Vanessa Williams’ biggest pop hit apparently reached her only after two of the most famous singers in music had already passed on it. More than three decades after “Save the Best for Last” became a No. 1 single, Williams says she was actually the third artist in line for the ballad.
The singer shared the story during a new appearance on Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Dinner’s on Me podcast. As Entertainment Weekly reported, Williams joked that she had “third dibs” on the song after it was first offered to Bette Midler and then Barbra Streisand.
Both stars passed, according to Williams, while she immediately saw something worth recording. The song ultimately appeared on her second studio album, The Comfort Zone, and became the biggest Hot 100 hit of her recording career.
The story also came with a reverse example of music-industry chance. Williams revealed that another major early-’90s No. 1, Amy Grant’s “Baby Baby,” was supposed to be among the songs presented to her, but an assistant accidentally left it off the cassette she received.
Midler and Streisand Passed Before Williams Got Her Chance
Williams gave Ferguson a straightforward version of the song’s journey during their conversation. “The real story behind ‘Save the Best for Last’ is, like, I was third dibs on that s—,” Williams said. She explained that the song was first offered to Midler, who passed, and then Streisand, who also declined.
Williams was next. “And I was, like, third one up,” she said. Her account can be heard in the full Dinner’s on Me conversation. Williams laughed about being the third choice for a song that eventually became so closely associated with her.
Entertainment Weekly said it contacted representatives for Midler and Streisand for comment. Neither singer was quoted confirming or disputing Williams’ account.
The Third Choice Ended Up With a Five-Week No. 1
“Save the Best for Last” appeared on Williams’ 1991 album The Comfort Zone and was released as its third single in February 1992. It went on to spend five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Williams’ first and only chart-topper on the ranking.
The song also brought major Grammy recognition. The Recording Academy’s official records list Williams as a nominee for Record of the Year and Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1993 Grammys. Songwriters Phil Galdston, Wendy Waldman and Jon Lind were also nominated for Song of the Year for “Save the Best for Last.”
Williams Says Amy Grant’s ‘Baby Baby’ Was Supposed to Reach Her
Williams also told Ferguson about a hit from the same era that went the other direction. She said producer Keith Thomas was preparing material for her next album and gave her a cassette containing songs he had written for her to consider.
One song was accidentally missing. According to Williams, Thomas’ assistant failed to include “Baby Baby” on the cassette. Amy Grant ultimately recorded the song for her 1991 album Heart in Motion.
“So I went to do the next album with Keith, down in Franklin, Tennessee, and it was a cassette and like, ‘Here are the ones that Keith has written for you,’” Williams recalled, according to PEOPLE.
Williams said she later learned that “Baby Baby” had been left off that tape. Grant’s recording went on to spend two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1991.