(At Your Best) You Are Love

1976 song by the Isley Brothers (At Your Best) You Are Love song the Isley Brothers Harvest for the Worldwww.allmusic.com https://www.allmusic.com/album/harvest-for-the-world-mw0000318358 allmusic.com October 25, 2022 1976 5 29 1975 Record Plant (Los Angeles, California) R&B, quiet storm 5:23 Ernie Isley Marvin Isley Chris Jasper Rudolph Isley O'Kelly Isley Ronald Isley Chris Jasper Audio video NFzJw0P8J7c "(At Your Best) You Are Love" song "(At Your Best) You Are Love" is a song by R&B group the Isley Brothers. It was originally released on their album Harvest for the World.Easlea Daryl BBC - Music - Review of The Isley Brothers - Harvest for the World https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fdfd/ 2023-08-30 www.bbc.co.uk en-GB The song was dedicated to their mother, Sally.Powers Ann January 27, 2015 From The Isleys To Aaliyah To Frank Ocean, The Evolution Of 'Love' https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/01/27/381629805/from-the-isleys-to-aaliyah-to-frank-ocean-the-evolution-of-love NPR Although not a single, the song was a radio hit in 1976, and later became a hit for R&B singer Aaliyah in 1994.Mamo Heran 2021-08-25 The 15 Best Aaliyah Samples in Modern R&B/Hip-Hop https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/best-aaliyah-samples-interpolations-list-9618713/ 2023-08-30 Billboard en-US Background "(At Your Best) You Are Love" was written by Ernie Isley and it was originally "dedicated to the Isley Brothers' mother, Sally". It was featured on the groups fourteenth studio album "Harvest for the World" (1976). According to Isley: "The first time I played it after I had initially written the song was for my brother Rudolph, just voice and guitar. When he heard me say, "You're a positive motivating force within my life," he got this quizzical smile on his face, like how? The syllables and the notes — he goes, say that again? Then he sort of nodded his head like, yeah, that's pretty good. And that's one of the things that I think captures the emotion in the song".Conteh Mankaprr https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/alex-isley-ernie-isley-aaliyah-cover-1216705/ August 25, 2021 Alex and Ernie Isley on Aaliyah's Intergenerational Appeal Rolling Stone September 1, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20210825162443/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/alex-isley-ernie-isley-aaliyah-cover-1216705/ live August 25, 2021 While discussing the song's message he stated, "That song was expressing the way I felt towards someone. And sometimes you can feel a certain way towards someone and they don't always get it. So it was both like an affirmation and kind of a frustration too because it does say, "You may not be in the mood to learn what you think you know". Personnel Ronald Isley: lead vocals, background vocals O'Kelly Isley, Jr.: background vocals Rudolph Isley: background vocals Ernie Isley: electric guitar, acoustic guitars, drums, background vocals Marvin Isley: bass played by, background vocals Chris Jasper: acoustic piano, electric piano, keyboards, synthesizers, background vocals Produced, written, composed and arranged by The Isley Brothers and Chris Jasper Aaliyah version At Your Best (You Are Love) Aaliyah-AtYourBest.jpg yes single Aaliyah Age Ain't Nothing but a Number Back & Forth 1994 8 22 1993 Chicago Recording Company (Chicago) Soul (album version) G-funk (remix) 4:52 (album version) 4:30 (remix) Blackground Jive O'Kelly Isley Rudolph Isley Marvin Isley Ronald Isley Chris Jasper Ernie Isley R. Kelly Aaliyah single Back & Forth 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) 1994 Age Ain't Nothing but a Number 1994 8D1Zn-Ij6Mw "At Your Best (You Are Love)" Aaliyah covered the song for her debut studio album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (1994). Her version, titled "At Your Best (You Are Love)," was produced by R. Kelly. It 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). Background At one point The Isley Brothers catalog saw an increase in popularity among the Hip Hop community. According to Ernie Isley, "The hip-hop-MTV-rap guys, as they came to the forefront, were leaning on different songs from our catalog. They embraced us and we embraced them back. We had to give [Aaliyah's cover] a green light". Aaliyah was a fan of the group and after meeting lead singer Ronald Isley she expressed to him how much she loved the song; eventually, he gave her the green light to record