Wikipedia

I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Whitney Houston song)

"I Didn't Know My Own Strength" is a song performed by American singer Whitney Houston, taken from her seventh studio album I Look to You (2009).

"I Didn't Know My Own Strength"
Remix EP download cover
Promotional single by Whitney Houston
from the album I Look to You
ReleasedNovember 6, 2009
Recorded2009
Genre
Length3:44
LabelArista
Songwriter(s)Diane Warren
Producer(s)David Foster
Lyric video
"Whitney Houston - I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Official Lyric Video)" on YouTube

The song was written by Diane Warren, and produced by David Foster, both of whom have written and produced for Houston before. The song was originally supposed to precede the album's U.K. 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".[1][2] However, the song was released on November 6, 2009 as a promotional single.

Her live performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show was included in her 2014 live album, Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances.[3]

The official lyric video was released on March 7, 2023.

Critical reception

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When reviewing the album, Digital Spy described the song along with the title track "the album's pair of classic Whitney ballads."[4]

Background

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Though never officially released, the song was leaked to the Internet. However, music mogul Clive Davis said at the album's official launch party in London that all of the tracks on the album remain unfinished.[5][6][7][8] 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.[9] At the album listening parties, Davis said the album track "Call 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[10][11] and live on the 2009 American Music Awards broadcast.

Track listing

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Due to the popularity of the song, a remix-EP was released alongside remixes for the two official singles on November 6, 2009.[12]

  1. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Peter Rauhofer Radio Edit) – 3:04
  2. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Peter Rauhofer Mixshow) – 5:15
  3. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Radio Mix) – 3:11
  4. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Mixshow) – 5:19
  5. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Club Mix) – 7:23

Charts

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Chart (2009) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[13] 38
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[14] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[15] 44
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[16] 19
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[17] 35
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[18] 17
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 66

References

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  1. ^ "Whitney Officially Confirms Release". Archived from the original on July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  2. ^ "Pre-album launch party". Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  3. ^ "Live: Her Greatest Performances - Whitney Houston | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  4. ^ "Whitney Houston: 'I Look To You' - Music Album Review". Digital Spy. August 31, 2009. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  5. ^ Perry, Simon (July 15, 2009). "Whitney Houston Back in Form for CD Launch - Music News, Clive Davis, Whitney Houston". People.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  6. ^ "Information Not Found". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  7. ^ "The Official Whitney Houston Site". Whitney Houston. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  8. ^ "Album Cover: Whitney Houston – 'I Look to You'". Rap-Up.com. July 15, 2009. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  9. ^ "Dianne Warren Confirms Whitney's new single to VIBE magazine". Archived from the original on April 23, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  10. ^ "Whitney Houston's I Didn't Know My Own Strength - Video". Oprah.com. September 15, 2009. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  11. ^ Franc G. (September 15, 2009). "Whitney Houston I Didn't Know My Own Strength Video Performance On Oprah". Rnbmusicblog.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  12. ^ "I Didn't Know My Own Strength Remixes: Whitney Houston: MP3 Downloads". Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  13. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Whitney Houston". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  14. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [2009/11/18 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  15. ^ "Whitney Houston: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  16. ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  17. ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  18. ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  19. ^ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
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