The World's Greatest Explained

The World's Greatest
Cover:R._Kelly_-_The_World's_Greatest.jpg
Type:single
Artist:R. Kelly
B-Side:I Decided
Label:
  • Interscope (US)
  • Jive (worldwide)
Producer:R. Kelly
Prev Title:We Thuggin'
Prev Year:2001
Next Title:Honey
Next Year:2002

"The World's Greatest" is a song written and performed by American R&B singer R. Kelly. The song was originally featured on the soundtrack to the film Ali,[1] and also appeared on bootleg copies of Kelly's unreleased album, Loveland, which later became a bonus disc to Chocolate Factory.[2] Released as a single in November 2001, "The World's Greatest" became a hit in Europe, reaching number two in the Netherlands, number four in the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in nine other European countries. In the United States, it peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Chart performance

The song reached number 31 on the Billboard R&B chart. In the UK, it peaked at number four.

Music video

The music video was directed by Bille Woodruff. Kelly is a boxer in this video, playing the part of Muhammad Ali, as this song was originally a tribute to him. There is no color in the video except for red, the hue of Kelly's boxing clothes.

Track listings

Australian CD single[3]

  1. "The World's Greatest" (radio edit)
  2. "The World's Greatest" (album version)
  3. "The World's Greatest" (instrumental)
  4. "I Decided"

European CD single[4]

  1. "The World's Greatest" (radio edit) – 3:56
  2. "The World's Greatest" (album version) – 4:36

UK CD single[5]

  1. "The World's Greatest" (radio edit) – 3:56
  2. "The World's Greatest" (album version) – 4:36
  3. "I Decided" – 4:12

UK cassette single[6]

  1. "The World's Greatest" (album version) – 4:36
  2. "I Decided" – 4:12

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2002)Peak
position
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)[7] 19
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[8] 8
Romania (Romanian Top 100)[9] 100

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 51
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11] 83
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[12] 30
France (SNEP)[13] 87
Germany (Official German Charts)[14] 48
Ireland (IRMA)[15] 35
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 7
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 27
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 22
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 60
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 62
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[21] 93
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 81

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)
United StatesNovember 13, 2001Interscope[23]
November 20, 2001Contemporary hit radio[24]
AustraliaFebruary 11, 2002CDJive[25]
United KingdomFebruary 18, 2002[26]
JapanApril 24, 2002CDSony Music Japan[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Other reviews by Glenn McClanan. SoundtrackNet : Ali Soundtrack. Soundtrack.net. August 30, 2003. June 14, 2010.
  2. Web site: Don't Just Listen, Be Heard. Soundcrank. June 14, 2010.
  3. The World's Greatest. R. Kelly. 2002. Australian CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 9253142.
  4. The World's Greatest. R. Kelly. 2002. European CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 9253149.
  5. The World's Greatest. R. Kelly. 2002. UK CD single liner notes. Jive Records. 9253242.
  6. The World's Greatest. R. Kelly. 2002. UK cassette single sleeve. Jive Records. 9253244.
  7. Web site: Canadian Top 20 in 2002. Cross Canada Countdown. https://web.archive.org/web/20050407223203/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2002.pdf. 7 April 2005. 19 April 2024.
  8. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 20. 12. 14. March 16, 2002. February 10, 2020.
  9. Web site: Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 11, saptamina 18.03–24.03, 2002. Romanian Top 100. ro. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20050214115732/http://www.rt100.ro/editie-top-100_x10012.html. February 14, 2005. May 8, 2020.
  10. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2002. Ultratop. nl. April 7, 2018.
  11. Web site: Rapports annuels 2002. Ultratop. fr. November 23, 2018.
  12. Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002. Music & Media. 21. 2–3. 14. January 11, 2003. February 10, 2020.
  13. Web site: Tops de L'année Top Singles 2002. SNEP. fr. February 2, 2021.
  14. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2002. GfK Entertainment. de. April 7, 2018.
  15. Web site: Top 100 Songs of 2002. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040602113021/http://www.rte.ie/2fm/charts/top100_2002.html. June 2, 2004. March 16, 2022.
  16. Web site: Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002. Dutch Top 40. January 27, 2020.
  17. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002. MegaCharts. nl. April 7, 2018.
  18. Web site: Årslista Singlar, 2002. Sverigetopplistan. sv. May 8, 2020.
  19. Web site: Swiss Year-End Charts 2002. de. November 23, 2018.
  20. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2002. UKChartsPlus. May 20, 2018.
  21. Most-Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 12. December 20, 2002.
  22. Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 2002. Airplay Monitor. 10. 51. 22. December 20, 2002.
  23. Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1427. 48, 57. November 9, 2001. April 27, 2021.
  24. CHR/Pop: Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1428. 60. November 16, 2001. April 27, 2021.
  25. Web site: The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th February 2002. ARIA. 25. February 11, 2002. dead. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20020220130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20020221-0000/www.aria.com.au/Issue624.pdf. February 20, 2002. April 27, 2021.
  26. New Releases – For Week Starting 18 February 2002: Singles. Music Week. 33. February 16, 2002. August 21, 2021.
  27. Web site: ザ・ワールズ・グレイテスト R.ケリー. The World's Greatest R. Kelly. Oricon. ja. September 17, 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "The World's Greatest".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.