Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me by Gladys Knight & the Pips

Album: Imagination (1973)

Charted: 7 3

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Singer/songwriter Jim Weatherly wrote this. He also wrote "Midnight Train to Georgia," and "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)," which were also million-selling hits for Gladys Knight & The Pips. Weatherly had his own solo #11 US hit the same year with "The Need to Be." He was an All-American quarterback before choosing songwriting as a career.
Country singer Ray Price was the first to have a hit with this - his version went to #1 on the Country charts. Producers Kenny Kerner and Richie Wise heard Price's version and brought it to Gladys Knight And The Pips. They produced Knight's previous hit, "I've Got to Use My Imagination," and used the same rhythm section on this.

Comments: 6

Seventhmist from 7th HeavenBubblesk from Memphis, The word "pip" has several definitions, including a seed in fruit or each of the little spots on dominos, but the usage here probably was "an excellent or very attractive person or thing."
Bubblesk from Memphis, TnBack in '73 I loved this song. I was only 8 years old & when I first heard it on the radio, one of my older brothers kept telling me the artists were Gladys Nighty & Her PIMPS! What a jerk! But the thing is, I believed him and kept thinking they were Gladys Night & Her PIMPS. How embarrassing. But I learned more about them & that it wasn't their real name. Absolutely great R&B group. What a long string of top hits! But I have always had a problem with the guy's group name. Pimps or Pips? Pips or Pimps? At least I learned what a PIMP is - still don't know what a PIP is though.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyAs stated above Ray Price reached #1 on the country chart with this song, on the pop chart it peaked at #82. The same year {1974} that Gladys released her version, the group The Persauders also released it, they topped out at #85!!!
Dimasalang from Manila, PhilippinesThis song was also recorded by Steve Lawrence, a very good one indeed. He even mentioned at the end of the song the name of his wife, Eydie (Gormet).
Doug from Oakland, CaJim Weatherly also wrote another beautiful song for Gladys called Between Her Goodbye and My Hello.
Kenneth from Cleveland, Ohit's funny how music historians always say Gladys and the PIps had bigger success after Motowwn.oOtown are the ones who paired them with Jim Weatherly!

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