Giving You the Best That I Got is the third album by American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker, released in 1988. It was Baker's first and only #1 album in the US, her second #1 R&B Album, and was certified 3× platinum in 1989 by the RIAA. The title track was released as the first single from the album and became Baker's highest-charting single in the US, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album earned Baker three Grammy Awards and three Soul Train Music Awards.

Track listing

Critical reception

Alex Henderson of AllMusic rated the album four points out of five, calling it not "on the par with" Baker's previous albums but better than most of R&B albums released in 1988.

Commercial performance

The album has sold over 5 million copies worldwide (including 3 million from the US). It became Baker's first and only number one album on Billboard 200 and her second number-one R&B Album. In March 1989, the album was certified 3× Platinum in 1989 by the RIAA.

Singles

The title track became Baker's highest charting US hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, and number one on both the R&B (Hot Black Singles) and Adult Contemporary charts. In Canada, it was also her highest charting hit, peaking at number 11 on the RPM charts in 1988. "Just Because" peaked at number one on the Hot Black Singles, making it Baker's second number one and also made the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number fourteen. In Canada, it peaked at number 18 on the RPM charts in 1989. It has since been described as a wedding reception favorite. "Lead Me into Love" peaked at number four on the Hot Black Singles and 32 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Personnel

Production

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications