U R the Best Thing

In 1992, British Lennox Herald named 'U R the Best Thing' a "house track with hypnotic song and certain club smash."Lennox Herald. 3 July 1992. p. 28. Paul Mathur from Melody Maker wrote, "This sounds like nobody's business, has voices to turn nightingales green and according to the press release is, "as hard and stunning as a barren stepmother's slap". As metaphors go, that one is pretty Himalayan."{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Mathur|title=Singles|work=Melody Maker|date=4 July 1992|page=29|access-date=19 February 2023|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52639207485/}} Mixmag named it a "heart-stopping, piano pounding epic."

A reviewer from Music Week praised it as "excellent", noting that it "mates well-crafted lyrics with some of this year's most essential samples and breaks".{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-06-13.pdf |title= Dance |magazine= Music Week |date= 13 June 1992 |page= 6 |access-date= 2 October 2020}} James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update stated that the track is "featuring some soaring support by D'borah Asher but made most exciting by its rippling vibes breaks, husky pop singer Peter Cunnah and DJ Al McKenzie's thumping and surging jangly house bounder".{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-06-27.pdf |title= DJ Directory: Out On Monday |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert) |date= 27 June 1992 |page= 5 |access-date= 2 October 2020 |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}}

In 1993, Larry Flick from Billboard magazine wrote, "The element that sets this record apart from the pack of wolves vying for recognition is that there is a real song tucked beneath the barrage of studio tricks and house beats. Here is one that doesn't lose any of its appeal once you stop twirling; the melody and lyrics stay with long after daylight. Props to the group's masterminds, Peter Cunnah and M Mackenzie, for going the extra mile and giving us something to feel and whistle to." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report felt "the pair blends a house sound with a just a taste of alternative."{{cite magazine|first= Dave |last= Sholin |title= Gavin Picks: Albums |magazine= Gavin Report |date= 23 July 1993 |page= 50 |access-date= 16 October 2020 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/93/Gavin-1993-07-23.pdf}} In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton said, "More dance crossover only it is hard to describe it as such this time, with such a strong pop chorus and vocal. This one may well emulate the current success of Robin S. and climb slowly and gradually into the 10."{{cite web|last=Masterton|first=James|title=Week Ending April 24th 1993|url=https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1993/week-ending-april-24th-1993|website=Chart Watch UK|date=18 April 1993|access-date=11 September 2021|author-link=James Masterton}} Paul Mathur from Melody Maker wrote that "the original of this was always guaranteed to send any end-of-night dancefloor into such a frenzy". He added, "One to fall in love to."{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Mathur|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52840661611/|title=Singles|work=Melody Maker|date=3 April 1993|page=30|access-date=5 May 2023}}

Andy Beevers from Music Week gave the song a top score of five out of five and named it Pick of the Week in the category of Dance, complimenting the "superb new Morales mixes which have been getting a great dancefloor reaction".{{cite magazine|first= Andy |last= Beevers |title= Market Preview: Dance - Pick of the Week |magazine= Music Week |date= 10 April 1993 |page= 9 |access-date= 25 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-04-10.pdf}} Roger Morton from NME stated, "No doubt this one, which falls somewhere between Inner City and The Tyrrel Corporation, with its marshmallow groove and flyaway female vocal, will also have both suits and longhairs piling onto the polished bit of the ballroom. There's a million remixes, of which Sasha's is the jumpiest. This is as undeniable as a waxed Porsche."{{cite magazine|first=Roger|last=Morton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52843769889/|title=Singles|work=NME|date=3 April 1993|page=19|access-date=5 May 2023}} James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update described it as a "wriggling jangly canterer".{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |title= Djdirectory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert) |date= 17 April 1993 |page= 7 |access-date= 25 March 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-04-17.pdf |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Tim Southwell from Smash Hits gave the '93 version three out of five, noting that it "brings together flutes, piano and a drumbeat that shuffles along, creating a wobbly wah-wah effect." He also highlighted its "impressive and powerful" backing singer.{{cite magazine|first=Tim|last=Southwell|title=New Singles|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/52547462618/in/album-72177720304250396/|magazine=Smash Hits|date=14 April 1993|page=47|access-date=15 December 2022|author-link=Tim Southwell}}

In 1994, Scottish Dundee Courier named 'U R the Best Thing' a "standout" track from the album.Dundee Courier. 27 January 1994. p. 7. Ian Gittens from Melody Maker stated, "D:Ream are the best E-shaped pop band to emerge from the dance explosion to date."{{cite magazine|first=Ian|last=Gittens|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53116952940/|title=Singles|work=Melody Maker|date=26 March 1994|page=35|access-date=17 August 2023}} A reviewer from Music & Media wrote, "Yep, it's them again with their umpteenth rerelease. Remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Steve Osborne, it's another step up the stairs to stardom for the pop dance duo."{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-04-16.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=11|issue=16|date=16 April 1994|page=8|access-date=7 May 2019}} The magazine's Maria Jimenez constated that the track's "longevity is assisted by this wide spectrum of new remixes".{{cite magazine|first= Maria |last= Jimenez |title= Groovemix: Short Grooves |magazine= Music & Media |volume= 11 |issue= 15 |date= 9 April 1994 |page= 7 |access-date= 7 October 2022 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-04-09.pdf}} Alan Jones from Music Week rated the remix four out of five, naming it Pick of the Week and "a bankable follow up" to their number one hit, 'Things Can Only Get Better'.{{cite magazine|first= Alan |last= Jones |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-03-05.pdf |title= Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles - Pick of the Week |magazine= Music Week |date= 5 March 1994 |page= 12 |access-date= 15 April 2021}} John Kilgo from The Network Forty commented, "Looking for a flavorful uptempo dance track? Look no further than this techno jammer that has scored the #1 position on the dance charts."{{cite magazine|first=John|last=Kilgo|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-Network-40/94/Network-40-1994-06-24.pdf|title=Mainstream: Music Meeting|magazine=The Network Forty|date=24 June 1994|page=22|access-date=29 March 2020}} Paul Moody from NME commented, "Peter Cunnah has come up with something here that will assail you in supermarkets, unnerve you when it bursts from car stereos and scare the charts rigid. Love it from the off and your life will be a whole lot easier."{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Moody|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53113944501/|title=Singles|work=NME|date=19 March 1994|page=35|access-date=17 August 2023}}

