I'm your baby tonight

I'm Your Baby Tonight is the third studio album by American pop/R&B singer Whitney Houston; released by Arista Records on November 6, 1990. Following the run of this album, Houston continued to achieve widespread commercial success throughout the 1990s, venturing heavily into films—while continuing to record via their adjoining soundtrack albums. Subsequently, I'm Your Baby Tonight would not be followed up with another studio album until 1998's My Love Is Your Love.

Studio album by Whitney Houston
Released November 6, 1990
Recorded January - August 1990
Genre R&B, Pop, Adult Contemporary, New Jack Swing
Length 53:51
Label Arista
Producer L.A. Reid & Babyface,
Whitney Houston,
Michael Masser,
Ricky Minor,
Luther Vandross,
Narada Michael Walden,
Stevie Wonder

Professional reviews
Allmusic link
Entertainment Weekly (D+) link
Q link
Rolling Stone link
Smash Hits (5/10)[1]
Time (Positive) link
Whitney Houston chronology
Whitney
(1987) I'm Your Baby Tonight
(1990) My Love Is Your Love
(1998)

Singles from I'm Your Baby Tonight
"I'm Your Baby Tonight"
Released: October 2, 1990
"All The Man That I Need"
Released: December 4, 1990
"Miracle"
Released: April 16, 1991
"My Name Is Not Susan"
Released: July 21, 1991
"I Belong to You"
Released: October 18, 1991
"We Didn't Know"
Released: April 14, 1992

Production history

Like many artists, Houston's previous efforts featured material mostly chosen by the label. With this project, however, she had more control over the album's content. In addition to working with the previous producers of Narada Michael Walden and Michael Masser, she also worked with the production team of L.A. Reid and Babyface, as well as singer Luther Vandross, and did a collaboration with Stevie Wonder. Houston would also produce the song "I'm Knockin'," with tour music director Ricky Minor. Stylistically, the album was a mixture of Contemporary R&B, Pop and Adult Contemporary.

Reception

I'm Your Baby Tonight debuted at number twenty-two on the Billboard 200 albums chart, the issue dated November 24, 1990. The album peaked at number three and remained on the chart for fifty-one weeks.[2] Also, it debuted at number ten on the billboard Top R&B Hip-Hop Albums chart[3] and reached number one the issue dated December 22, 1990[4], staying on the top for non-consecutive eight weeks and was on the chart for a total of fifty-three weeks. The album spun off four top twenty pop singles: the chart topping the title track and "All the Man That I Need," the top ten "Miracle," as well as "My Name Is Not Susan." A fifth single, "I Belong to You," became a top ten R&B single, and garnered Houston a Grammy-nomination for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance." Included on the tracklisting of the albums Japanese edition is a cover of Stevie Winwood's "Higher Love" and "Takin a Chance," the latter became a chart topping single in Japan.
The album was certified 4x platinum in the US by the RIAA, and to date the album has sold approximately ten million copies worldwide.

Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" L.A. Reid, Babyface L.A. Reid and Babyface 5:01
2. "My Name Is Not Susan" Eric Foster White L.A. Reid and Babyface 4:40
3. "All The Man That I Need" Dean Pitchford, Michael Gore Narada Michael Walden 4:11
4. "Lover For Life" Sam Dees Narada Michael Walden 4:49
5. "Anymore" L.A. Reid, Babyface L.A. Reid and Babyface 4:24
6. "Miracle" L.A. Reid, Babyface L.A. Reid and Babyface 5:42
7. "I Belong to You" Derek Bramble, Franne Gold Narada Michael Walden 5:32
8. "Who Do You Love" Luther Vandross, Hubert Eaves III Luther Vandross 3:56
9. "We Didn't Know" (Duet with Stevie Wonder) Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder 5:32
10. "After We Make Love" Michael Masser, Gerry Goffin Michael Masser 5:06
11. "I'm Knockin'" Rhett Lawrence, Benjamin Winans, Ricky Minor Whitney Houston and Ricky Minor 4:58
[show]Japanese Edition (Bonus Track)
Additional notes
Executive Producer: Clive Davis

