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===Critical reception===
===Critical reception===
"At Your Best (You Are Love)" received widespread critical acclaim. Damien Scott from [[Complex Magazine|''Complex'']] felt that the song was a nice departure from the [[hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[new jack swing]]–inspired songs that comprised a large portion of ''Age Ain't Nothing but a Number''. He said that the song showed Aaliyah was "on the cusp of adulthood".<ref name=complex>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-aaliyah-songs/at-your-best-you-are-love|title=The 25 Best Aaliyah Songs|date=May 19, 2016|work=[[Complex Magazine|Complex]]|access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> In his weekly UK chart commentary, [[James Masterton]] wrote, "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."<ref>{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending October 15th 1994|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1994/week-ending-october-15th-1994|website=Chart Watch UK|date=October 9, 1994|access-date=September 8, 2021|author-link=James Masterton}}</ref> Alan Jones from ''[[Music Week]]'' gave 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."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-08.pdf |title= Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles |magazine= [[Music Week]] |date= October 8, 1994 |page= 16 |access-date= April 21, 2021}}</ref>
"At Your Best (You Are Love)" received widespread critical acclaim. Damien Scott from [[Complex Magazine|''Complex'']] felt that the song was a nice departure from the [[hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[new jack swing]]–inspired songs that comprised a large portion of ''Age Ain't Nothing but a Number''. He said that the song showed Aaliyah was "on the cusp of adulthood".<ref name=complex>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-aaliyah-songs/at-your-best-you-are-love|title=The 25 Best Aaliyah Songs|date=May 19, 2016|work=[[Complex Magazine|Complex]]|access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref> In his weekly UK chart commentary, [[James Masterton]] wrote, "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."<ref>{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending October 15th 1994|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1994/week-ending-october-15th-1994|website=Chart Watch UK|date=October 9, 1994|access-date=September 8, 2021|author-link=James Masterton}}</ref> While reviewing the song, Ralph Tee from ''[[Music Week]]'' gave the song a 4 out 5 rating and praised it for "combining the essence of the original song with new ideas in the arrangement and a drum kick which opens it up to the dancefloor." He also felt that "it's a tune that'll be making a big impression soon". <ref>{{cite magazine|last=Tee|first=Ralph|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-08-27.pdf|date=August 27, 1994|title=Hot Vinyl|magazine=[[Music Week]]|accessdate=August 29, 2023}}</ref> Tee's colleague Alan Jones gave 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."<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-08.pdf |title= Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles |magazine= [[Music Week]] |date= October 8, 1994 |page= 16 |access-date= April 21, 2021}}</ref>


[[MTV.com]] felt that "(At Your Best) You Are Love" was one of the album's highlights, along with "Young Nation," "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" and "Down With The Clique".
[[MTV.com]] felt that "(At Your Best) You Are Love" was one of the album's highlights, along with "Young Nation," "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" and "Down With The Clique".

Revision as of 23:39, 29 August 2023

"(At Your Best) You Are Love"
Song by the Isley Brothers
from the album Harvest for the World[1]
Released1976
Recorded1975
GenreR&B, quiet storm
Length5:23
Songwriter(s)
  • Ernie Isley
  • Marvin Isley
  • Chris Jasper
  • Rudolph Isley
  • O'Kelly Isley
  • Ronald Isley
  • Chris Jasper

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

Personnel

Aaliyah version

"At Your Best (You Are Love)"
Single by Aaliyah
from the album Age Ain't Nothing but a Number
B-side"Back & Forth"
ReleasedAugust 22, 1994
Recorded1993
StudioChicago Recording Company (Chicago)
Genre
Length
  • 4:52 (album version)
  • 4:30 (remix)
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

"(At Your Best) You Are Love" was covered by American singer Aaliyah for her debut studio album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). The cover, titled "At Your Best (You Are Love)", was released as the second single from Age Ain't Nothing but a Number on August 22, 1994, by Blackground Records and Jive Records. A commercial success, it peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Soon after its release, it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Critical reception

"At Your Best (You Are Love)" received widespread critical acclaim. 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 Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. He said that the song showed Aaliyah was "on the cusp of adulthood".[2] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "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] While reviewing the song, Ralph Tee from Music Week gave the song a 4 out 5 rating and praised it for "combining the essence of the original song with new ideas in the arrangement and a drum kick which opens it up to the dancefloor." He also felt that "it's a tune that'll be making a big impression soon". [4] Tee's colleague Alan Jones gave 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."[5]