the record. Former Jive records A&R Jeff Sledge credits R. Kelly for Aaliyah covering the song. In an Interview Sledge said: "If I'm not mistaken, I don't think the Isley Brothers version was ever a single. It was like an album cut. A lot of people didn't really know that because it wasn't a big album single. It wasn't even one of their more popular album cuts. They have a lot of album cuts that are very popular too and it wasn't even that. It was this hidden gem. I think it was a Chicago thing. Knowing Robert, it was probably a big record in Chicago and he just liked the record and he just decided to do it over".Augustin Camille https://www.vibe.com/2016/08/age-aint-nothing-but-a-number-aaliyah-week/ Aaliyah Week: 'Age Ain't Nothing But A Number' & The Isley Brothers Cover That Placed Aaliyah On The Map August 26, 2016 Vibe September 14, 2023 Music and lyrics Musically, the album version of "At Your Best (You Are Love)" is a "vintage Soul ballad".https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/aaliyah-age-aint-nothing-but-a-number-at-20-classic-track-by-6099210/ Aaliyah, 'Age Ain't Nothing But A Number' at 20: Classic Track-by-Track Review Partridge Kenneth May 23, 2014 Billboard April 11, 2024 It's a straight-up vintage soul ballad.... In a review of Age Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, Billboard described the song as a "sweet ballad".https://books.google.com/books?id=UAgEAAAAMBAJ&q=aaliyah+age+ain%27t+nothing+but+a+number&pg=PA64 June 11, 1994 Album Reviews April 11, 2024 Billboard 106 24 64 The songs arrangement is very close to the original version performed by the Isley Brothers. Aaliyah begins the record showcasing her "flute-like head voice" by singing the lyrics "Let me know ... let me know", in an a cappella.Reeves Mosi https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/7-ways-aaliyah-changed-rb-forever-248663/ 7 Ways Aaliyah Changed R&B Forever August 25, 2016 Rolling Stone April 11, 2024 R. Kelly's "Gangsta Child" remix, which relied on a bass-heavy G-funk beat.... Ann Powers from NPR noted that "As the arrangement unfolds, satin, around her, she takes in each phrase and makes the listener consider it, moving slowly and deliberately, as if she's explaining something". Powers concluded that the vocals on the song are not sexy but reassuring. According to Rolling Stone writer Mosi Reeves, "she sings with grace, before offering a wordless cry with incandescent softness". Tonya Pendleton from The Washington Post noted that though her voice is soft, "her diction is clear, and each word resonates with feeling" on the song.Pendleton Tonya https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/archives-remembering-aaliyah/2011/08/25/gIQAEjUwdJ_blog.html Aaliyah: "Age Ain't Nothin' but a Number" September 6, 1994 The Washington Post April 11, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20180720110823/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/click-track/post/archives-remembering-aaliyah/2011/08/25/gIQAEjUwdJ_blog.html dead July 20, 2018 The "Gangstar Child Remix", which was released as the single has a "bass-heavy G-funk beat", and it features various murmured interjections from Kelly. For the remix, Aaliyah sings with newly alternate vocals, "that's more restrained than the version on her debut, Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number". Critical reception "At Your Best (You Are Love)" received widespread critical acclaim. Oliver VanDervoort from AXS praised Aaliyah, saying "The singer nailed her version of the song."Oliver VanDervoort March 16, 2016 http://www.axs.com/the-top-10-best-aaliyah-songs-78827 The top 10 best Aaliyah songs AXS https://web.archive.org/web/20190525082934/http://www.axs.com/the-top-10-best-aaliyah-songs-78827 September 9, 2023 May 25, 2019 Reviewing the single for Billboard, Larry Flick described the song as a "seductive urban ballad".Flick Larry September 3, 1994 Single Reviews https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-09-03-N.pdf Billboard 71 August 30, 2023 Adding that "Aaliyah continues to exhibit a warm and soulful style that belies her teen-age years." He noted that R. Kelly "does an excellent job of blending a raw street groove with a lush R&B melody and layers of sweet vocals. Gorgeous." 