"I Didn't Know My Own Strength" is a song performed by American singer

Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "The Voice", she is one of the bestselling music artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide. Houston in ...

, taken from her seventh studio album '' I Look to You'' (2009). The song was written by Houston and

Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has received several awards including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three ''Billboard'' Music Awards and an Honorary Academy Award. Wa ...

, 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 "Million Dollar Bill" is a song performed by American recording artist Whitney Houston from her seventh studio album, '' I Look to You'' (2009). It was released as the official worldwide lead (second in the US) single from the album on August 1 ...

". However, the song was released on November 6, 2009 as a promotional single. Her live performance on ''

The Oprah Winfrey Show ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', often referred to as ''The Oprah Show'' or simply ''Oprah'', is an American daytime broadcast syndication, syndicated talk show that aired nationally for 25 seasons from September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011, in Chicag ...

'' was included in her 2014 live album, '' Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances''. The official lyric video was released on March 7, 2023.

Critical reception

When reviewing the album, ''

Digital Spy Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television programmes, ...

'' described the song along with the title track "the album's pair of classic Whitney ballads."

Background

Though never officially released, the song was leaked to the Internet. However, music mogul

Clive Davis Clive Jay Davis (born April 4, 1932) is an American record producer, A&R executive, record executive, and lawyer. He has won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer, in 2000. From 1967 to 1 ...

said at the album's official launch party in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

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 "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 "

" (the second U.S. release) became the international lead single. Houston performed the song on

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 Rauhofer Peter Rauhofer (29 April 1965 – 7 May 2013) was an Austrian-American disc jockey (DJ), remixer and producer who formerly worked under the moniker Club 69 as well as Size Queen. A native of Vienna, Austria, he was famous for a variety of his re ...

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 Daddy's Groove are an Italian house band formed by Carlo Grieco and Peppe Folliero. Based in Naples, Daddy's Groove have co-produced and remixed for artists such as Axwell, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sia, Nicki Minaj, Celine Dion, Bruno Mars, ...

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

Charts

References

{{authority control 2000s ballads 2009 songs 2009 singles Whitney Houston songs Songs written by Diane Warren Contemporary R&B ballads Song recordings produced by David Foster Songs written by Whitney Houston