The song, “I’m Every Woman”, was originally recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978

Songwriters and singers Nickolas Ashford (1941-2011) and Valerie Simpson (b.1946) wrote the disco classic “I’m Every Woman” for then, unknown singer Chaka Khan (b.1953). It was recorded as her debut single and released in September 1978 peaking at No.21 on the Billboard singles chart and No.11 in the UK. It was released elsewhere in the world in 1979 and charted top twenty in most territoires.

A remix by D-Mob’s Danny Poku was issued in 1989, this time making No.8 in the UK as well as becoming more successful throughout Europe.

In 1992, Whitney Houston recorded and expanded the song for the soundtrack to her debut film, ‘The Bodyguard’, adding the opening line “Whatever you want, whatever you need…”. Released as the second single in January 1993, her Clivilles and Cole produced version followed in the footsteps of her mighty chart topper, “I Will Always Love You”. It made the top ten in most countries, reaching No.4 in both the UK and the US, where it sold over a million copies.

But whose version is the best? CHAKA’s original or WHITNEY’s cover?

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