Chords + Lyrics | The Best
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
| Bb | Bb5 |
Each time you leave me, I start losing control.
| Dm | D5 |
You’re walking away with my heart and my soul.
| Bb | 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 Gsus2 | Gsus4 G | G Gsus2 | 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 Gsus2 | Gsus4 G | G Gsus2 | 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 chords in The Best are a masterclass in the creative use of extensions. While many progressions built around extended chords tend to move downward—as heard in songs like Kiss Me and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You—The Best takes a more uplifting approach by ascending.
Verse
The verse progression centres on F, moving from F5 to F6 to Fmaj7 before resolving back to F. This gradual expansion of the chord creates an open, inspiring feel.
From there, the harmony shifts to chord VI (Dm) and then chord IV (Bb), adding a sense of melancholy and anticipation. Before the chorus, the C chord (V) introduces tension and pulls us forward 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 |
To explore practical ways of playing these chords, check out the TAB lesson here: The Best – Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Chorus
In the chorus, the F chord is extended again, but with a subtler touch, moving from F to Fsus2 to Fsus4 and back to F.
The Dm chord follows a similar idea, with the 5th being altered: Dm to Dsus4 to Dmb6 and back to Dm. Interestingly, this uses the same notes (F, A, Bb, A) that were manipulated over the F chord—an elegant bit of harmonic symmetry.
| F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F | F Fsus2 | Fsus4 F |
| Dm Dsus4 | Dmb6 Dm | C | C |
Despite the sophistication of these extensions, the underlying structure remains simple, with much of the movement following the familiar I–VI relationship.
Middle 8
The middle 8 (or bridge), which Tina requested after hearing the original version, begins on chord IV (Bb) and immediately creates a feeling of forward motion. The progression moves from Bb to Dm, then Bb to C, before landing on D—marking the modulation from F to G for the final chorus.
| Bb5 | Bb5 | Dm | Dm |
| Bb5 | Bb5 | C5 | C5 D5 |
Solo + Outro
For a final twist, the solo and last chorus are played a tone higher:
||: G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G | G Gadd9 | Gsus4 G |
| Em Esus4 | Emb6 Em | D5 | D5 :||
In the extended version, there’s also a breakdown section (covered in TAB in the course), though relatively few bands include it.
Here’s a chord chart to reference as you explore this brilliant tune further.
The Best Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Download my chart as a PDF, or iReal Pro.
The Best TAB | Course Preview
In the course, we work on several TAB example for how to play each section, incorporating the keys riff in various ways.
May favourite part is the outro where we have changed key to G. On the record, there’s plenty of layers. I felt in a live band as the only guitarist, you need something concrete. Heres what I came up with.
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.
The Best Chords | Related Pages
Want to master this song? Check out the full TAB lesson here: The Best (Tina Turner) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
