Say what you want about her complicated personal life, but there is no denying Whitney Houston had one of the greatest voices to ever grace the musical world.
The R&B/soul singer died at the age of 48 and her body was put to rest on Feb.18. Houston left behind a daughter and a legendary music career that spanned 35 years, and included six Grammy Awards and the best-selling single of all time by a female: “I Will Always Love You.”
Prior to studio albums released in 2002 and 2009, Houston and her record label put together the artist’s first greatest hits album in 2000, appropriately titled Whitney: The Greatest Hits.
The two-disc collection featured all of Houston’s memorable and chart-topping ballads on the first disc, while the second disc featured the artist’s up-tempo hits reworked as club remixes.
Fans are able to hear Houston’s powerful vocals on Disc one, a quality that made her one of the most successful singers in the world, including “Greatest Love of All,” a ballad convincing listeners the only love they need is the love they have for themselves. The lyrics describe the task of coping with the challenges and problems one faces in their life.
Every artist has the traditional love song–but it seems no one could convey the true meaning of love as Houston did. On “I Have Nothing,” she pours out her heart for the man she holds on tightly. The soaring vocal performance is haunting–in a good way.
By the time the worldwide smash hit “I Will Always Love You” comes through the speakers, one would quickly forget the beautiful song was not originally performed by Houston, but country star Dolly Parton. One big reason the song is successful: Houston had never before tapped into her vocal range like this. The theme song from the movie, The Bodyguard, this track will forever go down as the artist’s signature song.
Six years later, Houston would release “Heartbreak Hotel,” the second single off her fourth studio album, My Love is Your Love. The song was the greatest moment from its accompanying record due to Houston’s effortless yet emotional performance along with R&B singers Kelly Price and Faith Evans. The song would eventually become Houston’s final hit single.
Step into any dance club on a Friday night and you are sure to hear one of Houston’s famous tracks remixed for nightlife fun. Disc two features 16 remixes as well as the artist’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” the only version to be a Top 20 hit.
“It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” was perfect when the original version was released in 1999, but when the Thunderpuss remix emerged a year later, the energy and impact was 10 times greater. The song will get anyone up on their feet feeling like a true diva, just like Houston herself. That high note towards the end alone warrants a listen to the song.
Originally recorded by soul singer Chaka Khan, Houston would make “I’m Every Woman” into an even bigger hit on the charts. The remix features a “Thriller”-sounding beat while the artist belts out the lyrics of female empowerment. Remixes rarely outshine the original, but exceptions are to be made here.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” was already a dance hit, but the remix amped up the fun and playfulness, allowing the song to resonate with a whole new generation. Unlike generic material that clutters the dance genre today, Houston shows dance music can showcase great talent. The track is considered Houston’s second-best selling single of her career.
Whitney: The Greatest Hits may not be able to define the phenomenal artist that Houston was (you could not accomplish that with one album) but it does represent a solid collection of the artist’s greatest hits that should please devoted fans and new listeners. The album shows why Whitney Houston will always be regarded as one of the world’s most powerful entertainers. She was called a legend for a reason; a legend that was taken far too soon.
4 out of 5 stars
Tracks to Hear: “I Will Always Love You,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay (Thunderpuss remix)”
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
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