The Greatest Love of All

Greatest Love of All is a song by Michael Masser (music) and Linda Creed (lyrics), first recorded by George Benson in 1977. It became a huge hit in Whitney Houston's version in the spring of 1986.

History

In 1977, Creed and Masser wrote the song for Muhammad Ali's film biopic I Am the Greatest. The song, sung by George Benson, can be heard in the film's opening credits. In the song's lyrics, Creed processed her illness with breast cancer. Shortly before Whitney Houston's version reached the top of the US charts, Linda Creed succumbed to the disease at the age of 36.

Whitney Houston's version was released worldwide on March 14, 1986. It became a number one hit in the US, Canada and Australia. In addition to its success on the Billboard Hot 100, the song also made it to the top of the AC charts. The song stayed at No. 1 on the U.S. charts for three weeks, making it Houston's second-longest chart success after I Will Always Love You. It was also her third consecutive No. 1, making Houston the first female artist to reach No. 1 with three singles from one album. For Greatest Love of All, Whitney Houston received an American Music Award and a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.

The song, which is just under five minutes long, was released as the fifth single from Houston's debut album Whitney Houston. This album and thus also the single were produced in New York's Sigma Sound Studios. The B-side features the track Thinking About You. Originally, Clive Davis, founder and president of Houston's record label Arista Records and executive producer of the album, was against the re-recording of the song, but was able to be swayed by Houston and Masser. Greatest Love of All was initially released only as a B-side to Houston's first single, You Give Good Love, which reached No. 3 on the U.S. charts. After the song was eventually re-released as the sixth and final single from her debut album, it became the album's biggest chart success.

The song was recorded by a whole host of other artists, including Shirley Bassey.

Music video

The music video was directed by Peter Israelson and shot at the Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York City. Among others, Houston's mother Cissy Houston also plays. In the video, Whitney Houston sings the song in front of an audience, recalling winning a talent contest as a child.