The Greatest Love of All - wikipedia The Greatest Love of All This article is about the popular song. For the Singaporean TV series, see The Greatest Love of All ( TV series ). For the Brazilian film, see The Greatest Love of All ( film ). `` The Greatest Love of All '' One of A-side track labels of the U.S. vinyl release Single by George Benson from the album The Greatest soundtrack B - side `` Ali 's Theme '' Released June 1977 Format 7 '' single Recorded 1977 Genre Smooth jazz R&B soul music Length 5 : 35 ( album version ) 3 : 29 ( edit single version ) Label Arista Songwriter ( s ) Michael Masser Linda Creed Producer ( s ) Michael Masser George Benson singles chronology `` Gonna Love You More '' ( 1977 ) `` The Greatest Love of All '' ( 1977 ) `` On Broadway '' ( 1978 ) `` Gonna Love You More '' ( 1977 ) `` The Greatest Love of All '' ( 1977 ) `` On Broadway '' ( 1978 ) The Greatest soundtrack track listing `` The Greatest Love of All '' ( 1 ) `` I Always Knew I Had It in Me '' ( 2 ) `` The Greatest Love of All '' is a song written by composers Michael Masser ( music ) and Linda Creed ( lyrics ). It was originally recorded in 1977 by American singer and guitarist George Benson, who made the song a substantial hit, peaking at number 2 on the R&B chart that year, the first R&B chart Top Ten hit for Arista Records. The song was written and recorded to be the main theme of the 1977 film The Greatest, a biopic of the boxer Muhammad Ali. Eight years after Benson 's original recording, the song became even more well known for a version by Whitney Houston, whose 1985 cover ( with the slightly amended title `` Greatest Love of All '' ) eventually topped the charts, peaking at number 1 in Australia, Canada, U.S. and on the R&B chart in 1986. The original recording by Benson was released in 1977 in the U.S., Japan, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Brazil, Netherlands, U.K. and in Thailand, on an extended play ( EP ). Contents 1 Composition 2 George Benson version ( 1977 ) 2.1 Charts Positions 2.1. 1 Weekly charts 2.1. 2 Year - end charts 2.2 Single track listing 2.2. 1 Full single tracks 2.2. 2 Single edited tracks 2.3 Personnel 2.4 George Benson and Luciano Pavarotti 2.5 Versions of the single in other countries 2.6 Single with `` Funkin ' for Jamaica ( N.Y. ) '' 2.7 The Floating Gold EP in Thailand 3 Whitney Houston version ( 1986 ) 3.1 Music video 3.2 Reception 3.2. 1 Critical reception 3.2. 2 Chart performance 3.2. 3 Accolades 3.3 Controversy 3.4 Track listing 3.5 Personnel 3.6 Charts and certifications 3.6. 1 Weekly charts 3.6. 2 Year - end charts 3.7 End - of - decade charts 3.7. 1 Certifications 4 References 5 External links Composition `` The Greatest Love of All '' was written as the main theme of the 1977 film The Greatest, a biopic of Muhammad Ali. Michael Masser wrote the music ; he was later accused by Gordon Lightfoot of plagiarizing 24 bars of his 1971 hit `` If You Could Read My Mind ''. Lightfoot eventually dropped the suit out of respect for singer Whitney Houston. George Benson version ( 1977 ) The original version of `` The Greatest Love of All '' was recorded in 1977 by Benson and originally released on the soundtrack album for The Greatest. The song was released as a single in the same year and was a substantial hit, reaching at number 2 on the R&B chart, becoming the first R&B Top Ten hit for Arista Records. In other charts, the single was between positions number 22 and number 27 in the U.S. and in the UK, not peaking any position in other countries. Charts Positions The original version of `` The Greatest Love of All '' recorded in 1977 by George Benson reached the following positions : Weekly charts Country -- Musical table Peak position Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) 42 Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) 25 UK Singles ( Official Charts ) 27 US R&B Chart ( Billboard ) US Top 100 R&B ( Cash Box ) US R&B Singles ( Record World ) US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 22 US The Hot 100 ( Billboard ) 24 US Singles Chart ( Record World ) 27 US Top 100 Singles ( Cash Box ) 29 Year - end charts Country -- Musical table Position Canada Top 200 Singles of 1977 ( RPM ) 173 US R&B Solo Artist ( Record World ) 10 US Top R&B Singles ( Cash Box ) 41 Single track listing The original single of the song released in the U.S. has two versions : one with the complete length of 5 : 35 and another with an edited length of 3 : 29. Full single tracks Year Side Song Length Interpreter