Why Patrick Sings "Simply The Best" To David
James Austin The song Simply The Best has become synonymous with the evolving relationship between Patrick and David throughout the course of Schitt’s Creek.
There's a reason why Patrick sings the 1988 song, "Simply The Best," to David in Schitt's Creek season 4 in what has become known as one of the most emotional scenes in the entire series for the iconic duo. Written by Bonnie Tyler for her studio album, Hide Your Heart, the song makes an appearance three separate times in the Emmy award-winning television series. Dan Levy, co-creator of and actor in Schitt's Creek, has some personal reasons for choosing the song for Patrick to sing to his character, David, which ultimately became synonymous with their ever-evolving relationship.
Schitt's Creek premiered in 2015, and the show quickly garnered praise for its quirky humor, quick-witted cast members, and positive portrayal of LGBTQ+ people. After the Rose family loses their fortune, their only option is to move to the town of Schitt's Creek, a place David's father had purchased for him as a joke. While it takes some time for the Rose family to settle into their new home, David eventually meets Patrick, his future business partner, and husband here. Noah Reid, the actor who plays Patrick in Schitt's Creek, wrote his own cover of "Simply The Best" that he would sing to David in season 4, episode 6, "Open Mic." Not only did Patrick sing this song to David, but David later lip-synched the Tina Turner cover to Patrick, and the Jazzagals sang an a cappella cover at their wedding in Schitt's Creek's series finale.
David and Patrick are very different characters, yet both show enormous character growth and sensitivity to each others' needs throughout the series. In order to convey this point, something the characters could share with each other in an intimate way was needed. Levy revealed (via GQ) that he chose the song because he considers it to be "one of the most beautifully written pop songs in history" and "a lot of people skip over just how profound those lyrics are."
Many associate "Simply The Best" with the upbeat Tina Turner cover. Reid was tasked with arranging his own cover of the song, one that would resonate with his on-screen boyfriend, David. The result was a sweet, heartfelt rendition, with a much slower tempo and sensitive inflection as he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar. Patrick's character puts his best self out there as he performs the piece at an open mic night.
In season 4, episode 9, "The Gesture," David puts aside his own insecurities and lip-syncs the Tina Turner cover of "Simply The Best" for Patrick. David allows himself to be vulnerable in front of someone he cares for, yet Patrick encourages him, creating a safe and trusting space for David. In the series finale, season 6, episode 14, "Happy Ending," the Jazzagals sing an a capella cover of the song for David and Patrick's wedding, a beautiful moment in which the tune helps the series come full circle. "Simply The Best" is much more than just a song that appears every once in a while during the series; it symbolizes the strong relationship that David and Patrick have forged throughout the course of the series.
Levy's attention to detail when crafting the world of Schitt's Creek is something to be commended. What started as an idea to allow Patrick's character to shine evolved into a motif that represented his growing relationship with David. The series finale was indeed a happy ending and one that was punctuated by a memorable tune fans still associate with the couple.
More: Why Schitt's Creek Ended After Season 6 (Was It Cancelled?)