The Sweetest Days (song) explained

The Sweetest Days
Cover:	Vanessa-Williams---The-Sweetest-Days-CD-single.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Vanessa Williams
Album:	The Sweetest Days
B-Side:	Dreamin'
Genre:	Pop
Length:	3:31
Label:	Wing Mercury
Producer:	Keith Thomas
Prev Title:	Love Is
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	The Way That You Love
Next Year:	1995

"The Sweetest Days" is the first single from American singer Vanessa Williams' third studio album of the same name. The song was written by the same team who previously penned "Save the Best for Last" for Williams. The song was produced by Keith Thomas. It was released on October 18, 1994 by Wing Records. The single reached No. 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard described it as a "glorious pop ballad that has a slight resemblance to her Grammy-nominated hit "Save The Best For Last"." He added, "The song has a lilting and thoroughly engaging melody and a lovely, if somewhat melancholy, lyric that glistens with universal appeal. Williams is in excellent vocal form, offering a well-shaded performance amid a plush arrangement of warm strings and horns."^[1]

Music video

The video for "The Sweetest Days" is shot in two different ways. The "romantic version" was shot in an apartment overlooking a city skyline while the "urban version" shows Williams walking in a park and through streets. There are a few clips that they both share in the same spots but for the 3-minute and 31-second video, they give the song a different feel.

Track listings and formats

CD single 851 110-2

1. "The Sweetest Days"
2. "Love Is"

CD maxi-single 851 113-2

1. "The Sweetest Days"
2. "What Child Is This"
3. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
4. "Whatever Happens"

Special Collector's Edition CD maxi-single 851 111-2

1. "The Sweetest Days" – 3:31
2. "Love Is" – 4:44
3. "Save the Best for Last" – 3:39
4. "Dreamin'" – 5:26

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994)	Peak position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[2]	18
Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade)^[3]	7

Year-end charts

Chart (1995)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[4]	44
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)^[5]	14
US Billboard Hot 100^[6]	75
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[7]	21

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	October 18, 1994
United Kingdom	March 27, 1995			^[8]

Notes and References

1. Larry . Flick . Single Reviews . . November 12, 1994 . 89 . March 21, 2021 .
2. Web site: Vanessa Williams – The Sweetest Days. July 18, 2021. top40.nl. nl.
3. Web site: Vanessa Williams – The Sweetest Days. MegaCharts. nl. July 18, 2021.
4. RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 5, 2023.
5. RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. April 5, 2023.
6. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 1995. billboardtop100of.com. August 27, 2021.
7. 1995 The Year in Music. Billboard. 107. 51. YE-80. December 23, 1995. August 27, 2021. June 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210628190958/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1995/BB-1995-12-23.pdf. live.
8. New Releases: Singles. Music Week. 35. March 25, 1995.