Outstanding

"Outstanding"
Single by the Gap Band
from the album Gap Band IV
B-side	"The Boys Are Back in Town"
Released	November 1982
Genre	Funk[1]
Length	3:19 (album version) 6:13 (extended version)
Label	Total Experience
Songwriter	Raymond Calhoun
The Gap Band singles chronology
"You Dropped a Bomb on Me" (1982) "Outstanding" (1982) "Party Train" (1983)

"Outstanding" is a song originally performed by American R&B and funk band the Gap Band, written by member Raymond Calhoun. The song originally appeared on the group's 1982 album Gap Band IV. It is one of their signature songs and biggest hits, reaching the number-one spot on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart in February 1983. "Outstanding" also peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.^[2]

Charts

Chart (1982)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)	68
US Billboard Hot 100	51
US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)	1

Kenny Thomas version

"Outstanding"
Single by Kenny Thomas
from the album Voices
Released	1990
Length	3:49
Label	Cooltempo
Songwriter	Raymond Calhoun
Producers	Glen Gunner Richie Fermie
Kenny Thomas singles chronology
"I Wanna Make Love to You Baby" (1988) "Outstanding" (1990) "Thinking About Your Love" (1991)

"Outstanding" was covered by British singer Kenny Thomas in 1990 and released as a single from his debut album, Voices (1990). It reached number nine in Luxembourg, number 12 on the UK Singles Chart and number seven in New Zealand.^[3]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1990)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)	79

Chart (1991)	Peak position
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[4]	9
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[5]	7
UK Singles (OCC)	12
UK Airplay (Music Week)[6]	2
UK Dance (Music Week)[7]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (1990)	Position
UK Club Chart (Record Mirror)[8]	92

Chart (1991)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)[9]	93
UK Club Chart (Record Mirror)[10]	18

Andy Cole version

In 1999, footballer Andy Cole signed to WEA/Warner Music and released his version of "Outstanding" with added rap verses. Cole's version reached number 68 on the UK Singles Chart.^[11]

In popular culture

In late 2024, a highlight reel of Kevin Garnett playing for the Brooklyn Nets during the 2013–14 NBA season set to this song surfaced online. The combination of Garnett's highlights and this song has been used on social media to describe anything or anyone (particularly basketball athletes) that is past their prime.

References

1. La Haine/Métisse - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 223.
3. "Outstanding | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
4. Radio Luxembourg Singles. 3 March 1991.
5. "Kenny Thomas – Outstanding". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
6. "Playlist Chart" (PDF). Music Week. March 23, 1991. p. 20. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
7. "Top 60 Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 26, 1991. p. xii. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
8. "The Record Mirror Year End Club Chart". Record Mirror. Vol. 38, no. 1. January 5, 1991. p. 41. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
9. "1991 Top 100 Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 11, 1992. p. 20. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
10. "The Record Mirror Club Chart 1991" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). January 4, 1992. p. 8. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
11. "ANDY COLE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.

External links

• Outstanding - list of releases at Discogs.