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Whitney Houston was a one-of-a-kind singer. She brought songs to life in ways that no other singer could. When her debut album was released in 1985, Houston became one of the biggest superstars of the 1980s. That super stardom extended into the 1990s, with her record-breaking, award-winning soundtrack album to “The Bodyguard,” where she also made her film debut.
Throughout her career, Houston released many hit singles. These songs were sometimes covers and sometimes introduced by Houston herself. In all cases, however, Houston took ownership of these songs and made them what they are.
As we wait for the upcoming biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody later this month, here are Houston’s eight biggest songs according to Billboard.
8/8 Saving All My Love For You
This song was originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. for their 1978 album “Marilyn & Billy,” although Davis’ voice was absent from the finished version. They had a minor hit with the song, but Houston would take it to another level. While working on her debut album, this was one of the many songs Houston recorded. It was released in 1985 and became Houston’s first Billboard Hot 100 number one. It sold over three million copies worldwide and won Houston her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female in 1986.
7/8 All The Man That I Need
For Houston’s third album, “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” Houston ventured into a more R&B direction. It was seen as quite a departure from her first two albums. The album was very successful and this was one of its hit singles. This is yet another song that Houston covered. It was first released in 1982 as “All The Man I Need” by Linda Clifford. Sister Sledge also recorded the song the same year, with their version peaking at number 45 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart. Houston’s version went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot R&B Singles and Adult Contemporary chart.
6/8 I’m Every Woman
In 1980, Houston sang background vocals on Chaka Khan’s album “Naughty.” The experience wouldn’t be the last time the two singers would connect. In 1992, Houston was working on the film and soundtrack project “The Bodyguard.” When the song was released, it became a huge hit. The song was originally recorded by Khan and helped her establish herself as a solo artist. Houston showed her love for Khan not only by covering the song, but featuring the singer in her music video. Among other cameos were Houston’s mother Cissy and the group TLC.
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5/8 How Will I Know
While working on her debut album, Houston wanted to sing more than just ballads. Dance music was going through a change as the 80s progressed and was still very popular. So when this song came to Houston, it seemed like a perfect fit. It was originally submitted to Janet Jackson. However, Jackson’s management declined as they felt it was too weak compared to her other material. Houston’s mother Cissy was originally supposed to sing background vocals on the song, but Clive Davis persuaded Houston sing them herself. Her efforts paid off and it became another big hit from her debut album.
In 1991, the United States was in the Gulf War and tensions in the country were high. There was a need for some kind of hope, as it was a difficult time for many Americans. When Houston stepped onto the field at Super Bowl XXV, the audience (both at home and in the stadium) were not prepared for what they heard. Houston’s performance brought the house down and gave the country the hope and empowerment it needed. The single became a massive success and featured The Florida Orchestra. Ten years later, the single was re-released in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001.
3/8 Heartbreak Hotel
During most of the 90s, Houston worked on film projects and their respective soundtracks. It had been almost a decade since the public got an all-new studio album from Houston. That all changed in 1998, when Houston’s “My Love Is Your Love” album was released. The first single, “Heartbreak Hotel” featured Faith Evans and Kelly Price. The song was originally offered to the group TLC for their “FanMail” album. However, the group passed on the song, triggering criticism from Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes after it became a big hit for Houston. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard R&B chart and number two on the Hot 100.
2/8 My Love Is Your Love
This song was co-written and co-produced by Wyclef Jean. At the time of recording this song, Houston was married to R&B singer Bobby Brown and had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina. Houston no doubt sang from the place of love she was experiencing at this point in her life. The song even features vocals from Houston’s daughter in the background throughout the record. In the years to follow, this would become a big hit and live staple for Houston, who would sometimes bring Bobbi Kristina on stage to sing her parts.
1/8 I Will Always Love You
Originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974, Houston’s cover of the song was made possible by co-star Kevin Costner. Costner suggested Houston record the song for the film’s soundtrack and brought it to David Foster who rearranged it as a pop ballad. The song was released as the first single from the soundtrack in 1992 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 consecutive weeks. This was a record at the time for the longest-running number one single on the chart. The success of the song helped it become one of the best-selling singles of all time. In addition, the soundtrack became the top-selling soundtrack of all time.
