I'm Every Woman
"I'm Every Woman" | ||||
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![]() Standard picture sleeve (US release pictured)
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Single by Chaka Khan | ||||
from the album Chaka | ||||
B-side | "A Woman in a Man's World" | |||
Released | September 26, 1978 | |||
Recorded | 1978 | |||
Genre | Disco | |||
Length |
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Label | Warner Bros. | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Arif Mardin | |||
Script error: The function "ucfirst" does not exist. singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I'm Every Woman" on YouTube |
"I'm Every Woman" is a song by American singer Chaka Khan, released as her debut solo single from her first album, Chaka (1978). It was Khan's first hit outside her recordings with the funk band Rufus. "I'm Every Woman" was produced by Arif Mardin and written by the successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The single established Chaka's career outside the group Rufus, whom she would leave after their eighth studio album, Masterjam, was released in late 1979.
The track was remixed and re-released in 1989 for Khan's remix album Life Is a Dance: The Remix Project; this mix reached number eight in the United Kingdom. American singer Whitney Houston covered the song in 1992 with production by David Cole and Robert Clivillés and vocals produced by Narada Michael Walden. It was a major hit, peaking at number four on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.
Contents
Chart performance
In the United States, "I'm Every Woman" reached number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100, number one on the Hot Soul Singles,[1] and number thirty on the disco chart.[2] In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number eleven.
Music video
A music video was produced for Khan's version of "I'm Every Woman" at a time when the value of promotional films was increasing. The video, which features five dancing Chakas dressed in various outfits to represent "every woman", was made a few years before the onset of mainstream coverage of "music promos" through such outlets as MTV, VH1, and BET.
Impact and legacy
Rolling Stone ranked "I’m Every Woman" number 27 in their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time" in 2022.[3]
Credits and personnel
- Lead and background vocals by Chaka Khan
- Background vocals by Will Lee and Hamish Stuart
- Produced by Arif Mardin
- Drums by Steve Ferrone
- Bass by Will Lee
- Guitars by Hamish Stuart and Phil Upchurch
- Piano by Richard Tee
- Engineer by James Douglass
Charts
Chart (1978–1979) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] | 27 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] | 20 |
Ireland (IRMA)[6] | 16 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7] | 19 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[8] | 15 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[9] | 18 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[10] | 11 |
US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 21 |
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[2] | 30 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 1 |
Chart (1989) | Peak position |
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Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13] | 20 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[14] | 31 |
Ireland (IRMA)[6] | 7 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[7] | 9 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] | 9 |
UK Singles (OCC)[16] | 8 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI)[17] Sales since November 14, 2004 |
Gold | 400,000 |
xunspecified figures based on certification alone |
Whitney Houston version
"I'm Every Woman" | ||||
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File:Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman.jpg
Standard artwork (U.S. edition)
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Single by Whitney Houston | ||||
from the album The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album | ||||
B-side | "Who Do You Love" | |||
Released | January 2, 1993 | |||
Recorded | August 19, 1992[18] | |||
Studio | Tarpan Studios, San Rafael, CA, Ocean Way | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:47 | |||
Label | Arista | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | ||||
Script error: The function "ucfirst" does not exist. singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"I'm Every Woman" on YouTube |
American singer and actress Whitney Houston recorded "I'm Every Woman" for The Bodyguard soundtrack. Houston's version was produced by Narada Michael Walden, with additional production by David Cole and Robert Clivillés from C+C Music Factory. It was released as Houston's second single from the soundtrack on January 2, 1993, by Arista Records. Her version adds the introduction "Whatever you want, whatever you need..." where Houston contributed to the song. Randee St. Nicholas directed the music video for the song, featuring a pregnant Houston. A live performance of "I'm Every Woman" was included in the 1999 release Divas Live '99 as a duet with Chaka Khan. A 1994 performance was included on the 2014 CD and DVD release, Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances.[19]
Release
When "I'm Every Woman" was released, Houston's preceding single, "I Will Always Love You," was still at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 (it remained there for eight more weeks). Houston's version of "I'm Every Woman" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in just its seventh and eighth week of release; remaining in the top 40 for nineteen weeks. The song became number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart,[20] reached number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[21] and cracked the top 40 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. Houston's cover was also a bigger international hit than the original version as it peaked within the top 5 in the UK and several other countries, and the top 20 in France, Australia, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. Contrary to popular belief, Houston did not perform backing vocals on Khan's original 1978 version. Chaka Khan confirmed this in an interview with Lester Holt in 2012.[22] As a tribute to her, however, Houston proclaims Khan's name towards the end of the song.
