I Learned from the Best

"I Learned from the Best"
International CD single cover
Single by Whitney Houston
from the album My Love Is Your Love
B-side"You'll Never Stand Alone"
ReleasedNovember 15, 1999 (1999-11-15)
StudioChartmaker (Malibu, California)[1]
Length
  • 4:20
  • 3:56 (radio edit)
LabelArista
SongwriterDiane Warren
Producers
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"My Love Is Your Love"
(1999)		 "I Learned from the Best"
(1999)		 "Same Script, Different Cast"
(2000)
Music video
"I Learned from the Best" on YouTube

"I Learned from the Best" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston. The ballad, written by American songwriter Diane Warren and produced by Canadian-American producer David Foster, was one of three songs Warren wrote for Houston's fourth studio album, My Love Is Your Love (1998). The song describes a woman rejecting her former lover's attempts at reconciliation, having learned from his previous treatment of her. Houston, who advised Foster on the production, also served as the song's vocal arranger. The song was released as the album's fifth and final single in November 1999.

Critics generally praised "I Learned from the Best" as a strong, polished ballad that showcased Houston's vocal performance, though some considered it formulaic or a conventional "Whitney-style" ballad. Commercially, "I Learned from the Best" was less successful than the album's preceding singles, although it reached number one in Poland and Romania, the top 10 in several European markets, number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, and number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while dance and house remixes by Hex Hector and Junior Vasquez led also to the song topping the US Dance Club Songs chart.

The accompanying music video was directed by Kevin Bray and filmed in Cologne in October 1999. It depicts Houston performing the song for a small audience while a man, presumably the former lover addressed in the lyrics, watches from a distance. The video premiered on Making the Video on November 2, 1999. Houston performed the song at several events, including the 1999 Bambi Awards and the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000, and promoted its single release through appearances on Top of the Pops, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Recording and composition

"I Learned from the Best" was written by Diane Warren, who had previously written Houston's 1989 duet "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be," performed with her longtime family friend Aretha Franklin, as well as the sentimental ballad "You Were Loved," which Houston recorded for the soundtrack to The Preacher's Wife. The song originated from Warren's enthusiasm for a chord progression and concept she had developed, particularly the chorus, which she recalled being especially excited about while writing it.[2] She subsequently brought the song to Clive Davis, who recognized it as a suitable song for Houston's upcoming fourth studio album, My Love Is Your Love.[2] Warren was pleased with Davis's decision to have Houston record the song and described the composition as having a "James Bond kind of thing."[2] Producer David Foster subsequently incorporated a Chicago-style horn sound into the arrangement, giving the recording what Warren characterized as a classic feel.[2] According to Houston, she was the one who convinced Foster to add the "Chicago horns" to the song, having been a fan of the band and aware of Foster's previous collaborations with them.[3]

"I Learned from the Best" was one of three songs Warren contributed to My Love Is Your Love, alongside "I Bow Out" and "You'll Never Stand Alone."[2] Houston herself emphasized the emotional quality she sought in a song when discussing her approach to selecting material for My Love Is Your Love.[4] Asked what she looked for in a song at the time, she answered, "Passion. Any form of passion but mostly love," citing "I Learned from the Best" as an example, praising the song's portrayal of heartbreak and emotional retaliation.[4] Houston described the song as "very melodramatic,"[5] portraying the different experiences of life, including "pain," "glory," and "joy,"[5] while viewing its message of having learned from a past relationship as ultimately positive.[5] Musically, it is a pop and R&B song with elements of pop rock, performed at a slow tempo of 84 beats per minute.[6] The song begins in G-sharp minor before modulating to A minor near the end. Houston's vocal range spans from D♯3 to C5, with the performance culminating in a sustained soprano note lasting approximately 12 seconds.[6] The lyrics portray a woman who refuses to reconcile with a former lover after repeatedly being hurt by him. Having previously taken him back despite his betrayal, she now turns the lessons of their relationship against him, telling him that she has learned from his example: "I learned from the best / I learned from you."[2][4]

Critical reception

Writer Diane Warren was praised for her composition.[7]

"I Learned from the Best" received mixed reviews from music critics, with several praising Houston's vocal performance, the song's polished production,[7] and its return to the dramatic ballad style associated with her earlier work, while others criticized it as formulaic, overly sentimental, or overly familiar.[8]

Chuck Taylor from Billboard gave the song a particularly favorable review, describing it as a "gorgeous ballad" that would return listeners to the "sacred territory" of Houston's earlier classics, and praising her "spine-chilling performance." Taylor also commended Warren's songwriting and Foster's "forceful instrumental package," concluding that the collaboration between Houston, Warren, and Foster brought together "the best of their talents."[7] Nekesa Mumbi Moody of the Associated Press similarly praised Houston's vocals, writing that the song "sound[s] decent with her pipes."[9] Music Week described the track as "more familiar Whitneyesque ground" and a "big ballad,"[10] while Chuck Campbell of the Knoxville News Sentinel called it a "classy David Foster-produced" song and described Houston as "predictably stately."[11] Christopher Tkaczyk of The Michigan Daily characterized it as a "heart-racing R&B track,"[12] while Sun-Sentinel selected it as the album's "one truly satisfying song" on parent album My Love Is Your Love, describing it as an "unassuming ballad."[13]

