vainandy said:

NaQu said:

The remark I read about how Whitney was too much of a goody-goody and that after high school no one remembers the goody two shoes is a laughable analogy by the way...simply because it isn't true. Or is at least too vague a description. Whitney was more than just the goody-goody...she was the pretty, golden, congenial prom/homecoming queen; the one who is popular with the whole school (teachers AND students), and is plenty remembered at the high school reunion.

Oh she was definitely that. Remember, she was huge in pop so comparing her to remembering school, that would mean she went to a predominately white school (not her real school, the school in this comparison) and was the black girl that was the goodie two shoes, seemingly loved by all the white kids, and hung out mostly with the white kids....only durinig school hours though. Remember, as white as the "white" black girl in the school may seem to be, they are still black and still considered black to those white kids once school hours end. She was the black girl that many blacks loved as the over achiever and also the black girl that many of the other black girls accused of "wanting to be white".

Her music was also largely adult contemporary so in the high school comparison, that would definitely make her one of the teacher's pets. But remember, every year new students enter the school and there's always a new teacher's pet. Over the years, the teacher's pets become forgotten.

And with her being the goodie two shoes little black girl of the school that all the white kids loved, she definitely would be considered sort of a prom queen. But once again, remember, as white as she may seem, she's still black so she would never be THE prom queen, just the "black prom queen" to the whites, to which many of the black students would snicker behind her back and call her "the white prom queen". Over the years, the "black prom queen" becomes forgotten and people only remember "THE prom queen".

However, no one said she was forgotten. Lord knows, that little goodie two shoes' influence changed R&B music for the worst and it's still fucked up and rhythmless thanks to her so she's defininately not forgotten by no means. And yes, her sales mean she will never be forgotten either. But for her name to be mentioned in the same sentence as Prince, Madonna, or Michael when remembering the 1980s in general is rediculous. When people start talking about the 1980s, they start remember artists from the good times such as skating, clubbing, etc. Now, what Shitney Houston stuff would have been in places where people are out having a good time? It was all too damn adult contemporary for those places and none of her music was danceable so it sure as hell wasn't in the clubs and skating rinks. When folks go naming artists off the top of their head when remembering the 1980s, the first ones they think of is from the good times. The only social settings I remember hearing Shitney's music in was in the Pizza Hut when some white soccer mom played several of her songs from the juke box while her kids was having a birthday party over at the next table over.

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.

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[Edited 7/12/11 14:55pm]

You're too good for the org And How Will I Know definitely has a Chuck E Cheese vibe about it. Those mirrors in the video speak volumes.

purplethunder3121 said:

vainandy said:

Exactly!!!

Just to torture you for that--"You-oo light up my life, you-oo give the me strength to go oo-n..." Pat Boone is giving me the evil eye!

Well, he gave me better than that. He gave me his dick in a box....

NSFW....

http://www.queerty.com/wp...nedick.jpg

Timmy84 said:

jsluva said:

I don't think Whitney is liked too much on this board anyways so some of these comments are biased lol. Truth of the matter is, she accomplished a shit load between 1985-2000 enough to where her name is mentioned and tossed out as a legend. Plus let's not forget, the ILTY album debuted #1 in the US and several other countries around the world too. I think she should be mentioned with the other three especially when you throw in the "eccentric" factor. I mean, Whitney became just as weird/eccentric as Michael and Prince. She has that appeal, whether good or bad, people are interested in her. If I were to rank the 80's stars on what they accomplished in the 80's alone it would be

1. Michael

2. Madonna

3. Prince

4. Whitney

If I were to rank them overall now in 2011.

1. Michael

2. Madonna

3. Whitney

4. Prince

I actually think Whitney was bigger than Madonna or at least neck and neck 1985-2000, the tides turned around "Music" and Whitney's downfall.

Unlike Michael and Prince, Whitney's eccentrics had a little extra ingredients in it. *SNIFF*

vainandy said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Just to torture you for that--"You-oo light up my life, you-oo give the me strength to go oo-n..." Pat Boone is giving me the evil eye!

Well, he gave me better than that. He gave me his dick in a box....

NSFW....

http://www.queerty.com/wp...nedick.jpg

I'm from Missouri, SHOW ME!

