Top 20 Best Whitney Houston Songs Of All Time

Counting down the top 10 best songs of one of the most gigantic figures in popular music.

Whitney Houston is Pop music’s leading diva. And her long-string of hits and decades-old classics, all of which have consistently managed to remain on our lips and ingrained in our memories, tell that story.

In a career spanning nearly 3 decades, the late legend – who has sold over 220 Million records worldwide – also counting her outstanding posthumous sales, produced some of the most iconic tracks in popular music history, ranging from her Pop/Soul-infused 1985 self-titled debut to her transition onto a more RnB/Hip-Hop influenced sound with ‘My Love Is Your Love’ in 1998.

In our attempt to put together 20 of her most cherished studio creations, we have gone through dozens of sublime melodies, from the icon’s often-worshipped catalogue.



Some of these have been picked due to the overall output – including the musical and lyrical content, while others found a place here, simply for the unmissable showcase of her vocal prowess and emotional rendering.

Here are the Top 20 songs by Whitney Houston

20) When You Believe

The most high-profile duet of the 90’s – between two of the biggest selling recording artists on the planet. The song was just meant to do great things. But beyond all the hype, what makes this really great is the flawless production by Babyface and the words of Stephen Schwartz, which also won him an Oscar the following year. Sung as perfectly as it could possibly have been by the two divas, with an epiphany-causing theatrical climax, the track is just the most perfect lyrical, musical and vocal amalgamation. Pure art.

 

19) Step By Step



The song served as part of her encore during her many concerts in the late 90’s. A cover of an Annie Lennox hit, which also samples part of her vocals from the original. Step By Step isn’t as much meant to be played in the club, as it is to be used as your regular dose of some musical uplift. The production is infectious and you just can’t help sing or snap along to it.

 

18) Just The Lonely Talking Again

While Cliva Davis and her label were pushing for an out-and-out Pop record during her first two studio efforts, to maximize the possibility of a commercial juggernaut (which actually worked, considering her first two albums are also two of the best selling albums ever), Whitney brought soul and raw RnB prowess into all her recordings, and those in the studio couldn’t tame that. Recorded in the year 1987 for her sophomore album, this particular song from the album features her as a fed-up protagonist reminiscing over a staling relationship. Written by Sam Dees and brought-to-life by her spellbinding interpretation, it serves as one of her best vocal performances from the time.

 

17) How Will I Know



As popular as ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ was, her “original and first Uptempo” was just everything, that the former tried to be. In contrast to ‘I Wanna Dance…’, ‘How Will I Know’ is just naturally effervescent and youthful, without even trying. The ‘feel good’ factor is equal in both songs, yet this one exceeds when it comes to originality and a more complex vocal arrangement. The a capella of this Billboard Hot 100 #1 classic, released on the 25th anniversary of the album, proves how even on a ‘very Pop’ song like this – her vocals were infused with the raw passion and the uninhibited way of conveying an emotion, from her roots in Gospel music.

 

16) Joy

This joy-ride is one of the many examples proving why Houston was as transcendental in Gospel, as she was in any other genre she covered during her illustrious career. This was what she was raised to sing, by her legendary Gospel-singer mother, Cissy Houston. And Houston just exudes the joy of the birth of Christ, as she bursts out with passion towards the end of this beautifully produced, yet often overlooked gem in her catalog.

 

15) Hold Me



A sublimely sung duet between the contrasting vocals of Teddy Pendergrass and Whitney, featured on her 1985-released self-titled debut album. The deep, comforting and warm tone of Teddy, paired with the angelic, youthful and piercing quality of Houston’s vocals, turn this into one of the best duets of her career and perhaps also her most erotic and intimate song.

 

14) Look Into Your Heart

Whitney covered this Aretha Franklin classic for a special tribute album, curated for music-composer and songwriter – Curtis Mayfield. Her astonishing and spine-chilling vocal delivery and a juicy production by Narada Michael Walden turns this into a fresh-sounding musically-rich escape. The song covers almost all corners and details of her vocal dynamics from the period, and thus offers a delightful listening experience.

 

13) One Moment In Time

Whitney’s inspiring single released as the official theme-song of the 1988 Summer Olympics. Written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and produced by Houston’s long-time musical partner, Narada Michael Walden, the song remains one of her most remembered and covered classics, and rightfully so. With it’s powerful and uplifting message, the song resonates beyond time. The iconic studio recording is only eclipsed by her own live performances of the same, with her powerful and pristine vocal delivery taking your breath away, no matter how many times you listen to it.

 

12) Saving All My Love For You



Whitney’s first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts as featured on her debut album. The unconventional pop classic speaks of Houston’s affection and unrequited love with a married man. Back in the 80’s – the subject of infidelity caused controversy after which Whitney was mostly seen performing it only on late night talks shows. She later confessed about having gone through a similar situation herself. “I was going through a terrible love affair. He was married, and that will never work out for anybody. Never, no way.”

 

11) Run To You

Houston’s vocal delivery here has that trademark ‘punch’ in her voice that was natural to her artistry . No other contemporary vocalist can sing the word ‘Run’ in the chorus, the way Whitney did with that classic operatic “throw” in her voice. The track, along with , ‘I Have Nothing’ was nominated at the 1994 Academy Awards in the ‘Best Original Song’ category and remains one of her most well-recognized classics, partly due to The Bodyguard album – from which it comes, being the best selling album by a female in history.

 

10) After We Make Love



Although this wasn’t released as a single. ‘After We Make Love’ is one of the best cuts from Houston’s third studio album, “I’m Your Baby Tonight.” It is romantic, sensual, passionate and beautifully expresses the sense of fulfilment after a period of longing.

