(At Your Best) You Are Love

"(At Your Best) You Are Love" is a song by the Isley Brothers, originally a radio hit in 1976. It was originally dedicated to their mother.

"(At Your Best) You Are Love"
Song by the Isley Brothers
from the album Harvest for the World
Released1976
Recorded1975
GenreR&B
Length5:23
Songwriter(s)
  • Ernie Isley
  • Marvin Isley
  • Chris Jasper
  • Rudolph Isley
  • O'Kelly Isley
  • Ronald Isley
  • Chris Jasper

Personnel

Aaliyah version
"At Your Best (You Are Love)"
Single by Aaliyah
from the album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number
ReleasedAugust 22, 1994
Recorded1993
StudioChicago Recording Company
Genre
Length4:52 (original version)
4:30 (remix version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)R. Kelly
Aaliyah singles chronology
"Back & Forth"
(1994)		 "At Your Best (You Are Love)"
(1994)		 "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number"
(1994)
Music video
"At Your Best (You Are Love)" on YouTube

Eighteen years later, the song was covered by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. Released as the album's second single, it peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B singles chart, it also peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was certified a gold single by RIAA on October 25, 1994.[1]

Critical reception

Damien Scott from Complex felt that the song was a nice departure from the hip hop and new jack swing–inspired songs that comprised a large portion of Aaliyah's debut album. He said that the song showed Aaliyah was "on the cusp of adulthood".[2] Music writer James Masterton wrote in his weekly UK chart commentary, "Her second hit is in essence a beauty, a sparse but haunting rendition of an old Isley Brothers track, first written and recorded before she was even born."[3] Alan Jones from Music Week rated it three out of five, adding that "this pretty Isley Brothers ballad is played on traditional instruments, and is sung by the striking young R Kelly protege in intimate and breathily pure style."[4]

Remix

The song became a hit based on remix versions Aaliyah cut with R. Kelly featured on the song.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "(At Your Best) You Are Love" was directed by Millicent Shelton. It was shot back-to-back with R. Kelly's "Summer Bunnies" and were both released in fall 1994. The video is for the remix, not the original and R. Kelly, who produced the songs, is in the video. It was published on YouTube in October 2009. As of September 2021, the video has amassed over 15 million views.[5]

Personnel
  • Aaliyah: lead and background vocals
  • R. Kelly: multi-instrumentation, production

Charts and certifications

Other versions

In the Philippines, the Aaliyah's version was covered by two artists: MYMP on their album Versions and Nina from her love songs live album Nina Live!.

Swedish artist El Perro Del Mar covered the song in 2009 as a special Record Store Day release as well.

In 2010, Drake made a song with Young Jeezy called "Unforgettable" using the same beat.

As well as "Activist" Written By Gucci Mane & Peewee Longway Release Date, August 13, 2013

Tamar Braxton sampled the song in her single with Future, "Let Me Know".

In 2015, Frank Ocean released a cover on his Tumblr account as a tribute to Aaliyah, one day after what would have been her 36th birthday. A slightly different version was also included on his visual album Endless.[23]

In 2021, English singer Sinéad Harnett covered the song with a new music video to tribute to Aaliyah's version of the song.[24]

References
  1. "RIAA Searchable Database". Archived from the original on 26 June 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  2. "The 25 Bthree out of fiveest Aaliyah Songs". Complex. May 19, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  3. Masterton, James (October 9, 1994). "Week Ending October 15th 1994". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  4. Jones, Alan (October 8, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  5. "Aaliyah - At Your Best (You Are Love) (Official HD Video)". YouTube. October 25, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  6. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2655." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  7. "Euro Chart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. October 22, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  8. "week 45 (5 november 1994)" (in Dutch). top40.nl.
  9. "Aaliyah – At Your Best (You Are Love)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  10. "Aaliyah – At Your Best (You Are Love)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  11. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  12. "Aaliyah: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  13. "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  14. "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  15. "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  16. "Aaliyah Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  17. "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  18. "Aaliyah Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  19. "Aaliyah Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  20. "Billboard Top 100 - 1994". Archived from the original on 2009-03-01. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
  21. "R&B Rap Hip-Hop Year-End Charts - 1994 - Soul System". Soulsystem.it. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  22. "American single certifications – Aaliyah – At Your Best". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  23. "frank ocean". Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  24. "Sinéad Harnett Tributes Aaliyah With Remake of 'At Your Best (You Are Love)'". Ratedrnb.com. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
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