Writer / Composer Producer Arrangers Original Album 1977 A-side `` The Greatest Love of All '' 5 : 35 ( Full length ) George Benson Michael Masser, Linda Creed Michael Masser Lee Holdridge, Michael Masser The Greatest soundtrack 1977 B - side `` Ali 's Theme '' 5 : 18 Michael Masser Michael Masser Michael Masser Lee Holdridge, Michael Masser The Greatest soundtrack Single edited tracks Year Side Song Length Interpreter 1977 A-side `` The Greatest Love of All '' 3 : 29 ( Edit single ) George Benson 1977 B - side `` Ali 's Theme '' 5 : 18 Michael Masser Personnel Writer -- Michael Masser, Linda Creed Arranger -- Michael Masser, Lee Holdridge Conductor, Orchestrated by -- Lee Holdridge Producer -- Michael Masser Lead Vocal - George Benson Piano -- Michael Masser Guitar -- Lee Ritenour Drums -- Harvey Mason Bass -- Stanley Banks George Benson and Luciano Pavarotti On May 29, 2001, the Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti performed the concert `` Pavarotti & Friends '' in his hometown of Modena, Italy. To raise money for refugees from Afghanistan under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, this concert called `` Pavarotti & Friends for Afghanistan '' featured guest artists, one of them being his friend George Benson. The song performed in duet by the two was Benson 's song `` The Greatest Love of All '', sung in parts by Benson in English and elsewhere by Pavarotti in Italian. This complete concert `` Pavarotti & Friends for Afghanistan '' raised $3.3 million for its cause, and was recorded and released in CD in 2001. The song was credited with the original title `` The Greatest Love of All '' recorded by Benson. Versions of the single in other countries The original single of `` The Greatest Love of All '' by George Benson has also been released in several other countries, as shown in the chart below. Year Country Label Catalogue Format A-Side `` The Greatest Love Of All '' B - Side `` Ali 's Theme '' 1978 United States ( Reissue in 1978 ) Arista / Flashback Records AFS - 9170 7 '' single 5 : 35 ( Full length ) 5 : 18 1977 Japan Arista IER - 20349 7 '' single 5 : 34 ( Full length ) 5 : 19 1977 Italy Arista 3C 006 9989 7 '' single 5 : 32 ( Full length ) 5 : 17 1977 Germany Arista / EMI Electrola 1C 006 - 99 489 7 '' single 4 : 23 ( Edit single ) 5 : 15 1977 France Arista 2C 006 - 99.489 7 '' single 4 : 18 ( Edit single ) 5 : 18 1977 Netherlands Arista NG 891 7 '' single 4 : 18 ( Edit single ) 5 : 18 1977 Australia Arista AR - 11530 7 '' single 4 : 18 ( Edit single ) 5 : 18 1977 New Zealand Arista ATA 251 7 '' single 4 : 18 ( Edit single ) 5 : 18 1977 United Kingdom Arista ARISTA 133 7 '' single ( uninformed ) ( uninformed ) 1977 Brazil Arista AR - 31043 7 '' single ( uninformed ) ( uninformed ) Single with `` Funkin ' for Jamaica ( N.Y. ) '' In July 1984, a single was released in the UK by label Old Gold, with `` The Greatest Love of All ''. Benson 's original recording remained on the A-side of the single, and on the B - side was another hit single of another artist : `` Funkin ' for Jamaica ( N.Y. ) '' by Tom Browne, originally released in 1980. Year Recording Side Song Length Interpreter Writer / Composer Producer Original Album 1977 A-side `` The Greatest Love of All '' 5 : 32 ( Full length ) George Benson Michael Masser, Linda Creed Michael Masser The Greatest soundtrack 1980 B - side `` Funkin ' for Jamaica ( N.Y. ) '' 3 : 29 Tom Browne Tom Browne, Toni Smith Dave Grusin, Larry Rosen Love Approach The Floating Gold EP in Thailand In 1977, an extended play ( EP ) with four successful soul music songs from that year was released in Thailand. The EP was called Floating Gold, released by label Royalsound, in reference to the song `` Float On '' by the Floaters, the first track of the EP. The second track was the Manhattans ' `` We Never Danced To Love Song '' and the third was the Brothers Johnson 's `` Strawberry Letter 23 ''. To finish the EP, the fourth track was `` The Greatest Love of All '' by George Benson. Year Recording Side Song Interpreter Writer / Composer Producer Original Album 1977 A-side 1 `` Float On '' The Floaters Marvin Willis, James Mitchell, Arnold Ingram Marvin Willis, James Mitchell Floaters 1977 A-side 2 `` We Never Danced To a Love Song '' The Manhattans Gerald Alston, Edward ' Sonny ' Bivins The Manhattans, Bobby Martin It Feels So Good 1977 B - side 1 `` Strawberry Letter 23 '' The Brothers Johnson Shuggie Otis Quincy Jones Right on Time 1977 B - side 2 `` The Greatest Love of All '' George