PlayboyOriginal said:

I Believe In You And Me........ my favorite song by her PERIOD!!!!!!

Her period sang too?

Did they ever duet?

Timmy84 said:

Hudson said:

Diana Ross had a song called "In Your Arms" on the Silk Electric album. It was retitled "Hold Me" and recorded by Whitney and Teddy Pendergrass, and is on her debut.

I second that!!....

I had NO IDEA!!

lol...yeah,it's like "THAT song is a remake too??!!" makes you wonder how many more remakes she has done that we don't know about.It was a clever move....to remake songs that weren't big hits to begin with.

MidniteMagnet said:

Whitney had the ability to cover a song and really make it her own...which is your favorite??

"Saving All My Love for You"

“Greatest Love of All"

"Just the Lonely Talking Again"

"For the Love of You"

"I Know Him So Well"

"All the Man That I Need"

“Higher Love”

"I Will Always Love You"

“I'm Every Woman"

"Look into Your Heart"

"I Believe in You and Me"

“Step by Step"

"I Was Made to Love Him"

"You Light Up My Life"

"A Song for You"

Did I forget any?

She KILLED I'm Every Woman so I'm going with that one.

I never knew some of those songs were covers. Does anybody know the original artists from these songs? I'd like to do a comparison between them. As Timmy84 mentioned, her interpretation of song is one of the greatest qualities of her gift. She might not have wrote a single note on a staff or wrote many lyrics in a songbook but her interpretation of a song was impeccable.

Rickey Minor recent said that she heard the music that he arranged for their version of the "Star Spangled Banner" and she walked in the booth and killed it in one take. He said the only thing they took a second take on and kept was when she sings, "...and the rockets great glare" part. And that was only because her voice had warmed up after singing everything else we hear on the record before, in one take.

Musicslave said:

MidniteMagnet said:

"Saving All My Love for You"

“Greatest Love of All"

"Just the Lonely Talking Again"

"For the Love of You"

"I Know Him So Well"

"All the Man That I Need"

“Higher Love”

"I Will Always Love You"

“I'm Every Woman"

"Look into Your Heart"

"I Believe in You and Me"

“Step by Step"

"I Was Made to Love Him"

"You Light Up My Life"

"A Song for You"

I never knew some of those songs were covers. Does anybody know the original artists from these songs? I

"Saving All My Love For You" was originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo in 1978.

"The Greatest Love Of All" was recorded by George Benson in 1977,for the Muhammad Ali biopic 'The Greatest'.

"Just The Lonely Talking Again" was originally recorded by the Manhattans.

"For The Love Of You" was originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1975.

"All The Man I Need" was originally recorded by Linda Clifford in 1981 and Sister Sledge in 1982.

"I Will Always Love You" was originally recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974.

"I'm Every Woman" was originally recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978.

"I Believe In You And Me" was originally recorded by the Four Tops.

"Step By Step" was originally recorded by Annie Lennox.

"I Was Made To Love (Her)" was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder.

"You Light Up My Life" was originally recorded by Debbie Boone in 1977,for the film of the same name.

SoulAlive said:

Musicslave said:

I never knew some of those songs were covers. Does anybody know the original artists from these songs? I

"Saving All My Love For You" was originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo in 1978.

"The Greatest Love Of All" was recorded by George Benson in 1977,for the Muhammad Ali biopic 'The Greatest'.

"Just The Lonely Talking Again" was originally recorded by the Manhattans.

"For The Love Of You" was originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1975.

"All The Man I Need" was originally recorded by Linda Clifford in 1981 and Sister Sledge in 1982.

"I Will Always Love You" was originally recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974.

"I'm Every Woman" was originally recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978.

"I Believe In You And Me" was originally recorded by the Four Tops.

"Step By Step" was originally recorded by Annie Lennox.

"I Was Made To Love (Her)" was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder.

"You Light Up My Life" was originally recorded by Debbie Boone in 1977,for the film of the same name.

Damn, that was quick! Thanks!