Because Whitney is a hack. Her tendency to constantly jump into crescendo and top it off by belting out some fabulous note dripping with vibrato got old really, really fast. It sounded cool the first time people heard it, and after a while we just started dreaming of going back to the days when female R&B/soul singers actually understood dynamics. Thanks to Whitney, many still don't.

errant said:

Same reason people think about Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Joni Mitchell when they think about 70's music, but not Debby Boone.

I shamefully remember Donna Summers ahead of Joni Mitchell! But other than that, no one cares for Debbie Boone.

MJ, P and M broke new ground in pop music. Whitney didn't.

TonyVanDam said:

errant said:

Same reason people think about Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, and Joni Mitchell when they think about 70's music, but not Debby Boone.

I shamefully remember Donna Summers ahead of Joni Mitchell! But other than that, no one cares for Debbie Boone.

Donna was big, but I would have thought Diana was the more popular of the two

rlittler81 said:

MJ, P and M broke new ground in pop music. Whitney didn't.

This is the closest correct answer in this thread.

I've waited five days to reply to this thread lol. Why do we have to wait so long? Anywho, I would definitely mention Whitney with 'the big three' as you all call them. Whitney is just as much as an icon as any of them. Every little girl in America wanted to look and sing like Whitney. She was the whole package: a beauty queen and had a fantastic voice. Whitney was the best singer in the world from when she hit the scene in '85 until after her bodyguard tour ended in '94. After that she was still incredible but her voice had suffered due to her extensive touring and her love of new ports. Nobody could touch whitney vocally in her prime..I mean NO ONE. She's less than a million album shipments away from having three DIAMOND albums. That's a feat not pedo pan, prince, or madge is even close to. And this shit talking about "I Will Always Love You" being her only memorable song is laughable. You guys must have her mistaken with Mariah, who doesn't have not one 'memborable' song in her entire catalogue. Oh yeah..in the early 90s she sang "Ain't No Way' better than Aretha.

Ok rant over lol. Whitney is my boo.

I like Whitney's version of Ain't No Way but she ain't topping no Aretha on that one. But thanks for putting your two cents into it lol

Timmy84 said:

I like Whitney's version of Ain't No Way but she ain't topping no Aretha on that one. But thanks for putting your two cents into it lol

Which version have you heard? Her best version is New York '94 if I'm not mistaken.

Terrib3Towel said:

I've waited five days to reply to this thread lol. Why do we have to wait so long? Anywho, I would definitely mention Whitney with 'the big three' as you all call them. Whitney is just as much as an icon as any of them. Every little girl in America wanted to look and sing like Whitney. She was the whole package: a beauty queen and had a fantastic voice. Whitney was the best singer in the world from when she hit the scene in '85 until after her bodyguard tour ended in '94. After that she was still incredible but her voice had suffered due to her extensive touring and her love of new ports. Nobody could touch whitney vocally in her prime..I mean NO ONE. She's less than a million album shipments away from having three DIAMOND albums. That's a feat not pedo pan, prince, or madge is even close to. And this shit talking about "I Will Always Love You" being her only memorable song is laughable. You guys must have her mistaken with Mariah, who doesn't have not one 'memborable' song in her entire catalogue. Oh yeah..in the early 90s she sang "Ain't No Way' better than Aretha.

Ok rant over lol. Whitney is my boo.

Do you know what Diamond means? That's 10 million records sold. Madonna has eight albums that have sold 10 million+, including two in the 20+ million range I believe. Michael has four albums that are in the 20+ million range and he only has the biggest selling album worldwide of all time "Thriller". Poor things. Such low record sales that can't even compare to Whitney's.

You're here bragging about three almost diamond albums? Ha. Mike and Madge done passed Whitney in that regard long ago.

At the end of the day "Pedo Pan" is still more iconic, legendary and successful than Whitney anyday.

Here's the big difference between Whitney and the "big three". They are all still RELEVANT TODAY in 2011. WHITNEY is NOT. Prince and Madonna have done very well on their recent tours and continue to be highly respected, Prince in particular. As far as MJ goes, he's more respected as an artist and his back catalogue has been doing better than hers for years now and i'm talking about when he was alive. Even after all the controversies, his career was still in better shape. Sold out all 50 dates at the 02 in London in 2009 before his death. Whitney couldn't do it. Whitney is sadly a laughing stock (Yes I know MJ was too but he's still more respected as an artist) who sounded awful on her last tour. Had people walking out at her shows. Her voice is shot. Such a shame.