 

9) Hold On, Help Is On The Way

The extravagant production of Mervyn Warren, topped with the astounding sound of the Georgia Mass Choir made the entire soundtrack to The Preacher’s Wife movie, a thrilling and utterly satisfying musical experience. Showcasing the best of these qualities, was this Rev. Kenneth Paden-penned gospel tune, sung with such fervor, passion and power by Whitney, that it would give you shivers at multiple occasions throughout the run of the song. The extraordinary break-down in the bridge and the harmonies between Whitney and the choir just take this simple-yet-uplifting track to another level. One moment she’s gritty Gospel, the next she goes full Opera. A spellbinding musical piece.

 

8) I Love The Lord



Yet another feature from the best-selling gospel soundtrack for The Preacher’s Wife, ‘I Love The Lord’ is perhaps Whitney’s most passionate performance in the studio. A classic gospel hymn, directed under the layered production of Mervyn Warren. The track’s sublime merging of the legend’s powerhouse vocal talent with the 35-piece-strong Georgia Mass Choir, serves as a spine-tingling experience and a blatant, unabashed display of how her voice could cut-through any other sound, including the heavy orchestration. The outro with a violin-solo, gives you enough time to contemplate over the greatness of the song and the message it leaves you with. Perhaps one of the most sublime endings to a song, ever.

 

7) Didn’t We Almost Have It All

The diva’s 5th consecutive #1, and the second single from her sophomore album in 1987. It is easy to assume, that producer Michael Masser pushed Whitney to the very edges of her talent, as can be heard towards the roof-raising climax of this torch-ballad about a lost love. It is one of those examples in her catalog, that simply prove that there’s no other singer who tops her when it comes to power. Houston could drown them all.

 

6) You’re Still My Man

There’s an innocent youthful charm about the way Houston sings the first two verses of this Michael Masser production, which has the power to remind you of falling in love, and breaking your heart, for the first time. But then she unleashes the roaring declaration of what’s hers to claim, showcasing her gospel chops towards the bridge, taking this simple love song to a place that perhaps even the makers wouldn’t have imagined initially. The versatility in her voice, especially considering this was merely her second studio album, is breath-taking. And so is this song.

 

5) I Look To You



Released as the first single from Whitney’s last studio project, this R. Kelly written uplifting track brings hope in the face of adversity. In 2008, when Houston was in the recording studio to bring this to life as part of her ‘comeback album’, after having gone through a number of personal battles, the song’s emotional yet reassuring message brought her to tears in the booth. And that reflects in her passionate performance, in which she sings about holding on to her faith and counting on it to get through her tribulations. The track’s opening verse showcases her most dark vocal delivery, coming from the depth of her soul, yet it all ends in light and optimism in the end, almost as if she’s reaching out and expanding her arms to accept the universe.

 

4) Why Does It Hurt So Bad?

A soul-stirring vocal performance from Whitney, featured on the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack. Written and composed by the genius of Babyface AKA Kenneth Edmonds, the song exemplifies the feeling of holding on to a lingering emotion from the past and Whitney’s captivating soulful delivery captures the very essence of it to the T. The theatrical built in the climax and the explosion of the big notes towards the end, are enough to make your stomach churn in this delicious melody.

 

3) I Will Always Love You

It isn’t just popular choice that makes this David Foster produced, Grammy winning song her signature classic – but also the sheer unprecedented prowess in her vocal delivery that establishes it as one of her best studio records, in more ways than one. This song serves as a great reminder of what makes Whitney’s voice stand tall amidst those who have attempted to follow in her footsteps since her advent. From the tender, whispered, heart-rendering a Capella in the beginning, building towards the iconic climax and that earth-shattering note. Her near-breathless belt which carries all the way to the high head notes, that has always sounded like a passionate outburst of a heart crying out in pain, is one of the most iconic moments in popular music history. No matter who wrote or sang this song first, when Whitney touched it, it turned to gold.

 

2) Exhale

Whitney’s last #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart featuring one of her most subtle and ethereal vocal performances. The song is a timeless easy-listening, soulful escapade and it is only at it’s otherworldly climax that it opens-up your eyes, with her astonishing vocal control and the almost angelic tone of her voice. The song is about keeping-on through life’s hardships, while counting on your friends and holding on to that one moment when you can finally breathe out and unwind. But more than the uplifting and comforting lyrical content, the song gets its magic through the layered composition by Babyface and of course, Miss Houston’s mature, soulful and poignant, yet most assuring vocal delivery. By the end of this insatiable classic, you’re comforted with the notion that it’s all going to be alright. A fine example of her vocal and interpretative mastery.

 

1) Greatest Love Of All



There are many life-saving stories associated with this timeless Whitney classic and it’s ever-relevant message of finding love for yourself, within yourself. Greatest Love Of All is an anthem about self-empowerment and a soundtrack to all lives, that have travelled a long road to the point of loving and accepting their truths. It is the definitive saga that very directly tells you about being kind to yourself, above everything else. And Houston’s soul-stirring voice, compels you to believe it’s crucial message. The song is a monumental example of what this musical legend’s art offered to the world and how it impacted real lives.

 

Honourable mentions would include some of her other enduring classics like – I Wanna Dance With Somebody, So Emotional, All The Man That I Need, I Have Nothing, Jesus Loves Me, I Didn’t Know My Own Strength, to name a few.

Tell us about your own favourites from the late and great Whitney Houston.