Musicslave said:

SoulAlive said:

"Saving All My Love For You" was originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo in 1978.

"The Greatest Love Of All" was recorded by George Benson in 1977,for the Muhammad Ali biopic 'The Greatest'.

"Just The Lonely Talking Again" was originally recorded by the Manhattans.

"For The Love Of You" was originally recorded by the Isley Brothers in 1975.

"All The Man I Need" was originally recorded by Linda Clifford in 1981 and Sister Sledge in 1982.

"I Will Always Love You" was originally recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974.

"I'm Every Woman" was originally recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978.

"I Believe In You And Me" was originally recorded by the Four Tops.

"Step By Step" was originally recorded by Annie Lennox.

"I Was Made To Love (Her)" was originally recorded by Stevie Wonder.

"You Light Up My Life" was originally recorded by Debbie Boone in 1977,for the film of the same name.

Damn, that was quick! Thanks!

There are a few that I didn't know perhaps someone else can help me out

SoulAlive said:

Her version of "For The Love Of You" is incredible.I love what she and producer Narada Michael Walden did with that song.

YES! I've always loved her cover of "For The Love of You". Beautifully done. One of my all time faves from Whitney. I bought her "Whitney" album just because I was crazy about that song.

Info on the original recordings are on those songs' wikipedia pages. For example I Know Him So Well.

Cinnamon234 said:

SoulAlive said:

Her version of "For The Love Of You" is incredible.I love what she and producer Narada Michael Walden did with that song.

YES! I've always loved her cover of "For The Love of You". Beautifully done. One of my all time faves from Whitney. I bought her "Whitney" album just because I was crazy about that song.

I love the lush,exotic production.....it makes me think of being on a sandy beach in Jamaica this song is Quiet Storm heaven!

"all the man i need" and "greatest love of all" are my two fav WH covers.

SoulAlive said:

Musicslave said:

Damn, that was quick! Thanks!

There are a few that I didn't know perhaps someone else can help me out

Just finished sampling the originals. What I find most distinctive about her interpretations is her gospel chops were always right there in front of you, although attempted to be disguised in the production. Probably not since Sam and Aretha, has anyone made such a blend so clear.

Side Note: Never knew she touched Stevie's "I Was Made To Love Her". First time hearing it. Except for the Stevie joint and maybe Chaka and the Isley's, she could really turn a song out and make it her own.

Timmy84 said:

"Saving All My Love for You" especially the soprano whoop at the end.

I'll include a gospel song - "Joy to the World", which I think she arranged with the Georgia Mass Choir.

The soprano whoops are my favorite part! You should hear my off-key rendition around my house...lord! I wish I could sing...

What a list....I don't think I have one "favorite". I am partial to "I Believe In You and Me". I remember hearing it at ALOT of weddings during that time.

Was the song even a hit for The Four Tops? I know when Whitney's version was released, the local AC R&B station started playing their version constantly.

Musicslave said:

SoulAlive said:

There are a few that I didn't know perhaps someone else can help me out

Just finished sampling the originals. What I find most distinctive about her interpretations is her gospel chops were always right there in front of you, although attempted to be disguised in the production. Probably not since Sam and Aretha, has anyone made such a blend so clear.

Side Note: Never knew she touched Stevie's "I Was Made To Love Her". First time hearing it. Except for the Stevie joint and maybe Chaka and the Isley's, she could really turn a song out and make it her own.

Like Aretha and Luther,she was very talented at taking an old song and making it her OWN.She took many obscure,forgotten songs and turned them into worldwide smash hits.Not just anybody could do that.

My personal favorite is "All the Man That I Need" - - incredibly powerful. But I like all of these. Some amazing recordings.

It's not really a cover, but as an interpretation of Diane Warren's song... i absolutely LOVE "Didn't Know My Own Strength". It really struck a chord with me when it came out, and it's the track I played the most after she died, remembering how great she was.

duccichucka said:

MidniteMagnet said:

Whitney had the ability to cover a song and really make it her own...which is your favorite??

