I'm Every Woman

"I'm Every Woman"
Standard artwork (US edition pictured)
Single by Chaka Khan
from the album Chaka
Released September 1978
Format
Recorded 1978
Genre Disco
Length
  • 4:07 (album version)
  • 3:42 (single edit)
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Arif Mardin
Chaka Khan singles chronology
"I'm Every Woman"
(1978)		 "Life Is a Dance"
(1978)

"I'm Every Woman" is a song by American singer Chaka Khan from her debut solo studio 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 8 in the United Kingdom. American singer Whitney Houston would later cover the song in 1992 with production by David Cole and Robert Clivillés and vocals produced by Narada Michael Walden, turning it into a dance hit for a new generation.

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.

Charts

Chart (1978) Peak
position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[3] 11
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 21
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[2] 30
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[5] 1
Chart (1979) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 37
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 20
Ireland (IRMA)[8] 16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] 15
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[10] 18
Chart (1989) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 20
Ireland (IRMA)[8] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12] 9
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13] 8

Credits and personnel

Whitney Houston version

"I'm Every Woman"
Standard artwork (U.S. edition)
Single by Whitney Houston
from the album The Bodyguard
B-side "Who Do You Love"
Released January 2, 1993
Format
Recorded March – May 1992
Genre
Length 4:47
Label Arista
Songwriter(s)
  • Nickolas Ashford
  • Valerie Simpson
Producer(s)
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"I Will Always Love You"
(1992)		 "I'm Every Woman"
(1993)		 "I Have Nothing"
(1993)
Music video
"I'm Every Woman" on YouTube

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. It was released as Houston's second single from the soundtrack in January 1993. Her version adds the introduction "Whatever you want, whatever you need..." where Houston contributed to the song. A live performance 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.[14]

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,[15] reached number five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,[16] 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.[17]

As a tribute to Chaka Khan, Houston proclaims Khan's name towards the end of the song.

Critical reception

Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote: "Though not as exuberantly sexy as the original, her version of Chaka Khan's 1978 hit, "I'm Every Woman," is a respectable imitation."[18] AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the song: "especially her cover of "I'm Every Woman" are all first-rate urban pop songs that skillfully capture Houston at her best."[19] Entertainment Weekly's Amy Linden praised the cover: "Just as triumphant is her tackling of Chaka Khan's signature tune, I'm Every Woman. 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."[20] Rolling Stone called this rendition overwrought remake and that Whitney undermined her soul roots.[21] A review on CD Universe is also a positive one: "Houston continues to mine her rich vein of ornate balladry and pop-flavored dance workouts on the Ashford & Simpson original "I'm Every Woman."[22] USA Today praised the song too: "She adds surprises: Chaka Khan's I'm Every Woman becomes sweaty house music."[23]

Music video

The music video 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 labelmates 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.

Track listings and formats

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
  • 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

Charts and certifications

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[68] and an instrumental rendition used as the theme song. Girls Aloud covered "I'm Every Woman" on the UK Discomania album released in 2004.[69] In 2006, it was recorded in the fifth season of American Idol by Mandisa, and put on the album American Idol Season 5: Encores.[70] From 2012–13, the song was covered by Heather Headley in The Bodyguard Musical. Country pop singer and songwriter Taylor Swift also recorded the song when she was trying to get a record label.[71]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 321.
  2. 1 2 Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 144.
  3. ↑ "Chaka Khan: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  4. ↑ "Chaka Khan Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. ↑ "Chaka Khan Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  6. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). Sydney: Australian Chart Book. p. 165. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  8. 1 2 3 "Application error (Rails)". Archived from the original on July 21, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  10. ↑ "Charts.nz – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman". Top 40 Singles.
  11. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman (Remix)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  12. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Chaka Khan – I'm Every Woman (Remix)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  13. ↑ UK Singles Chart
  14. ↑ Andy Kellman. "Live: Her Greatest Performances". AllMusic.
  15. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 124.
  16. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 263.
  17. ↑ Holt, Lester. "Chaka Khan: Whitney like a sister". NBC Today Show. NBC. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  18. ↑ "RECORD BRIEF". The New York Times. December 20, 1992.
  19. ↑ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Bodyguard [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]". AllMusic.
  20. ↑ "The Bodyguard (soundtrack) - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  21. ↑ Whitney Houston: Album Guide | Rolling Stone Music
  22. ↑ "Bodyguard".
  23. ↑ "The Bodyguard Soundtrack". Archived from the original on October 4, 2011.
  24. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  27. ↑ "RPM (Mar 06, 1993)". RPM. Retrieved 2018-03-09.
  28. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada".
  29. ↑ "Top 10 Denmark" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  30. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  31. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Finland: Otava. p. 161. ISBN 951-1-21053-X.
  32. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Musicline.de – Whitney Houston Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Top 10 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  36. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (26.02.1993 - 04.03.1993)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  37. ↑ "Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman". Top40.nl. Retrieved 2018-03-12.
  38. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Charts.nz – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Top 10 Portugal" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
  41. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. p. 810. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  42. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  43. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  44. ↑ "Whitney Houston: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  45. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  48. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  49. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  50. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  51. ↑ http://wweb.uta.edu/faculty/gghunt/charts/whouston.html
  52. ↑ "ARIA Charts: The ARIA Report week commencing 20 February 2012 - Issue #1147" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in French). Les classement single.
  54. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  55. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Whitney Houston – I'm Every Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  56. ↑ "27 Whitney Houston tracks on course to re-enter Official Singles Chart".
  57. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  58. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1993". Hung Medien. Ultratop. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  59. ↑ "Canadian RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. December 18, 1993. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  60. ↑ "The RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1993". RPM. RPM Music Publications Ltd. collectionscanada.gc.ca. 58 (23). December 18, 1993. ISSN 0315-5994. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  61. ↑ "Single Top 100 over 1993" (PDF). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
  62. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten - Single 1993" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  63. ↑ "Billboard.BIZ". Billboard.BIZ. 1993-12-31. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  64. ↑ "Billboard.BIZ". Billboard.BIZ. 1993-12-31. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  65. ↑ "Billboard.BIZ". Billboard.BIZ. 1993-12-31. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  66. ↑ "BPI Searchable Database". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  67. ↑ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum > Searchable database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  68. ↑ 1993 Oprah Commercial. November 16, 2011 – via YouTube.
  69. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Various-Discomania/release/4448435
  70. ↑ "Various Artists - American Idol Season 5 Encores - Amazon.com Music".
  71. ↑ http://www.celebuzz.com/2009-09-12/taylor-swift-covers-i-m-every-woman
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