"Save the Best for Last" is a 1992 song written by Phil
Galdston, Wendy Waldman and Jon Lind. It is considered Vanessa
Williams' signature song. The lyrics' redemptive themes
resonated with Williams' story, as she had put together a
successful recording career following her earlier Miss America
resignation scandal. The song is about a person who stands by
and watches as the object of his/her desires dates all of these
different women, and then he finally decides to consummate a
relationship with the singer.
The single was Williams' third number one on the Soul
singles chart and topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for five
weeks in 1992. "Save the Best for Last" was ranked fourth in
the Billboard Top 100 hits of 1992, becoming the biggest
success of Williams' music career. The song also went to #1 on
the U.S. adult contemporary and R&B charts; it remained
atop these charts for three weeks apiece. Internationally, the
single shot to number one in Australia, the Netherlands, and
Canada, and to number three in the United Kingdom, number two
in Ireland, and number three in Japan. ASCAP named it as its
Song of the Year, meaning it was performed more than any other
song in 1992, and it was nominated for the Grammy Award for
Song of the Year and Record of the Year in 1993.
There are two versions of the music video for this single.
Along with the original version, the song was reworked and
re-released as a Christmas single in 1993. It recharted for
several years as a holiday favorite, with a new snowy videoclip
version played on MTV.
[1] Europe Single
US Maxi-CD
UK / Netherlands Vinyl, 7"
Netherlands 12", Promo