THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

228-Chaka Khan-I’m Every Woman.

1978-Number 11 single.

Best Bit-At 2.52.’Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka Khan, let me rock you Chaka Khan, that’s all I wanna do. Chaka Khan let me rock you, let me feel for you.’

Chaka Khan (see also best songs 703 and 85) was born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23rd, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, at the age of 13 she was given the name ‘Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi by a leader of the ‘Yoruba’ people of West Africa. She took the name ‘Khan’ in 1970, when marrying Hassan Khan at the age of 17. Chaka Khan first found success as a member of the American Funk band ‘Rufus,’ which she joined in 1972. The group came to the attention of Ike Turner, (1931-2007) (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) with whom Rufus made their first recordings, Turner wanted Chaka Khan to become an ‘Ikette,’ but she refused, stating that she was ‘Really happy to stay with Rufus, but Ike’s attention was certainly a boost.’

Although still officially a member of Rufus, Chaka Khan launched her solo career in 1978 with the release of her debut studio Album ‘Chaka,’ from where her debut solo single ‘I’m Every Woman’ was taken. The song was written by the husband and wife songwriting team of Nickolas Ashford (1941-2011) and Valerie Simpson, (see also best songs 703-359 and 28) who had their greatest success as staff writers at Motown Records in the mid 1960’s, and early 1970’s. They have also had a long career as recording artists themselves, releasing 13 studio Albums between 1973-1996, and 47 singles between 1964-2001, with their best known hit single being ‘Solid’ from 1984, which reached Number 3 in the UK, and Number 12 in America, Valerie Simpson has also recorded three solo Albums in 1971-1972 and 2012.

In 1989 ‘I’m Every Woman’ was remixed for Chaka Khan’s remix Album ‘Life Is a Dance; The Remix Project,’ and when released as a single it made Number 8 in the UK. In 1992 Whitney Houston (1963-2012) (see also best songs 704) recorded ‘I’m Every Woman’ for the soundtrack Album for the film ‘The Bodyguard,’ it made Number 4 in America, and Number 4 also in the UK, as a tribute to Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston sings Chaka Khan’s name towards the end of the song. On the original recording of ‘I’m Every Woman’ back in 1978, Whitney’s mother Cissy Houston had sang backing vocals.

‘I’m Every Woman’ is a song about a confident strong woman who knows how to take care of her man, supporting him,and making him a better person, the lyrics were written by Nickolas Ashford. In 2021 Chaka Khan re-recorded the song as a duet with the American actress and singer Idina Menzel in honour of ‘International Women’s Day, Menzel has said of the song,’I think it’s about sisterhood. Often society tries to get us to compete and tear each other down. It’s about holding each other up, and giving each other an opportunity to be heard and to be seen.”

‘I can cast a spell, of secrets you can’t tell. Mix a special brew, put fire inside of you. Anytime you feel danger or fear, then instantly I will appear.’