The Best Is Yet To Come
Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Cy Coleman |
| Lyricist | Carolyn Leigh |
| Year Written | 1959 |
| About The Best Is Yet To Come | Written in 1959, some say that “The Best is Yet to Come” was written for Tony Bennett. In any case, the song is strongly identified with him and he sings it at most of his concerts. Other recordings include those by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. |
Lyrics
Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum
You came along and everything started to hum
Still it’s a real good bet the best is yet to come
The best is yet to come and, babe, won’t it be fine?
You think you’ve seen the sun but you ain’t seen it shine
Wait till the warm-up’s underway
Wait till our lips have met
Wait till you see that sunshine day
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
The best is yet to come and, babe, won’t it be fine?
The best is yet to come, come the day you’re mine
Come the day you’re mine, I’m gonna teach you to fly
We’re gonna taste of the wine
We’re gonna drain the cup dry
Wait till your charms are right for these arms to surround
You think you’ve flown before but you ain’t left the ground
Wait till you’re locked in my embrace
Wait till I draw you near
Wait till you see that sunshine place
Ain’t nothin’ like it here!
The best is yet to come and, babe, won’t it be fine
The best is yet to come, come the day you’re mine
Out of the tree of life I just picked me a plum
You came along and everything started to hum
Session / Album Information
1960
“The Best Is Yet To Come” was recorded on July 30. 1960 and released that year as single; it was also released on
the 1962 album I Left My Heart in San Francisco. It was arranged by Cy Coleman.
This recording released on:
- 1960: Columbia 45: 41965
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″: CS 8669 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco
- 1962: Columbia LP 12″ (Mono): CL 1869 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco
- 1962: CBS LP 12″: SBPG 62201 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco [UK]
- 1965: Columbia LP 12″: CL 2373 — Tony’s Greatest Hits, Vol. II
- 1965: Columbia LP 12″: CS 9173 — Tony’s Greatest Hits, Vol. III
- 1967: CBS LP 12″: SBPG 62821 — Tony’s Greatest Hits [UK]
- 1975: Columbia LP 12″: KG 33376 — Let’s Fall In Love With The Songs Of Harold Arlen And Cy Coleman
- 1980: CBS LP 12″: 32732 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco [UK]
- 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5241 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco [Japan]
- 1990: Columbia CD: CK 08669 — I Left My Heart In San Francisco
- 1991: Columbia CD: CSK 4083 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett (Promo)
- 1991: Columbia CD: C4K 46843 — Forty Years – The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 1993: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6641 — Forty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett
- 1996: Columbia House Music Collection CD: C21 8653 — The Great American Composers: Cy Coleman
- 2000: Columbia/Legacy CD: CK 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2000: Sony Music CD: 63570 — The Ultimate Tony Bennett
- 2002: Columbia/Legacy CD: 86634 — The Essential Tony Bennett
- 2004: Columbia/Legacy CD: C5K 92784 — Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
- 2006: RPM/Columbia/Legacy CD: 84779 — Tony Bennett’s Greatest Hits Of The ’60s
- 2008: Columbia/RPM/Legacy CD: 731397 — The Essential Tony Bennett [Limited Edition 3.0]
- 2011: Disc #8 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK8) The Columbia Singles, Vol. 6
- 2011: Disc #23 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK23) I Left My Heart in San Francisco
1962
“The Best is Yet to Come” was recorded live at Tony Bennett’s concert at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 1962, but was not released until 1997 on the album Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall: Complete Concert. Ralph Sharon arranged the song.
This recording released on:
- 1997: Columbia CD: C2K 64609 — At Carnegie Hall June 9, 1962: Complete Concert
- 2011: Disc #25 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK24) Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall
2006
“The Best Is Yet To Come” was recorded on February 15, 2006 with Diana Krall and was released that same year on Duets: An American Classic. It was arranged by Jorge Calandrelli.
This recording released on:
- 2006: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 82876809792 — Duets: An American Classic
- 2006: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 82876887352 — Duets: An American Classic [Target Stores]
- 2006: Sony BMG CD: 828768858721 — Duets: An American Classic [Australia]
- 2006: Sony BMG CD: 82876885862 — Duets: An American Classic [UK, Singapore]
- 2011: Disc #70 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK68) Duets: An American Classic
- 2013: Columbia/Legacy – Sixty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
2012
“The Best Is Yet To Come” was recorded in 2012 with Chayenne and released on Viva Duets.
This recording released on:
- 2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88725473102 – Viva Duets
- 2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765400972 – Viva Duets (Target Release)
- 2012: RPM Records/Columbia CD: 88765402412 – Viva Duets (Deluxe edition)
2016
“The Best Is Yet To Come” was recorded live on September 15, 2016, and released on Tony Bennett Celebrates 90.
This recording released on:
- 2016: Columbia/Sony/RPM CD, LP: 88985 39248 2 — Tony Bennett Celebrates 90