It 's Not Right But It 's Okay - wikipedia It 's Not Right But It 's Okay `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' Single by Whitney Houston from the album My Love Is Your Love Released January 25, 1999 Format CD single 12 '' single Recorded October 1998 Genre R&B Length 4 : 52 4 : 22 ( radio edit ) Label Arista Songwriter ( s ) LaShawn Daniels Rodney Jerkins Fred Jerkins III Isaac Phillips Toni Estes Producer ( s ) Darkchild Whitney Houston singles chronology `` Heartbreak Hotel '' ( 1998 ) `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( 1999 ) `` My Love Is Your Love '' ( 1999 ) Music video `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' on YouTube `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' is a song by American singer Whitney Houston, from her fourth studio album, My Love Is Your Love. It was written by LaShawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins III, Isaac Phillips, Toni Estes, and produced by Darkchild. The song examines a woman confronting her lover about his infidelity. The music video was directed by Kevin Bray. Houston won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for this song. Contents 1 Release 2 Composition 3 Critical reception 4 Chart performance 5 Track listing 6 Charts 6.1 Weekly charts 6.2 Year - end charts 7 Certifications 8 Cover versions 9 See also 10 References 11 External links Release The original Rodney Jerkins production was released, but mainstream radio airplay and sales were given for the Thunderpuss Remix. The remixed version was released on Houston 's 2000 Whitney : The Greatest Hits collection, and the original album version appears on 2007 's The Ultimate Collection. The Johnny Vicious remixes were included on the domestic CD maxi - single of `` Heartbreak Hotel '' as well as the on the import single and are currently available as iTunes downloads. The KCC remix was included on the US version of the `` My Love Is Your Love '' maxi - single and is also available as an iTunes download. Rodney Jerkins ' remixes are the closest to the album version ; Club 69 ( Peter Rauhofer ) also remixed the track for play in the UK. In the US, when it was released as a stand - alone single, the versions that appear are the Rodney Jerkins, Thunderpuss, and Club 69 remixes. There is also a ballad version, entitled `` Smooth Mix ''. Composition `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' is a neo-R&B song. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com, it is written in the key of C minor with a tempo of 130 beats per minute. Houston 's vocals span from G to A ♭ in the song. Critical reception Billboard highlighted this song on Houston 's album. The Baltimore Sun 's J.D. Consodine wrote about the song : `` So when we hear her telling her abusive, less - than - faithful lover off in `` It 's Not Right But It 's Okay, '' we 're not to imagine the lyrics have anything to do with the rumored infidelity of her real - life husband, Bobby Brown. '' Chart Performance It became the album 's third single and peaked at No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on July 3, 1999. The single also peaked at number one on Billboard 's Hot Dance Music / Club Play chart, No. 7 on the top 100 Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The song reached No. 3 in Canada, Iceland and the United Kingdom -- in March 1999, where it stayed in the chart for 15 weeks, becoming a hugely popular radio hit in the country. And in Spain it peaked at No. 1. Track listing `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Rodney Jerkins Smooth Mix ) -- 4 : 30 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Rodney Jerkins Smooth Instrumental ) -- 4 : 30 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Thunderpuss Radio Mix ) -- 4 : 18 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Thunderpuss Club Mix ) -- 9 : 12 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Thunderpuss Dub ) -- 8 : 22 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Thunderpuss Beats ) -- 4 : 40 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Club 69 Radio Mix ) -- 4 : 21 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Club 69 Future Club Mix ) -- 8 : 05 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Club 69 Future Dub ) -- 7 : 52 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Johnny Vicious Radio Mix ) -- 4 : 25 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Johnny Vicious Momentous Mix ) -- 13 : 07 `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' ( Johnny Vicious Dub ) -- 8 : 33 Special bonus cut : `` I Will Always Love You '' ( Hex Hector Club Mix ) -- 9 : 50 Charts Weekly charts Chart ( 1999 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) 88 Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 20 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 40 Brazilian Singles Chart ( ABPD ) 31 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) France ( SNEP ) 21 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 14 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 10 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 12 Iceland ( Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 ) Ireland ( IRMA ) 21 New Zealand ( RIANZ ) 33 Spain ( AFYVE Singles Chart ) Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 12 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 