Going back and listening to Whitney Houston’s '80s hits reveals a number of insights that may not have been obvious during the singer’s peak period. Everyone realized that Houston was a great technical singer, capable of great vocal control and range. The question always revolved around how much substance or passion came out of those performances. Peruse my selections for Houston’s top five singles of the decade, and you’ll see slick but also deftly composed melodies that hold up pretty well.
1. “You Give Good Love”
One of Whitney Houston’s signature gifts in the '80s had to be her ability to blend small amounts of soul into her slick adult contemporary pop ballads, just enough to make sure the music would appeal to urban audiences as well as mainstream pop fans. This song is a great example of this, as Houston delivers a sufficiently soulful, passionate performance that rides in on a modest R&B groove perfect for after-dark encounters with the one you love, or at least somebody you kinda like.
2. “Saving All My Love for You”
Houston struck next in 1985 with another ballad, this one a bit more syrupy and a little less soulful than the last. Nonetheless, the song glides in on a highly effective melody that leads up to a chorus that is the perfect showcase for Houston’s undeniably powerful pipes. More importantly, the tune takes on a somewhat compelling romantic dilemma, that of idealizing the lover you can’t quite have and risking headlong obsession for your trouble.
3. “How Will I Know”
Houston’s boppy, peppy numbers tend to suffer from a particularly dated sound compared to her ballads, but this song still works remarkably well because of its lush melody throughout the verse, bridge and chorus. And Houston’s spirited performance makes the song a rather transcendent one for the listener, even if too much Whitney at once can promote an aural brain freeze. Confection or not, Houston proves that she knows how to interpret, with great skill, tunes that display solid craftsmanship.
4. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
The songs of Whitney Houston could never be charged with being anything less than accessible and intensely hummable. In fact, I once caught a rock music fanatic friend of mine in high school singing along to this ditty in his room when he thought no one was watching. And no, it wasn’t me… on that particular occasion. Anyway, this is a basic good-time song that belies its rather synthetic sound with the help of solid compositional structure. Oh, who am I kidding, just find me a karaoke machine.
5. “So Emotional”
I had a snobby English professor in graduate school who loudly complained once that he didn't like to hear Houston sing because she was too mechanical and passionless for his taste. Looking back on that claim, I think Houston is far less guilty of that charge than the legions of female singers who have followed her, interested only in gaudy note combinations and showing off. Houston’s performance here is typically matched to a slick but dynamic melody that lingers even as it floats on by.
