On February 11, Collegiettes all over America were shocked to hear that Whitney Houston tragically passed away at the Beverly Hilton expected to be present at this year’s Grammy Awards. Whitney was the voice of her generation, with a range that was envied and never duplicated, so her death left the entertainment industry with a heavy heart. But her music and talent is not left dormant and cherished between her contemporaries and our parents, instead she her legacy remains strong and appreciated in the minds and hearts of today’s artists such as Jennifer Hudson, whose rendition of “I Will Always Love You” in tribute to the late singer was both chilling and heartfelt. Her music and influence also remain in our memories, whether it was sitting peacefully in the back of our mother’s car listening to the radio, dancing in the kitchen to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, or even wiping away solemn tears as we slowly came to realize the relevance in her song lyrics not only in our family lives but our own.
So as the rest of Hollywood and the music industry mourns her passing, having witnessed both her rise and descent in the past decade, we at HerCampus UC Irvine thought it would be appropriate but also consoling to share our favorite hits from Whitney herself.
Saving All My Love For You (1985)
Famed as Whitney’s first #1 signal, “Saving All My Love For You” speaks of love in a different form. Though not your typical “Boy-meets-girl” song, Whitney sings of the struggle in wanting someone you can’t have due to distance, career, or in this case, marriage. This single marked the beginning of her career as a power house ballad performer.
How Will I Know (1985)
Following the success of the aforementioned hit single, Whitney came out with a song of a different sort. Embodying the feelings of falling in love and simply wondering, “How Will I Know” was Whitney’s first try at the 80’s ever-so popular pop movement. The synthetic drums and upbeat keyboard work is not only testament to the generation our parent’s loved but also the variability in Whitney’s repertoire.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (1987)
Perhaps the most memorable hit with Collegiettes across America, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” was Whitney’s second #1 hit single in the pop realm. It was also in fact, enough to earn her a Grammy for that year. Don’t act like you don’t know the words, ladies!
When You Believe (1998) feat. Mariah Carey
As Disney became a powerhouse for quality animated motion pictures, Dreamworks combated the competition with “Prince of Egypt” that showcased the life, though slightly fictional, of Biblical highlight Moses and his religious plight against the Egyptian hierarchy. Music-wise, they chose to feature two music greats, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, to cover the theme song. Speaking words of encouragement and of the hope that comes with faith, Mariah and Whitney slowly became a part of children’s memories across the nation.
I Will Always Love You (1992)
In 1992, Whitney Houston received her first acting role in “The Bodyguard” alongside seasoned actor, Kevin Costner. Portraying the role of esteemed singer, a role she was all too familiar with, Whitney added a sense of authenticity to the movie based on the unique and in this case, passionate relationship shared between a woman and her protector. Her most popular works are laden throughout the movie’s soundtrack, such as “I Have Nothing” and “Run To You”. However, “I Will Always Love You” transcends the test of time, showcasing her amazing talent and vocal range.
The beauty of it all, and perhaps the silver lining in her sudden passing, is the fact that all these songs continue to be played, and cherished by adults and children alike. Her passion for music and the messages embodied in each of her hits will last much longer than this misfortune, and in that respect, she continues to live on.
We at HerCampus UC Irvine wish the Houston family comfort and condolence through this difficult time. Rest In Peace, Whitney.