18 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) UK R&B ( Official Charts Company ) US Billboard Hot 100 US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) US Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ( Billboard ) 7 US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) 23 US Rhythmic ( Billboard ) 15 Year - end charts Chart ( 1999 ) Peak position Dutch Singles Chart 85 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 83 Romania ( Romanian Top 100 ) 34 Swedish Singles Chart 83 UK Singles Chart 25 US Billboard Hot 100 44 US Dance / Club - Play Singles 11 US R&B / Hip - Hop Singles 37 Certifications Country ( Provider ) Certification Shipments United Kingdom ( BPI ) Platinum 600,000 United States ( RIAA ) Gold 500,000 Note : A ^ In New Zealand, `` Heartbreak Hotel '' was released as a double A-side single with `` It 's Not Right But It 's Okay '' Cover versions The song was covered by Darren Criss on the hit Fox TV show Glee. Criss ' character, Blaine, was confronting his own ' cheating ' lover in the Whitney Houston tribute special, `` Dance with Somebody ''. It was also covered on the `` Lies '' single and The Mother We Share EP by CHVRCHES. The song was heavily sampled in Mak & Pasteman 's `` It Ai n't Right ''. The song was used as the `` Lip - Sync For the Crown '' song during the Finale of the ninth season of RuPaul 's Drag Race. The last two contestants, Sasha Velour and Peppermint, performed the song 's Thunderpuss Remix as a lip - sync to determine who would be crowned America 's Next Drag Superstar. See also List of number - one singles of 1999 ( Spain ) List of number - one dance singles of 1999 ( U.S. ) References Jump up ^ Out. Here Publishing. May 2000. p. 57. ISSN 1062 - 7928. Jump up ^ Fred, Jerkins III,. `` Whitney Houston `` It 's Not Right But It 's Okay '' Sheet Music - Download & Print ``. www.musicnotes.com. Retrieved 2015 - 10 - 03. Jump up ^ Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 28 November 1998. p. 19. ISSN 0006 - 2510. Jump up ^ `` Talent is true, if lyrics are not Review : Whitney Houston finds a gritty, funky balance on ' My Love. ' But do n't put any words in her mouth. - Baltimore Sun ''. Articles.baltimoresun.com. 1998 - 11 - 18. Retrieved 2014 - 08 - 04. Jump up ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/431329/whitney+houston/chart Jump up ^ Ryan, Gavin ( 2011 ). Australia 's Music Charts 1988 - 2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia : Moonlight Publishing. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Whitney Houston -- It 's Not Right But It 's Okay '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Whitney Houston -- It 's Not Right But It 's Okay '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Jump up ^ `` Brazil '' ( PDF ). ABPD. October 6, 2001. Retrieved April 1, 2014. Jump up ^ Hits of the World : Canadian SoundScan Singles Chart for `` It 's Not Right But It 's Okay ''. Billboard. August 7, 1999. Retrieved April 9, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Whitney Houston -- It 's Not Right But It 's Okay '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Musicline.de -- Houston, Whitney Single - Chartverfolgung '' ( in German ). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- Whitney Houston '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Whitney Houston -- It 's Not Right But It 's Okay '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 ( NR. 324 Vikuna 20.5. - 27.5. 1999 ) '' ( PDF ) ( in Icelandic ). Dagblaðið Vísir. Retrieved July 14, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 2013 - 10 - 18. Retrieved 2014 - 04 - 06. CS1 maint : Archived copy as title ( link ) Jump up ^ `` It 's Not Right But It 's Okay - Chart positions ''. Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 April 2011. Jump up ^ Hits of the World : Spanish AFYVE Singles Chart for `` It 's Not Right But It 's Okay ''. Billboard. April 24, 1999. Retrieved April 8, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Whitney Houston -- It 's Not Right But It 's Okay ''. Singles Top 100. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Whitney Houston -- It 's Not Right But It 's Okay ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010 - 10 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 ''. officialcharts.com. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Dance Club Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Pop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Rhythmic ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved July 12, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten - Single 1999 '' ( in Dutch ). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 2, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Single - Jahrescharts '' ( in German ). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 21, 2018. Jump up ^ `` Romanian Top 100 : Top of the Year 1999 '' ( in Romanian ). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005. Jump up ^ `` Sök alla listor > Årslistor > Välj år 1999 > Visa ! '' ( in Swedish ). Retrieved 2011 - 05 - 28. Jump up ^ http://www.bpi.co.uk/assets/files/yearly%20best%20selling%20singles.pdf%7C British Phonographic Industry Yearly Best Selling Singles 1999. Retrieved Feb 25, 2012 Jump up ^ `` 1999 Billboard Hot 100 ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 31, 1999. Retrieved July 24, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 199 Billboard Hot Dance - Club Play Singles ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 31, 1999. Retrieved July 24, 2011. Jump up ^ `` 1999 Billboard Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Singles & Tracks ''. