
Eight years later, Whitney Houston covered it with a slightly altered title, gaining widespread recognition when it topped the charts.
In an interview, composer Michael Masser remarked that Ali embodied a remarkable athlete who faced prejudice yet remained true to his beliefs. He shared the song's personal significance, explaining his decision to pursue a music career over law despite facing hardship.
"People thought I was crazy. I had to starve, had no money, and my marriage fell apart, but I had to follow my passion for music," he said. He wrote the song straight from the heart in collaboration with Creed and had George Benson record it.