Chaka Khan and Whitney Houston Delivered One of Music’s Most Strongest Anthems

Back in 1978, Chaka Khan released her iconic hit single, “I’m Every Woman,” which quickly became an empowerment anthem. Released under the Warner Bros. label, this disco track marked the Queen of Funk’s first major solo success outside of her band, Rufus, paving the way for future hits like “Ain’t Nobody,” “Through the Fire,” “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me,” and “Higher Love.” Despite her impressive catalog, “I’m Every Woman” — serving as her debut solo single off her self-titled album Chaka — remains the defining song that launched Khan’s solo career. Years later, it would also become a signature anthem for another powerhouse vocalist: Whitney Houston.

Written by songwriting duo Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, “I’m Every Woman” arrived at a time when the disco genre was at its peak, alongside hits like “Le Freak” by Chic, “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, and “Love Hangover” by Diana Ross. But Khan’s single stood out for its empowering message, sparking an anthem for women’s strength, independence, and solidarity. Moreover, since its release, the song has also become a lasting staple in the LGBTQ+ community, resonating deeply to this day. More than two decades later, Houston released her rendition of the song in 1992 as part of The Bodyguard soundtrack, alongside “I Will Always Love You.”

Chaka Khan Empowered, Whitney Houston Inspired a New Generation

Khan’s original version was already iconic as it was. It was both a critical and commercial success, which only further cemented Khan’s legacy. It topped charts in the U.S. and performed strongly internationally. Of course, apart from Khan’s powerful vocal delivery and the song’s infectiously upbeat tone, “I’m Every Woman” has endured through time for its ability to resonate with women across different generations. Lines like “I’m every woman, it’s all in me” serve as a bold declaration of identity, equality, and the celebration of female empowerment. It’s safe to say “I’m Every Woman” wasn’t just Khan’s breakthrough as a solo artist — it was a cultural moment. Then, in 1992, Houston joined the conversation by releasing her version. And, in today’s jargon, both Khan and Houston maximized their joint slay and delivered an iconic performance of the song in 1999, giving the anthem an even more legendary glow with the two women who gave the song life side by side.

Houston’s version of “I’m Every Woman” also became a hit not only in the U.S. but internationally. It wasn’t, by any means, a replacement. It was merely a reintroduction to an already unforgettable song made popular by Khan herself. Though each of their voices holds distinction, they deliver it with their own strengths: Khan’s raw edge with her funk and soul roots shining through, while Houston’s pop-driven powerhouse vocals brought a fresh energy, making it even more appealing to mainstream audiences.

In a 2022 conversation with Jennifer Hudson, Khan admitted that finding comfort in singing “I’m Every Woman” didn’t come to her immediately, though, admittedly, she had been interpreting it differently at the time. “It took me a long, long time to feel some kind of comfort singing something like ‘I’m Every Woman.’ See, I was taking it literally, which was wrong. I was reading it from an insecure place,” said Khan. “Collectively, ‘I’m Every Woman’ and it’s all in me. It took me a while to get comfortable singing that, and I got it. Once I got it, I said, ‘Okay, I understand that it is many women.’ It’s a song that is really talked about in a plural way, in a collective way. We are all every woman, and it’s all in us.”

Over the years, “I’m Every Woman” became more than just a song. It is an enduring anthem for women’s rights and autonomy. Beyond its feminist roots, it has also found a cherished place within the LGBTQ+ community, where it is wholeheartedly embraced for its message of self-love, authenticity, and pride. It has also become a song about inclusion that transcends boundaries, embracing diversity in all its forms. With two legends, Khan and Houston, leaving an indelible mark on the song, “I’m Every Woman” has evolved into a timeless gem — one that will continue to inspire and empower generations to come.