Outstanding

"Outstanding" is a song originally performed by The Gap Band and written by member Raymond Calhoun. The song originally appeared on the group's platinum-selling 1982 album Gap Band IV. It is one of their signature songs and biggest hits, reaching the number one spot on the U.S. R&B Singles Chart in February 1983. "Outstanding" peaked at number fifty-one on the Hot 100.^[1].

The song was covered by Kenny Thomas and, later, English footballer Andrew Cole, following Manchester United's treble win in the 1998-99 season.

Influence

The song has been sampled frequently in hip hop and R&B songs over the years^[2], including:

• "Shelton-D Is Outstanding" by Shelton-D (1988)
• "Outstanding" by Rob Base (1989)
• "Don't Do It" by Richie Rich (2) (1990)
• "True to the Game: by Ice Cube (1991)
• "Typical Reasons (Swing My Way) (Remix)" by Prince Markie Dee (1992)
• "Blow Your Mind" by Redman (1992)
• "I'm Outstanding" by Shaquille O'Neal (1993)
• "Summer Bunnies" by R. Kelly (1993)
• "Da B Side" by Da Brat feat. Notorious B.I.G. and Jermaine Dupri (1994)
• "U Blow My Mind" by Blackstreet (1994)
• "I Belong to You (Rollerskate Radio Mix)" by Toni Braxton (1994)
• "Every Little Thing I Do" by Soul for Real (1995)
• "Boy You Knock Me Out" by Tatyana Ali feat. Will Smith (1998)
• "Happy (I'm So Happy Remix)" by Ashanti feat. Charli Baltimore, D.O. Cannon, & Young Merc (2002)
• "Best Thing I Never Had (Lil' Jon & DJ Kontrol Remix)" by Beyoncé Knowles feat. Shawty Putt (2011)

Kid Rock covered the song on his Live Trucker album.

Chart positions

References