Singles

I'm Your Baby Tonight (U.S. #1)
All The Man That I Need (U.S. #1)
Miracle (U.S. #9)
My Name Is Not Susan (U.S. #20)
I Belong to You (U.S. R&B #10)
We Didn't Know (with Stevie Wonder) (U.S. R&B #20)
Takin' A Chance (Japan #1)

Promotions and appearances

Date Title Details
December 11, 1990 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
(Guest Host: Jay Leno)
Musical guest; performance: "All the Man That I Need" and "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
February 23, 1991 Saturday Night Live
Musical guest; performance: "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and "All the Man That I Need."
March 31, 1991 Welcome Home Heroes
with Whitney Houston
Houston performed for the troops, their families and military and government dignitaries in honor of those returning home from the Persian Gulf War.[5]
This exclusive one-time-only event was her first-ever solo televised live concert on HBO.[6]
Set-list was almost the same as the I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour's.
May 12, 1991 The Simple Truth:
A Concert for Kurdish Refugees
This five-hour telethon broadcast in 36 countries which raised $15 million. The main concert was staged at Wembley Arena, with five satellite sites beaming concerts from around the world.[7]
Houston allowed MTV to simulcast her performances of "My Name Is Not Susan", "Miracle" and "Greatest Love of All" at her Oakland, California concert during a telethon held to aid the Kurds.
June 23, 1991 Coca Cola Pop Music
Backstage Pass to Summer
A Fox's TV special hosted by Cher, which previewed the Summer 1991 music scene.[8][9]
It was aired to Whitney's "I'm Your Baby Tonight" live performance at Greensboro Coliseum on June 16, during I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour.
February 16, 1992 Muhammad Ali's 50th Birthday Celebration
This event was taped at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on February 16, 1992, aired on ABC on March 1, 1992.[10][11]
She dedicated "Greatest Love of All" to Muhammad Ali, which was the theme of 1977 film The Greatest about the life of him and later joined "You've Got a Friend" with Diana Ross & other celebrities at the end of the show.
May 6, 1992 Whitney Houston: This Is My Life
It was her first hourlong TV special aired on ABC on May 6, 1992.[12]
This special included eight edited live performances in A Coruña, Spain during I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour on September 29, 1991 as well as her two live performances during rehearsals for that tour, "This Day" and "Greatest Love of All".
She talked about her musical and personal life with behind-the-scenes view of world tour. Her co-star, Kevin Costner in the movie The Bodyguard, her parents Cissy Houston and John Houston appeared to talk about Whitney Houston.

Chart positions
Chart(s) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[13] 10
Austrian Albums Chart[14] 2
Canadian Albums Chart[15] 12
German Albums Chart[16] 3
Japanese Oricon Albums Chart[17] 6
New Zealand Albums Chart[18] 19
Norwegian Albums Chart[19] 5
Swedish Albums Chart[20] 3
Swiss Albums Chart[21] 2
UK Albums Chart[22] 4
U.S. Billboard 200[23] 3
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[24] 1

Certifications
Region Provider Certification
(sales thresholds)
Austria IFPI Platinum[25]
Canada CRIA Platinum[26]
Finland IFPI Gold[27]
Germany BVMI Platinum[28]
Japan RIAJ 2× Platinum
Netherlands NVPI Platinum[29]
Sweden IFPI Platinum[30]
Switzerland 2× Platinum[31]
United Kingdom BPI Platinum[32]
United States RIAA 4× Platinum[33]

Singles - Billboard (U.S.)
Year Single Chart Peak
position
1990 "All the Man That I Need" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
The Billboard Hot 100 1
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" Adult Contemporary 7
Hot Dance Music/Club Play 17
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 1
The Billboard Hot 100 1
1991 "All the Man That I Need" Adult Contemporary 1
"I Belong to You" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 10
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" Adult Contemporary 12
"Miracle" Adult Contemporary 4
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 2
The Billboard Hot 100 9
"My Name Is Not Susan" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 8
The Billboard Hot 100 20
1992 "We Didn't Know" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks 20

