Whitney Houston ‎– The Ultimate Collection

Whitney Houston – The Ultimate Collection

The Ultimate Collection is a definitive 18-track Whitney Houston greatest hits collection, originally released in the UK by Arista Records in October 2007. Bringing together some of the most celebrated recordings from across Houston's extraordinary career, this single-disc CD covers everything from her breakthrough 1980s pop and R&B hits to the huge soundtrack successes and sophisticated soul-pop of the 1990s.

The collection opens with one of Houston's most iconic recordings, “I Will Always Love You”, her unforgettable version of Dolly Parton's country classic from The Bodyguard. The song became one of the defining vocal performances of the 1990s and remains synonymous with Houston's extraordinary range and emotional delivery. It is followed by early career classics including “Saving All My Love For You” and “Greatest Love Of All”, both showcasing the powerful yet remarkably controlled voice that established Houston as a global superstar.

The 1980s are particularly well represented with the infectious “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “How Will I Know”, “So Emotional” and “Didn't We Almost Have It All”. These songs demonstrate Houston's ability to move effortlessly between polished contemporary R&B, dance-pop and emotionally charged balladry, with her extraordinary vocals remaining the constant throughout.

Houston's Olympic anthem “One Moment In Time” is another highlight, while the collection also includes “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”, “I'm Your Baby Tonight” and “Run To You”. The latter appeared on The Bodyguard soundtrack alongside “I Will Always Love You” and “I Have Nothing”, making this compilation particularly strong for fans of Houston's hugely influential soundtrack work.

The collection also features two major collaborations. “When You Believe”, performed with Mariah Carey, was recorded for The Prince of Egypt soundtrack and became one of the most celebrated vocal duets of the late 1990s. “If I Told You That”, meanwhile, features George Michael, bringing together two of the era's most recognisable pop voices.

The final section moves into Houston's later 1990s material, including “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)”, “I Have Nothing”, “I'm Every Woman”, “It's Not Right But It's Okay” and “My Love Is Your Love”. Together they demonstrate the breadth of her musical legacy, from traditional soul and gospel-influenced balladry to contemporary R&B and dance-oriented pop.

Commercially, The Ultimate Collection proved remarkably enduring. The album reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart and also topped the UK R&B Albums Chart. Its long chart life reflects the continuing popularity of Houston's catalogue and the strength of this concise single-disc selection.

For collectors of Whitney Houston CDs, 1980s pop, R&B, soul, vocal music and greatest hits compilations, The Ultimate Collection is an excellent career overview. With 18 essential recordings including “I Will Always Love You”, “Greatest Love Of All”, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, “One Moment In Time”, “When You Believe” and “I'm Every Woman”, it brings together many of the songs that established Houston as one of the defining vocalists of her generation.

Tracklist

1. I Will Always Love You – 4:24
2. Saving All My Love For You – 3:46
3. Greatest Love Of All – 4:47
4. One Moment In Time – 4:44
5. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – 4:50
6. How Will I Know – 4:34
7. So Emotional – 4:32
8. When You Believe – 4:33
9. Where Do Broken Hearts Go – 4:36
10. I'm Your Baby Tonight – 4:11
11. Didn't We Almost Have It All – 4:35
12. Run To You – 4:24
13. Exhale (Shoop Shoop) – 3:21
14. If I Told You That – 4:06
15. I Have Nothing – 4:48
16. I'm Every Woman – 4:40
17. It's Not Right But It's Okay – 4:40
18. My Love Is Your Love – 3:55