"Saving All My Love for You"

“Greatest Love of All"

"Just the Lonely Talking Again"

"For the Love of You"

"I Know Him So Well"

"All the Man That I Need"

“Higher Love”

"I Will Always Love You"

“I'm Every Woman"

"Look into Your Heart"

"I Believe in You and Me"

“Step by Step"

"I Was Made to Love Him"

"You Light Up My Life"

"A Song for You"

Did I forget any?

She KILLED I'm Every Woman so I'm going with that one.

Cot damn!

Did this bitch write anything of her own?

Whitney Houston was a SINGER, one of the greatest of all time for that matter. Most of the greatest singers in history were just that, singers. They were not songwriters. The singer-songwriter did not come along in popular music until recent decades (pretty much the late 1960s/1970s, forward). The singing bar was actually lowered as the singer-songwriter emerged. Self-contained acts were not expected to have voices like singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, etc. Even some of the greatest recent voices like Luther, Chaka, Patti, Celine are not songwriters. On the other hand some fo the greatest songwriters were not singers the George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Diane Warren, Burt Bacharach/Carol Bayer-Sager, Rod Termperton, David Foster, etc.

Also, mega pop artists, in particular, are a well packaged product that it takes a team to produce. That is why record companies pair them with the "right" writers and producers.

So, I do not know why the media and others are focusing so much attention on the fact that she did not write most of her songs.

Finally, I am not trying to be argumentative but was it necessary to refer to her as a "bitch"?I do not think you were trying to be offensive with that remark because it has become such a part of the common vernacular. However, it is still offensive to many woman. Not everyone is comfortable with people using that term to refer to any woman, especially one of a certain age. It is disrespectful.

Timmy84 said:

duccichucka said:

Well, she was a hell of an interpreter, I'll give her that!

Anyways, my vote goes for "Saving All My Love" with "I Will Always Love You" in a close

second.

In an era where self-made musicians were becoming the norm (think Stevie, Prince, Todd Rundgren, Marvin, Curtis, etc., paved the way), Whitney was kinda like the modern day Ella Fitzgerald in which she hardly wrote anything but was able to interpret songs to make her own. She had a talent with that.

I feel that. Always thought Teena coulda got writing credit on Fire and Desire. Bobbi Kristina should get a royalty check on the National Anthem every time it plays Whitney turned that shit out so hard.

allsmutaside said:

Timmy84 said:

In an era where self-made musicians were becoming the norm (think Stevie, Prince, Todd Rundgren, Marvin, Curtis, etc., paved the way), Whitney was kinda like the modern day Ella Fitzgerald in which she hardly wrote anything but was able to interpret songs to make her own. She had a talent with that.

I feel that. Always thought Teena coulda got writing credit on Fire and Desire. Bobbi Kristina should get a royalty check on the National Anthem every time it plays Whitney turned that shit out so hard.

It's sad to me how performers don't get more royalties off of their performances. If that was the case, Bobbi would be set for life.

Timmy84 said:

allsmutaside said:

I feel that. Always thought Teena coulda got writing credit on Fire and Desire. Bobbi Kristina should get a royalty check on the National Anthem every time it plays Whitney turned that shit out so hard.

It's sad to me how performers don't get more royalties off of their performances. If that was the case, Bobbi would be set for life.

My sister and I were saying the same thing last night. The music industry is one of the worse examples of this kind of lopsided, exploitative pay model. For example, actors and directors get paid well in the film industry because even though it takes a talented writer(s) to create a script, the industry recognizes the need for the "right" people to breathe life into it and make it a "hit."

Music is the same to me. What is a great song without a great singer to sing it? Dolly wrote and sang "I Will Always Love You," but Whitney made it an international sensation. I have always had a problem with the fact that performers don't get a bigger cut. The writers can keep the lion's share but there should be more recognition of the singer's contribution.

bellanoche said:

Timmy84 said:

It's sad to me how performers don't get more royalties off of their performances. If that was the case, Bobbi would be set for life.