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".May 19, 2016 The 25 Best Aaliyah Songs https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-aaliyah-songs/at-your-best-you-are-love July 20, 2018 Complex John Martinucci from the Gavin Report said, "Aaliyah's second single from her gold debut album, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number isn't the one everybody was anticipating. Aaliyah respectfully remakes The Isley Brothers classic with soothing vocals".Martinucci John https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Gavin-Report/90/94/Gavin-1994-07-15.pdf July 15, 1994 New Releases Gavin Report 27 August 30, 2023 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."Masterton James Week Ending October 15th 1994 https://chart-watch.uk/archives/1994/week-ending-october-15th-1994 Chart Watch UK October 9, 1994 September 8, 2021 James Masterton 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."Tee Ralph https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-08-27.pdf August 27, 1994 Hot Vinyl Music Week August 29, 2023 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." Alan Jones https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-08.pdf Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles Music Week October 8, 1994 16 April 21, 2021 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."http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/aaliyah/16918/album.jhtml Album info: Age Ain't Nothing But A Number https://web.archive.org/web/20021001142310/http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/aaliyah/16918/album.jhtml dead October 1, 2002 February 7, 2023 MTV 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."https://www.billboard.com/media/lists/best-aaliyah-songs-9619318/ Aaliyah's 20 Best Songs: Staff List Billboard August 25, 2021 May 21, 2022 In a Rolling Stone interview discussing Aaliyah and the songs legacy, Ernie Isley praised her cover. Isley stated, "When I first heard it, I liked it. I had no idea that it would be such a big hit for her, much less a signature hit for her. And then she did two versions of the song. There was one that had a little bit more hip-hop feel in the music, then there was the first one that was similar to the Isley Brother version, but either way, she made the song hers". Commercial performance "At Your Best (You Are Love)" entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 69 during the week of September 3, 1994.https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1994-09-03/ September 3, 1994 Billboard Hot 100 Billboard September 4, 2023 Seven weeks later, on October 15, the song peaked at number 6; it has spent 20 consecutive weeks on the Hot 100. Meanwhile, on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it debuted at number 10; 4 weeks later, it peaked at number 2.https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/1994-09-03/ September 3, 1994 Top Hip-Hop/R&B Songs Billboard September 4, 2023 It also peaked at number 2 on the Rhythmic chart. The song received a Gold certification by the RIAA on October 25, 1994. Internationally, the song reached the top 40 in several countries, including The Netherlands, where it peaked at number 40 on November 11. On the UK singles chart, it peaked at number 27. On the UK Dance chart, it peaked at number 11. It also peaked at number 4 on the UK Hip Hop/R&B chart. In New Zealand, the song peaked at number 38 on December 4. Music video The accompanying music video for "At Your Best (You Are Love)" was directed by Millicent Shelton.https://www.bet.com/article/3k330u/25-days-of-aaliyah-millicent-shelton-remembers 25 Days of Aaliyah: Millicent Shelton remembers... BET March 15, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20220124012101/https://www.bet.com/article/3k330u/25-days-of-aaliyah-millicent-shelton-remembers dead January 24, 2022 In her biography Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah (2021) author Kathy Iandoli said the video "shows Aaliyah singing into an old-school Kellogg telephone in a booth, while R. Kelly waits for her in the car."Iandoli 2021 25 In another scene, "the two then start step dancing with each other against a brick overlay before pivoting to the obligatory hip-hop music video parking lot scene". According to Iandoli, her earlier videos including "(At Your Best) You Are Love You Are Love", all have in common the usage of an "vignette effect, where Aaliyah is almost haloed, as the color schemes change from warm earth tone tints to black and white". The video made its television debut on BET during the week of August 14, 1994 and August 27 on The Box.https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-08-27.pdf#page=37 