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U R the Best Thing
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = U R the Best Thing
| cover = D_Ream-U_R_the_Best_Thing_1994.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Standard artwork for the 1994 reissue
| type = single
| artist = D:Ream
| album = D:Ream On Volume 1
| released =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
* Dance-pop
* house
| length =
* 4:09 (1992 version)
* 4:08 (1993 version)
* 4:05 (1994 Perfecto radio mix)
| label =
* FXU (all releases)
* Rhythm King (1992)
* Magnet (1993, 1994)
| writer = Peter Cunnah
| producer =
* D:Ream
* Tom Frederikse
* David Morales
* Sasha
* Paul Oakenfold
* Steve Osborne
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Unforgiven
| next_year = 1993
| misc =
}}
"'U R the Best Thing'" is the debut single of Northern Irish musical group D:Ream, included on their first album, 'D:Ream On Volume 1' (1993). Originally a club hit released in 1992, the song has been remixed and re-released twice: in 1993 and in 1994. The 1994 version, also known as the Perfecto mix (by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne), was most successful peaking at number three in Scotland, number four on the UK Singles Chart and number six in Ireland. It also peaked at number 13 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The 1993 version reached number one on the 'Billboard' Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. There were made three different music videos for the song.
The track was voted "#1 Single Of The Year" by BBC Radio in 1993. In 1996, British magazine 'Mixmag' included the song as number 96 in their '100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time' list.
Critical reception
1992 version
In 1992, British newspaper 'Lennox Herald' described "U R the Best Thing" as a "house track with hypnotic song and certain club smash."'Lennox Herald'. 3 July 1992. p. 28. Retrieved 2020-11-28. 'Mixmag' deemed it a "heart-stopping, piano pounding epic." A reviewer from 'Music Week' called it "excellent", adding that it "mates well-crafted lyrics with some of this year's most essential samples and breaks". James Hamilton from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update stated that the track is "featuring some soaring support by D'borah Asher but made most exciting by its rippling vibes breaks, husky pop singer Peter Cunnah and DJ Al McKenzie's thumping and surging jangly house bounder".1993 version
In 1993, Larry Flick from 'Billboard' wrote, "The element that sets this record apart from the pack of wolves vying for recognition is that there is a real song tucked beneath the barrage of studio tricks and house beats. Here is one that doesn't lose any of its appeal once you stop twirling; the melody and lyrics stay with long after daylight. Props to the group's masterminds, Peter Cunnah and M Mackenzie, for going the extra mile and giving us something to feel and whistle to." Dave Sholin from the 'Gavin Report' noted that "the pair blends a house sound with a just a taste of alternative." Music writer James Masterton said in his weekly UK chart commentary, "More dance crossover only it is hard to describe it as such this time, with such a strong pop chorus and vocal. This one may well emulate the current success of Robin S and climb slowly and gradually into the 10." Andy Beevers from 'Music Week' rated the song five out of five, complimenting the "superb new Morales mixes which have been getting a great dancefloor reaction". James Hamilton from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update described it as a "wriggling jangly canterer".1994 version
In 1994, Scottish newspaper 'Dundee Courier' picked it as a "standout" track from the album.'Dundee Courier'. 27 January 1994. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-11-28. A reviewer from 'Music & Media' wrote, "Yep, it's them again with their umpteenth rerelease. Remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne, it's another step up the stairs to stardom for the pop dance duo." Alan Jones from 'Music Week' rated the new remix four out of five, adding it as "a bankable follow up to their number one hit, Things Can Only Get Better." Tim Jeffery from the magazine's 'RM' Dance Update said, "These new Perfecto mixes keep the attractive flute part while adding strings and a piano sound to make the song an anthem once again. Stylish, commercial and probably a hit second time around." Another editor, James Hamilton deemed it a "attractive huskily crooned throbbing 122.9bpm" Perfecto remix. John Kilgo from 'The Network Forty' commented, "Looking for a flavorful uptempo dance track? Look no further than this techno jammer that has scored the #1 position on the dance charts." Pop Rescue noted the "big" vocals from DBorah Asher and the house piano, adding that "this song does feel somewhat more mellow though, giving Peter plenty of space to show off his vocals in the verse." Adam Higginbotham from 'Select' described it as "perfect feelgood pop-dance record" and said it "left no one in any doubt about where they were coming from." Darren Ressler from 'Vibe' called it a "buoyant" smash.Track listings
* 'CD maxi, Europe (1992)'
# "U R the Best Thing" 4:09
# "U R the Best Thing" (D:Ream dub) 6:33
# "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full mix) 7:55
# "U R the Best Thing" (12-inch mix) 6:18
# "U R the Best Thing" (accapella) 4:57
# "U R the Best Thing" (Slow Hand Super Summer Disco mix) 6:20
* 'CD maxi, Europe (1993)'
# "U R the Best Thing" 4:08
# "U R the Best Thing" (D:Ream extended 12-inch mix) 6:13
# "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full edit) 6:52
# "U R the Best Thing" (Def Klub mix) 7:56
# "U R the Best Thing" (Mo Bass Part II) 11:12
# "U R the Best Thing" (Def radio mix) 3:37
* 'CD maxi, Europe (1994)'
# "U R the Best Thing" (Perfecto radio mix) 4:05
# "U R the Best Thing" (Original 7-inch mix) 4:05
# "U R the Best Thing" (Perfecto mix) 6:43
# "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full mix) 7:58
# "U R the Best Thing" (Mo Bass Pt II) 11:13
# "U R the Best Thing" (DReam extended mix) 5:50
Charts
Release history
References
Category:1992 songs
Category:1992 debut singles
Category:1993 singles
Category:1994 singles
Category:D Ream songs
Category:Magnet Records singles
Category:Music Week number-one dance singles
Category:Songs written by Peter Cunnah
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