About The Song
“You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me” is a country ballad performed by Ray Price, released in July 1973 as a single on Columbia Records, later included on his album of the same name. Written by Jim Weatherly in 1971, the 3:46 track expresses deep gratitude for a loved one with lyrics like: “If anyone should ever write my life story / For whatever reason there might be / You’d be there between each line of pain and glory / ‘Cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in September 1973, staying at the top for two weeks, and charted for 16 weeks. It also peaked at No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100, showing mild crossover success. The track was part of Price’s shift toward a lusher, orchestral sound in the 1970s.
The song was recorded in early 1973 at Columbia Recording Studio in Nashville, produced by Don Law. Session musicians included Charlie McCoy on harmonica, Bobby Wood on piano, Bob Moore on bass, and Buddy Harman on drums, with a string section arranged by Cam Mullins. The arrangement features a slow tempo, gentle acoustic guitar, and swelling strings. The chord progression is G-C-D, with the chorus “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” per ultimate-guitar.com. A live version was recorded during a 1974 Grand Ole Opry performance, uploaded to YouTube in 2015. Price performed it on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1973, and a 2010 duet with Martina McBride was released on the album Duets.
Ray Price, born Noble Ray Price on January 12, 1926, in Perryville, Texas, was a country music singer known for his baritone voice and contributions to the genre. He achieved fame with hits like “Crazy Arms” (1956) and “Night Life” (1963), charting over 100 singles on the Billboard country charts. Price was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996 and continued performing until his death on December 16, 2013. The song was originally a pop hit by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1973, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other covers include versions by Andy Williams (1974) and Dean Martin (1975), per SecondHandSongs. Price said in a 1973 interview: “Jim Weatherly wrote a song that spoke straight to my heart.”
The song is available on Spotify, included in the 1973 album and compilations like The Essential Ray Price (2007) and Greatest Hits (2016). YouTube hosts uploads such as a 2014 live clip and a 2022 remastered audio track. An X post on May 14, 2025, at 03:30 PM +07 called it “a love song that never gets old.” The song was featured in a 2015 tribute concert for Price at the Ryman Auditorium, broadcast on PBS.
Video
Lyric
I’ve had my share of life’s ups and downs
But fate’s been kind, the downs have been few
I guess you could say that I’ve been lucky
And I guess you could say it’s all because of youIf anyone should ever write my life story
For whatever reason there might be
You’d be there between each line of pain and glory
‘Cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to meAhh, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me
I know you’ve been there through all my hard times
And I hope you’ll be there ‘til the end of my life
‘Cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to meThere have been times when times were hard
But always somehow I made it through
‘Cause for every moment I’ve spent hurting
There was a moment I spent loving youIf anyone should ever write my life story
For whatever reason there might be
You’d be there between each line of pain and glory
‘Cause you’re the best thing that ever happened to me