Critical reception
AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised Houston's cover version of "I'm Every Woman", stating that it's a "first-rate" urban pop song "that skillfully capture[s] Houston at her best."[23] Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Utilizing the original version's instantly recognizable vocal arrangement, Houston belts with unbridled confidence and power."[24] Randy Clark from Cash Box declared it as a "dance-inspired tune", noting its "discotheque feel and obvious dance floor appeal". He added, "Although Whitney is the strongest aspect of this song, the combination of her voice and the house jam should launch this track high onto various charts and playlists alike."[25] Entertainment Weekly's Amy Linden praised the cover as "triumphant". She explained, "To take on another diva's material requires the female equivalent of cojones, and Houston (wisely) doesn't muck around with the original's overall tone or arrangement. But she sure does it justice, even adding a sly Chaka shout-out as the cut fades."[26]
Alan Jones from Music Week felt the singer "does her best to xerox the performance of Chaka Khan."[27] Nancy Culp from NME said her "Whitney-ed version" is "well over the top and she carries it decently, but lacks the real soul to give it punch."[28] Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote, "Though not as exuberantly sexy as the original, her version [...] is a respectable imitation."[29] A writer from Rolling Stone called it an overwrought remake and added that Whitney undermined her soul roots.[30] USA Today complimented the song, "She adds surprises: Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" becomes sweaty house music."[31]
Music video
The accompanying music video for "I'm Every Woman" was directed by Randee St. Nicholas, and features a very pregnant Houston performing the song, while scenes from The Bodyguard are intercut into the clip. The video also features cameo appearances by Houston's mother Cissy Houston as well as by Chaka Khan, Valerie Simpson, Martha Wash and labelmate TLC. The song won Houston a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video, and received a Grammy Award nomination in 1994 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The video was later made available on Houston's official YouTube channel in 2009 and had generated more than 90 million views as of early 2024.[32]
Track listings and formats
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Credits and personnel
- Performed by Whitney Houston
- Produced by Narada Michael Walden
- Additional production and remix by Robert Clivilles and David Cole
- Vocal arrangement inspired by Chaka Khan
- Additional vocal arrangement and production by Robert Clivilles and David Cole
- Roland TR-909 Programming by Louis Biancaniello, James Alfano and Chauncey Mahan
- Recording engineers – Matt Rohr, Marc Reyburn
- Additional production recording engineers – Acar S. Key, Richard Joseph
- Mixing engineer – Bob Rosa
- Executive producers - Clive Davis, Whitney Houston
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications and sales
Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
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Australia (ARIA)[74] | Gold | 35,000 |
United Kingdom (BPI)[90] | Silver | 200,000 |
United States (RIAA)[91] | Platinum | 1,000,000 |
^shipments figures based on certification alone |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
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United States | January 2, 1993 |
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Arista | [citation needed] |
Sweden | January 11, 1993 | CD | [92] | |
United Kingdom | February 8, 1993 |
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[93] | |
Japan | March 24, 1993 | Mini-CD | [94] |
Other versions
After the popularity of the Whitney Houston version, The Oprah Winfrey Show unveiled its "I'm Every Woman" campaign in the 1993–94 season, using a cover version with remade lyrics in promos[95] and an instrumental rendition used as the theme song. Girls Aloud covered "I'm Every Woman" on the UK Discomania album released in 2004.[96] In 2006, it was recorded in the fifth season of American Idol by Mandisa, and put on the album American Idol Season 5: Encores.[97] Country pop singer and songwriter Taylor Swift also recorded the song when she was trying to get a record label.[98]
See also
- List of number-one R&B singles of 1978 (U.S.)
- List of UK top 10 singles in 1989
- List of number-one dance singles of 1993 (U.S.)
- Top 50 Singles of 1993 (UK)
- List of RPM number-one dance singles of 1993
- Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1993
- List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1993
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. N.B. David Kent's Australian Chart Book 1970–1992, which is often cited for Australian chart peaks prior to mid-1988, contains the wrong peak for this single.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Nederlandse Top 40 – Chaka Khan search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman". Top 40 Singles.
- ↑ "Chaka Khan: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
- ↑ "Chaka Khan – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Chaka Khan.
- ↑ "Chaka Khan – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Chaka Khan.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman (Remix)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman (Remix)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter I'm Every Woman in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 100236." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1741." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ↑ "Top RPM Dance/Urban: Issue 1786." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in French). Les classement single.
- ↑ "Musicline.de – Whitney Houston Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". Top 40 Singles.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". Singles Top 100.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ "Lescharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in French). Les classement single.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ↑ "Whitney Houston – Chart history" Billboard Digital Songs for Whitney Houston.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 74.0 74.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Enter I'm Every Woman in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead YouTube link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- 1978 songs
- 1978 debut singles
- Chaka Khan songs
- Whitney Houston songs
- 1993 singles
- Disco songs
- Songs written by Nickolas Ashford
- Songs written by Valerie Simpson
- American dance-pop songs
- American house music songs
- Songs with feminist themes
- Music videos directed by Bruce Gowers
- Music videos directed by Randee St. Nicholas
- Song recordings produced by Arif Mardin
- Song recordings produced by Narada Michael Walden
- Song recordings produced by Robert Clivillés
- Warner Records singles
- Arista Records singles
- Music Week number-one dance singles