Save the Best for Last

"Save the Best for Last" is a song by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams from her second studio album, The Comfort Zone (1991). Written by Phil Galdston, Jon Lind, and Wendy Waldman, and produced by Keith Thomas, Wing and Mercury Records released it as the album's third single on January 14, 1992. The song was rejected by several female singers until Williams' record label secured it on her behalf.

A pop ballad, the song is performed by a woman whose love interest overlooks her while pursuing several unsuccessful relationships, before ultimately realizing his feelings for her. Galdston originally conceived the song as an ironic story about romantic partners who conceal their worst traits until a relationship is ending, but Waldman suggested rewriting it into a more uplifting message. Some commentators have interpreted the song’s themes of timing and patience as mirroring Williams’ music career, which gained momentum in the 1990s following the 1984 nude photo scandal that forced her to resign as Miss America.

Music critics praised the song’s production, radio-friendliness, and Williams’ vocal performance. A major commercial success, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks and became Williams’ first number-one song on the chart. It was also successful internationally, reaching number-one in Australia and Canada, and entering the top-ten in five other countries. In 1993, it received three Grammy Award nominations: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Two music videos were produced to promote the single; the original version was directed by Ralph Ziman. Williams has performed the song live on several occasions throughout her career, notably at the 35th Grammy Awards while she was visibly pregnant.

"Save the Best for Last" is considered to be Williams' signature song. Although Williams had achieved moderate success on the pop charts prior to the song’s release, “Save the Best for Last” is widely credited with facilitating her crossover from urban to pop radio, establishing a signature sound for her musical output, helping rehabilitate her career following the Miss America scandal, and solidifying her status as a viable entertainer.