U R the Best Thing

"U R the Best Thing" is the debut single by Northern Irish musical group D:Ream. Originally a club hit released in 1992, the song has been remixed and re-released two times: 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 3 in Scotland, number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 6 in Ireland. It also peaked at number 13 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The 1993 version reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US. There were made three different music videos for the song.

Not to be confused with You Are the Best Thing or You're the Best Thing.
"U R the Best Thing"
Standard artwork for the 1994 reissue
Single by D:Ream
from the album D:Ream On Volume 1
B-side"Remix"
Released
  • 22 June 1992 (1992 Version)
  • 12 April 1993 (1993 Version)
  • 14 March 1994 (1994 Version)
Genre
Length
  • 4:09 (1992 Version)
  • 4:08 (1993 Version)
  • 4:05 (1994 Perfecto Mix)
LabelMagnet Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
D:Ream singles chronology
"U R the Best Thing"
(1992)		 "Unforgiven"
(1993)
Music video
"U R the Best Thing" (1992 version) on YouTube
"U R the Best Thing" (1993 version) on YouTube
"U R the Best Thing" (1994 version) on YouTube

The track was voted "#1 Single Of The Year" by BBC Radio in 1993.[1] In 1996, British magazine Mixmag included the song as number 96 in their 100 Greatest Dance Singles Of All Time list.[2]

Critical reception

1992 version

In 1992, Lennox Herald noted it as a "house track with hypnotic song and certain club smash."[3] Mixmag described it as a "heart-stopping, piano pounding epic." Music Week called it "excellent", adding that it "mates well-crafted lyrics with some of this year's most essential samples and breaks".[4] James Hamilton from Record Mirror 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".[5]

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."[6] Dave Sholin from Gavin Report noted that "the pair blends a house sound with a just a taste of alternative."[7]

1994 version

In 1994, Dundee Courier picked it as a "standout" track from the album.[8] 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."[9] 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."[10] Pop Rescue noted the "big" vocals from D’Borah Asher and 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."[11] 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."[12] Vibe called the song a "buoyant" smash in their review of the album D:Ream On.[13]

Track listing
CD maxi, Europe (1992)
No.TitleLength
1."U R The Best Thing"4:09
2."U R The Best Thing" (D:Ream Dub)6:33
3."U R The Best Thing" (Sasha Full Mix)7:55
4."U R The Best Thing" (12" Mix)6:18
5."U R The Best Thing" (Accapella)4:57
6."U R The Best Thing" (Slow Hand Super Summer Disco Mix)6:20
CD maxi, Europe (1993)
No.TitleLength
1."U R The Best Thing"4:08
2."U R The Best Thing" (D:Ream Extended 12" Mix)6:13
3."U R The Best Thing" (Sasha Full Edit)6:52
4."U R The Best Thing" (Def Klub Mix)7:56
5."U R The Best Thing" (Mo Bass Part II)11:12
6."U R The Best Thing" (Def Radio Mix)3:37
CD maxi, Europe (1994)
No.TitleLength
1."U R The Best Thing" (Perfecto Radio Mix)4:05
2."U R The Best Thing" (Original 7" Mix)4:05
3."U R The Best Thing" (Perfecto Mix)6:43
4."U R The Best Thing" (Sasha Full Mix)7:58
5."U R The Best Thing" (Mo Bass Pt II)11:13
6."U R The Best Thing" (D·Ream Extended Mix)5:50

Charts

References
  1. Sholin, Dave (1993-07-23). "Gavin Picks: Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. "The 100 Greatest Dance Singles of All Time". Mixmag. 1996. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  3. Lennox Herald. 1992-07-03. p. 28. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  4. "Dance" (PDF). Music Week. 1992-06-13. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  5. "DJ Directory: Out On Monday" (PDF). Record Mirror. 1992-06-27. p. 5. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  6. Flick, Larry (1993-05-08). "Dance Trax: Things Get Better For D:Ream; Junior Boy Jams" (PDF). Billboard. p. 27. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  7. Sholin, Dave (1993-07-23). "Gavin Picks: Albums" (PDF). Gavin Report. p. 50. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  8. Dundee Courier. 1994-01-27. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  9. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 1994-04-16. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  10. "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. 1994-06-24. p. 22. Retrieved 2020-03-29.
  11. "REVIEW: "ON VOL. 1" BY D:REAM (CD, 1994)". Pop Rescue. 2015-09-11. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  12. "Reviews: New Albums". Select. 1993-09-01. p. 86. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  13. "D:Ream - On". Vibe. 1993-11-01. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
  14. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 1992-07-04. p. 22. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  15. "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  16. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  17. "Australian-charts.com – D:Ream – U R The Best Thing". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  18. "Ultratop.be – D:Ream – U R The Best Thing" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  19. "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2019-05-07.
  20. "Offiziellecharts.de – D:Ream – U R The Best Thing". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  21. "Nederlandse Top 40 – D:Ream" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  22. "Dutchcharts.nl – D:Ream – U R The Best Thing" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 27 March 1994 - 02 April 1994". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  24. "Swisscharts.com – D:Ream – U R The Best Thing". Swiss Singles Chart.
  25. "Jaarlijsten 1994" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2019-11-30.
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