Vanessa Williams Says Amy Grant’s Baby Baby Was Meant for Her
- Williams revealed that her signature song, “Save the Best for Last,” was initially offered to legendary singers Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand
- Despite those near-misses, she went on to build an impressive career spanning music, film, television, and Broadway.
- Williams’ story is a reminder that sometimes a song being passed over by someone else can become the opportunity that changes everything.
Vanessa Williams Says Amy Grant’s Hit ‘Baby, Baby’ Was Meant to Be for Her but Producer Forgot to Put It on a Tape
Vanessa Williams Reveals “Save the Best for Last” Was Almost Recorded by Other Stars
Vanessa Williams is looking back on the surprising journey behind one of her biggest hits. During a recent podcast appearance, Williams revealed that her signature song, “Save the Best for Last,” was initially offered to legendary singers Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand—who both passed on recording it.
That unexpected rejection ultimately opened the door for Williams to record the ballad. Released in 1992, “Save the Best for Last” became Williams’ only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped establish her as a successful recording artist following her historic Miss America win in 1983.
Written by Phil Galdston, Wendy Waldman, and Jon Lind, the song earned Williams two GRAMMY® Award nominations and became one of the defining hits of her music career.
Williams also revealed that she missed an opportunity to record Amy Grant’s “Baby Baby.” Despite those near-misses, she went on to build an impressive career spanning music, film, television, and Broadway. Her accomplishments include the hit “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s Pocahontas, as well as memorable television roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.
Williams’ story is a reminder that sometimes a song being passed over by someone else can become the opportunity that changes everything.
Here’s the original video of Amy Grant’s Baby Baby