Now with all that said Whitney's accomplishements are nothing to look down on. People are downplaying her talent and influence in here and I don't get it at all. She was HUGE in the 80's and 90's and did influence people like Mariah, Christina, etc. NO ONE was bigger than Whitney during the "Bodyguard" especially. She was the BIGGEST superstar then and everything she touched turned to gold. Give her credit where it's due.

But to say she's an icon on the level of Michael,Madonna and Prince is just not true.

They changed the game forever. For sure I can say with great confidence there will NEVER be another MJ, Prince or Madonna. I'm not sure I can say the same about Whitney. What about her is so unique and what did she do that was so special that it can't be duplicated again? It's not that hard to imagine another talented, beautiful singer with memorable songs coming along. Yes when Whitney was younger she was beautiful with a fantastic voice and memorable songs, but she was not an innovator. She had tremendous cross over success and her incredible voice touched many, including me. She was an inspiration for many but she is definitely not in the league of the other three. Not musically or artistically.

As I said, the sad truth is that Whitney is not even that relevant anymore, lets be real. Michael, Madonna and Prince are and always have been. The younger generation knows who they are. Everyone knows "Thriller". Everyone knows "Like A Virgin". Everyone knows "Purple Rain". People know "I Will Always Love You" as well but she is just not as iconic as them. Their appeal is much broader. Artists today always name those "big" three as influences. I hardly hear many people mentioning Whitney.

Whitney is NOT as relevant as the other three and hasn't been for a long time. She will not be remembered as being innovative. She is an icon, but not on their level.

And i'm done with my rant now, MJ is MY Boo lol.

Terrib3Towel said:

Timmy84 said:

I like Whitney's version of Ain't No Way but she ain't topping no Aretha on that one. But thanks for putting your two cents into it lol

Which version have you heard? Her best version is New York '94 if I'm not mistaken.

That's the version I heard. And it's good but it's no Aretha. Plus her mama was on Aretha's version.

Timmy84 said:

Terrib3Towel said:

Which version have you heard? Her best version is New York '94 if I'm not mistaken.

That's the version I heard. And it's good but it's no Aretha. Plus her mama was on Aretha's version.

Yeah..mama cissy wrecked those vocals.

Do you know what Diamond means? That's 10 million records sold. Madonna has eight albums that have sold 10 million+, including two in the 20+ million range I believe. Michael has four albums that are in the 20+ million range and he only has the biggest selling album worldwide of all time "Thriller". Poor things. Such low record sales that can't even compare to Whitney's.

You're here bragging about three almost diamond albums? Ha. Mike and Madge done passed Whitney in that regard long ago.

^^^^

@Cinnamon234 please know your facts. DO YOU KNOW WHAT DIAMOND MEANS. A diamond certification is only done in the USA through RIAA. Madonna has two (Like a Virgin and Imaculate Collection) and Whitney has two (Whitney Houston and TBG which is credited as a Whitney album). Whitney's sophomore album is at 9 million and close to being certified diamond as well. Also for the record Michael only has one but of course it sold not just more than 10 million but more than 20 million! Prince has one, Purple Rain. As far as worldwide albums that have sold more than ten million copies, Whitney has at least four, WH,W,TBG and MLIYL and I believe her greatest hits is close to 10 million as well. So please get your facts straight. Whitney is up there with Madonna not as much(although she hasn't released as much) but she's in the ballpark as Madonna.

I suggest you look at the link

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-diamond-awards

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums

http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-selling-artists

As I said, the sad truth is that Whitney is not even that relevant anymore, lets be real. Michael, Madonna and Prince are and always have been. The younger generation knows who they are. Everyone knows "Thriller". Everyone knows "Like A Virgin". Everyone knows "Purple Rain". People know "I Will Always Love You" as well but she is just not as iconic as them. Their appeal is much broader. Artists today always name those "big" three as influences. I hardly hear many people mentioning Whitney.

Whitney is NOT as relevant as the other three and hasn't been for a long time. She will not be remembered as being innovative. She is an icon, but not on their level.

^^^^

You must have never watched American Idol or X factor. Hell American Idol said themselves, Whitney is the most covered artist on American Idol. Let's not be silly here, her influence is just as big, more than Prince at least, not MJ. The fact that her tour even made national news should suggest to you that she is relevant, the fact that her I Look to You album debuted #1, went platinum and debuted number one in several other countries should tell you she's relevant.