Chart procession and succession
Preceded by
Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Emby M.C. Hammer
Do Me Again by Freddie Jackson Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart number-one album
December 22, 1990 – February 1, 1991
March 9, 1991 – March 22, 1991 Succeeded by
The Future by Guy
Business As Usual by EPMD
Preceded by
Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year
1991 Succeeded by
Forever My Lady by Jodeci

American Black Achievement Awards
The Music Award is for the most creative and enduring contribution by a performer in live appearances or as a recording artist. Houston was presented this award for her achievements as an award-winning recording, performing and video artist, for her successful I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour, for her best-selling video and single of "The Star-Spangled Banner" performed at Super Bowl XXV and for her her multi platinum album, I'm Your Baby Tonight.[34]
Year Nominated work Award Result
1991 Whitney Houston (herself) The Music Award[34] Won

American Music Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1992 Whitney Houston (herself) Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist[35] Nominated
Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist[35] Nominated
I'm Your Baby Tonight Favorite Soul/R&B Album[35] Nominated
Whitney Houston (herself) Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist[35] Nominated
I'm Your Baby Tonight Favorite Adult Contemporary Album[35] Nominated

Billboard Music Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1991 Whitney Houston (herself) Top Album Artists - Female[36][37] Nominated
Top Pop Singles Artist[36][37] Nominated
Top Pop Singles Artist - Female[36][37] Nominated
Top R&B Artist #1[36][37] Won
I'm Your Baby Tonight Top R&B Album #1[36][37] Won
Whitney Houston (herself) Top R&B Album Artist #1[36][37] Won
Top R&B Singles Artist #1[36][37] Won
"All the Man That I Need" Top Adult Contemporary Single[36][37] Nominated

BRIT Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1991 Whitney Houston (herself) Best International Female Artist[38] Nominated
[edit]Grammy Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1991 "I'm Your Baby Tonight" Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female[39] Nominated
1992 "All the Man That I Need" Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female[39] Nominated
1993 "I Belong to You" Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female[40] Nominated

NAACP Image Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1992 HBO Presents Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston Outstanding Variety Series or Special[41] Nominated
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" Outstanding Female Artist[42] Nominated

The CableACE Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1992 HBO Presents Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston Performance in a Music Special or Series[43] Won
Music Special[43] Nominated

Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Awards
Year Date Title Format(s) Award Description(s) Result(s)
1990 November 27 "I'm Your Baby Tonight" Single Gold[44] Won
1991 January 15 I'm Your Baby Tonight Album Gold[44] Won
I'm Your Baby Tonight Album Platinum[44] Won
I'm Your Baby Tonight Album 2× Multi-Platinum[44] Won
March 21 "All the Man That I Need" Single Gold[45] Won
May 2 I'm Your Baby Tonight Album 3× Multi-Platinum[45] Won
1995 April 5 I'm Your Baby Tonight Album 4× Multi-Platinum[46] Won

Soul Train Music Awards
Year Nominated work Award Result
1992 I'm Your Baby Tonight Best R&B/Soul Album, Female[47] Nominated
"All the Man That I Need" Best R&B/Soul Single, Female[47] Nominated

Billboard Magazine Year-End Charts
Categories which Houston was ranked #1, were excluded. See above awards list if you want to know her #1-ranked-categories.
Year Category Work Position
1991
[48] Top Pop Artists total six charted singles & albums #6
Top Albums I'm Your Baby Tonight #10
Top Album Artists one charted album #11
Top Album Artists - Female one charted album #3
Top Pop Singles "All the Man That I Need" #16
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" #42
Top Pop Singles Artists five charted singles #3
Top Pop Singles Aritsts - Female five charted singles #2
Top R&B Sinlges "All the Man That I Need" #18
"Miracle" #24
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" #79
Top Adult Contemporary Singles "All the Man That I Need" #3
"Miracle" #33
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" #50
Top Adult Contemporary Artists five charted singles #6

