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Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)

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Not to be confused with the theme song for the animated educational television series Arthur or the Rick Wakeman song used by the BBC as the theme for their election coverage.
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
Single by Christopher Cross
from the album Arthur – The Album
B-side"Minstrel Gigolo"
ReleasedAugust 14, 1981
Recorded1981
Genre
Length3:53
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Michael Omartian
Christopher Cross singles chronology
"Spinning"
(1980) 		"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)"
(1981) 		"All Right"
(1983)
Music video
"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" on YouTube

"Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" is a song performed and co-written by American singer-songwriter Christopher Cross as the main theme for the 1981 film Arthur, starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. It was recognized as the year's Best Original Song at both the 54th Academy Awards and 39th Golden Globe Awards.[2]

A commercial success in the United States, it reached the top of both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Adult Contemporary charts in October 1981, remaining at the top of the Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks. The song topped the VG-lista chart in Norway and was a top-ten hit in several other countries.

The song ranked No. 79 among the AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey in 2004.

Background

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The song was written in collaboration between Cross, Burt Bacharach, and Bacharach's frequent writing partner and then-wife Carole Bayer Sager. A fourth writing credit went to Minnelli's ex-husband, Australian songwriter Peter Allen,[2] a frequent collaborator with Bayer Sager. The line in the chorus "When you get caught between the moon and New York City" was taken from an unreleased song written by Allen and Bayer Sager.[3] Allen came up with the line while his plane was in a holding pattern during a night arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport.[4]

Release

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The song "Minstrel Gigolo" served as the record's B-side, having previously backed Cross's debut single, "Ride Like the Wind".

Cross included "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" as a bonus track exclusive to cassette and CD versions of his 1983 album Another Page.

Music video

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The music video consists of two acts, which are edited together in fade outs. In one, Christopher Cross performs the song with musicians in a recording studio, and the other is the story the song illustrates.

Personnel

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Charts and certifications

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Deggans, Eric (1998). "Christopher Cross". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 293.
  2. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 136. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ^ Bremer, K. (April 26, 2013). "Peter Allen". Blue Desert Music. Archived from the original on July 20, 2001. Retrieved April 30, 2013.
  4. ^ "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) by Christopher Cross - Songfacts". Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 0406." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0423." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "Irish Singles Chart – Search for song". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on June 9, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  8. ^ "Christopher Cross – Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)". Top Digital Download.
  9. ^ "Christopher Cross – Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)". Top 40 Singles.
  10. ^ "Christopher Cross – Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)". VG-lista.
  11. ^ "SA Charts 1965 - 1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion)". Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  12. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  13. ^ "Christopher Cross – Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)". Swiss Singles Chart.
  14. ^ "Christopher Cross Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  15. ^ "Christopher Cross Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  16. ^ "Christopher Cross Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  17. ^ "Top 100 Singles of 1981". RPM. Retrieved November 23, 2024 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  18. ^ "Top Annuali Single 1981". Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  19. ^ "Number One Awards – Billboard's 1981 Year-End Charts : Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 93, no. 51. December 26, 1981. p. YE-9. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  20. ^ "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 94, no. 51. December 25, 1982. p. TIA-20.
  21. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  22. ^ "Arthur's Theme (The Best You Can Do)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
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