I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Whitney Houston song)
Encyclopedia
"I Didn't Know My Own Strength" is song performed by American R&B-pop
singer Whitney Houston
, taken from her much anticipated seventh studio album I Look to You
(2009).
The song was written by award-winning writer Diane Warren
and produced by David Foster
, both of whom have written and produced for Houston before. The song was originally supposed to proceed the album's UK release on August 31, 2009 and U.S. release on September 1, 2009 but was cancelled in favor of "I Look to You
" and "Million Dollar Bill
".
described the song along with the title track "the album's pair of classic Whitney ballads".
said at the album's official launch party in London
that all of the tracks on the album remain unfinished. The song's release was originally confirmed by Diane Warren who told Vibe Magazine she had penned the single especially for Houston, and it would be released as the first single. At the album listening parties, Davis said the album track "Calling You Tonight" was a candidate for the lead single. Following previous reports, this led to speculation that "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" would receive a limited release to generate buzz for the album, whilst a different song will be fully promoted and released to propel the album's release. Title song "I Look to You
" was released as the U.S. lead single whilst "Million Dollar Bill
" (the second U.S. release) became the international lead single. Houston performed the song on the Oprah Winfrey Show on September 15, 2009 and live on the 2009 American Music Awards broadcast.
Note
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, taken from her much anticipated seventh studio album I Look to You
I Look to You
I Look to You is the seventh studio album by American R&B-pop singer Whitney Houston. It was first released on August 28, 2009 through Sony Music in Europe, then August 31, 2009 with Arista Records in the United States before being released by RCA Records in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2009...
(2009).
The song was written by award-winning writer Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
and produced by David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
, both of whom have written and produced for Houston before. The song was originally supposed to proceed the album's UK release on August 31, 2009 and U.S. release on September 1, 2009 but was cancelled in favor of "I Look to You
I Look to You (song)
"I Look to You" is a pop-soul song performed by American R&B-pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from seventh studio album also titled I Look to You...
" and "Million Dollar Bill
Million Dollar Bill
"Million Dollar Bill" is a song performed by American R&B and pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from her seventh studio album titled I Look to You which samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger" from Holloway's 1976 debut LP...
".
Critical reception
When reviewing the album Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
described the song along with the title track "the album's pair of classic Whitney ballads".
Background
Though never officially released, UK columnist Lizzie Smith reported in the The Daily Mail the song had been leaked to the internet prior to its official release date. However, music mogul Clive DavisClive Davis
Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975...
said at the album's official launch party in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
that all of the tracks on the album remain unfinished. The song's release was originally confirmed by Diane Warren who told Vibe Magazine she had penned the single especially for Houston, and it would be released as the first single. At the album listening parties, Davis said the album track "Calling You Tonight" was a candidate for the lead single. Following previous reports, this led to speculation that "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" would receive a limited release to generate buzz for the album, whilst a different song will be fully promoted and released to propel the album's release. Title song "I Look to You
I Look to You (song)
"I Look to You" is a pop-soul song performed by American R&B-pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from seventh studio album also titled I Look to You...
" was released as the U.S. lead single whilst "Million Dollar Bill
Million Dollar Bill
"Million Dollar Bill" is a song performed by American R&B and pop recording artist Whitney Houston, from her seventh studio album titled I Look to You which samples R&B singer Loleatta Holloway's "We're Getting Stronger" from Holloway's 1976 debut LP...
" (the second U.S. release) became the international lead single. Houston performed the song on the Oprah Winfrey Show on September 15, 2009 and live on the 2009 American Music Awards broadcast.
Track listing
Due to the popularity of the song a remix-EP was released alongside remixes for the two official singles on November 6, 2009.- I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Peter RauhoferPeter RauhoferPeter Rauhofer is a DJ, remixer and producer who formerly went under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. A native of Vienna, Austria, he is famous for his remixes of a number of Madonna's songs including "Nothing Really Matters", "American Life", "Nothing Fails, "Nobody Knows Me", "Get...
Radio Edit) 3:04 - I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Peter Rauhofer Mixshow) 5:15
- I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Radio Mix) 3:11
- I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Mixshow) 5:19
- I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Club Mix) 7:23
Note
- The Peter Rauhofer Mixshow remix of the song was featured as the U.S. iTunesITunes StoreThe iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
pre-order bonus track.
Charts
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|