A Tribute to Whitney Houston

The first song of Whitney Houston that I remember dancing my heart out to was 'I wanna dance with somebody'.  There I was in Nigeria, dancing and singing until my little legs were tired.  I practiced and practiced singing the song until I was note-perfect.  She was stunning to watch on TV when we had electricity and I was drawn into her performances whenever I had the chance to view them.  She was definitely one of the many musical influences I had growing up.

She had sung in church growing up and I was singing in Church so surely, I too, could grow up to be a singer...

Look at how innocent she looked in this video.  With the curls,the shoulder pads and the pinkness.  I just love the naivety of it.

The next songs that Whitney released that had an impact on me were the songs from 'The Bodyguard'.  I realize there was another album in between 'Whitney' and this one but it did not speak to me as much as this one so I have left that out.

However, 'the Bodyguard' really reached us in Nigeria and left its mark.  Before Whitney, I had never heard the song 'I will always love you' and when I did hear it,I loved it, absolutely loved it.  One of those songs that most budding singers cut their teeth on.  If you can hold those notes, well you must be one of the greats.

Looking over the song list, each song that she performed on this album holds a special place in my heart as it saw me through a lot of my teenage years.  I loved the film and I loved the album.  Her voice broke through a lot of my angst and touched me when nothing else could.  I still remember falling asleep with my Sony cassette player right next to me listening over and over again to Whitney sing 'I have Nothing', 'Run to You','Queen of the night', 'Jesus Loves Me' and 'I'm every woman'. All probably recorded from the radio as I had no money to buy albums and my parents were not into buying that kind of thing for us.  Powerful songs, powerful voice.

If you have not heard these songs, at least listen to 'I have Nothing' and 'Run to You'.  They are so amazing!  The lyrics reach right into the heart and sing out what it just might be saying.  Powerful singing by Whitney Houston here...

The Preacher's Wife was another great film where Whitney takes the lead with Denzel Washington.  I loved it!  And more than that I adored the soundtrack.  In fact, I was subjecting my children to it just yesterday on a long journey home.  My best song on it is 'I love the Lord'.  Every time I sing it, I just cannot help but look to the heavens.  The full sound of the gospel singers backing Whitney is just excellent.  There are other amazing songs as well like  'I believe in You and Me', 'Joy to the World', 'Step by Step'.  

She also took a role in a version of Cinderella with Brandi.  This emphasized the idea that impossible things can happen if people would just get off their bums and try.  I love it and having lent my copy of the VHS to a friend, have now borrowed the DVD from a cousin to replace it.  Pay it forward, I say!

I hope you get to read the article called 'Impossible things are happening'

I came back to the UK in 1997 and met my husband to be in 1999.  While courting, he would come to visit me and my family in a little 2 bed flat where I would always make sure I was singing this song by Whitney Houston - I learned from the Best.

I was crazy about the song and also about the whole compilation album which also contained the hit 'My love is Your love'.  I belted those songs out just as he would be coming through the door.  I am sure it all added to his love and future proposal to me (LOL!)

My sister and I had saved up our hard earned pennies to buy this album and we both thought it was amazing. With songs like 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Its not right but its ok', 'I Bow Out' and the most excellent duet with Mariah Carey (When you believe), it is no wonder that it became an international best seller.

A book is about to be released about Whitney Houston called 'People remembering Whitney Houston: A tribute'.  It is by People Magazine so it may be good or bad depending on whether you read them or not.  I am looking forward to a book detailing her journey.

Let's See...