Love Lines from ‘Best Part’ by Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R.
I once dated someone who made playlists introducing me to new music every couple of weeks. It started with a What! You’ve never heard of this artist? From there he made it his mission to keep me abreast of the hottest singers and rappers who had yet to break into mainstream recognition.
We’re talking hundreds of songs in total, at least 30 or 40 every rip. This was before music streaming services really took off. He didn’t simply add tracks of his choice to a Spotify playlist and send me the link. He searched for and downloaded songs from the internet. Those he thought I’d enjoy were aggregated onto a thumb drive I brought with me every time I visited his apartment. I’d later transfer the songs to my iTunes account, emptying the drive for next time.
We both enjoyed the exchange. After I had some time to digest the latest compilation, we’d discuss my favorites.
Ok, Ok, I know exactly who I’m going to put on there for next time. Because if you like that person, you’ll love this one!
He used my feedback to refine future arrangements. There remain a plethora of compilation albums in my library that begin with the name “Chuck.” For example, Chuck’s R&B1, Chuck’s R&B2, Chuck’s R&B3 and many additional variations that survived my transition to exclusive streaming. I sometimes listen to the playlists to recall where I was in my music journey.
Chuck introduced me to The Weeknd with “Wicked Games.” He was the bridge to many of my now favorite artists, including Frank Ocean, Snoh Aalegra, and Daniel Caesar. That last one, Daniel Caesar created what I consider to be one of the greatest love songs ever.
Listen, I’m an 80s baby. I’m from thee R&B era, when singers sang and rappers rapped instead of consistently combining the two styles. What a time to be alive. The 90s gave us an abundance of smooth grooves and passionate expressions of adoration. If you asked me to name my Top 5 love songs, four would come from this era. The fifth would be “Best Part” by Daniel Caesar.
The effortless splendor of Caesar’s voice is a distinctive sound to behold. His 2017 debut studio album, Freudian is a masterpiece. It is a masterclass in building anticipation and releasing its pressure. This is one of those rare albums with no skips. You aren’t compelled to cut a single track from the rotation.
“Best Part,” a duet with H.E.R, is one of several standouts on Freudian. So soft and sweet. Listening to it will restore any faith in love you may have lost, even if only for the moment.
It’s the whispering guitar. The gentle unraveling. The voices. The adorably innocuous lyrics.
H.E.R. and Caesar take turns describing what each means to the other. She compares him to coffee in the morning and sunshine when it’s pouring. He equates her to water in the desert and Tylenol when his head hurts. The exchange really is so playful and cute and serves to remind us love doesn’t need to be complex to be meaningful.
As enamored as I am with Caesar, the best part of “Best Part” for me is the ballad’s opening lines, delivered by H.E.R.
You don't know, babe
When you hold me
And kiss me slowly
It's the sweetest thing
A slow, tender demonstration of affection is indeed the sweetest thing. A lingering forehead kiss. A long, tight hug. A finger graze down your spine. Resting your head on someone’s shoulder while they sift through mountains of music to extract songs you might like. It all affords your heart time to melt.