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"The Best Thing for You (Would Be Me)" was written by Irving Berlin (1888–1989) for the 1950 Broadway musical Call Me Madam, a political satire inspired by Washington socialite Perle Mesta's appointment as Ambassador to Luxembourg. The song was introduced on stage by Ethel Merman in a scene with Paul Lukas.

The tune is a charming, witty love song in a 32-bar form that reflects Berlin's gift for pairing elegant melodies with clever, conversational lyrics. The harmony is graceful and uncluttered, providing a solid foundation for vocal interpretation while leaving room for jazz musicians to add their own harmonic embellishments. It works well as a medium-tempo swing number or as a relaxed ballad, and its sophisticated yet approachable character has made it an appealing choice for jazz vocalists and instrumentalists alike.

Bing Crosby recorded the song in September 1950, producing one of the earliest notable versions outside the show. Merman reprised the number with George Sanders in the 1953 film adaptation of Call Me Madam, further cementing its place in the American songbook.