The World's Greatest

"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.

"The World's Greatest"
Single by R. Kelly
from the album Ali: Original Soundtrack and Loveland (Bonus Disc)
B-side"I Decided"
ReleasedNovember 13, 2001 (2001-11-13)
Length4:37
Label
Songwriter(s)Robert Kelly
Producer(s)R. Kelly
R. Kelly singles chronology
"We Thuggin'"
(2001)		 "The World's Greatest"
(2001)		 "Honey"
(2002)

Chart performance

The song reached number 31 on the Billboard R&B chart.[3] In the UK, it peaked at number four.[4]

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

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Germany (BVMI)[42] Gold 250,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[43] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Gold 400,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States November 13, 2001
Interscope [45]
November 20, 2001 Contemporary hit radio [46]
Australia February 11, 2002 CD Jive [47]
United Kingdom February 18, 2002
  • CD
  • cassette
 [48]
Japan April 24, 2002 CD Sony Music Japan [49]

References
  1. Other reviews by Glenn McClanan (August 30, 2003). "SoundtrackNet : Ali Soundtrack". Soundtrack.net. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  2. "Don't Just Listen, Be Heard". Soundcrank. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  3. "R Kelly Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  4. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  5. The World's Greatest (Australian CD single liner notes). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2002. 9253142.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. The World's Greatest (European CD single liner notes). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2002. 9253149.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. The World's Greatest (UK CD single liner notes). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2002. 9253242.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. The World's Greatest (UK cassette single sleeve). R. Kelly. Jive Records. 2002. 9253244.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. "Issue 632" ARIA Top 40 Urban Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  10. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  11. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  12. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  13. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest". Tracklisten. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  14. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 20, no. 12. March 16, 2002. p. 14. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  15. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  16. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The World's Greatest". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  18. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 10, 2002" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  19. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  20. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  21. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest". VG-lista. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  22. "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 11, saptamina 18.03–24.03, 2002" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  23. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  24. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest". Singles Top 100. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  25. "R. Kelly – The World's Greatest". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  26. "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  27. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  28. "R Kelly Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  29. "R Kelly Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  30. "R Kelly Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  31. "Jaaroverzichten 2002" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  32. "Rapports annuels 2002" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  33. "Year in Review – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2002" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 2–3. January 11, 2003. p. 14. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  34. "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 2002" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  35. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts 2002" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  36. "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  37. "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 2002". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  38. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2002" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  39. "Årslista Singlar, 2002" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  40. "Swiss Year-End Charts 2002" (in German). Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  41. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  42. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (R. Kelly; 'The World's Greatest')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  43. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2002" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  44. "British single certifications – R Kelly – The World's Greatest". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  45. "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1427. November 9, 2001. pp. 48, 57. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  46. "CHR/Pop: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1428. November 16, 2001. p. 60. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  47. "The ARIA Report: New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 11th February 2002" (PDF). ARIA. February 11, 2002. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  48. "New Releases – For Week Starting 18 February 2002: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. February 16, 2002. p. 33. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  49. "ザ・ワールズ・グレイテスト | R.ケリー" [The World's Greatest | R. Kelly] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
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