Billboard Video Monitor Billboard 45 August 27, 1994 September 1, 2023 During the week of August 21, 1994 the video made its debut on MTV.https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-09-03-N.pdf#page=57 Billboard Video Monitor Billboard 57 September 3, 1994 September 1, 2023 The video received ample airplay and became the 8th most played video on BET, while becoming the 18th most played on MTV for the week ending on September 25.https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1994/BB-1994-10-08.pdf#page=70 Billboard Video Monitor Billboard 62 October 8, 1994 September 1, 2023 It was published on YouTube in October 2009. As of May 2024, the video has amassed over 22 million views.October 25, 2009 Aaliyah - At Your Best (You Are Love) (Official HD Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D1Zn-Ij6Mw May 25, 2014 YouTube Track listings and formats US 12-inch vinylAaliyah 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) 12-inch single Blackground Records, Jive Records "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) – 4:30 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Stepper's Ball Remix) – 3:05 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (album version) – 4:43 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) (instrumental) – 4:30 US cassette singleAaliyah 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) cassette single Blackground Records, Jive Records "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (album version) – 4:43 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) – 4:30 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Stepper's Ball Remix) – 3:05 US maxi CD singleAaliyah 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) CD single Blackground Records, Jive Records "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (album version) – 4:43 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) – 4:30 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Stepper's Ball Remix) – 3:05 "Back & Forth" (Ms. Mello Radio Mix) – 3:50 UK 12-inch vinylAaliyah 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) 12-inch single Jive Records "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) – 4:30 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Stepper's Ball Remix) – 3:05 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (album version) – 4:43 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (UK Flavour Stepper's Mix) – 4:55 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (UK Flavour) – 4:57 UK cassette and Japanese mini CD singlesAaliyah 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) cassette single Jive Records "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (album version) – 4:43 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) – 4:30 UK maxi CD singleAaliyah 1994 At Your Best (You Are Love) CD single Jive Records "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (no intro) – 4:12 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Gangstar Child Remix) – 4:30 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (Stepper's Ball Remix) – 3:05 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (UK Flavour) – 4:57 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (UK Flavour Stepper's Mix) – 4:55 "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (album version) – 4:43 Credits and personnel Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Age Ain't Nothing but a Number.Aaliyah 1994 Age Ain't Nothing but a Number CD Blackground Records, Jive Records Aaliyah – lead vocals, backing vocals R. Kelly – multi-instrumentation, production Charts Weekly charts Chart (1994) PeakpositionCanada RPM 76 1845 November 27, 2018 trueEurope (European Hot 100 Singles)https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-10-22.pdf Euro Chart Hot 100 Music & Media 22 October 22, 1994 January 7, 201887Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)https://www.top40.nl/tipparade/1994/week-45 week 45 (5 november 1994) Dutch top40.nl10Dutch100 40 Aaliyah true At Your Best (You Are Love) 2017-11-27 NL New Zealand 38 Aaliyah true At Your Best (You Are Love) November 27, 2017 NZScotland 90 19941016 true December 1, 2017UKsinglesbyname 27 Aaliyah true November 29, 2017 5632 UKUKdance 11 19941009 true December 3, 2017 UKdanceUKrandb 4 19941009 true November 28, 2017 UKr&bUK Club Chart (Music Week)https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-22.pdf The RM Club