It was conceived by then-unproven songwriter and producer
Michael Masser. He had been recruited by Motown CEO
Berry Gordy and
A&R chief
Suzanne de Passe. Masser teamed up with the proven ballad lyricist
Ron Miller to write it. According to Masser, in a video documentary about Ross, she "always tried to push hard to get the vocals right for this particular song", calling it a "draining experience" that resulted in several near-emotional breakdowns when she wasn't up to her abilities. It was recorded in the early morning hours, as was her custom after she began raising her children. In a
Barbara Walters Mother's Day interview special, her second-oldest daughter,
Tracee Ellis Ross, said Diana would put them to bed and record all night, in order to wake her children and send them to school the next morning. ==Release==