General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Part 123......"R.I.P. Whitney Houston"

With the loss of one of the greatest singers of all time, I felt it all but appropriate to dedicate tonight's list to her. I had not done a tribute list in quite some time, and I given the circumstances, I find it pretty appropriate to make this list about one of the greatest singers to ever walk the face of the earth. I do ask however, that no one complain about songs that were left out. I picked my favorites, and if one was left off I can promise it is not intentional.

In a very rare "Late Night Music" feat, all songs receiving votes in this category were included. There is no honorable mention when it comes to Whitney Houston.

"Saving All My Love For You". In 1985, Whitney Houston took the world by storm with the release of her self-titled debut album. The record breaking album went on to sell a staggering 13 million copies and popped out three Billboard Top 10 singles, including three straight #1's. Whitney would go on to have SEVEN consecutive singles go to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100- which broke the record previously held by the Beatles. No one has even come close since. The first in that famous streak was this song which was actually a cover song of a pretty unknown song from Marilyn McCoo in 1978. This song also won her the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Performance and the American Music Award for Favorite R&B/Soul Video, both in1986.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewxmv2tyeRs

"The Greatest Love Of All". Later on that same album, Whitney released this song which was originally recorded by George Benson in 1977, a version that was featured in the 1977 Muhammad Ali documentary "The Greatest". The song was also famously written by Linda Creed, who wrote the song in the middle of her battle with breast cancer. The song went to around the same time Creed lost that battle. This video has always been a favorite of mine- I love the way she carries herself in this video- may have been her sexiest look ever- but that's just me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYzlVDlE72w

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody". The funny thing is that the main thing I remember about this song is how the animatronic robots at Chuck E. Cheese used to sing this song as part of their show. I don't know why I remember that. This single, which was her follow up to "The Greatest Love Of All" and the lead single from her highly anticipated sophomore album "Whitney". Continued her #1 single streak and received the Grammy for Best Female Pop Performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA

"Where Do Broken Hearts Go". This infamous video was quite controversial despite the single going to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988. The video was so taboo that she was booed by the audience at the 1989 Soul Train Awards when the song was nominated for an award. Just watch the video and you'll figure out why. Whitney showed though that she was not willing to conform to stereotypes and has to be the first black female artist to openly be involved with a white co star even in a music video or movie (more on that later).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvsU4SNWPA

"All The Man That I Need". In 1990, Whitney Houston finished her debut album trilogy with "I'm Your Baby Tonight". The success of the album would launch her into film roles that she would sing on the soundtracks of for the majority of the decade. Surprisingly, Whitney would not have another studio album for 8 years after this album's release. In 1991, this single from the album reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and famously performed that same year on "Saturday Night Live". This was actually the third recorded version of the song by an artist, but none of the other versions managed to chart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WH1Ma50QUk

"I Will Always Love You". Okay, I realize that most of you need no introduction to "The Bodyguard", but Whitney Houston's debut film role alongside Kevin Costner in 1992 drew much criticism from film critics (and rightfully so, quite possibly one of the stupidest plots of a movie I've ever seen- no matter who was in it- however the criticism of her having a white love interest in this movie is beyond petty and extremely reaching in my opinion because of the jealousy of the success of her career- again, like I said, Whitney Houston was probably the first black female star to break stereotypes of all kinds), but the soundtrack was and still is one of the best selling albums of all time, and no doubt just as famous. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Album, and this single won the award for Best Record, and despite my previous joking about it, all of those awards were pretty much slam dunks. Whitney is pregnant actually with her daughter Bobbi Kristina in this video. Notice you do not see Whitney's stomach. This song also held the record for most consecutive weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 until it was dethroned by Boyz II Men's "End Of The Road" 2 years later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ivtcelIo0

"I Have Nothing". This is, however, my favorite song from "The Bodyguard". This is the first song on this list to NOT be #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as it peaked at a lowly #4 in 1993.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxYw0XPEoKE

"Count On Me". After taking a break after the birth of her daughter, Whitney returned to the big screen to star in the film adaptation of the Terry McMillan novel "Waiting To Exhale" with Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine, and Angela I will set your car on fire Bassett, which featured a soundtrack of songs completely written by Babyface and included Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Aretha Franklin, TLC, and Toni Braxton, and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. However, my favorite song from the soundtrack is this one which peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and featured a duet with gospel legend CeCe Winans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXttyNf8zv0

"I Believe In You And Me". The following year, Whitney starred alongside Denzel Washington, Courtney Vance, Gregory Hines, and Loretta Devine in the Christmas family movie "The Preacher's Wife". This remake of the Four Tops single from 1983, peaked at #4 for Whitney in 1996 and catapulted the soundtrack to "The Preacher's Wife" to become the best selling gospel album of all time. This is also one of my favorite Christmas movies and at least to me, is her best performance in a dramatic role.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQGt6VNm_iQ

"Who Would Imagine A King". I really wish I could find a clip of this song being sung in the movie by the children and Whitney Houston. Great moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYGu0dwl4Hk

"When You Believe". It wasn't until 8 years later that Whitney would release another studio album with the release of "My Love Is Your Love" in 1998. Included on this album was this amazing ballad with Mariah Carey which was another Babyface written song featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 animated Dreamworks film "The Prince Of Egypt". This unbelievable track won the Oscar for Best Original Song at that year's Academy Awards, and this is my second favorite look for Whitney in this video. I wish she would have kept her hair like this. Despite this song's popularity, it only peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAM2-hg7xJs

"My Love Is Your Love". This title track from the same album has always been one of my Whitney favorites. Featuring some assistance from her 5 year old daughter Bobbi Kristina, and became a favorite of Houston's in Europe (from where this performance was taken) while reaching #4 in the United States on the Billboard Hot 100.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n5A6ZCXuis

"Same Script, Different Cast". Oh man! This song is SO underrated. Released as a promotional single duet with Canadian Soul Starlet Deborah Cox, this song which never had a video peaked at #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was released to accompany the release of her 2000 Greatest Hits Double Album, which I am proud to say I definitely own. Just think this song would have been a cool concept for a video......actually one of my biggest disappointments in music is the lack of a video for this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVh0_DQtwyU

"Love That Man". In 2002, Whitney released her penultimate album "Just Whitney", which upon its release was her best selling album ever in opening weekend sales, and still holds the record for best opening weekend sales by any solo artist. This song has always been my favorite from the album, despite never making it on the Billboard Hot 100 (but reaching #1 on the Dance Charts).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGrWTTuNJoU

"I Look To You". Without a doubt, Whitney's most powerful song ever. This title track from her final album cannot be sung without giving me chills. Despite only making it to #70 on the Billboard Hot 100, this song is a true testament to the power of Whitney's music and amazingness of her soul. I truly hope that you can see this video and have it as a everlasting memory as to the true angel that was Whitney Houston.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pze_mdbOK8

BONUS VIDEOS-

"I Believe In You And Me". Great clip featuring Lionel Richie on the piano recorded specifically for this scene in the movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUGJtA45sDo

"Star Spangled Banner"- The famous rendition from Super Bowl 25. She famously pre-recorded the anthem (a tradition that is continued with every single Super Bowl performer for the anthem since) and released it as a single. The circumstances surrounding the anthem were unbelievably stressful as the United States had entered into the first Gulf War just 10 days prior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AOe0ywnWes

Self-Titled Debut Album