Whitney Houston Revealed

It’s been almost thirty years since Whitney Houston’s first single first played, instantly becoming a hit and becoming a best-selling record. It’s also been almost a year since she was tragically discovered dead, alone, mysteriously, leaving many unanswered questioned. An accomplished actress, producer, model, and recording artist, Whitney Houston’s works have sold over 170 million singles, albums, and videos around the world. There was definitely something about the strength and unique quality of her voice, as long as her undeniably talented style that captured the hearts and attention of millions for decades.

The Greatest Love of All

One of her earliest success songs, which still rings her name to date, was the song “The Greatest Love of All,” whose first few lines, “I believe the children are our future” are presently an iconic set of lyrics and tunes. The tremendous chorus bursting to a high octave led many captivated, singing along with her if not with their voices but in their minds and hearts as well.

Saving All My Love for You

Born in a middle-class neighbourhood, Whitney’s first influence in music was her mother, Cissy, who was a gospel singer. Her striking looks were a beautiful combination of Native American, African American and Dutch. Her cousins, godmothers, aunt--the famous Aretha Franklin--as well as her mother were figures on different musical genres while growing up, exposing her to rhythms of pop, rhythm, and soul. Eventually, she began touring night clubs for acts when she eventually signed in with Arista Records in 1983. Her first few hits were the jazzy combination “Saving All My Love for You,” which was in the Billboard Charts for a number of weeks and in fact hit No. 1. This was one of the first few releases for Whitney that became an instant success for her. From then on, things looked up for the promising young performer. Her dazzling white smile and strikingly unique features, her captivating voice and songs were the right combination for a rising career in music.

All at Once

Whitney began to gain more recognition with her later performances, notably the songs “All At Once” and “Saving All My Love for You,” hitting top Billboard charts once again and holding it for a few weeks in a row. There was more international recognition that followed her famous iconic song, “Greatest Love of All,” which was No. 1 once again and garnered her international success this time with more than thirteen platinum awards in the United States alone, as well as more attention worldwide. After that, the name Whitney Houston was quite well known throughout the world as one of the “most distinct, beautiful voices of the world.” Indeed, Houston’s hitting high notes with her strong solid voice set a new standard in the music industry. It became more popular than the soft sultry tones of country music, as teenagers all over the world began attempting to sing with high notes in stronger voices than usual, in an attempt to copy and replicate the style of Whitney Houston.

One Hit After Another

By then, there was really no stopping Houston’s career. Her career was on the rise, from one sensational hit to another. Everything she sang breathed success. Everyone wanted to see her, listen to her, hear her, and be her. Her second album, Whitney, released in 1987, had high expectations from her first album, and did not fail to impress. Although many claimed that her second album was very similar and almost identical to her first album, it was still a financial and international success to Houston’s faithful fans and won her many others. Her hits from this second album was, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” and of course, the nerve-and-tear-duct-hitting “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” Once again, despite the “narrow-mindedness” criticism that the album received, the album still sold over 20 million copies and was an instant success, garnering her many platinum awards once again.

The Star Spangled Banner

In 1991, Whitney Houston gave one of her most memorable performances of all time. Performing “The Star Spangled Banner” in front of thousands live, and millions via television, she sang with so much passion and fervour, still bringing back memories to many with her strong emotional voice. Her performance led to an overwhelming response, leading to the release of a video and single of her performance. Interestingly enough, even the international market, who were not American, appreciated her rendition at the Super Bowl XXV in January 1991. Perhaps it was because the country was entangled in the war at the Persian Gulf, or because it was a quarter of a year’s celebration for the Super Bowl. But nonetheless, the performance was listed as one of the greatest moments on television. The share of the proceeds from her performance was unselfishly donated to the American Red Cross Golf Crisis Fund, resulting to more admiration for the singer.

Marriage with Bobby Brown

In her personal life, Houston dated Randall Cunningham, an American football star and also Eddie Murphy, American comedian actor. Her three-year courtship with Bobby Brown eventually led to a marriage in 1992, a gallant wedding which captured much media attention and whose financial costs as well as long celebrity guest list mentioned. Houston and Brown had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina. Brown’s career went downhill from then on, as her later had trouble with the law and serving some jail time. He eventually succumbed to drug abuse leading to their on-off relationship.

The Bodyguard

Houston’s career, however, was ready to venture into another field through the movie with Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard. Despite its negative reviews, the movie was an instant success with a gross of around $120 million. The movie’s theme song, “I Will Always Love You” is regarded as her ‘signature song” or “iconic song”, literally playing in every store, car, and restaurant for a strong of weeks.

Jesus Loves Me with Kelly Price

Houston went on to perform in more movies and release more albums, only leading to more success in her life. On February 9, 2012, Houston appeared publicly with Kelly Price and sang “Jesus Loves Me.” Only two days later, her body was discovered in the Beverly Hilton Hotel, unconscious, and later ruled as dead, a tragic ending for a great figure in music.