Chart Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert) October 22, 1994 8 May 20, 202369Billboardhot100 6 Aaliyah true November 29, 2017 hot10094Billboarddancesales 6 Aaliyah true April 8, 2022Billboardrandbhiphop 2 true Aaliyah November 29, 2017 R&B94Billboardpopsongs 40 true Aaliyah November 29, 2017Billboardrhythmic 2 Aaliyah true November 29, 2017 rhythmic94 Year-end charts Chart (1994) PositionUS Billboard Hot 100The Year in Music Billboard YE26 December 24, 1994 106 52 https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ February 9, 2023 Google Books70US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs Billboard 1994 Year End Chart: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs February 9, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20180206012703/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs/ dead February 6, 201823 Certifications United States single Aaliyah At Your Best 1994 1994 Gold August 19, 2017 RIAA true Release history + Release dates and formats for "At Your Best (You Are Love)" Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. Reference(s) United States August 22, 1994 12-inch vinyl cassette maxi CD Blackground Jive https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000056XO7 At Your Best (You Are Love) Blackground Records, Jive Records November 3, 2022 United Kingdom October 10, 1994 Jive https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-10-08.pdf Single Releases Music Week October 8, 1994 25 November 3, 2022 World Radio History Japan October 21, 1994 Mini CD BMG アット・ユア・ベスト At Your Best https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/35848/products/58825/1/ ja Japan Oricon October 21, 1994 November 3, 2022 Australia January 30, 1995 CD cassette New Releases – Product Available from : 30/01/95: Singles The ARIA Report 259 21 January 29, 1995 Notes Other versions In the Philippines, the Aaliyah 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 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.frank ocean http://frankocean.tumblr.com/post/108321281171 https://web.archive.org/web/20150315061529/http://frankocean.tumblr.com/post/108321281171 2015-03-15 live 2015-01-17 In 2021, English singer Sinéad Harnett covered the song with a new music video to tribute to Aaliyah's version of the song.https://ratedrnb.com/2021/01/sinead-harnett-tributes-aaliyah-with-remake-of-at-your-best-you-are-love/ Sinéad Harnett Tributes Aaliyah With Remake of 'At Your Best (You Are Love)' Ratedrnb.com 10 January 2021 22 April 2021 Samples DJ Screw sampled the "Gangstar Child Remix" of Aaliyah's version in his song "My Mind Went Blank", released in 1995.Dazed 2022-11-24 Living in slow motion: five songs that illustrate the genius of DJ Screw https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/57534/1/living-in-slow-motion-five-songs-that-illustrate-the-genius-of-dj-screw 2025-05-25 Dazed en In 2010, Drake released a song with Young Jeezy called "Unforgettable" which samples Aaliyah's version of the record.July 3, 2018 A History of Drake's Obsession With Aaliyah https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/a-history-of-drakes-obsession-with-aaliyah live https://web.archive.org/web/20230314001907/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/a-history-of-drakes-obsession-with-aaliyah March 14, 2023 June 18, 2022 Complex "Activist" by Gucci Mane & Peewee Longway, released in 2013, samples Aaliyah's version. Tamar Braxton sampled Aaliyah's version in her single with Future, "Let Me Know".https://www.fuse.tv/2014/10/tamar-braxton-let-me-know-future Listen to Tamar Braxton's Aaliyah-Sampling "Let Me Know" Ft. Future Benjamin Jeff October 6, 2014 Fuse https://web.archive.org/web/20150520225214/http://www.fuse.tv/2014/10/tamar-braxton-let-me-know-future May 20, 2015 live References Bibliography Iandoli Kathy Kathy Iandoli Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah Atria Books 2021 978-1982156862 External links exLPigBGnQs "At Your Best (You Are Love)" music video Category:1975 songs Category:1994 singles Category:Aaliyah songs Category:The Isley Brothers songs Category:Soul ballads Category:Rhythm and blues ballads Category:Songs written by Chris Jasper Category:Song recordings produced by R. Kelly Category:Songs written by Marvin Isley Category:Songs written by Ernie Isley Category:Songs written by Rudolph Isley Category:Songs written by O'Kelly Isley Jr. Category:Songs written by Ronald Isley Category:1970s ballads Category:Music videos directed by Millicent Shelton