Whitney Houston – Whitney

Whitney Houston – Whitney

Following the phenomenal success of her self-titled debut, Whitney Houston returned in 1987 with Whitney, an album that confirmed her position as one of the biggest voices in international pop and R&B. Blending polished contemporary soul, synth-pop, dance music and powerful balladry, the record captures the glossy, ambitious sound of late-1980s mainstream pop at its very best.

Released on Arista Records in June 1987, the album brought together an impressive team of producers and songwriters, including Narada Michael Walden, Michael Masser, Jellybean Benitez and Kashif. Their individual approaches give the record plenty of variety, moving between sophisticated R&B grooves, energetic dance-floor production and sweeping romantic ballads. Throughout, Houston's extraordinary vocal ability remains the central attraction: technically assured, emotionally expressive and capable of turning an infectious pop song into a genuinely memorable performance.

The album opens with 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)', one of the defining pop singles of the decade. Its exuberant production, irresistible chorus and unmistakable vocal performance make it an enduring dance-pop classic. 'So Emotional' delivers another high-energy highlight, while 'Love Will Save The Day' brings a strong club influence to the collection. On the more reflective side, 'Didn't We Almost Have It All' showcases Houston's ability to deliver a powerful, emotionally charged ballad, and 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go' is another outstanding example of her command of the genre.

There is further depth in the album's quieter moments. 'Just The Lonely Talking Again' and 'You're Still My Man' explore a more intimate soul-pop sound, while 'For The Love Of You', originally recorded by The Isley Brothers, gives Houston an opportunity to reinterpret a classic soul composition. The closing duet 'I Know Him So Well', featuring her mother Cissy Houston, adds a theatrical touch, drawing on the song from the musical Chess.

Whitney became a major commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and producing four US chart-topping singles. It was also a landmark moment in chart history: Houston became the first female artist to debut an album at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

An essential album for fans of Whitney Houston, classic 1980s R&B, dance-pop and sophisticated contemporary soul, Whitney is a showcase for a remarkable voice at the height of its early career, supported by some of the era's finest pop production.

Tracklist

Side A

1. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) (4:50)

2. Just The Lonely Talking Again (5:30)

3. Love Will Save The Day (5:20)

4. Didn't We Almost Have It All (5:05)

5. So Emotional (4:53)

Side B

1. Where You Are (4:10)

2. Love Is A Contact Sport (4:16)

3. You're Still My Man (4:15)

4. For The Love Of You (5:29)

5. Where Do Broken Hearts Go (4:37)

6. I Know Him So Well (4:26)