Jose F. Promis of AllMusic described the original as a "dramatic, classic Whitney-styled" ballad, but found the dance remix more effective, praising the Jr. Vasquez "Disco Mix" for its "irresistibly funky beat" while noting that Houston's vocals could sound "a little forced" over the Hi-NRG production; he ultimately preferred the original ballad.[14] Other reviewers were more critical of the song's conventional approach and sentimental tone. Sonia Murray from Cox News Service characterized it as a "by-the-numbers big ballad," suggesting that it adhered closely to the established formula of Houston's traditional ballads.[15] Henrik Bæk of Danish Gaffa likewise called it a "typical Whitney ballad."[16] Charles Waring of Blues & Soul was more dismissive, criticizing the song as "syrupy" and objecting to its "schmaltzy gloss."[8] John Soeder, writing for The Plain Dealer, offered the harshest assessment, calling it a "lackluster Diane Warren ballad."[17]

Commercial performance

"I Learned from the Best" was released as the fifth and final single from My Love Is Your Love, with the single issued in the United Kingdom on November 29, 1999, and in the United States in 2000.[18] Although it was less successful than the album's preceding singles, it achieved several notable chart positions, particularly on dance and R&B charts. In the United States, it debuted at number 83 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number 27,[19][20] while reaching number 13 on the Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart and number 20 on Adult Contemporary.[21][22] Its dance-oriented remixes, produced by Hex Hector and Junior Vasquez, performed substantially better, with the song reaching number one on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart and number three on its 2000 year-end chart.[23] It also ranked 24th on the decade-end Dance/Club Play Songs chart for 2000–2009.[24]

In Europe, "I Learned from the Best" achieved varied chart results, ranging from relatively modest positions in some markets to some of the highest peaks among the singles released from My Love Is Your Love. It topped the airplay charts in Poland and Romania, where it also ranked ninth on Romania's 2000 year-end chart.[25] It reached the top 10 in Iceland (number 3),[26] Finland (number 6),[27] Spain (number 8),[28] and Hungary (number 10),[29] while reaching number 18 in Ireland,[30] and the top 30 in the Netherlands,[31] Sweden,[32] Switzerland,[33] Scotland,[34] and the Czech Republic.[35] On the Eurochart Hot 100, it peaked at number 41.[36] In the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart,[37] selling approximately 95,000 copies,[38][39][40] while performing better on the UK R&B chart, where it peaked at number five.[41]

Music video

Filming of the video for "I Learned from the Best" took place in Cologne.[5]

A music video for "I Learned from the Best" was directed by Kevin Bray, who had collaborated with Houston on several videos during the My Love Is Your Love era, and filmed on October 7, 1999, at a sports arena in Cologne, Germany.[5] Short during the European leg of Houston's My Love Is Your Love World Tour, production was completed within a tightly scheduled 12–14-hour window to accommodate her touring commitments.[5] The visuals were conceived as a staged television performance, with Houston portraying a singer performing the song live for the first time while her former lover watches from the audience and gradually realizes that the song is about their relationship.[5] The concept was designed to reflect the song's themes of heartbreak and personal growth while emphasizing Houston's ability as a live performer.[5]

The video was filmed on a futuristic, stylized television set featuring a performance stage, control room, television monitors, and an audience of approximately 150–160 people.[5] Multiple cameras, including crane and Steadicam setups, were used to recreate the movement and atmosphere of a live concert, while intercut scenes focus on the former lover, played by a German model, whose expressions convey his growing realization and regret.[5] The production also featured a distinctive visual style influenced by the 1960s, with Houston's hair and makeup described by the production team as an "Angela Davis Rebirth" look.[5] Following the one-day shoot, the footage was sent to Los Angeles for editing.[5] The completed video premiered on November 2, 1999 on MTV's Making the Video.[42]

Formats and track listings

Note: The Junior Vasquez Disco mix is unique in that Houston re-recorded her vocals for this version.[43]

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
Sweden November 15, 1999 CD [60]
United States November 22, 1999 Arista [61][62]
November 23, 1999 Urban adult contemporary radio [61]
United Kingdom November 29, 1999
  • CD1
  • cassette
  • Artista
  • BMG
 [63]
December 6, 1999 CD2 [64]
United States December 7, 1999 Urban radio Arista [65]
January 11, 2000 Rhythmic contemporary radio [66]
February 29, 2000 Contemporary hit radio [67][68]

