Peak
1
Weeks
19
Score
3,775
Chart Year
1990
Scores & Rankings
Chart Performance
Peak Position1
Peak DateDec 1, 1990
Weeks at Peak1
Weeks Charted19
Weeks in Top 4014
Weeks in Top 108
Weeks at #21
Weeks at #11
Scoring
Summary Calc1,859
Weekly Calc1,916
Total Score3,775
Rankings
Year Ranking#25
Decade Ranking#420
Billboard Year#24
Top 5000#2,258
Details
- Label
- Arista Records
- Genre
- New jack swing
- Media Type
- 45s
- Duration
- 4:13
- Composer(s)
- L.A.Reid;Babyface
- Entered Chart
- Oct 20, 1990
- Peak Date
- Dec 1, 1990
- Released
- September 28, 1990
- Recorded
- Unknown
- Catalog #
- Arista 2108
- B-Side
- I'm Knockin'
Music Video
The music video for "I'm Your Baby Tonight" was directed by Julien Temple and filmed at a park on the Hudson River on New York's West Side, and at a nightclub called Tatou. Adam Shankman was in charge of choreography. In the video, Houston emulates Audrey Hepburn's dance sequence from Funny Face (1957), and recreates the looks of Marlene Dietrich and the Supremes Vice's Tshepo Mokoena pointed out how the music video saw an image change in Houston; dressed in ripped high-waisted jeans and an oversized leather jacket, her style was "androgynous, slightly rebellious", a contrast from her previous 1980s videos, which had her in "Barbie heels and candy-colored dresses", and focused on her "onscreen cuteness and clothing-catalogue smile". Mokoena noticed influence from the music video in the work of artist such as Janelle Monáe, Jessie Ware, Christina Aguilera, and M.I.A., among others. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" can be found on the video edition of Houston's 2000 compilation Whitney: The Greatest Hits
Notes
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston from her third studio album of the same name (1990). Written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, in Australia and most European countries it was released as the album's lead single by Arista Records on September 28, 1990; in the United States, the release date was October 2. Following the release of her second studio album Whitney (1987), Houston became the first woman ever to debut atop the Billboard 200; despite this, critics deemed it safe and formulaic. Additionally, she was booed at the 1989 Soul Train Music Awards and accused of being "not black enough"; Houston decided she needed to change her sound if she wanted to recapture black audiences. For I'm Your Baby Tonight, Houston chose to work with Reid and Babyface, who had previously produced her then-boyfriend Bobby Brown's 1988 album Don't Be Cruel. The title-track was the last song recorded for the album and marked a departure from Houston's previous works; it is a new jack swing song with pop and R&B influences, and lyrics that talk about sexual desire. Upon release, the single was generally well received by most critics, who applauded its sound and Houston's vocals. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" received a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 33rd Grammy Awards. In retrospective reviews, it has been considered one of her best singles. The song was also commercially successful, becoming Houston's eighth number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, a feat that tied her with Madonna as the female artist with most number one hits at the time. It performed well internationally, reaching the top five of several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Italy. The accompanying music video was directed by Julien Temple and showed Houston sporting a more "rebellious" look, and emulating the style of figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, and the Supremes. Houston performed "I'm Your Baby Tonight" on several occasions through the 1990s, including three of her concert tours, and her HBO special Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston. Brandy sang the song at the 2012 BET Awards in tribute to Houston after her death. Background
From the moment I saw you, I went outta my mind I never believed in love at first sight But you got a magic, boy, that I just can't explain Well, you got a, you got a way that you make me feel I can do, I can do anything for you, baby I'll be down for you, baby Lay all my cards out tonight Just call on me, baby I'll be there in a hurry It's your move, so baby, baby decide Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight From the second you touched me I was ready to die I've never been fatal, you're my first time I feel like an angel who just started to fly Well, you got a, you got a way that you make a me Feel I can, feel I can, do anything for you baby I will fly for you baby Hold on and enjoy the ride I'm not in no hurry We can fly all night, baby It's your move, now baby, baby let's fly Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight Whatever I do, boy It's all about you, baby And ain't the truth, boy I'm helplessly in love with you What else can I do, boy But be there for you, baby You got a, you got a way that you make a me Feel I can, feel I can do any, do anything Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight Looks like I'm fatal, it's all on the table And baby you hold the cards You got the magic and I've got to have it I don't want the pieces, I want every single part I'll be your angel, I'm ready and able whatever you want is fine Whenever you're ready, just call on your lady and I'll be your baby tonight I'm your baby tonight, I'm your baby tonight Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight Whatever you want from me I'm givin' you everything I'm your baby tonight You've given me ecstasy You are my fantasy I'm your baby tonight
Chart History (19 weeks)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 20, 1990 | 42 | 84 |
| 2 | Oct 27, 1990 | 29 | 97 |
| 3 | Nov 3, 1990 | 18 | 108 |
| 4 | Nov 10, 1990 | 13 | 113 |
| 5 | Nov 17, 1990 | 5 | 121 |
| 6 | Nov 24, 1990 | 3 | 123 |
| 7 | Dec 1, 1990 | 1 | 125 |
| 8 | Dec 8, 1990 | 2 | 124 |
| 9 | Dec 15, 1990 | 3 | 123 |
| 10 | Dec 22, 1990 | 7 | 119 |
| 11 | Dec 29, 1990 | 7 | 119 |
| 12 | Jan 5, 1991 | 10 | 116 |
| 13 | Jan 12, 1991 | 13 | 113 |
| 14 | Jan 19, 1991 | 19 | 107 |
| 15 | Jan 26, 1991 | 30 | 96 |
| 16 | Feb 2, 1991 | 47 | 79 |
| 17 | Feb 9, 1991 | 58 | 68 |
| 18 | Feb 16, 1991 | 79 | 47 |
| 19 | Feb 23, 1991 | 92 | 34 |