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 31, 1999. Retrieved July 24, 2011. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Archived September 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` RIAA Certification ''. RIAA.com. Retrieved 2010 - 10 - 06. External links It 's Not Right but It 's Okay at Discogs Whitney Houston Albums discography Singles discography Videography Live performances Awards and nominations List of songs Studio albums Whitney Houston Whitney I 'm Your Baby Tonight My Love Is Your Love Just Whitney... One Wish : The Holiday Album I Look to You Soundtrack albums The Bodyguard The Preacher 's Wife Live albums Whitney Houston Live : Her Greatest Performances Compilation albums Whitney : The Greatest Hits Love, Whitney The Ultimate Collection I Will Always Love You : The Best of Whitney Houston Other releases Whitney : Dancin ' Special I Wish You Love : More from The Bodyguard Concert tours US Summer Tour The Greatest Love World Tour Moment of Truth World Tour Feels So Right Tour I 'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour The Bodyguard World Tour The Pacific Rim Tour The European Tour My Love Is Your Love World Tour Soul Divas Tour Nothing but Love World Tour Concerts and appearances Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston The Concert for a New South Africa Whitney : Brunei The Royal Wedding Celebration Classic Whitney : Live from Washington, D.C. VH1 Divas Live ' 99 Achievements Chart records and achievements Grammy Awards history American Music Awards history Related articles `` Dance with Somebody '' The Bodyguard ( musical ) Being Bobby Brown The Houstons : On Our Own Whitney : Can I Be Me Bobby Brown ( ex-husband ) Bobbi Kristina Brown ( daughter ) Cissy Houston ( mother ) Whitney ( 2015 film ) Whitney ( 2018 film ) Book Portal Whitney Houston singles Whitney Houston `` Hold Me '' `` Thinking About You '' `` You Give Good Love '' `` All at Once '' `` Saving All My Love for You '' `` How Will I Know '' `` Greatest Love of All '' Whitney `` I Wanna Dance with Somebody ( Who Loves Me ) '' `` Did n't We Almost Have It All '' `` So Emotional '' `` Where Do Broken Hearts Go '' `` Love Will Save the Day '' `` I Know Him So Well '' I 'm Your Baby Tonight `` I 'm Your Baby Tonight '' `` All the Man That I Need '' `` Miracle '' `` My Name Is Not Susan '' `` I Belong to You '' `` We Did n't Know '' The Bodyguard `` I Will Always Love You '' `` I 'm Every Woman '' `` I Have Nothing '' `` Run to You '' `` Queen of the Night '' Waiting to Exhale `` Exhale ( Shoop Shoop ) '' `` Count On Me '' `` Why Does It Hurt So Bad '' The Preacher 's Wife `` I Believe in You and Me '' `` Step by Step '' `` My Heart Is Calling '' My Love Is Your Love `` When You Believe '' `` Heartbreak Hotel '' `` It 's Not Right but It 's Okay '' `` My Love Is Your Love '' `` I Learned from the Best '' Whitney : The Greatest Hits `` Could I Have This Kiss Forever '' `` If I Told You That '' `` Fine '' `` Same Script, Different Cast '' Just Whitney... `` Whatchulookinat '' `` One of Those Days '' `` Try It on My Own '' `` Love That Man '' One Wish : The Holiday Album `` One Wish ( for Christmas ) '' I Look to You `` I Look to You '' `` Million Dollar Bill '' Sparkle `` Celebrate '' `` His Eye Is on the Sparrow '' I Will Always Love You : The Best of Whitney Houston `` I Look to You '' Other / featured / promotional singles `` One Moment in Time '' `` It Is n't, It Was n't, It Ai n't Never Gonna Be '' `` The Star Spangled Banner '' `` Something in Common '' `` I Did n't Know My Own Strength '' `` Memories '' Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=It%27s_Not_Right_but_It%27s_Okay&oldid=865230526 '' Categories : 1999 singles Whitney Houston songs Billboard Dance Club Songs number - one singles Song recordings produced by Rodney Jerkins Songs with feminist themes Songs written by Rodney Jerkins Songs written by LaShawn Daniels Songs written by Fred Jerkins III 1998 songs Songs about infidelity Number - one singles in Spain Hidden categories : CS1 Icelandic - language sources ( is ) CS1 maint : Archived copy as title CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 German - language sources ( de ) CS1 Romanian - language sources ( ro ) CS1 Swedish - language sources ( sv ) Webarchive template wayback links Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Belgium ( Flanders ) Singlechart usages for France Singlechart used with missing parameters Singlechart usages for Germany Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Swiss Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Billboarddanceclubplay Singlechart usages for Billboardrandbhiphop Singlechart usages for Billboardpopsongs Singlechart usages for Billboardrhythmic Talk Contents About Wikipedia Français Italiano Português Türkçe Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 22 October 2018, at 16 : 16 ( UTC ). 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Question: whitney houston it's not right but it's okay meaning
Answer: a woman confronting her lover about his infidelity