Whitney Houston’s catalog is filled with some of the most well-recognized classics of the last 40 years, and her long string of hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts is exemplary of her groundbreaking success in Pop.
The late diva had an early taste of success, earning 3 #1 singles from her first album itself, the self-titled critically acclaimed LP released in the year 1985.
From her first chart topper ‘Saving All My Love For You’, she earned a string of 7 consecutive #1’s on the charts, writing her name in the history books for ‘most consecutive #1 hit singles’ on Billboard, breaking a record previously held by The Beatles and the Bee Gees.
Her final #1 ‘Exhale’, was from the iconic soundtrack of ‘Waiting To Exhale’ in 1995, which made her the third only artist in history enter straight at #1 on the charts, upon the debut of the song’s release’.
Here is a ranking of all her #1 hits, right down to the best:
11) Where Do Broken Hearts Go
The last of her 7 consecutive #1 hit singles, which helped her write her name in history books. She had 4 more non-consecutive hits after this, but this Narada Michael Walden produced ballad, sealed her fate as one of the most iconic superstars of the 80’s. Of coarse she went on to be much more than just that, as her historic feats continued to mounted on top of each other, and everything she touched continued to turn to gold for another decade, or so.
Fun fact: This was reportedly one of Whitney’s least favorite songs to perform. But that isn’t exactly why it is placed at 11 on our list.
10) I Wanna Dance With Somebody
One of her biggest all-time hits, right beside the monumental – I Will Always Love You. This Cyndi Lauper-esque happy-go-lucky tune, with it’s unforgettable colorful and very 80’s visual, ranks as one of her recognizable songs. So much so, that in Spotify, the song has actually surpassed I Will Always Love You, in total number of plays. That the impact of what can easily be called – one of the greatest dance recordings of all time in Pop music.
Fun fact: In the music video for this song, the club in front of which Whitney Houston is shown standing is titled – Misteblue – which was also the name of a cat she once had in her family.
9) I’m Your Baby Tonight
The title track from her third studio album, which saw her delve more into the realm of mainstream R&B. An out-and-out dance anthem, with what can easily be called one of her all-time best studio vocal performances. And what makes it even more insane, is that Houston probably recorded the whole damn thing in just two takes.
Fun fact: In the music video for this funky tune, Houston is seen paying homage to various divas of Hollywood through different generations. She dons the looks of – Diana Ross and The Supremes, Audrey Hepburn (recreating a scene from her film Funny Face) and Jazz singer Marlene Dietrich.
8) So Emotional
The pure silly madness of the 80’s, with the trademark infectious energy of the diva, who was in her early 20’s then. Her unbridled way of conveying everything in the lyric, is reminiscent of the giddiness of one of your first loves. And that is just how this song makes you feel. Even now.
Fun fact: During the recording session of this song, Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger was also in a studio adjoined to the one in which Whitney was doing her thing and upon hearing her unleash those power notes, Jagger got so excited that he stated hopping and jumping like a little kid in his own booth, on the other side of the wall.
7) All The Man That I Need
With her sultry, serenading tone, Houston worships the manliness of her partner, caressing each note with such subtlety, almost as if she’s making love to the song. The understated sexuality in this tune, and the songstress’ vocal interpretation of it, makes it one of her most sensual, and romantic tunes of all time.
Fun fact: Songwriters Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford had aimed to get it recorded by Houston for her second studio album, but by the time they approached producer Clive Davis, Houston’s second album had already finished recording and completed it’s tracklist. The writers continued to hold it off for two more years, until 1989 – when she finally recorded it for her third studio album, instead of second. It became one of the biggest hits of the year 1990.
6) How Will I Know
Basically the first song from the diva that affirmed that she wasn’t just about the ballads, but could tear-up a Pop tune with equal perfection. The gospel-like fire in her voice still resonates loud, in her uninhibited vocal delivery, as she belts out about being young, and naïve, in her ability to figure out if the man she has fallen in love with, loves her too, or not.
Fun fact: This song was first offered to Janet Jackson, before being passed down to Houston. Can you imagine how different it would have sounded?
5) Didn’t We Almost Have It All
This bombastic ballad features Houston bursting out with emotions, especially towards the end of the bridge – as producer Michael Masser, clearly pushes all limits of the gifted vocalist. One of her most powerful and soul-stirring vocal deliveries, as she desperately mourns the loss of a love, she had in the past.
Fun fact: It is often commented that Houston sang this song, through her experience of the heartbreak she had endured after falling in love with Jermaine Jackson, who was already married at that time. But it was never really confirmed.
4) Saving All My Love For You
Her first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, from her debut studio album. This was her second hit overall after, You Give Good Love, peaked at #3 on the charts, right before. A song about falling in love with a married man, a message a little too bold for her ‘well-mannered sophisticated girl’ image, with which she broke the scene initially. Being someone’s other woman, has never sounded this romantic, before or since.
Fun fact: During her performances of the song in 1985, it was considered way too controversial for day-time shows, because of which she was not only seen performing it mostly in late-night talk shows, but also changed the line ‘we’ll be making love the whole night’ to ‘well be holding each other the whole night’, in some performances.
3) Exhale
A smooth RnB jam from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack, which served as her last #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the year 1995. This is also her only single to have entered straight at #1 in it’s debut week, itself. One of the first three songs, ever, to do so. Of coarse, more songs have entered the elite group, since then – but Houston’s Exhale is a true-blue Rnb signature, and despite all these years, it still hasn’t lost it’s edge and freshness. That’s the magic of Babyface and the timeless vocal delivery of Ms. Houston, for you.
Fun fact: Since the song was missing a hook, and there was musical gap in-between the lines, it was a last-minute suggestion from Babyface to add the ‘Shoop Shoop’ words to fill-in the gap – which was initially laughed-off by Houston, but she eventually got into it.
2) I Will Always Love You
Her biggest hit of all. This iconic recording from the 1992 released motion picture soundtrack for The Bodyguard, which also marked her debut as a leading actress of Hollywood, remains her most recognized song of all. With over a billion views on YouTube, the song still stands tall as the biggest selling single in history by a female. But it is her breathtaking vocal delivery, that uplifts your spirit no matter how many times you hear it – that makes this David Foster-produced juggernaut, all the more special.
Fun fact: Upon hearing the song for the first time, the song’s writer Dolly Parton was so awe-struck that she had to park her car on the side, as it played on the radio for the first time – just to take it all in. She later commented that she really did feel Houston sang it way better than she ever could.
1) Greatest Love Of All
An iconic song about discovering the truth worth of yourself. This chart topper from her debut album, remains one of her most iconic standards – that have been performed through various generations. No matter what your issues with who you are and where you come from. Greatest Love Of All and it’s transcendental message, resonates with us all.
Fun fact: This was one of the songs Houston’s mentor and producer Clive Davis, saw her perform for the first time – went he went to see her at a night-club, before signing her on her record label. It was at that moment, he saw – that she had the potential to be one of the greatest stars ever.
What are your favorites out of her #1 songs?