Songfacts®:

• The opening track of Strength of a Woman is a heartfelt empowerment anthem in which Mary J Blige declares that until she learns to love herself, she'll never be able to love others properly.
  
  Oh, you gotta love yourself
  If you really wanna be with someone else
  You gotta feed yourself
  Before you feed somebody else
  You gotta stay open, and don't be foolish
  'Cause everybody don't mean you well
  You gotta love yourself
  Before you love somebody else
• The song features a verse by Kanye West on which he discusses his career and other struggles. It is the pair's first ever collaboration.
• DJ Camper's production contains a sample of "Nobody Knows" by SCLC Operation Breadbasket Orchestra and Choir. The same song was previously used on cuts by 50 Cent ("I Don't Need 'Em") and T.I. ("I'm Talkin' To You").
• Along with Blige, Kanye, and Camper, the songwriting roster includes Charles Hinshaw (aka Prince Charlez) and David D. Brown, the pair who co-wrote the album's previous single, "U + Me (Love Lesson)." Because of the SCLC sample, songwriter I. Andrews is also credited.
• This was the album's third single. It peaked at #11 on the Adult R&B Songs chart and #34 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
• Blige recorded a remix version replacing Kanye with A$AP Rocky, who also appears in the music video. The clip, which was shot in New York City and Los Angeles, opens with Blige singing in a darkened penthouse and features the rapper performing in his own luxurious digs. It was directed by Taj, who also helmed videos for Jennifer Lopez ("On The Floor") and Usher ("Lil Freak").