"The World's Greatest" is a song written and performed by American
R&B singer
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and sex offender convicted of racketeering and multiple sex offenses.
During his recording career, Kelly sold over 75 million records worldwid ...
. The song was originally featured on the soundtrack to the film ''
Ali
ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib ( ar, عَلِيّ بْن أَبِي طَالِب; 600 – 661 CE) was the last of four Rightly Guided Caliphs to rule Islam (r. 656 – 661) immediately after the death of Muhammad, and he was the first Shia Imam. ...
'', and also appeared on bootleg copies of Kelly's unreleased album, ''Loveland'', which later became a bonus disc to ''
Chocolate Factory''. Released as a single in November 2001, "The World's Greatest" became a hit in Europe, reaching number two in the Netherlands, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in nine other European countries. In the United States, it peaked at number 34 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100.
Reception and awards
The song reached number 31 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart. Its music video, which portrayed Kelly as a boxer, was in heavy rotation on channels like MTV and BET. In the UK, it peaked at number four.
Music video
The music video is directed by
Bille Woodruff. Kelly is a boxer in this video, playing the part of
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century, a ...
, as this song was originally a tribute to him. There is no color in the video except for red, the hue of Kelly's boxing clothes.
Track listings
Australian CD single
# "The World's Greatest" (radio edit)
# "The World's Greatest" (album version)
# "The World's Greatest" (instrumental)
# "I Decided"
European CD single
# "The World's Greatest" (radio edit) – 3:56
# "The World's Greatest" (album version) – 4:36
UK CD single
# "The World's Greatest" (radio edit) – 3:56
# "The World's Greatest" (album version) – 4:36
# "I Decided" – 4:12
UK cassette single
# "The World's Greatest" (album version) – 4:36
# "I Decided" – 4:12
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Release history
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:World's Greatest
2000s ballads
2002 singles
2001 songs
Jive Records singles
Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff
R. Kelly songs
Song recordings produced by R. Kelly
Songs about Muhammad Ali
Songs written by R. Kelly
UK Independent Singles Chart number-one singles