My sister and I were saying the same thing last night. The music industry is one of the worse examples of this kind of lopsided, exploitative pay model. For example, actors and directors get paid well in the film industry because even though it takes a talented writer(s) to create a script, the industry recognizes the need for the "right" people to breathe life into it and make it a "hit."

Music is the same to me. What is a great song without a great singer to sing it? Dolly wrote and sang "I Will Always Love You," but Whitney made it an international sensation. I have always had a problem with the fact that performers don't get a bigger cut. The writers can keep the lion's share but there should be more recognition of the singer's contribution.

Without the writer............what would the vocalist sing?

In a song, there's a composer, a lyrical writer, a band (or orchestra), an arranger, a conductor, and a vocalist. In the days when interpretation was commonplace, it was not unusual to have that. In the days after the early emergence of rock and roll, however, people started to change their MO on how to approach their music once they realized how much money was in the bank if you did more than walk into the studio and record your vocals - which also takes a lot of hard work (though I hear most of Whitney's hits were recorded in one or two takes tops, I know "Saving All My Love" was recorded twice).

bellanoche said:

Timmy84 said:

It's sad to me how performers don't get more royalties off of their performances. If that was the case, Bobbi would be set for life.

My sister and I were saying the same thing last night. The music industry is one of the worse examples of this kind of lopsided, exploitative pay model. For example, actors and directors get paid well in the film industry because even though it takes a talented writer(s) to create a script, the industry recognizes the need for the "right" people to breathe life into it and make it a "hit."

Music is the same to me. What is a great song without a great singer to sing it? Dolly wrote and sang "I Will Always Love You," but Whitney made it an international sensation. I have always had a problem with the fact that performers don't get a bigger cut. The writers can keep the lion's share but there should be more recognition of the singer's contribution.

I agree. It's messed up. Now I can see why artists prefer to record their own songs as awful as they may be, to get the songwriting credits.

bellanoche said:

Timmy84 said:

It's sad to me how performers don't get more royalties off of their performances. If that was the case, Bobbi would be set for life.

My sister and I were saying the same thing last night. The music industry is one of the worse examples of this kind of lopsided, exploitative pay model. For example, actors and directors get paid well in the film industry because even though it takes a talented writer(s) to create a script, the industry recognizes the need for the "right" people to breathe life into it and make it a "hit."

Music is the same to me. What is a great song without a great singer to sing it? Dolly wrote and sang "I Will Always Love You," but Whitney made it an international sensation. I have always had a problem with the fact that performers don't get a bigger cut. The writers can keep the lion's share but there should be more recognition of the singer's contribution.

You think the industries would be similar but it seems actors get more money than singers do.

duccichucka said:

MidniteMagnet said:

Whitney had the ability to cover a song and really make it her own...which is your favorite??

"Saving All My Love for You"

“Greatest Love of All"

"Just the Lonely Talking Again"

"For the Love of You"

"I Know Him So Well"

"All the Man That I Need"

“Higher Love”

"I Will Always Love You"

“I'm Every Woman"

"Look into Your Heart"

"I Believe in You and Me"

“Step by Step"

"I Was Made to Love Him"

"You Light Up My Life"

"A Song for You"

Did I forget any?

She KILLED I'm Every Woman so I'm going with that one.

Cot damn!

Did this bitch write anything of her own?

Oh please! Whitney's original songs were NEVER written or composed by Whitney. And I strongly believe that one of Whitney's biggest mistakes in her music career is not learning how to write her own lyrics sometimes.

Madonna, Janet, Mariah, Debbie, Beyonce, Katy, Gaga, and even freaking Ke$hia knows how to write some lyrics. And none of them (except for Mariah) were excellent vocalists like a drug-free Whitney.

Graycap23 said:

bellanoche said:

My sister and I were saying the same thing last night. The music industry is one of the worse examples of this kind of lopsided, exploitative pay model. For example, actors and directors get paid well in the film industry because even though it takes a talented writer(s) to create a script, the industry recognizes the need for the "right" people to breathe life into it and make it a "hit."

