Schitt's Creek Was Simply The Best Thanks To Tina Turner

Sometimes a song and a piece of fiction become entwined forever, ensuring that fans cannot think about one without the other: think of "Reservoir Dogs" and "Stuck in the Middle With You," "Grosse Point Blank" and "Blister in the Sun," "Shaun of the Dead" and "Don't Stop Me Now." Then there's the Canadian comedy series "Schitt's Creek" and its connection to the late, great Tina Turner's "The Best." The 1989 song is a big, powerful pop-rock anthem that lets Turner really show off her vocal skills, but it also has some beautiful and deeply romantic lyrics. Written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman, the song was first performed by Bonnie Tyler (best known for her rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart"), but Turner's version was the ultimate, and "Schitt's Creek" turned it into something even more special by making it the song that united two people in love.

On "Schitt's Creek," "The Best" is used three separate times over the course of David (Dan Levy) and Patrick's (Noah Reid) relationship, each with its own important meaning. Every couple has "their song," but for these two lovebirds, "The Best" is something even more. Turner has sadly passed on, but she leaves behind a massive legacy that includes one sweet, silly Canadian series and one of the most romantic moments in television history. 

Early on in David and Patrick's relationship, the two were really feeling things out because Patrick had never dated another man before and David wasn't great at adult romantic relationships. Then, in season 4, Patrick serenades David with an acoustic version of "Simply the Best" at their store's big opening party, and it's a beautiful moment. According to an interview Reid gave with the CBC, Levy went to one of Reid's live music performances and decided to put the actor's musical skills to use in the series:

"Shortly after, that script came in. I think the line was, 'Patrick plays a soulful acoustic cover of "Simply the Best."' Dan always thought that song was lyrically beautiful, but such a danceable power anthem the romance didn't get its due."

The episode, directed by "Kids in the Hall" alum Bruce McCulloch, gives the scene plenty of room to breathe, and Patrick's performance feels heartfelt and genuine. The reactions among the audience also feel pretty real, and Reid told CBC that Catherine O'Hara teared up a bit for real. It's a beautiful moment, but the song gets even more potency when David turns the tables on Patrick and lip-syncs the song to him in their store one night. David always had an interesting time expressing himself and his love for Patrick because he didn't want to be embarrassing, but he goes all-out in his lip sync and shows his boyfriend just how much he loves him. It's so sweet I'm getting a bit misty just writing about it, and it's not even the last time or most wonderful time the song gets played. 

The series finale of "Schitt's Creek" is David and Patrick's wedding, and what better song to see them wed than "The Best"? The song plays at their wedding, bringing the story full circle. The couple's relationship feels especially vital at a time when LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged by conservatives and homophobic hatred is on the rise, because they love one another and live in a world where that's celebrated (as it should be). Levy's appreciation of the lyrics helped give the song new life, introducing it to a new generation of fans who may not have been around during its heyday in the late 1980s and early 90s, and potentially even introducing a whole new generation of fans to the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll herself. 

Turner's music has been included in many movies and TV shows — heck, she even sang a Bond theme — but the one that means the most to me and many fans out there is her contribution to a silly little show about a raggedy motel. The combination of Turner's powerful performance, some seriously smart writing, and David and Patrick's love is, well, simply the best.