It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be

"It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be"
"It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be"
Single by Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston
from the album Through the Storm
B-side	"If Ever a Love There Was"
Released	June 10, 1989
Genre	New jack swing;
Length	5:37; 4:49 (single edit);
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Albert Hammond; Diane Warren;
Producer(s)	Narada Michael Walden (album version); Gene Griffin, Teddy Riley (remix version);
Aretha Franklin singles chronology
Whitney Houston singles chronology
Music video
	"It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be " on YouTube

"It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" is a duet recorded between Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, and appeared on Franklin's 1989 album Through the Storm. The song was released on June 10, 1989, as the second single from the album by Arista Records.

The original album version was written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren and produced by Narada Michael Walden, and the re-mixed version was produced by Teddy Riley. In the US, the single reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the R&B Singles chart. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at No. 29.

Critical reception

AllMusic editor William Ruhlmann retrospectively panned "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be", calling it "an embarrassing failure for both Franklin and the previously pop-perfect Whitney Houston."^[3]

Versions

Album Version – 5:37
Single Edit – 4:49
Single Remix/Teddy Riley Mix – 4:02
Extended Remix – 6:12
Hip Hop Remix – 4:57
House Radio Mix – 5:05
New Jack Swing Dub Mix – 6:20
After Hours Club Mix – 7:35
1989 Vogue Dub Mix

Personnel

Aretha Franklin – lead vocals, vocal engineer
Whitney Houston – lead vocals
Walter "Baby Love" Afanasieff – co-producer, keyboards, synth bass, drum programming
Narada Michael Walden – producer, arrangements
Ren Klyce – Fairlight CMI programming
Karen "Kitty Beethoven" Brewington, Melisa Kary – backing vocals
Lincoln Clapp – engineer
David Frazer – engineer, mixing engineer
Dana Jon Chappelle – additional engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989)	Peak position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[4]	43
Ireland (IRMA)^[5]	14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)^[6]	6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[7]	40
UK Singles (OCC)^[8]	29
US Billboard Hot 100^[9]	41
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[10]	5
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[11]	18

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)	Position
US Top Black Singles (Billboard)^[12]	84

References

^ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. June 24, 1989. p. 85. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
^ Molanphy, Chris (November 15, 2024). "Say a Little Prayer Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
^ Ruhlmann, William. Aretha Franklin – Through the Storm: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6425." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Aretha Franklin". Irish Singles Chart.
^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 38, 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
^ "Aretha & Whitney – It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
^ "Aretha Franklin: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
^ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
^ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
^ "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
^ "Greatest Hits and Hitmakers of the '80s" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. Y-28. Retrieved 16 October 2017.

[1] "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. June 24, 1989. p. 85. Retrieved August 9, 2016.

[Molanphy_2024-2] Molanphy, Chris (November 15, 2024). "Say a Little Prayer Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 17, 2025.

[3] Ruhlmann, William. Aretha Franklin – Through the Storm: Review at AllMusic. Retrieved March 7, 2023.

[sc_Canadatopsingles_-4] "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6425." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.

[sc_Ireland2_Aretha_Franklin-5] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Aretha Franklin". Irish Singles Chart.

[6] "Tipparade-lijst van week 38, 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2023.

[sc_Dutch100_Aretha_&_Whitney-7] "Aretha & Whitney – It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.

[sc_UKsinglesbyname_Aretha_Franklin-8] "Aretha Franklin: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 23, 2017.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Aretha_Franklin-9] "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Aretha_Franklin-10] "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2017.

[sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Aretha_Franklin-11] "Aretha Franklin Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.

[12] "Greatest Hits and Hitmakers of the '80s" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. Y-28. Retrieved 16 October 2017.

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v t e Albert Hammond
Studio albums	It Never Rains in Southern California The Free Electric Band Albert Hammond
Compilation albums	It Never Rains in Southern California
Singles	"Down by the River" "It Never Rains in Southern California" "The Free Electric Band" "I'm a Train" "99 Miles from L.A." "When I'm Gone"
Songwriting	"Be Tender with Me Baby" "Don't Turn Around" "Gimme Dat Ding" "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" "I Don't Wanna Lose You" "I Need to Be in Love" "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" "Just Walk Away" "Little Arrows" "Lonely Is the Night" "Love Thing" "Make Me an Island" "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" "One Moment in Time" "Room in Your Heart" "Tall, Dark Handsome Stranger" "The Air That I Breathe" "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" "Way of the World" "When I Need You" "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" "Where Were You" "You're Such a Good Looking Woman"
Languages	"Cantaré, cantarás" "Sensualité" "Y Tú También Llorarás"
Related articles	Discography Albert Hammond Jr. John Bettis Mike Hazlewood Holly Knight Carole Bayer Sager The Family Dogg Diane Warren

