| "The Best of Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byMýa featuringJadakiss | ||||
| from the albumFear of Flying | ||||
| Released | April 11, 2000 | |||
| Recorded | 1999–January 2000 | |||
| Studio | The Hit Factory (New York City, New York) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:12 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Swizz Beatz | |||
| Mýa singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Jadakiss singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "The Best Of Me" onYouTube | ||||
"The Best of Me" is a song by American singerMýa. It served as Harrison's first single from her second studio albumFear of Flying (2000) and featuredYonkers rapperJadakiss. The song was written and composed by the latter and Harrison along withTeron Beal,Jimmy Cozier,Swizz Beatz andMashonda Tifrere. Lyrically, "The Best of Me," a street savvy anthem addresses a woman holding off being intimate or physical with a guy.
The song received generally positive reviews fromcontemporary music critics. However, "The Best of Me" underperformed onBillboard's USHot 100; peaking and spending two non-consecutive weeks at number fifty. It fared better on the componentHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart peaking within the top 20 at number fourteen. Internationally, the song peaked within the top 40 inGermany, peaking at number twenty-six. The song was sent to radio stations on April 11, 2000 and the accompanyingmusic video was serviced to video outlets a month prior on March 6, 2000. Her love interest was portrayed byA&R Marquis Collins.
"The Best of Me" was composed by Mýa Harrison andSwizz Beatz, along with singersTeron Beal,Jimmy Cozier,Mashonda, and rapperJadakiss, the latter of which is also featured vocally on the song.[1] Originally expected to be recorded by rapperDMX in aMiami recording session with Swizz, theinstrumental of the song was left unused until the producer returned toNew York City to start work on Harrison's album atThe Hit Factory.[2] Upon accidentally pushing a button in the studio, Harrison's management reportedly "jumped up and said 'That's it, that's it'."[2] When recording "The Best of Me" producer Swizz Beatz admired Harrison's work ethic, commenting, she's as dedicated to mastering vocals as she is to dance. He noted, "She takes everything seriously when it comes to the music citing "she's a perfectionist." However, Harrison clarified, "I'm not a perfectionist but I like to improve."[3] An eleventh hour addition, the record was among the last tracks that were recorded for theFear of Flying album.[4] Jadakiss, a member of theRuff Ryders Entertainment's groupThe LOX, came aboard as a result of label connections withInterscope Records.[4]
Speaking on the message of theuptempo track with "a lot of meanings,"[4] Harrison explained: "[It] talks about thinking about consequences before you make a decision, especially decisions made when you're in a situation of the heat of the moment," she said, "when passion and infatuation and seduction and all these things are taking place, and you're actually liking it. However, as a female, things do happen to you that you must carry on after the fact, so you're trying to weigh the consequences and make a decision based on what you know, and you may not know much about this person. It's just about setting standards for yourself and what you want."[5] Before "The Best of Me" was chosen as the lead single fromFear of Flying, Harrison initially expectedreggae-influenced "Lie Detector" to be released as her next single.[4]
Upon its release, "The Best of Me" received generally favorable reviews from contemporary music critics. While reviewingFear of Flying,AllMusic's Jose F. Promis praised "The Best of Me" highlighting "The Best of Me" as arguably the best song on the album while noting it as "one of the better pop songs of 2000."[6]Billboard magazine called "The Best of Me" a "dreamymidtempo tune."[7] "The Best of Me" was featured onThe Village Voice'sPazz & Jop end of the year critics list.[8]
In the United States, The Best of Me made its debut at number eighty-five onBillboard Hot 100 issue dated week of April 15, 2000.[9] It reached its peak at number fifty issue dated week of May 20, 2000. In total, the song spent 17 consecutive weeks on the chart. It was Harrison's first single to miss the coveted pop Top 40. The Best of Me performed better onHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart debuting at number seventy issue dated week of April 1, 2000.[10] It ascended from 70-40 in its second week issue dated week of April 8, 2000.[11] The song continued to soar up the chart ascending from 40-27 issue dated week of April 15, 2000.[12] It reached its peak at number fourteen issue dated week of May 20, 2000. It became Harrison's fourth consecutive Top 40 (solo) sixth overall hit on that chart.
The Best of Me crossed-over onto international markets. InNetherlands, it debuted and peaked at number seventy-five during the week of August 29, 2001.[13] It debuted and peaked at number sixty-four during the week of July 23, 2000 onSwitzerland's Top 75 Singles chart.[14] It spent a total of 8 consecutive weeks on that chart. It reached the Top 40 inGermany; peaking at number twenty-six.
A music video for "The Best of Me" was directed byChris Robinson.[15] The clip starts with Mýa practicing a dance routine to an instrumental version ofDMX's "Good Girls, Bad Guys" (1999) alongside two female dancers in adance studio.[16] Next to Jadakiss,Styles P andSheek Louch from his groupThe Lox co-star, with actress LaNease Adams and entertainerChristina Milian also appearing in the clip, portraying Mýa's friends.[15] The video was serviced to video outlets on March 6, 2000 before a commercial release date was determined.[17] and premiered four days later onMTV's countdown showTRL.[18]
On April 17, 2000, Mya performed "The Best of Me" withJadakiss onMTV'sHouse of Style.[19] On May 29, 2000, she performed at the2000 World Music Awards.[20]
Atlanta rapperFather recorded and released acover version of "The Best of Me."[21][22]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Best of Me" (LP Version) | Swizz Beatz | 4:12 | |
| 2. | "The Best of Me" (Holla Remix) (featuringJadakiss) |
|
| 3:52 |
| 3. | "My First Night with You" (LP Version) | Daryl Simmons | 5:39 | |
| 4. | "It's All About Me" (featuringSisqó) | Pearson | 4:24 | |
| 5. | "The Best of Me" (Enhanced Video Track) |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Best of Me" (LP Version) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:10 |
| 2. | "The Best of Me" (Holla Remix) (featuringJadakiss) |
|
| 3:25 |
| 3. | "The Best of Me" (Holla Club Remix) (featuringJadakiss) |
|
| 5:48 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Best of Me" (Main Vs.) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:20 |
| 2. | "The Best of Me" (Instrumental) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:19 |
| 3. | "The Best of Me" (Accapella) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:19 |
| 4. | "The Best of Me" (Main Vs.) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:20 |
| 5. | "The Best of Me" (Instrumental) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:19 |
| 6. | "The Best of Me" (Accapella) |
| Swizz Beatz | 4:19 |
Notes
Credits lifted from the liner notes ofFear of Flying.[26]
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Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Country | Release date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | April 11, 2000 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Interscope | [35] |
| Urban contemporary radio | [36] | |||
| United States | June 5, 2000 | [37] |
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