See also

References

  1. ↑ My Love Is Your Love album booklet
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "25 Years of My Love Is Your Love: Interview with Diane Warren". November 30, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2026 – via YouTube.
  3. ↑ Whitney Houston Uncut interview My Love Is Your Love 1999 Rare! on YouTube
  4. 1 2 3 Gardner, Elysa (July 29, 1999). "The Gospel According to Whitney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Making the Video: Whitney Houston – "I Learned from the Best"". MTV. 1999.
  6. 1 2 "I Learned From the Best". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 Taylor, Chuck (November 27, 1999). "Reviews & Previews > Singles". Billboard. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Waring, Charles (November 7, 1998). "Whitney Houston, My Love Is Your Love – Review". Blues & Soul.
  9. ↑ Mumbi Moody, Nekesa (December 20, 1998). "Singer's new album is a savvy retort". Daily News. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Whitney Houston, My Love Is Your Love". Music Week. November 7, 1998.
  11. ↑ Campbell, Chuck (December 9, 1998). "Carey tops charts, but falls short with '1s'". Daily News. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  12. ↑ Tkaczyk, Christopher (January 12, 1999). "There Could Be Miracles..." The Michigan Daily. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ "A Houston Masquerade". Sun-Sentinel. November 18, 1998. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  14. ↑ Promis, Jose F. "I Learned from the Best Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  15. ↑ Murray, Sonia (November 22, 1998). "Whitney Houston: pleasing familiarity". The Day. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  16. ↑ Bæk, Henrik (September 21, 2001). "Whitney Houston: My Love Is Your Love". Gaffa (in Danish). Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ Soeder, John Soeder (February 12, 2012). "Whitney Houston could be a daunting diva, but that amazing voice of hers soared above everything else". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  18. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 29 November, 1999: Singles". Music Week. November 27, 1999. p. 23.
  19. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 chart listing for the week of February 19, 2000". Billboard. February 19, 2000. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  20. ↑ "Billboard Hot 100 chart listing for the week of March 25, 2000". Billboard. March 25, 2000. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Billboard Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart listing for the week of March 11, 2000". Billboard. March 11, 2000. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  22. 1 2 "Whitney Houston Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  23. 1 2 "Whitney Houston Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  24. 1 2 "Decade End Charts – Dance/Club-Play Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 2000" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005.
  26. 1 2 "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (Vikuna 21.1. - 27.1. 2000)" (PDF). Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  27. 1 2 "Whitney Houston: I Learned From The Best" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  28. 1 2 "Hits of the World: Spanish AFYVE Singles Chart for "I Learned from the Best"". Billboard. January 22, 1999. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  29. 1 2 "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. January 1, 2000. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
  30. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. 1 2 "Nederlandse Top 40 – Whitney Houston" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  32. 1 2 "Whitney Houston – I Learned From The Best". Singles Top 100.
  33. 1 2 "Whitney Houston – I Learned From The Best". Swiss Singles Chart.
  34. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  35. 1 2 "Oficiální Česká Hitparáda - Pro týden" (in Czech). IFPI ČR. Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  36. 1 2 "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 18, 1999. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  37. 1 2 "Official Singles Chart on 11/12/1999 – Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  38. ↑ ""I Learned from the Best" on the Spanish Singles Chart, Hits of the World". Billboard. January 22, 2000. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  39. ↑ "The Official UK Countdowns – Whitney Houston Official Top 20". MTV (UK and Ireland). Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  40. ↑ ""I Learned from the Best" on the UK Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. December 11, 1999. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  41. 1 2 "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 19/12/1999 – Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  42. ↑ "'Making the Video' - Whitney Houston: I Learned from the Best". IMDb. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  43. ↑ "Whitney Phones It in for Enrique Duet, Remix of New Single". MTV. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012.
  44. ↑ "Part of Whitney Houston's ARIA chart history". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Whitney Houston – I Learned From The Best" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Whitney Houston – I Learned From The Best" (in French). Le classement de singles.
  47. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  48. ↑ ""Latvian Airplay Top 197"" (in Latvian). Lanet.lv. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  49. ↑ "Whitney Houston – I Learned From The Best" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  50. ↑ "Major Market Airplay: Poland" (PDF). Music & Media. February 12, 2000. p. 23. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  51. ↑ "The Airplay Chart" (PDF). Music Week. 11 December 1999. p. 19. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  52. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  53. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  54. ↑ "Whitney Houston Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Jaarlijsten 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  56. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Finland: Otava. p. 68. ISBN 951-1-21053-X.
  57. ↑ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. December 30, 2000. p. YE-59. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  58. ↑ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. December 30, 2000. p. YE-56. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  59. ↑ "The Year in Music 2000: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 53. December 30, 2000. p. YE-60. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  60. ↑ "Whitney Houston: I Learned from the Best". click2music.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on March 18, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  61. 1 2 "Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1326. November 19, 1999. pp. 101, 123.
  62. ↑ "Gavin Report AC/Hot AC: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2281. November 19, 1999. p. 30.
  63. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 29 November, 1999: Singles". Music Week. November 27, 1999. p. 23.
  64. ↑ "New Releases – For Week Starting 6 December, 1999: Singles". Music Week. December 4, 1999. p. 25.
  65. ↑ "AddVance Notice". Radio & Records. No. 1328. December 3, 1999. p. 56.
  66. ↑ "Gavin Report Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2286. January 7, 2000. p. 7.
  67. ↑ "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds". Radio & Records. No. 1339. February 25, 2000. p. 71.
  68. ↑ "Gavin Top 40/Rhythm Crossover: Impact Dates". Gavin Report. No. 2293. February 25, 2000. p. 8.
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