. "The Best" - 4:07

B. "Undercover Agent For The Blues" - 5:20

UK 12 Inch Vinyl - Capitol Records 12CL 543

A. "The Best" -5:28

B1. "Undercover Agent For The Blues" - 5:20

B2. "Bold and Reckless" - 3:30

A cassette single (TCCL 543) was released in the UK and Europe and included the same two tracks as the 7 inch vinyl, but recorded on both sides.
The UK CD Single (CDCL 543) included the same track listing as the 12" vinyl.

Lyrics

The lyrics need no explanation and are about being infatuated with someone, and viewing them as the best partner they've ever experienced, as in the line "Better than anyone I ever met". The chorus has an anthemic quality, which ensures that the wedding party dancefloor will be filled and just about everyone will sing along to it, including your drunk uncle, in his own unique style!
Tina Turner Poster
Tina Turner 1985 Frankfurt concert poster
Frankfurt 1985 concert poster

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