Album: Everything You Want (1999)

Charted: 58

License This Song 

• So you sailed away into a gray sky morning
  Now I'm here to stay, love can be so boring
  Nothing's quite the same now I just say your name now
  
  But it's not so bad
  You're only the best I ever had
  You don't want me back
  You're just the best I ever had
  
  So you stole my world now I'm just a phony
  Remembering the girl leaves me down and lonely
  Send it in a letter, make yourself feel better
  
  But it's not so bad
  You're only the best I ever had
  You don't need me back
  You're just the best I ever had
  
  And it may take some time to patch me up inside
  But I can't take it so I run away and hide
  And I may find in time that you were always right
  You're always right
  
  So you sailed away into a gray sky morning
  Now I'm here to stay, love can be so boring
  What was it you wanted? Could it be I'm haunted?
  
  But it's not so bad
  You're only the best I ever had
  I don't want you back
  You're just the best I ever had
  The best I ever had, the best I ever Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

• Aj from Orange County, CaGary Allan recorded his version of this heartbreaking song shortly after his wife's suicide.
• Nick from Landisburg, PaI think he progresses through several stages throughout the course of the song. The lyrical differences in the chorus seem to show that his opinion of the breakup are changing. In the first verse, he's sad and angry about it. He points out that she doesn't want him back, even though she was the best he ever had. This phrase ("You're only the best I ever had") is very sarcastic at this point in the song. She feels like its not a big deal while he feels the opposite. In the second verse, he's less sad and more angry. The second chorus changes to "You don't need me back." This implies that he realizes that she doesn't need him, and he might not need her either, but he would much rather be with her. The phrase "You're only the best I ever had" takes the tone of "We don't need each other, but you're still the best I ever had." In the third verse and chorus, he accepts what happened and realizes that he is better off. "I don't want you back" implies that he knows now that he's better off without her. To me, in this verse "You're only the best I ever had" seems to say that she's the best he ever had, and nothing more. I think that he believes that while she was the best he ever had, there is someone out there who can be better for him. Just my thoughts.
• Jonathan from Fayetteville, Nc'I don't want you back... You're just the best I ever had...'
• Becca from Owego, Nyi listened to this song when me and my boyfriend broke up.
  i love this song
• Ann from Spanaway, WaMy exboyfriend recently contacted me and told me to listen to this song. It takes my breath away. I love it.

More Songfacts:

One DanceDrake

Drake's "One Dance" was the first ever song to rack up one billion streams on Spotify.

Come On EileenDexys Midnight Runners

Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come on Eileen" is based on a real girl called Eileen that the band's Kevin Rowland had a relationship with in his early teenage years.

Shine On You Crazy DiamondPink Floyd

Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about their founding member Syd Barrett, who became an acid casualty. Notice the S-Y-D in the title.

Zoot Suit RiotCherry Poppin' Daddies

"Zoot Suit Riot" isn't just a Cherry Poppin' Daddies song - the Zoot Suit Riots were real riots in Los Angeles that took place in 1943 and inspired the song's lyrics.

Happy Xmas (War Is Over)John Lennon

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is based on billboards John Lennon and Yoko Ono posted two years earlier declaring "War Is Over! If You Want It."

Rhythm Of My HeartRod Stewart

"Rhythm Of My Heart" by Rod Stewart is about a soldier at war - his heart is beating like a drum because he's in battle.

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

AdeleFact or Fiction

Despite her reticent personality, Adele's life and music are filled with intrigue. See if you can spot the true tales.

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.