Norwegian deejay/producer Kygo was recently offered some previously laid vocals of Whitney Houston singing Steve WInwood's Higher Love by the singer's estate and he ran with it. Set to a typically Kygo-esque dance track, the vocals make for a respectable version of the original classic and have earned Houston her very first posthumous hit record. Check it out...
One of my all time favorite Whitney Houston songs has got beautiful words, an awesome message, and works awesomely as either a sultry ballad or a hot dance track. Gosh, I've spent so much time in my life dancing to this one. Here's Whitney...
And here's the original, slower version, with the video to the song...
I hit a couple of bars here in Philly last night, and one in particular is a very popular place. Tavern on Camacis a very cool hotspot containing three floors of entertainment. Down in the basement is a lounge for some relaxing and quiet conversation, the main floor s a piano bar, and the upstairs is an all-out dance club. Being it was Sunday night, I didn't expect it to be crowded. Sure the piano bar had people in it, but not as many as on a Saturday night. After a few minutes, I decided to check out what was going on upstairs.
Don't make me close one more door
I don't want to hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don't walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don't have you, you, you, you, you
I headed up and already from the stairs I could hear a lot of activity. I opened the door and, voila! This was where all of the people were. I smiled, thinking that it was going to be a unexpectedly fun night of dancing. I was wrong! Turns out, it must've been torch song night. When I had first walked in, some Spanish language ballad had been playing and everyone on the packed dance floor had just been standing around watching the video on the big screen above. Then this came on.
Now, I have to preface this by saying that most of the clientele packing the place hadn't even been born yet when this song came out. Yet they all knew not only every word, but every breath, every syllable. I couldn't, lol, As Whitney got to the chorus...Oh My God....40-50 or so twenty-something queens belting it out! I was amused, and so today's song. Once that had ended, Idina Menzel's Let It Go came on and that was it for me. You all know, I'm more of a dance kind of guy anyway...
If tomorrow is Judgement Day And I'm standing on the front lines And the Lord asked me what I did with my life I will say, I spent it with you
Towards the end of the 1990's, Whitney Houston had one of the most popular albums of her career, worldwide. It had been only her fourth studio album of her career and her first in eight years, and it produced several hits, including It's Not Right, But It's Okay, Heartbreak Hotel, I Learned From the Best, and this one, my all time favorite Whitney Houston song. There are actually two fantastic versions of My Love Is Your Love, a reggae-tinged ballad and a glossy dance remix, and I love both of them. Co-written by Fugees veteran Wyclef Jean, who also produced the ballad version, the lyrics of this song profess complete unconditional love and are beautifully written. Since it is summer and a Saturday to boot, I chose the dance remix, to which unfortunately there is no video. That's okay, though! Just hit play and enjoy...
In honor of Bobbi Kristina Brown, daughter of Whitney Houston, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 22, we post one of her mom's greatest and most beloved hits. I can never say for sure, but ever since the death of Whitney a couple of years back, her songs have skyrocketed in popularity and dance floors always fill up when this one is played. Well, it was a great song! Rest in Peace Bobbi Kristina!
Here's one of the lesser known Whitney Houston jams. The song is called Step By Step and it's from the 1997 soundtrack to the film The Preacher's Wife. The tune was originally written and recorded by diva Annie Lennox, and Houston's version was the brightest spot on the soundtrack. It's gospel-infused, of course, and Lennox, who provided background vocals on the chorus here, has the perfect voice to match that theme. While the original is inspirational and pleasant, this remix by Junior Vasquez takes it up a notch higher to fit the dance floor setting and gives it that summer jam feel that we've been highlighting all week. So click play below and check out Whitney's Step By Step...
Once upon a time, when I used to write for Associated Content and then Yahoo Voices, I penned a lot of pieces on music...surprise, right? Anyway, one of the most popular types of articles I used to write there were what I like to call musical top ten lists. These articles were all about music appreciation, whether it be the songs or albums of one particular artist, and often they were tunes centered around a theme, such as a holiday. Well, since today is Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share an amalgamation of a couple of pieces I've written on songs for lovers. All of the songs contained here are perfect for a romantic evening with the one you love. Check them out...
By Your Side – Sade
This is one of my all time favorite songs, and one that I've posted many times before. This tune was mine and Joe's song and I vividly remember a magical and very romantic evening watching Sade perform this one under the stars at Jones Beach Theater. The song soothes the soul and warms the heart and is the perfect backdrop to any romantic Valentine's Day date. Take a listen...
I would dial the numbers
Just to listen to your breath
I would stand inside my hell
And hold the hand of death
You don't know how far I'd go
To ease this precious ache
You don't know how much I'd give
Or how much I can take
Just to reach you
Just to reach you
Oh to reach you…
Come to My Window – Melissa Etheridge
This classic is the ultimate heartfelt emotion expressed so beautifully by Melissa Etheridge and surely goes well with any lover's theme. Check it out...
Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
Oh,
my love
A thousand kisses from you is never too much
I just don't wanna stop
Oh, my love
A million days in your arms is never too much
I just don't wanna stop
This soulful classic by R&B crooner Luther Vandross speaks so wonderfully to those beautiful feelings you get when you're in love. Take a listen...
In Your
Eyes - Peter Gabriel
Anyone who's ever seen the movie Say
Anything will understand why this song is on my list of songs of love and devotion. The
track fits the budding love between Lloyd
Dobler (John Cusack) and Diane Court (Ione Skye) perfectly, and is a great addition to any list of love songs. Check it out...
If tomorrow is a judgement day And I'm standin' on the front line And the Lord ask me what I did with my life I will say I spent it with you
My Love is Your Love – Whitney Houston
The first time I heard this song was
the remix version, which I loved, but once I listened to the original, the slow, steady beats backing these beautiful words had me hooked all over again The tune has a spiritual feel to it and it simply moves me. If you don't know it, take a listen below and let it move you too...
Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
This is the most recent of the songs of love and
devotion on this list, and it is my Valentine's Day Song of the Day today, so check that out here and add it to your list. Just the Way You Are is a
classic love song that’s sure to stick around for many Valentine’s Days to come and the lyrics are as beautiful as they get...
When I
see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are
So there you have it, six great songs of love and devotion just in time for a nice soundtrack to your Valentine's Day. Simply pair these up with your own favorites and you have the makings for a very romantic evening with your loved one.
I just recently downloaded a bunch of old tunes that I didn't have in my iTunes, and several of them were Whitney's. Here's her first feel-good dance song off of her debut eponymous album. Enjoy and Happy Thursday! C'mon now....