v t e Aretha Franklin
Studio albums	Aretha (1961) The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962) The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin (1962) Laughing on the Outside (1963) Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington (1964) Runnin' Out of Fools (1964) Yeah!!! (1965) Songs of Faith (1965) Soul Sister (1966) Take It Like You Give It (1967) I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967) Aretha Arrives (1967) Lady Soul (1968) Aretha Now (1968) Soul '69 (1969) Soft and Beautiful (1969) This Girl's in Love with You (1970) Spirit in the Dark (1970) Young, Gifted and Black (1972) Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) (1973) Let Me in Your Life (1974) With Everything I Feel in Me (1974) You (1975) Sparkle (1976) Sweet Passion (1977) Almighty Fire (1978) La Diva (1979) Aretha (1980) Love All the Hurt Away (1981) Jump to It (1982) Get It Right (1983) Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985) Aretha (1986) Through the Storm (1989) What You See Is What You Sweat (1991) A Rose Is Still a Rose (1998) So Damn Happy (2003) This Christmas, Aretha (2008) A Woman Falling Out of Love (2011) Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics (2014)
Live albums	Aretha in Paris (1968) Aretha Live at Fillmore West (1971) Amazing Grace (1972) One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism (1987) Oh Me Oh My: Aretha Live in Philly, 1972 (2007)
Compilation albums	Take a Look (1967) Aretha's Gold (1969) Aretha's Greatest Hits (1971) The Best of Aretha Franklin (1973) Aretha Sings the Blues (1980) 30 Greatest Hits (1985) Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings (1992/2014) Greatest Hits: 1980–1994 (1994) The Very Best of Aretha Franklin, Vol. 1 (1994) Greatest Hits (1998) Aretha's Best (2001) Respect: The Very Best of Aretha Franklin (2002) The Queen in Waiting: The Columbia Years (1960–1965) (2002) Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul (2007) Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen (2007) A Brand New Me (2017) The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967–1970 (2018)
Singles	"Precious Lord (Part 1)" (1959) "Today I Sing the Blues" (1960) "Won't Be Long" (1960) "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" (1961) "Operation Heartbreak" (1961) "I Surrender, Dear" (1962) "Try a Little Tenderness" (1962) "Say It Isn't So" (1963) "Skylark" (1963) "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" (1964) "One Step Ahead" (1965) "You Made Me Love You" (1965) "Mockingbird" (1967) "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (1967) "Respect" (1967) "Baby I Love You" (1967) "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (1967) "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" "Chain of Fools" (1967) "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (1968) "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" (1968) "Think" (1968) "You Send Me" (1968) "The House That Jack Built" (1968) "I Say a Little Prayer" (1968) "See Saw" (1968) "My Song" (1968) "The Weight" (1969) "Tracks of My Tears" (1969) "I Can't See Myself Leaving You" (1969) "Gentle on My Mind" (1969) "Share Your Love with Me" (1969) "Eleanor Rigby" (1969) "Call Me" (1970) "Son of a Preacher Man" (1970) "Spirit in the Dark" (1970) "The Thrill Is Gone" (1970) "Don't Play That Song" (1970) "Border Song (Holy Moses)" (1970) "You're All I Need to Get By" (1971) "Bridge over Troubled Water" (1971) "Spanish Harlem" (1971) "Rock Steady" (1971) "Day Dreaming" (1972) "Angel" (1973) "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" (1973) "I'm in Love" (1974) "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" (1974) "Something He Can Feel" (1976) "Break It to Me Gently" (1977) "What a Fool Believes" (1981) "It's My Turn" (1981) "Jump to It" (1982) "Get It Right" (1983) "Freeway of Love" (1985) "Who's Zoomin' Who" (1985) "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (1985) "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986) "Jimmy Lee" (1986) "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987) "Rock-A-Lott" (1987) "Oh Happy Day" (1988) "Gimme Your Love" (1989) "Through the Storm" (1989) "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" (1989) "Everyday People" (1991) "Someday We'll All Be Free" (1992) "Ever Changing Times" (1992) "A Deeper Love" (1993) "Willing to Forgive" (1994) "A Rose Is Still a Rose" (1998) "Here We Go Again" (1998) "Put You Up on Game" (2007) "Angels We Have Heard on High" (2009) "Rolling in the Deep (The Aretha Version)" (2014)
Related	Awards and nominations Discography "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" Amazing Grace (2018 film) Genius (2021 television series) Respect (2021 film) Ted White
Category

v t e 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)" "Didn'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 Didn'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	"Same Script, Different Cast" "Could I Have This Kiss Forever" "If I Told You That" "Fine"
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	"I Look to You"
Featured / promotional singles	"Do You Hear What I Hear?" "One Moment in Time" "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be" "Takin' a Chance" "The Star Spangled Banner" "Something in Common" "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" "Memories" "Higher Love"