The music industry and fans around the world continue to mourn the death of Whitney Houston as she would’ve turned 49-years-old today.
“How Will I Know,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and of course “I Will Always Love You” will forever be linked to Houston’s incredible career.
Along with her acting chops, Houston was an all around entertainer who is an example of what is missing from the industry today.
As fans are still healing from her shocking death this February, lets remember one of the best-selling female artists of all time by her music with some of her lesser known songs from her most popular albums.
“Thinking About You” – Whitney Houston
Pop-Whitney has her own set of fans who loved how the 80s dance beat matched perfectly with her great vocals. Her debut album created three number one hit single including the classic Whitney dance track “How Will I Know,” but this disc featured another dance track that made this album one of the greatest albums of all time. “Thinking About You” has been remixed for years, but it is this seven minute extended dance mixed that will have Whitney stans dancing in celebrating for his 49th birthday.
“I Know Him So Well (feat. Cissy Houston)” – Whitney Houston
Miss Cissy Houston tore down the stage when she honored her daughter at the 2012 BET Awards. The mother-daughter sang together on special occasions, including a track on Whitney’s second album. “I Know Him So Well” is a song from the Broadway musical “Chess” that they covered and slayed. But just like many Whitney classics, this song is better heard live!
“Who Do You Love” – I’m Your Baby Tonight
Fans always say that a duet with Whitney and Michael Jackson would’ve took the world by storm! But it is another possible duet that never was between Whitney and Luther Vandross. The closest we ever got was this song written and produced by Vandross off Whitney’s third record, I’m Your Baby Tonight. Before she started her acting career, this album has been noted at the end of her pop career, but this dance track is a perfect example of, despite her lack of dance ability, how great pop-Whitney was.
Whitney’s rendition of the country classic ”I Will Always Love You” is arguably the greatest song ever and it made The Bodyguard album the best selling soundtrack of all time. Yet, it is songs like “Run To You,” which Whitney hardly if never performed live and was not as successful as the other soundtrack song, that shows Whitney at her very best vocally. “Run To You” is one of those Whitney songs that touches you at your core. Her runs are flawless and has just fiery power that allows fans to understand why she didn’t perform it live due to the difficulty of the song. Nevertheless, this is by far one of the greatest Whitney records ever.
“I Was Made To Love Him” – My Love Is Your Love
After the success of The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher’s Wife, Nippy released her first album with original material in eight years. “I Was Made to Love Him” was a cover of a Stevie Wonder song that was produced by Lauryn HIll. This hidden track has Whitney talking about her days growing up in Newark, New Jersey and falling in love. It is done with the flavor of late 90s Lauryn Hill, which is an incredible match with Whitney’s voice. And if you even listen closely, you can hear Hill doing background vocals.
“Same Script, Different Cast” – Whitney: The Greatest Hits
Unless you are Mariah Carey, it is nearly impossible to stand next to Whitney vocally in a duet, but R&B singer Deborah Cox attempted the impossible and was able to hold her own in this duet off Whitney’s greatest hits album. Think that’s doubtful? Take a listen.
“Things You Say” – Just Whitney….
Whitney dabbled a little in the hip-hop/R&B lane with this album, even though some critics forget this record even happened. “Things You Say” is just a great song. Anytime you have a song produced by Missy Elliott, it is no surprised it is one of the best songs on the album. Also, did you know Tweet even helped co-write this record and can even be heard on background vocals?
Why wasn’t this song a single? Couldn’t you imagine a music video of Nippy standing tall as a solider girl with little hints of her being over Bobby Brown? This song written and produced by R. Kelly is lyrical gold with lines like, “Don’t call it comeback, I’ve been here for years.” With this being Whitney’s last full album with new material, “Salute” is a testament that even with her new raspy voice Miss Houston is still in a league of her own.
If you are still dying for some more Whitney goodness, you’ll have a chance when her last movie “Sparkle” hits theaters on next weekend. Check out her duet with co-star Jordin Sparks and “Celebrate” the life of Nippy!
| post by Brittney | bbcott
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