Personnel

Whitney Houston - vocals, background vocals, vocal arrangements
Walter Afanasieff - keyboard
Tawatha Agee - background vocals
Gerald Albright - saxophone
Skip Anderson - drums, keyboard
Babyface - bass, keyboard, vocals, background vocals, rhythm
Kitty Beethoven - background vocals
Louis Biancaniello - synthesizer, keyboard
Gary Bias - alto saxophone
Vernon "Ice" Black - guitar
Kimberly Brewer - background vocals
Ray Brown - trumpet
Chris Camozzi - guitar
Francisco Centeno - bass
Paulinho Da Costa - percussion
Hubert Eaves III - synthesizer, drums, keyboard
Stephen A. Ferrone - drums
Lynn Fiddmont - background vocals
Kenny G - saxophone
Jerry Hey - strings
Dorian Holley - background vocals
Cissy Houston - background vocals
Paul Jackson Jr. - guitar
Skyler Jett- background vocals
Keith John - background vocals
Melisa Kary - background vocals
Kayo - bass
Randy Kerber - strings, keyboard
Ren Klyce - synthesizer
Robbie Kondor - strings, keyboard, rhythm
Neil Larsen - Hammond organ
Ricky Lawson - synthesizer, percussion, drums
Wayne Linsey - piano
Frank Martin - piano, keyboard, vibraphone
Paulette McWilliams - background vocals
Jason Miles - synthesizer
Ricky Minor - synthesizer, bass, horn, background vocals, rhythm, synthesizer bass
Billy Myers - horn
Rafael Padilla - percussion
Donald Parks - synthesizer, keyboard
L.A. Reid - percussion, drums, vocals, rhythm
Claytoven Richardson - background vocals
Tom Scott - saxophone
Michael "Patches" Stewart - trumpet
Annie Stocking - background vocals
Steve Tavaglione - horn, tenor saxophone
Jeanie Tracy - background vocals
Luther Vandross - vocals
Narada Michael Walden - bass, drums
David Ward II - synthesizer
Bill Washer - guitar
Kirk Whalum - saxophone, tenor saxophone
Brenda White-King - background vocals
BeBe Winans - background vocals
CeCe Winans - background vocals
Stevie Wonder - vocals, multiple instruments
Reggie C. Young - trombone

Production

"I'm Your Baby Tonight", "My Name Is Not Susan", "Anymore" & "Miracle" produced by L.A. Reid & Babyface for LaFace Inc.
Recorded By Jon Gass, Barney Perkins; Additional Engineering By Donnell Sullivan, Ryan Dorn, Jim Zumpano
Production coordination: Cynthia Ahiloh, Marsha Burns, Susanne Edgren, Janice Lee, Cynthia Shiloh, Kevin Walden, Gar Wood
Project coordinator: Stephanie Andrews
Sound design: Robert A. Arbittier
Programming: Louis Biancaniello, Ren Klyce, Ricky Lawson, Jason Miles, David Ward II
Drum programming: Hubert Eaves III
Keyboard programming: Skip Anderson, Hubert Eaves III, Donald Parks
Arrangers: John Anderson, Babyface, Hubert Eaves III, Hey, Whitney Houston, Randy Kerber, Robbie Kondor, Ricky Minor, Billy Myers, L.A. Reid, Steve Tavaglione, Luther Vandross, Narada Michael Walden, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder
Horn arrangements: Ricky Minor, Billy Myers, Steve Tavaglione
Rhythm arrangements: Babyface, Ricky Minor, L.A. Reid
String arrangements: Jerry Hey
Vocal arrangement: Babyface, Whitney Houston, L.A. Reid, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder
Art direction: Susan Mendola
Photography: Andrea Blanch, Tim White
Lettering: Bernard Maisner
Make-up: Kevyn Aucoin, Patrick Poussard
Stylist: Barbara Dente
Hair stylist: Ellen La Var