Whitney Houston’s long-awaited new single, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” is streaming HERE. It was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster.
She sounds clear and strong on this simple R&B ballad–no vocal gymastics or huge power notes here. But I can’t imagine this old-fashioned AC power ballad getting any pop radio play these days. I also wonder if, after years away from performing mired in drug abuse, she can carry off her big songs live…
What do you think?
- Listen to “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” HERE.
Actually, I think the traditional power ballad is poised for a comeback. And Whitney Houston is just the singer to make it happen. This is her time! But is THIS the (right) song? I’m not so sure.
Nevertheless, I like the song fine. It wears well with repeated airings. Whitney’s voice sounds at least as good as it did on the last album nearly 7 years ago. I’m well pleased and wish her all the best.
I’m glad you like No Boundaries. More power to you!!
I just think Whitney is way better than that song, but I’m hoping that’s just the unfinished version. btw, i hate clive davis who i think is stuck in the early 90s if he thinks that song is going to be a good comeback so I blame him and not her =)
Be careful not to lecture posters. I just edited your first post.
Hmmm. Whitney has (had) one of the great voices of the past two or three decades. I was hoping her new album would restore some luster, but this single will NOT do it. No how. No way. I hope this is one of those leaks that proves to be not much of anything.
This single will go nowhere. It’s beneath even the voice that she has left. I was hoping that she would stage a major comeback. But this is very disappointing.
1) Whitney looked pretty good in that picture.
2) This song is very heartfelt and I liked it!
3) I think a lot of peeps out there will be able to relate to this song.
Will it be top 40? Probably not. Will it do fairly well in spite of that? I’m guessing yes, but we’ll see.
This just kinda makes me sad. I’ve always thought Whitney’s was the greatest voice of her generation. So many wasted years.
Me too!
I hope she makes a fantastic comeback. I have never seen a female power vocalist with more control and mastery over her range than Whitney Houston in her prime, and if only for that, I will always be a fan.
I had the privilege of seeing Whitney perform in Boston in the late 90’s. Though she was a bit of a diva, she gave the best vocal concert I have ever seen. She sang non stop for 2 hours, and I was in awe.
Like many of you, I am sad that she seems to have lost her big range and power. I still love her though, and hope she ends up going to the gospel route. I think it would better suit her career at this point. JMHO.
I think this is exactly the right song for Whitney right now. Honest, heartful, gives us a little glimpse into what she’s been through instead of glossing it over. Beautiful.
Well, it made me cry, but mostly because it evokes a message that Whitney has turned a corner and is perhaps on a path towards healing. I don’t love the song–as someone else said, it has no catchy hook. It is heartbreaking that her voice no longer has the beautiful rich tone that I loved so much. I don’t know if she can ever get that back.
Well, I ‘ve always loved Whitney and was really sad when she took that downward spiral. (boo, Bobby!). I’m really happy she’s back. This song is obviously about those wasted years and should be taken as such. Now that the acknowlegement is out of the way I’m hoping she will bring back some of the old Whitney and blow us out of the water like ony she can. Her voice is still intact, I think it’s just that the song doesn’t showcase it. Best of everything to you Whitney!
Good lord, that’s wordy enough to be an Idol coronation song. What is with they songwriters? Dianne Warrent and Kara Dioguardi must have contracts that pay them by the word now.
I don’t really have a problem with big power ballads, but if you’re going to go that route, at least structure it with a great melody. This tune doesn’t stick in the head–something all good ballads need to do. I’m hoping this will just be a song on the album at best. The message is nice, particularly given Whitney’s story. But overall, it’s just not that good of a song.
It’s a moldy oldie, for sure, but she’s too old to try to compete with the current crop of female r&b artists. Nor should she have to; she’s a legend. Her voice isn’t what it used to be and I’m not convinced she’s fully conquered her problems, but I wish her well. She’s damn lucky to still be alive and I hope she takes advantage of her opportunity to reclaim a good reputation.
I didn’t particularly like the song, but I never much liked over the top Whitney either. I always loved when she sang with emotion, not bombast…..anyway I thought the voice was lovely, effective, the song, not so much. I still would take this over some of the other R^B divas…..but even if she hadn’t had the drug issues, most voices don’t age well. Mariah’s certainly hasn’t, she just found a way to adjust, she lost her voice a long time ago, imho.
To me this sounds like a woman with a good voice, but it doesn’t really sound like the way I remember Whitney. She makes me sad. Handed beauty and talent to an almost unworldly degree, she seemed to just want to rub mud all over it. I guess she did what she felt she needed to do. I like a lot of her early work (not all, if I ever hear “You Give Good Love” again it will be too soon), but I don’t have a sentimental “oh I hope she gets her comeback” feeling about her. The song is ok. I’m sure she can do some Vegas shows if she wants to and bothers to show up. I hope she keeps it pulled together for the sake of her kids and the fans who still love her, I’ll say that much for her.
Her tone is still there, although a bit raspy. The problem is the phrasing – not so good.
It’s most likely a miracle she’s still alive considering the drug abuse. Hopefully the return to music will help her recovery, but I don’t think she’ll regain the voice she once had.
Is that the whole song? There’s not one exciting part in that stream I heard.