MTV.com felt that "(At Your Best) You Are Love" was one of the album's highlights, along with "Young Nation," "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" and "Down With The Clique". [6] In a retrospective review, Cydney Lee from Billboard praised Aaliyah's vocal delivery on the song and felt that she maintained the original song's "depth with a sense of maturity and grace that defined her emerging class of young R&B stars, like Brandy and Monica, at the time".[7]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "At Your Best (You Are Love)" was directed by Millicent Shelton.[8] It was shot back-to-back with R. Kelly's "Summer Bunnies" and both were released during the fall of 1994. The video uses the remix of the song and features Kelly, who produced it, in the video. It was published on YouTube in October 2009. As of September 2021, the video has amassed over 15 million views.[9]

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.[16]

  • Aaliyah – lead vocals, backing vocals
  • R. Kelly – multi-instrumentation, production

Charts

Release history

Release dates and formats for "At Your Best (You Are Love)"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Vereinigte Staaten August 22, 1994
[35]
Vereinigtes Königreich October 10, 1994 Jive
[36]
Japan October 21, 1994 Mini CD BMG
[37]

Notes

  1. ^ R. Kelly co-wrote only the remix of "At Your Best (You Are Love)".

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 released a song with Young Jeezy called "Unforgettable" which samples Aaliyah's version of the record.[38]
  • As well as "Activist" Written By Gucci Mane & Peewee Longway: Release Date, August 13, 2013
  • In 2015, Frank Ocean released a cover (You are Luhh) 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.[39]
  • In 2021, English singer Sinéad Harnett covered the song with a new music video to tribute to Aaliyah's version of the song.[40]

Samples

References

  1. ^ "www.allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  2. ^ "The 25 Best 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. ^ Tee, Ralph (August 27, 1994). "Hot Vinyl" (PDF). Music Week. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Jones, Alan (October 8, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 16. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  6. ^ "Album info: Age Ain't Nothing But A Number". MTV. Archived from the original on October 1, 2002. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "Aaliyah's 20 Best Songs: Staff List". Billboard. August 25, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "25 Days of Aaliyah: Millicent Shelton remembers..." BET. Archived from the original on January 24, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Aaliyah - At Your Best (You Are Love) (Official HD Video)". YouTube. October 25, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  10. ^ Aaliyah (1994). At Your Best (You Are Love) (12-inch single). Blackground Records, Jive Records.
  11. ^ Aaliyah (1994). At Your Best (You Are Love) (cassette single). Blackground Records, Jive Records.
  12. ^ Aaliyah (1994). At Your Best (You Are Love) (CD single). Blackground Records, Jive Records.
  13. ^ Aaliyah (1994). At Your Best (You Are Love) (12-inch single). Jive Records.
  14. ^ Aaliyah (1994). At Your Best (You Are Love) (cassette single). Jive Records.
  15. ^ Aaliyah (1994). At Your Best (You Are Love) (CD single). Jive Records.
  16. ^ Aaliyah (1994). Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (CD). Blackground Records, Jive Records.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2655." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  18. ^ "Euro Chart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. October 22, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "week 45 (5 november 1994)" (in Dutch). top40.nl.
  20. ^ "Aaliyah – At Your Best (You Are Love)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 2017-11-27.
  21. ^ "Aaliyah – At Your Best (You Are Love)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  22. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  23. ^ "Aaliyah: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  24. ^ "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  25. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  26. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). October 22, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  27. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  28. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  29. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  30. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  31. ^ "Aaliyah Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  32. ^ "The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 52. December 24, 1994. p. YE-26. Retrieved February 9, 2023 – via Google Books.
  33. ^ "1994 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  34. ^ "American single certifications – Aaliyah – At Your Best". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  35. ^ "At Your Best (You Are Love)". Blackground Records, Jive Records. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  36. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. October 8, 1994. p. 25. Retrieved November 3, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  37. ^ "アット・ユア・ベスト" [At Your Best] (in Japanese). Japan: Oricon. October 21, 1994. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  38. ^ "A History of Drake's Obsession With Aaliyah". Complex. July 3, 2018. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  39. ^ "frank ocean". Archived from the original on 2015-03-15. Retrieved 2015-01-17.
  40. ^ "Sinéad Harnett Tributes Aaliyah With Remake of 'At Your Best (You Are Love)'". Ratedrnb.com. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  41. ^ Benjamin, Jeff (October 6, 2014). "Listen to Tamar Braxton's Aaliyah-Sampling "Let Me Know" Ft. Future". Fuse. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.
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