^ American Wannabe should be the better name.

Cinnamon234 said:

Terrib3Towel said:

I've waited five days to reply to this thread lol. Why do we have to wait so long? Anywho, I would definitely mention Whitney with 'the big three' as you all call them. Whitney is just as much as an icon as any of them. Every little girl in America wanted to look and sing like Whitney. She was the whole package: a beauty queen and had a fantastic voice. Whitney was the best singer in the world from when she hit the scene in '85 until after her bodyguard tour ended in '94. After that she was still incredible but her voice had suffered due to her extensive touring and her love of new ports. Nobody could touch whitney vocally in her prime..I mean NO ONE. She's less than a million album shipments away from having three DIAMOND albums. That's a feat not pedo pan, prince, or madge is even close to. And this shit talking about "I Will Always Love You" being her only memorable song is laughable. You guys must have her mistaken with Mariah, who doesn't have not one 'memborable' song in her entire catalogue. Oh yeah..in the early 90s she sang "Ain't No Way' better than Aretha.

Ok rant over lol. Whitney is my boo.

Do you know what Diamond means? That's 10 million records sold. Madonna has eight albums that have sold 10 million+, including two in the 20+ million range I believe. Michael has four albums that are in the 20+ million range and he only has the biggest selling album worldwide of all time "Thriller". Poor things. Such low record sales that can't even compare to Whitney's.

You're here bragging about three almost diamond albums? Ha. Mike and Madge done passed Whitney in that regard long ago.

At the end of the day "Pedo Pan" is still more iconic, legendary and successful than Whitney anyday.

Here's the big difference between Whitney and the "big three". They are all still RELEVANT TODAY in 2011. WHITNEY is NOT. Prince and Madonna have done very well on their recent tours and continue to be highly respected, Prince in particular. As far as MJ goes, he's more respected as an artist and his back catalogue has been doing better than hers for years now and i'm talking about when he was alive. Even after all the controversies, his career was still in better shape. Sold out all 50 dates at the 02 in London in 2009 before his death. Whitney couldn't do it. Whitney is sadly a laughing stock (Yes I know MJ was too but he's still more respected as an artist) who sounded awful on her last tour. Had people walking out at her shows. Her voice is shot. Such a shame.

Now with all that said Whitney's accomplishements are nothing to look down on. People are downplaying her talent and influence in here and I don't get it at all. She was HUGE in the 80's and 90's and did influence people like Mariah, Christina, etc. NO ONE was bigger than Whitney during the "Bodyguard" especially. She was the BIGGEST superstar then and everything she touched turned to gold. Give her credit where it's due.

But to say she's an icon on the level of Michael,Madonna and Prince is just not true.

They changed the game forever. For sure I can say with great confidence there will NEVER be another MJ, Prince or Madonna. I'm not sure I can say the same about Whitney. What about her is so unique and what did she do that was so special that it can't be duplicated again? It's not that hard to imagine another talented, beautiful singer with memorable songs coming along. Yes when Whitney was younger she was beautiful with a fantastic voice and memorable songs, but she was not an innovator. She had tremendous cross over success and her incredible voice touched many, including me. She was an inspiration for many but she is definitely not in the league of the other three. Not musically or artistically.

As I said, the sad truth is that Whitney is not even that relevant anymore, lets be real. Michael, Madonna and Prince are and always have been. The younger generation knows who they are. Everyone knows "Thriller". Everyone knows "Like A Virgin". Everyone knows "Purple Rain". People know "I Will Always Love You" as well but she is just not as iconic as them. Their appeal is much broader. Artists today always name those "big" three as influences. I hardly hear many people mentioning Whitney.

Whitney is NOT as relevant as the other three and hasn't been for a long time. She will not be remembered as being innovative. She is an icon, but not on their level.

And i'm done with my rant now, MJ is MY Boo lol.

jsluva pretty much said what I was gonna say. I'd like to add that relevance is pretty much a terrible argument, Prince and Madonna haven't been 'relevant' for some time now. Sure people know who they are, but they are passed their prime. MJ's death put him out of obscurity, the last 15 years of his career (and life) he was considered a washed-up has been and his eccentricities had over-shadowed his music. I know the cool thing to listen to MJ now, but he was a spent force when he died. I would even argue that Whitney has more influence than Prince does.