Music is the same to me. What is a great song without a great singer to sing it? Dolly wrote and sang "I Will Always Love You," but Whitney made it an international sensation. I have always had a problem with the fact that performers don't get a bigger cut. The writers can keep the lion's share but there should be more recognition of the singer's contribution.

Without the writer............what would the vocalist sing?

But without the vocalist, who would sing the words? Until a singer sings them, they are nothing but words and melodies on paper. And until a great singer sings them, they often languish in obscurity. There are many great songs that didn't get life until a great singer interpreted them. Throughout time, the writers widely regarded as the best benfitted from having great vocalists sing their songs.

I think they need each other. So, to me is sad that the vocalist's role is viewed so dimissively.

bellanoche said:

Graycap23 said:

Without the writer............what would the vocalist sing?

But without the vocalist, who would sing the words? Until a singer sings them, they are nothing but words and melodies on paper. And until a great singer sings them, they often languish in obscurity. There are many great songs that didn't get life until a great singer interpreted them. Throughout time, the writers widely regarded as the best benfitted from having great vocalists sing their songs.

I think they need each other. So, to me is sad that the vocalist's role is viewed so dimissively.

It also blows me away how an artist signs half their rights away when they sign with a label. I think that also messed with Whitney's head. Even when Whitney was singing like an angel and treated like a princess, behind the scenes she was always a pauper due to the monies she wasn't making because she only sang the words, not wrote them. I know she later produced and arranged her music or was a co-producer/co-arranger but I don't know how much money she made off those. Someone needs to break it down.

TonyVanDam said:

duccichucka said:

Cot damn!

Did this bitch write anything of her own?

Oh please! Whitney's original songs were NEVER written or composed by Whitney. And I strongly believe that one of Whitney's biggest mistakes in her music career is not learning how to write her own lyrics sometimes.

Madonna, Janet, Mariah, Debbie, Beyonce, Katy, Gaga, and even freaking Ke$hia knows how to write some lyrics. And none of them (except for Mariah) were excellent vocalists like a drug-free Whitney.

But this is a double-edged sword. I think because so many "artists" have tried to increase their earnings and status by writing their own songs, the quality of songwriting has taken a nose dive over the years. Everyone cannot be Prince or George Michael and write great songs and sing them too.

A lot of the artists you listed have written average to below average material. While their bank accounts might not have, their catalogues might have benefitted from having some real songwriters write songs for them. Of the ones listed above, Mariah is the only one who has written some truly great songs in the past. That said, she has also written a lot of drivel. The others have had some good pop songs, but none of them really have any great songs that I can see having any legacy beyond their connection to the artists who sang them.

Timmy84 said:

bellanoche said:

But without the vocalist, who would sing the words? Until a singer sings them, they are nothing but words and melodies on paper. And until a great singer sings them, they often languish in obscurity. There are many great songs that didn't get life until a great singer interpreted them. Throughout time, the writers widely regarded as the best benfitted from having great vocalists sing their songs.

I think they need each other. So, to me is sad that the vocalist's role is viewed so dimissively.

It also blows me away how an artist signs half their rights away when they sign with a label. I think that also messed with Whitney's head. Even when Whitney was singing like an angel and treated like a princess, behind the scenes she was always a pauper due to the monies she wasn't making because she only sang the words, not wrote them. I know she later produced and arranged her music or was a co-producer/co-arranger but I don't know how much money she made off those. Someone needs to break it down.

I know!!! I mean, I see people like Diane Warren and David Foster with all that money, and I cannot help but think where they would be if they didn't have those amazing vocalists singing their songs. So, it is crazy to me that the vocalists get a mere pittance compared to the record execs and the writers. It is exploitation on so many levels. That has to take a toll on you.

Eveyone thought Prince was crazy when he was running around with slave scrawled across his cheek and talking about the thievery of the music business. However, he was spot on. That business is full of beggars and thieves. For someone with real talent, it has got to be mentally taxing to see non-talents making more money than you when you are going out and performing and recording and wearing your body into the ground for them to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Instead of pointing fingers at Bobby Brown, folks need to analyze what affect that industry had on Whitney's mental state as well.