ReWind: Karyn White Reflects on “Superwoman” 30 Years Later

Karyn White
Superwoman
Warner Bros (1988)

In 1988 Karyn White‘s, self-titled debut album established her as a leading female voice in contemporary R&B music. That album was certified Platinum and reached #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. The album was produced mainly by L.A. Reid and Babyface.

The second single from the album, “Superwoman” was an instant ladies anthem. Overall charting wise, the single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, and became Karyn‘s second #1 R&B hit, topping the charts for 3 weeks in January of 1989, staying on the chart for 24 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #11 on the U.K. Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

That song made international waves, selling over a million copies, being certified Platinum and named the Billboard R&B Song of the Year in 1989.

Karyn White is also known for her singles: “Secret Rendezvous”, “The Way You Love Me” and the Billboard Hot 100 #1 single “Romantic.” She became the first female artist to have her first three solo releases hit #1.

The Los Angeles native who has literally been singing her entire life was nominated twice for Grammy Awards (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance), and earned a trio of Soul Train Award nominations, along with a coveted NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist in 1989.

In one of our archived interviews, we spoke with Karyn about the success of “Superwoman.”
“Let me first say this! The incredible L.A. Reid, Babyface and Darryl Simmons presented me with the song. It was an honor, people have to understand L.A. was married to Pebbles and there was a lot of competition in that era. I mean there was Anita Baker, Vanessa Williams, Jody Watley, Janet Jackson, so this song really separated me from all of those artists. So looking back now, I’m really happy they thought that I could pull it off. They were so hot, everybody wanted to work with them. I don’t feel special but I do feel special, because they could have given the song to someone else. So in hindsight I’m glad they saw the strength in me that I could pull it off. To be able to deliver the song, for me I pulled from my mother. Because I was so young, I didn’t really understand what saying I’m not your Superwoman really meant. I was just a baby Superwoman, I had not had children or really lived. I had not gone through the heartaches and tough times. So now when I sing that song, it’s so funny because it’s so dramatic for me because I always find myself going to church (laughs). I’ll be like can I sing “Love Saw It” or “Secret Rendezvous?”