[Edited 7/13/11 13:18pm]

Terrib3Towel said:

Timmy84 said:

That's the version I heard. And it's good but it's no Aretha. Plus her mama was on Aretha's version.

Yeah..mama cissy wrecked those vocals.

Wailing that note like no one's business. Hearing her and Aretha soulfully croon is perfect.

panther514 said:

You MAY possibly have a point concerning Madonna...timing and hype was her claim to fame..she never had vocal skills and limited dancing talent but she was a master at marketing and jumping on the hottest fads/sounds and milked it for what it was worth. MJ and PRN are on a completely diff planet.

I'd disagree with this only in that she jumped on hot, burgeoning underground trends and made them the fads/mainstream of the day.

errant said:

panther514 said:

You MAY possibly have a point concerning Madonna...timing and hype was her claim to fame..she never had vocal skills and limited dancing talent but she was a master at marketing and jumping on the hottest fads/sounds and milked it for what it was worth. MJ and PRN are on a completely diff planet.

I'd disagree with this only in that she jumped on hot, burgeoning underground trends and made them the fads/mainstream of the day.

Exactly. The only time she seemed to "jump on a hot fad/sound" was with the Hard Candy album. Other than that, most of the time, she decides to go to the underground. I wonder if she may include dubstep in her new album.

*cough* stole them *cough*

Terrib3Towel said:

I've waited five days to reply to this thread lol. Why do we have to wait so long? Anywho, I would definitely mention Whitney with 'the big three' as you all call them. Whitney is just as much as an icon as any of them. Every little girl in America wanted to look and sing like Whitney. She was the whole package: a beauty queen and had a fantastic voice. Whitney was the best singer in the world from when she hit the scene in '85 until after her bodyguard tour ended in '94. After that she was still incredible but her voice had suffered due to her extensive touring and her love of new ports. Nobody could touch whitney vocally in her prime..I mean NO ONE. She's less than a million album shipments away from having three DIAMOND albums. That's a feat not pedo pan, prince, or madge is even close to. And this shit talking about "I Will Always Love You" being her only memorable song is laughable. You guys must have her mistaken with Mariah, who doesn't have not one 'memborable' song in her entire catalogue. Oh yeah..in the early 90s she sang "Ain't No Way' better than Aretha.

Ok rant over lol. Whitney is my boo.

Rather "pedo pan" than Shitney Houston.

Timmy84 said:

badujunkie said:

I was born in 1981 and the first voices I remember are the Pointer Sisters, Tina Turner and MJ.

Not very far after would be Cyndi Lauper, Prince, and of course, Madonna.

Yes Gloria Estefan, Whitney, George Michael were all in the mix (I watched MTV from age 2 - liberal parents) but i happen to think it's the BIG FOUR. JANET, Michael, Madonna and Prince. When I discovered Mike had a badass little sister who could sing and dance like he could...man, it was on.

If you think of the 80s in terms of radio play, MTV, cultural impact on things like dancing and fashion, and just plain SUPERSTARDOM - Whitney and Tina (and Bruce) all fit the bill, but in reality, these four artists were the ones at the crux of all things influential and 'of the times' - MJ, JJ, P and M. Rhythm Nation CAME OUT in the 1980s, so the whole production is 80s. Videos for everything from Billie Jean to When Doves Cry to Like A Virgin to Pleasure Principle to Like a Prayer to Rhythm Nation to Kiss to Bad...this was the badass 4.

But, I also must say, it really is a 3. Think about it...MJ, Madge, Prince were all born in the same YEAR, within MONTHS AND WEEKS OF ONE ANOTHER, all in the midwest. Something was in that water...

One hailed from Indiana, another from Minnesota, another from Detroit lol

since when is that not the midwest?

she fuck9i'n SUCKS she fuck9'n sucks she'0 fyuckin' sucks

badujunkie said:

Timmy84 said:

One hailed from Indiana, another from Minnesota, another from Detroit lol

since when is that not the midwest?

Huh? I didn't say that.

JoeTyler said:

she fuck9i'n SUCKS she fuck9'n sucks she'0 fyuckin' sucks

Timmy84 said:

badujunkie said:

since when is that not the midwest?

Huh? I didn't say that.

good answer