Benson Michael Masser, Linda Creed Michael Masser The Greatest soundtrack Whitney Houston version ( 1986 ) `` Greatest Love of All '' Single by Whitney Houston from the album Whitney Houston B - side `` Thinking About You '' Released March 18, 1986 Format CD single, cassette single, 7 - inch single, 12 '' single Recorded December 1984 Genre Soul, R&B Length 4 : 48 Label Arista Songwriter ( s ) Michael Masser, Linda Creed Producer ( s ) Michael Masser Whitney Houston singles chronology `` How Will I Know '' ( 1985 ) `` Greatest Love of All '' ( 1986 ) `` I Wanna Dance with Somebody ( Who Loves Me ) '' ( 1987 ) `` How Will I Know '' ( 1985 ) `` Greatest Love of All '' ( 1986 ) `` I Wanna Dance with Somebody ( Who Loves Me ) '' ( 1987 ) Whitney Houston track listing `` Take Good Care of My Heart '' ( 8 ) `` Greatest Love of All '' ( 9 ) `` Hold Me '' ( 10 ) The song was further popularized by Whitney Houston under the title `` Greatest Love of All ''. The song was recorded by the American recording artist for her debut album, self - titled Whitney Houston, which was released in February 1985 by Arista Records. The song became a major hit, topping the charts in Australia, Canada and the US, while reaching the top 20 in most countries, including Italy, Sweden and the UK. It remains her third biggest US hit, after `` I Will Always Love You '' and `` I Wanna Dance with Somebody ( Who Loves Me ) ''. All three songs, in order of their former popularity, re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart, after Houston 's death, debuting the same week at numbers 7, 35 and 41, respectively, giving Houston three posthumous chart hits. Clive Davis, founder of Houston 's label Arista Records, was initially against Houston recording the song for her debut studio album, Whitney Houston, but he eventually gave in after persuasion from Houston and Masser. It was released as the B - side to the single `` You Give Good Love '', a previous Top 5 hit by Houston. The song, eventually released as a single in its own right, on March 18, 1986, was the seventh release from Houston 's debut album, and spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May of that year. Houston 's album version features a piano intro, while the single version begins with a keyboard intro. After the single became a success, it replaced the original album version on subsequent pressings of the album. However, the original version was restored for the 2010 Deluxe Anniversary Edition reissue of the album and international releases. Her live performance in 1990 in the 15th anniversary of Arista Records concert in Radio City Music Hall was included in the 25th anniversary deluxe edition of Whitney Houston and the 2014 CD / DVD release, Whitney Houston Live : Her Greatest Performances. Music video Houston 's music video was filmed at Harlem 's Apollo Theater in New York City. In the video, she is a successful singer who is about to perform in front of an audience. She reminisces about the time when she was a child performing in a talent competition and receiving encouragement from her mother. The video features Houston 's mother Cissy Houston playing herself, supporting a young Whitney. Reception Critical reception Many critics called the song the centerpiece of Houston 's debut album. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote that `` Houston sings it with a forceful directness that gives its message of self - worth an astounding resonance and conviction '' and called the song a compelling assertion of spiritual devotion, black pride, and family loyalty, all at once. Don Shewey of Rolling Stone wrote that as the song builds, Houston `` slowly pours on the soul, slips in some churchy phrasing, holds notes a little longer and shows off her glorious voice. '' However, some reviewers were more critical. Describing Houston 's performance as `` straight - faced '', Armond White wrote that `` ( w ) e had laughed at that song during the seventies as a mawkish ode to self - involvement, not dreaming it would ever be taken seriously. But last year we laughed again -- nervously -- because Houston seemed to be using it as a theme song for her own aggressive ambition. '' Chart performance Benson 's 1977 version was an R&B hit, reaching number 2 on the R&B chart. It was a moderate pop hit, making the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Houston 's version reached number one on the Hot 100 chart for three weeks in 1986. The single was the fourth hit ( and third number 1 ) from her