Where do I begin to talk about Whitney Houston? Nope, I won’t regurgitate all of her amazing accomplishments as a groundbreaking Black female singer who changed the game altogether. We can all find that information elsewhere so I am just going to share a few personal memories with you all.
My first true introduction to Whitney’s talent was with 1992’s The Bodyguard. I first saw that movie in the kitchen of my Aunt Ruby’s home and became absolutely fixated with Whitney’s talent. Sure, I was only six years old but her music went through my bones. “I Have Nothing” and “Run To You” are still some of my all-time favorite songs to this day.
I remember watching the video to “I’m Every Woman” and being so confused that my mom wasn’t in that video. I would watch the TV and say “But Whitney, my mom is just like what you’re singing about. Why didn’t you call her to be in the video with you?” The mind of a child, right?
Then there was the time my parents got my sister, Calie, this karaoke machine for Christmas. We performed along to the “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” music video more times than I’d care to admit. And then Waiting to Exhale came out! What? I had that soundtrack on repeat. 17 years later and I still know all of the words to “Why Does It Hurt So Bad.” It’s only now that I fully understand the words she sang.
This is so weird to me. This is the first time I’ve dealt with a celebrity’s passing that truly has shaken me. She was one of the reasons I became so interested in Pop music and I am so thankful for that.
I’ve picked a few of my favorite songs and I just realized they’re all from The Bodyguard soundtrack. I’m not sure why but these songs resonated like none other!
