The Best | Chords + Lyrics
Intro
||: F5 | F5 :||
Verse 1
| F5 | F5 | F F6 | Fmaj7 F |
I call you when I need you, my heart’s on fire.
| F5 | F5 | F F6 | Fmaj7 F |
You come to me, come to me wild and wild.
| Dm | Dm | Bb | Bb |
When you come to me. Give me everything I need.
Verse 2
Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams.
Speak a language of love like you know what it means.
| Dm | Dm | Bb | C |
Mm, and it can’t be wrong. Take my heart and make it strong, baby.
Chorus 1
| F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F | F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F |
You’re simply the best. Better than all the rest.
| Dm Dsus4 | Dmb6 Dm | C | C |
Better than anyone, anyone I’ve ever met.
| F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F | F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F |
I’m stuck on your heart, I hang on every word you say.
| Dm Dsus4 | Dmb6 Dm | C | C |
Tear us apart, Baby, I would rather be dead.
Verse 3
In your heart, I see the star of every night and every day.
In your eyes, I get lost, I get washed away.
Just as long as I’m here in your arms I could be in no better place.
Chorus 2
You’re simply the best. Better than all the rest.
Better than anyone, anyone I’ve ever met.
Ooh, I’m stuck on your heart, I hang on every word you say.
Don’t tear us apart, no, no, no. Baby, I would rather be dead.
Middle 8
| Bb5 | Bb5 |
Each time you leave me, I start losing control.
| Dm | Dm |
You’re walking away with my heart and my soul.
| Bb5 | Bb5 |
I can feel you even when I’m alone.
| C5 | C5 D5 |
Oh baby, don’t let go.
Solo (key change)
| G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G | G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G |
| Em Esus4 | Emb6 Em | D5 | D5 |
Chorus 3
| G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G | G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G |
Ooh, you’re the best, ooh, better than all the rest.
| Em Esus4 | Emb6 Em | D5 | D5 |
Better than anyone, anyone I’ve ever met.
| G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G | G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G |
Ooh, I’m stuck on your heart, I hang on every word you say.
| Em Esus4 | Emb6 Em | D5 | D5 |
Don’t tear us apart, no, no. Baby, I would rather be dead.
| G |
Ooh, you’re the best!
The Best Chords: Exploring the Genius of Extensions
The Best chords are a masterclass in the clever use of extensions. While most progressions with extended chords tend to move downward, as seen in songs like Kiss Me and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,
Verse
The Best takes an uplifting approach by ascending. The F chord progression during the verse moves from F5 to F6 to Fmaj7 and back to F, creating an inspiring feel.
This is followed by the shift to chord VI (Dm) and then chord IV (Bb), which gives a sense of melancholy and anticipation.
Before the chorus, the C chord (V) adds tension and leads us into the next section, like this:
||: F5 | F5 | F F6 | Fmaj7 F |
| F5 | F5 | F F6 | Fmaj7 F |
1. | Dm | Dm | Bb | Bb :||
2.3 | Dm | Dm | Bb | C |
Chorus
In the chorus, the F chord again sees extensions, but this time the manipulation is more subtle, shifting from F to Fsus2 to Fsus4 and back to F.
The Dm chord follows, where the 5th is altered, changing from Dm to Dsus4 to Dmb6 and back to Dm, using the same notes (A, G, Bb, A) that were manipulated in the F chord—clever indeed!
| F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F | F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F |
| Dm Dsus4 | Dmb6 Dm | C | C |
Despite the complexity of these extended chords, the underlying structure is simple, with most of the progressions following the I – VI minor fall.
Middle 8
The middle 8 (or bridge), which Tina requested, starts on chord IV, Bb, and gives a feeling of moving forward. The progression moves from Bb to Dm, then Bb to C, and finally lands on D, marking the shift in key from F to G for the final chorus.
| Bb5 | Bb5 | Dm | Dm |
| Bb5 | Bb5 | C5 | C5 D5 |
Solo + Chorus 3
In a final twist, we modulate and play the solo and last chorus a tone up, like this:
||: G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G | G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G |
| Em Esus4 | Emb6 Em | D5 | D5 :||
Here’s a chord chart for you to reference as you explore this awesome tune.
The Best Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Download my chart as a PDF, or iReal Pro.
A Songwriting Masterpiece
Originally released by Bonnie Tyler in 1988, The Best was written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman. Tina Turner’s version, released a year later in 1989, became a global hit after she requested a new bridge, a sax solo, and a key change at the end. The song reached the top 10 worldwide and, though it only hit #1 in Scotland, has become a signature piece for Tina Turner.
The Best has appeared in countless ads and is a staple in Tina Turner‘s live performances, forever cementing its legacy. This timeless anthem, reflecting the love fans have for Tina, has earned its place as one of her most iconic songs.
Dive into The Best by studying the chords and lyrics above to appreciate the depth of this songwriting achievement.
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