debut album. To date, this song was her second longest stay atop this chart, behind 1992 's `` I Will Always Love You. '' The song also reached number one on both component charts, the Hot 100 Singles Sales and the Hot 100 Airplay, her second consecutive release to do so, and stayed for 14 weeks inside the top 40. On other Billboard charts, Houston also performed well, reaching number three on the R&B chart. The song topped the adult contemporary chart for five weeks, Houston 's longest stay at the top of that chart at the time. The song ranked No. 11 on Billboard 's year end pop singles chart. Houston 's single fared well globally as well, reaching No. 8 in the United Kingdom and the top ten or No. 1 in several other European countries. It became her first No. 1 single in Australia. After her death, the single returned to the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 41. Accolades Houston won the American Music Award for Favorite Soul / R&B Video Single, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year and a Soul Train Music Award for Single of the Year. Controversy In April 1987, Gordon Lightfoot filed a lawsuit against Michael Masser, alleging that Masser 's song `` The Greatest Love of All '' stole twenty - four bars from Lightfoot 's 1970 hit `` If You Could Read My Mind. '' According to Maclean 's, Lightfoot commented, `` It really rubbed me the wrong way. I do n't want the present - day generation to think that I stole my song from him. '' Lightfoot has stated that he dropped the suit when he felt it was having a negative effect on Whitney Houston, as the suit was about Masser and not her. Track listing US vinyl / 7 `` / Single A `` Greatest Love of All '' -- 4 : 51 B `` Thinking About You '' -- 4 : 06 Personnel Writer -- Michael Masser, Linda Creed Producer -- Michael Masser Arranger -- Gene Page, Jr. The players -- Robbie Buchanan, Nathan East, Dann Huff, Paul Jackson, Jr., Randy Kerber, Richard Marx, Lou Shelton, Debbie Thomas, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, John Robinson Mixer -- Bill Schnee Engineers -- Michael Mancini, Russell Schmitt Charts and certifications Weekly charts Chart ( 1986 -- 1987 ) Peak position Australia ( Kent Music Report ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 25 Canada ( RPM ) Finland ( Suomen virallinen lista ) 16 Iceland ( RÚV ) Ireland ( IRMA ) Italy ( Musica e dischi ) 13 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 30 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 24 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 12 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 14 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 20 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 8 US Billboard Hot 100 US Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ( Billboard ) US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) Chart ( 2012 ) Position Australia ( ARIA ) 56 France ( SNEP ) 70 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 40 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 28 South Korea International Singles ( Gaon ) 20 Spain ( PROMUSICAE ) 39 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 55 US Billboard Hot 100 36 Year - end charts Chart ( 1986 ) Position Australian Kent Music Report 27 US Pop Singles 11 US Black Singles 46 US Top Adult Contemporary Singles 7 End - of - decade charts End of decade ( 1980 -- 1989 ) Position U.S. Billboard Hot 100 71 Certifications Country ( Provider ) Certification Sales Canada ( CRIA ) Gold 5,000 USA ( RIAA ) Gold 500,000 References Jump up ^ Library and Archives Canada ( October 22, 1977 ). `` RPM Adult Contemporary ''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Library and Archives Canada ( October 15, 1977 ). `` RPM Top Singles ''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ The Official UK Charts Company ( September 24, 1977 ). `` George Benson - Chart History ( UK Charts Songs ) ''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Billboard ( September 10, 1977 ). `` George Benson - Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Cash Box Magazine ( September 24, 1977 ). `` CASH BOX Top 100 R&B '' ( PDF ). Retrieved May 26, 2017. Jump up ^ AmericanRadioHistory ( September 10, 1977 ). `` Record World, September 10, 1977 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved May 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Billboard ( October 15, 1977 ). `` George Benson - Adult Contemporary Songs ''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Billboard ( October 8, 1977 ). `` George Benson - The Hot 100 Songs ''. Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ AmericanRadioHistory ( October 1, 1977 ). `` Record World, October 1, 1977 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Cash Box Magazine ( October 8, 1977 ). `` CASH BOX Top 100 Singles '' ( PDF ). Retrieved May 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Library and Archives Canada ( December 31, 1977 ). `` RPM Top 200 Singles of 1977 ''. Retrieved May 25, 2017. Jump up ^ AmericanRadioHistory ( December 31, 1977 ). `` Record World, December 31, 1977 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved May 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Cash Box Magazine ( December 31, 1977 ). `` CASH BOX Top R&B Singles '' ( PDF ). Retrieved May 26, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Billboard. `` Pavarotti & Friends Sing For Refugees ( 30 / 05 / 2001 ) ''. Retrieved May 24, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Music-bazaar.com. `` Pavarotti & Friends For Afghanistan ( 2001 ) ''. Retrieved May 24, 2017. Jump up ^ BBC NEWS. `` Pavarotti and Bono sing for Iraq ( 08 / 04 / 2003 ) ''. Retrieved May 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston 's Biggest Hits ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston - Chart history ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2017 - 02 - 12. Jump up ^ Bronson, Fred ( 2003 ). The Billboard Book of No. 1 Hits, 5th Edition ( Billboard Publications ), page 636. Jump up ^ Kellman, Andy ( 2014 - 11 - 10 ). `` Live : Her Greatest Performances - Whitney Houston Songs, Reviews, Credits ''. AllMusic. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ Whitney Houston - `` Greatest Love of All '' on Vevo Jump up ^ Holden, Stephen. `` Whitney Houston -- Pop 's New Queen ''. NY Times. March 18, 1986. Pg A18. Jump up ^ Shewey, Don. `` Whitney Houston Album Review ''. Rolling Stone Jump up ^ White, A. `` To Be Young, Gifted and Wack. '' The City Sun, July 8, 1987. Reprinted in The Resistance : Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook the World, 69. Woodstock : The Overlook Press, 1995. ^ Jump up to : Hyatt, Wesley ( 1999 ). The Billboard Book of number 1 Adult Contemporary Hits ( Billboard Publications ), page 306. Jump up ^ Top 20 Pop Singles for 1986. Newsday. December 28, 1986. Pg 19. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Returns to Hot 100 's Top 10 With ' I Will Always Love You ' ''. Billboard. February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012. Jump up ^ Nominees, Winners for the 14th American Music Awards of 1987 Jump up ^ Hunt, Dennis ( January 9, 1987 ). `` Grammy Nominations : Highs and Lows : Winwood, Gabriel and Simon Garner Most Nominations ''. Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. p. 2. Retrieved February 17, 2014. Jump up ^ Weaver, Maurice ( March 23, 1987 ). `` ' Soul Train ' Awards Are a 1st for Black Music ''. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved Dec 15, 2015. Jump up ^ BODENSEHER, Florian. `` Gordon Lightfoot - Biography ''. Corfid.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ Wake, Matt. `` Gordon Lightfoot on Elvis, Dylan covering his songs, not suing Whitney over ' The Greatest Love of All ' ''. AL.com. Retrieved July 26, 2015. Jump up ^ Kent, David ( 1993 ). Australian Chart Book 1970 -- 1992 ( Illustrated ed. ). Sydney : Australian Chart Book. p. 143. ISBN 0 - 646 - 11917 - 6. N.B. The Kent Report chart was licensed by ARIA between 1983 and June 26, 1988. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Whitney Houston -- Greatest Love of All '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Jump up ^ Pennanen, Timo ( 2006 ). Sisältää hitin : Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Finland : Otava. p. 161. ISBN 951 - 1 - 21053 - X. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ''. RÚV. Retrieved May 24, 2017. Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Jump up ^ `` Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Anno : 1986 ''. Hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. 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 to : `` Charts.org.nz -- Whitney Houston -- Greatest Love of All ''. Top 40 Singles. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Whitney Houston -- Greatest Love of All ''. Singles Top 100. ^ Jump up to : `` Swisscharts.com -- Whitney Houston -- Greatest Love of All ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010 - 10 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Hot R&B / Hip - Hop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston Chart History ( Adult Contemporary ) ''. Billboard. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts : The ARIA Report week commencing 20 February 2012 -- Issue # 1147 '' ( PDF ). Australian Recording Industry Association Ltd. Retrieved 2015 - 09 - 19. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Whitney Houston -- Greatest Love of All '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Jump up ^ `` Top 40 ''. Top40.nl. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ `` South Korea Gaon International Chart ( Week : February 12, 2012 to February 18, 2012 ) ''. Gaon Chart. January 5, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013. Jump up ^ Hung, Steffen. `` Whitney Houston - Greatest Love Of All ''. Spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ `` Whitney Houston - Chart history ''. Billboard. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Jump up ^ ( 3 ) Jump up ^ `` USA Top 100 Songs of Decade - End 80s, Eighties ( HD 1080p ''. YouTube. 2014 - 11 - 26. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 12. Jump up ^ ( 4 ) External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Benson 's `` The Greatest Love of All '' music video ( from The Greatest ) on YouTube Benson 's `` The Greatest Love of All '' page at Discogs Benson 's `` The Greatest Love of All '' page at 45cat Houston 's `` Greatest Love of All '' music video on YouTube Houston 's `` Greatest Love of All '' page at Discogs George Benson Discography Studio albums The New Boss Guitar of George Benson It 's Uptown The George Benson Cookbook Giblet Gravy Shape of Things to Come Goodies Tell It Like It Is The Other Side of Abbey Road Beyond the Blue Horizon White Rabbit Body Talk Bad Benson Good King Bad Benson & Farrell Breezin ' In Flight Livin ' Inside Your Love Give Me the Night In Your Eyes Pacific Fire I Got a Woman and Some Blues 20 / 20 While the City Sleeps... Collaboration Twice the Love Big Boss Band That 's Right Standing Together Absolute Benson Irreplaceable Givin ' It Up Songs and Stories Guitar Man Inspiration : A Tribute to Nat King Cole Live albums In Concert - Carnegie Hall Weekend in L.A. Compilations Space The George Benson Collection Main Singles `` This Masquerade '' ( 1976 ) `` Breezin ' '' ( 1976 ) `` The Greatest Love of All '' ( 1977 ) `` On Broadway '' ( 1978 ) `` Love Ballad '' ( 1979 ) `` Give Me the Night '' ( 1980 ) `` Love X Love '' ( 1980 ) `` Never Give Up on a Good Thing '' ( 1981 ) `` Turn Your Love Around '' ( 1981 ) `` Inside Love ( So Personal ) '' ( 1983 ) `` Lady Love Me ( One More Time ) '' ( 1983 ) `` Feel Like Makin ' Love '' ( 1983 ) `` In Your Eyes '' ( 1983 ) `` Nothing 's Gonna Change My Love for You '' ( 1985 ) `` Shiver '' ( 1986 ) `` Teaser '' ( 1986 ) `` Let 's Do It Again ( 1988 ) Book : George Benson Whitney Houston Albums discography Songs discography Videography Tours and concerts 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 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 ( film ) Book Category 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 '' Book Category Portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Greatest_Love_of_All&oldid=818139955 '' Categories : 1977 singles 1977 songs 1986 singles Songs written by Michael Masser Songs written by Linda Creed Arista Records singles George Benson songs Whitney Houston songs Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Billboard Adult Contemporary number - one singles Number - one singles in Australia Songs involved in plagiarism controversies RPM Top Singles number - one singles Rhythm and blues ballads Pop ballads Soul ballads CBS Sports National Basketball Association music Hidden categories : Use mdy dates from January 2016 Music infoboxes with deprecated parameters Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Austria All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from December 2017 Singlechart usages for Germany Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Billboardrandbhiphop Singlechart usages for Billboardadultcontemporary Singlechart usages for France Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español Français Italiano Kiswahili Português Русский Simple English Türkçe Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 1 January 2018, at 20 : 59. About Wikipedia

Question: when did whitney houston record the greatest love of all
Answer: 1985