The Sweetest Days (song)

"The Sweetest Days"
Single by Vanessa Williams
from the album The Sweetest Days
B-side	"Dreamin'"
Released	October 18, 1994 (1994-10-18)
Genre	Pop R&B soul
Length	3:31
Label	Wing Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Jon Lind Wendy Waldman Phil Galdston
Producer(s)	Keith Thomas
Vanessa Williams singles chronology
"Love Is" (1993) "The Sweetest Days" (1994) "The Way That You Love" (1995)
Music video
"Vanessa Williams - The Sweetest Days (Official Music Video)" on YouTube

"The Sweetest Days" is a song by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams, released on October 18, 1994, by Wing Records, as the first single from her third studio album of the same name (1994). The song was written by the same team who previously penned her 1992 hit "Save the Best for Last" for Williams and was produced by Keith Thomas. The single reached No. 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Critical reception

Upon the release, Larry Flick from Billboard magazine 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 accompanying music 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 Australia (ARIA) [2] 47 Canada Retail Singles ( The Record ) [3] 14 Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [4] 6 Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) [5] 1 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade) [6] 18 Netherlands (Single Top 100 Tipparade) [7] 7 Scotland (OCC) [8] 49 UK Singles (OCC) [9] 41 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC) [10] 10 US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 18 US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [12] 3 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [13] 40 US Pop Airplay ( Billboard ) [14] 22 US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) [15] 22

Year-end charts Chart (1995) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM) [16] 44 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM) [17] 14 US Billboard Hot 100 [18] 75 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) [19] 21

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	October 18, 1994	7-inch vinyl CD cassette	Wing Mercury	[ citation needed ]
United Kingdom	March 27, 1995	CD cassette		[20]

References

1. Flick, Larry (November 12, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 89. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
2. "Vanessa Williams – The Sweetest Days". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
3. "Hits of the World: Canada" (PDF). Billboard . February 18, 1995. p. 42. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7992." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
5. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2709." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
6. "Vanessa Williams – The Sweetest Days" (in Dutch). top40.nl. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
7. "Vanessa Williams – The Sweetest Days" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved July 18, 2021.
8. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
10. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
11. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
12. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
13. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
14. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
15. "Vanessa Williams Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
16. "RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1995". RPM . Retrieved April 5, 2023– via Library and Archives Canada.
17. "RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1995". RPM. Retrieved April 5, 2023– via Library and Archives Canada.
18. "Billboard Top 100 – 1995". billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
19. "1995 The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 51. December 23, 1995. p. YE-80. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
20. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . March 25, 1995. p. 35.