Tim Jeffery from the Record Mirror Dance Update said, "These new Perfecto mixes keep the attractive flute part while adding strings and a {{sic|reason=typo in source|disti|ctive}} piano sound to make the song an anthem once again. Stylish, commercial and probably a hit second time around."{{cite magazine|first= Tim |last= Jeffery |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-03-19.pdf |title= Hot Vinyl |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert) |date= 19 March 1994 |page= 7 |access-date= 15 April 2021}} Another Record Mirror editor, James Hamilton, named it an "attractive huskily crooned throbbing 122.9bpm" Perfecto remix.{{cite magazine|first= James |last= Hamilton |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-03-26.pdf |title= Dj directory |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert) |date= 26 March 1994 |page= 4 |access-date= 15 April 2021 |author-link= James Hamilton (DJ and journalist)}} Adam Higginbotham from Select described it as a "perfect feelgood pop-dance record" and felt it "left no one in any doubt about where they were coming from." Pete Stanton from Smash Hits gave it four out of five, writing, "It's as good now as it was then with its anthem-like chorus and plinkety pianos. This is even better than 'Things Can Only Get Better'."{{cite magazine|first=Pete|last=Stanton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/52592190013/in/album-72177720304791051/|title=New Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|date=16 March 1994|page=53|access-date=29 December 2022}} Darren Ressler from Vibe named it a "buoyant" smash.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zScEAAAAMBAJ|first=Darren|last=Ressler|title=D:Ream - On|magazine=Vibe|date=1 November 1993|access-date=2 March 2020}}

There were made three different music videos for the song, one for each year; in 1992, 1993 and 1994. The 1994 version was directed by German director and producer Marcus Nispel{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QggEAAAAMBAJ|title=Music Video: Production Notes|magazine=Billboard|date=16 April 1994|page=47|access-date=15 December 2022}} and filmed in New York City on Royalton New York Hotel. It features Peter Cunnah and the band performing the song at a rooftop, in an urban setting, surrounded by skyscrapers. Sometimes Cunnah performs while hanging from a crane, other times he sends paper planes. Soap bubbles are bubbling in the air and occasionally old newspapers are seen blowing by in the wind over the rooftop. The video was nominated for Best New Artist Clip of the Year in the category for Dance at the 1994 Billboard Music Video Awards.{{cite magazine|first=Deborah|last=Russell|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-10-15-P.pdf#page=12|title=Music Video Award Nominees Named|magazine=Billboard|date=15 October 1994|page=12|access-date=30 May 2025}} "U R the Best Thing" was later made available by Vevo in 4K format on YouTube platform 22 november 2018 and as of May 2025, it had generated more than 2.6 million views.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0MlJveaGEo|title=D:Ream - U R The Best Thing (1994) (Official Video)|publisher=YouTube|date=22 November 2018|access-date=15 December 2022}}

• Director: Marcus Nispel
• Director of photography: Jamie Rosenberg:
• Producer and executive-producer: Anouk Frankel
• Producer and executive-producer: Brendan Heath
• Supervising producer: Shelly Bloch

• CD maxi, Europe (1992)

1. "U R the Best Thing" – 4:09
2. "U R the Best Thing" (D:Ream dub) – 6:33
3. "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full mix) – 7:55
4. "U R the Best Thing" (12-inch mix) – 6:18
5. "U R the Best Thing" (a cappella) – 4:57
6. "U R the Best Thing" (Slow Hand Super Summer Disco mix) – 6:20

• CD maxi, Europe (1993)

1. "U R the Best Thing" – 4:08
2. "U R the Best Thing" (D:Ream extended 12-inch mix) – 6:13
3. "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full edit) – 6:52
4. "U R the Best Thing" (Def Klub mix) – 7:56
5. "U R the Best Thing" (Mo Bass Part II) – 11:12
6. "U R the Best Thing" (Def radio mix) – 3:37

• CD maxi, Europe (1994)

1. "U R the Best Thing" (Perfecto radio mix) – 4:05
2. "U R the Best Thing" (Original 7-inch mix) – 4:05
3. "U R the Best Thing" (Perfecto mix) – 6:43
4. "U R the Best Thing" (Sasha full mix) – 7:58
5. "U R the Best Thing" (Mo Bass Pt II) – 11:13
6. "U R the Best Thing" (D·Ream extended mix) – 5:50

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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=D:Ream|title=R U The Best Thing|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2006|certyear=20205|accessdate=21 March 2025|id=20876-1375-1}}

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Category:1992 songs

Category:1992 debut singles

Category:1993 singles

Category:1994 singles

Category:D Ream songs

Category:Magnet Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Marcus Nispel

Category:Music videos shot in the United States

Category:Music Week number-one dance singles

Category:Songs written by Peter Cunnah