The Finest (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Finest" is a 1986 hit single for the American
R&B band The SOS Band
. It is the 5th track on their 6th studio album Sands of Time
and it is one of the groups last songs to feature the vocals of original lead singer Mary Davis. Singing alongside Mary Davis in the song is famous R&B singer Alexander O'Neal
. "The Finest" was a major success on the US R&B charts
, reaching number two and was their last entry on the Hot 100, where it peaked at number forty-four
"The Finest" is a 1986 hit single for the American
R&B band The SOS Band
. It is the 5th track on their 6th studio album Sands of Time
and it is one of the groups last songs to feature the vocals of original lead singer Mary Davis. Singing alongside Mary Davis in the song is famous R&B singer Alexander O'Neal
. "The Finest" was a major success on the US R&B charts
, reaching number two and was their last entry on the Hot 100, where it peaked at number forty-four
"The Finest" is a 1986 hit single for the American
R&B band The SOS Band
. It is the 5th track on their 6th studio album Sands of Time
and it is one of the groups last songs to feature the vocals of original lead singer Mary Davis. Singing alongside Mary Davis in the song is famous R&B singer Alexander O'Neal
. "The Finest" was a major success on the US R&B charts
, reaching number two and was their last entry on the Hot 100, where it peaked at number forty-four . On the dance charts, "The Finest" peaked at number eight and was also a minor hit in the UK Singles chart
, reaching number seventeen.
producer Richard X
featuring vocals by American R&B
singer–songwriter Kelis
. This version of the song was entitled "Finest Dreams" and is a mash-up
using an instrumental interpolation of The Human League
track "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of". The song was released on 11 August 2003 in the United Kingdom as the third single
from Richard X's debut album, Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
. The single peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart
the week ending 23 August 2003. The music video
was directed by Oli Goldsmith
.
UK 12" single
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B band The SOS Band
The SOS Band
The SOS Band is an American musical ensemble, founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. Originally known as Santa Monica, the 'SOS' initialism in the band's name stands for Sounds of Success.-History:...
. It is the 5th track on their 6th studio album Sands of Time
Sands of Time (S.O.S. Band album)
Sands of Time is the sixth album by the R&B group The SOS Band, released in 1986.The album spawned four chart singles. Those included the hits "The Finest" and "Borrowed Love"...
and it is one of the groups last songs to feature the vocals of original lead singer Mary Davis. Singing alongside Mary Davis in the song is famous R&B singer Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer. He is best-known for the songs "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake", and the duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".-Biography:...
. "The Finest" was a major success on the US R&B charts
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, reaching number two and was their last entry on the Hot 100, where it peaked at number forty-four
"The Finest" is a 1986 hit single for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B band The SOS Band
The SOS Band
The SOS Band is an American musical ensemble, founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. Originally known as Santa Monica, the 'SOS' initialism in the band's name stands for Sounds of Success.-History:...
. It is the 5th track on their 6th studio album Sands of Time
Sands of Time (S.O.S. Band album)
Sands of Time is the sixth album by the R&B group The SOS Band, released in 1986.The album spawned four chart singles. Those included the hits "The Finest" and "Borrowed Love"...
and it is one of the groups last songs to feature the vocals of original lead singer Mary Davis. Singing alongside Mary Davis in the song is famous R&B singer Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer. He is best-known for the songs "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake", and the duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".-Biography:...
. "The Finest" was a major success on the US R&B charts
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, reaching number two and was their last entry on the Hot 100, where it peaked at number forty-four
"The Finest" is a 1986 hit single for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B band The SOS Band
The SOS Band
The SOS Band is an American musical ensemble, founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. Originally known as Santa Monica, the 'SOS' initialism in the band's name stands for Sounds of Success.-History:...
. It is the 5th track on their 6th studio album Sands of Time
Sands of Time (S.O.S. Band album)
Sands of Time is the sixth album by the R&B group The SOS Band, released in 1986.The album spawned four chart singles. Those included the hits "The Finest" and "Borrowed Love"...
and it is one of the groups last songs to feature the vocals of original lead singer Mary Davis. Singing alongside Mary Davis in the song is famous R&B singer Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal
Alexander O'Neal is an American R&B singer. He is best-known for the songs "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Fake", and the duets with Cherrelle, "Saturday Love" and "Never Knew Love Like This".-Biography:...
. "The Finest" was a major success on the US R&B charts
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
, reaching number two and was their last entry on the Hot 100, where it peaked at number forty-four . On the dance charts, "The Finest" peaked at number eight and was also a minor hit in the UK Singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, reaching number seventeen.
Charts
| Chart (1986) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 17 |
| U.S. R&B Chart | 2 |
Finest Dreams
In 2003, the song was covered by English mashupMashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
producer Richard X
Richard X
Richard Philips, best known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens...
featuring vocals by American R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer–songwriter Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
. This version of the song was entitled "Finest Dreams" and is a mash-up
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
using an instrumental interpolation of The Human League
The Human League
The Human League are an English electronic New Wave band formed in Sheffield in 1977. They achieved popularity after a key change in line-up in the early 1980s and have continued recording and performing with moderate commercial success throughout the 1980s up to the present day.The only constant...
track "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of". The song was released on 11 August 2003 in the United Kingdom as the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from Richard X's debut album, Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1
Richard X Presents His X-Factor Vol. 1 is the debut compilation album by British pop producer Richard X. The album features 15 tracks all produced by Richard X, most of which feature guest vocals....
. The single peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
the week ending 23 August 2003. The music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was directed by Oli Goldsmith
Oli Goldsmith
Oli Goldsmith is a Canadian artist whose best known work is for rock-band Our Lady Peace's 2000 album Spiritual Machines. Goldsmith currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario with his wife Caroline Bacher, an emerging artist, sculptor and jeweller....
.
Track listing
UK CD single- "Finest Dreams" (Richard XRichard XRichard Philips, best known by his stage name Richard X, is a British songwriter and music producer. Gaining attention as a pioneer of the bootleg craze, Richard X has earned success as a producer and remixer. He has helmed hit singles for artists including Annie, Kelis, Liberty X, Rachel Stevens...
featuring KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
) – 4:14 - "Finest Dreams" (Part Two) (Richard X featuring Kelis) – 5:15
- "Music for an Imaginary Mobile Phone Commercial" – 3:05
UK 12" single
- Side A:
- "Finest Dreams" (Richard X featuring Kelis) – 4:14
- Side B:
- "Finest Dreams" (Part Two) (Richard X featuring Kelis) – 5:15
- "Music for an Imaginary Mobile Phone Commercial" – 3:05
Charts
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| European Hot 100 Singles Eurochart Hot 100 Singles The European Hot 100 Singles has been compiled by Billboard and Music & Media magazine since March, 1984. The chart is based on national singles sales charts in 15 European countries: Austria, Belgium , Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden,... |
46 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
35 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
8 |
Other versions
- The song was sampled in MF DoomMF DoomDaniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
track, The Finest from 1999 album Operation: DoomsdayOperation: DoomsdayOperation: Doomsday is the debut solo album by hip hop artist Daniel Dumile, under his MF DOOM alias, marking Dumile's return to the hip hop scene after KMD's demise...
.