I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t rooting for Whitney Houston’s comeback album to be packed with the kinds of undeniable power ballads (and saucy midtempo jams) that would return her to the top of the charts and introduce children of a certain age — those born, say, after 1992′s The Bodyguard soundtrack — to her legendary voice. Sure, I’m the person who drew the short straw and had to recap Being Bobby Brown for EW.com, but that multi-week journey to hell (to the no) wasn’t nearly enough to make me forget Houston’s contributions to the pop-music universe. Without her, there’d be no “Saving All My Love for You,” no “So Emotional,” no “Heartbreak Hotel,” no dance remix of “It’s Not Right (But It’s Okay).” Nor would American Idol have a longstanding tradition of contestants doing unfortunate things to an innocent ballad called “I Have Nothing.”
And that’s why it makes me sad to report that “I Look to You,” the title track from Houston’s forthcoming CD — which you’ll find streaming and available for free download at WhitneyHouston.com — has the same lack of discernible hook and same trite “overcome the obstacles” lyrics as recently leaked “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” without any of the raw emotional edge of the latter song. I mean, I’m okay with a subdued Whitney vocal, but this track borders on somnambulent. Take that flurry of dated, Casio-esque strings that kick in at the 3:08 mark, as Whitney implores, “take me far away from the battle/ I need you to shine on me.” It sounds like the song is building toward something big, that the waves are (finally) about to crash up against the rocks in fine, dramatic fashion, but then, all you get is a little ripple. The general lack of hook, combined with the funeral-dirge tempo, utterly disinterested backing vocals, and weird flights of lyrical fancy (Whitney riffs that “walls are coming down on me” like it’s a good thing! ouch!) and, well, I’m ready to skip past “I Look to You”* and hope that the rest of Houston’s disc (due Aug. 31) contains something more memorable and radio-worthy.
What do you think of “I Look to You” (which, I neglected to mention before now, was written by R. Kelly)? Should it be a contender for the lead single? (Her label rep says that title is still undecided.) Share your thoughts — and when you do, be sure to make mention if you’re a Whitney loyalist — in the comments section below!
*Additional points subtracted for similar title/theme to Christina Aguilera’s heinous “I Turn to You.”
I don’t agree with you. I think it’s a great song. Also, your examples of Whitney’s best songs from the past are WAY off.
I agree. Very treacly. Speaking of Aguilera. Where the hell is she? Can Music Mix launch an investigation.
The Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz “Million Dollar Bill” is the ONLY track that I believe can relaucnh Whitney to this new generation that only identifies her with the hot mess on the Being Bobby Brown reality series. No smatlzy ballad is going to do that. And no, its not just my own opinion. Ballads don’t work in today’s pop landscape as they used to. Is Beyonce’s “Halo” to be considered a ballad? Even “If I Were a Boy” wasn’t a #1 hit, that honor went to “Single Ladies”. Even to everyone who’s going to start about Whitney and The Voice crap…in today’s water-down music world, it all comes down to production over vocals, no matter who is singing them, because I can cite Jazmine Sullivan as an example. She had 2 straight R&B hits, and “Bust Your Windows” failed to cross over to the pop charts. Yeah, Whitey has recognition, but her name really doesn’t mean much right now. Clive needs to stop tip toeing around and decide on a single (“Million Dollar Bill”) or he is going to have to push the release date back, which would bode horrible for her, since Whitney now has the jump on Mariah (Sept. 15th) & Madonna (Sept. 29th).
I Think anything Alica Keys & Swizz Beatz touch is a Midas Touch!!!!!!!!!
And Whitney is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a huge Whitney Fan!!
I agree with the statement that this should not be a strong contender for the lead single. I really think that this is just to get everyone excited that our beloved Whitney is indeed back and to show that she still has a voice. Granted that it is not what once was but it is still beautiful.
Also they maybe pressing to release the single to gain more momentum and come full force with a strong single which maybe Million Dollar Bill. If you were to check on a few sites you will find clips and let me tell you some of them are hot – especially “A Song For You.” Definitely old skool Nippy on this track.
SNOOZE! I agree, Slezak. This song flatlines, and I love Whitney. I was on a road trip last week with my iPod on shuffle, and “One Moment in Time” came on. That’s classic Whitney: saturated in emotion, moving, and I believed her when she sang. “I Look to You” just sounds flat. There is no energy to it, and I don’t believe her when she sings. So far, after this song and the other one released a few weeks ago, I am not optimistic about Whitney’s comeback.
3 years ago we were watching whitney’s dvd and were just mesmerized bout her vocal power.some1 said dat they wish she shud time off and take her tym wit her nxt cd,i didnt get it. Her voice needs 2 mature,b more powerful vocally and she must SING,he said. Now i get it,whitney did just dat.she has noting 2 prove vocally and its immature 2 tink dat she has lost it. She wil silence all da doubting thomases. Her comeback wuz neva bout scoring no 1s but bringing song to music,substance and in true Diva style CLASS. Its a question of QUANTITY vs QUALITY…da latter is definately wut i wud go 4. All da best whitney. I wish dat Miriah Carey wud follow suit,i miss her SINGING,
Are you stupid, or do you just type like you are?
This song is a grower, delivered perfectly and it’s probably only going to Urban radio (where it’s exloding by the way).
Sounds like someone is mad he didn’t get invited to the listening event!
When I first heard the song I was like okay but no yeah she is back. So I said to myself this must be an album cut or something unfinished. I too have been waiting to hear the word on the street first “Did you hear Whitney’s new song it’s hot” but instead it’s I heard Whitney’s new song on the radio and it’s okay. We are all pulling for her and I am sure with waiting 2 plus years since she has been back on the scene I know she and Clive are going to bring it so don’t worry Whitney is back just be patient everyone. No matter what there can be but one Whitney and she could sit down and do nothing and her legacy will still be in tact.
For me for her, the song needed a bit more melody, or at least, a better hook. Hard to evaluate her voice based on that song.
I am more of a Mariah fan. That said, I am really rooting for Whitney to regain her rightful place in Pop music.
R. Kelly can’t write, Whitney can wear a wig and oversing a power ballad but that’s it. she has a core fan base who wanna hear her cheesy “empowerment” anthems but nobody else’ll give a frak unless she does a bad rap duet with Jay-Z or one of those other hip-hop drum machine wanks.
You are so full of it, gosh
Rolling Stone calls her the greatest vocalist of all time. Her legacy is almost impossible to improve. So yeah, she doesn’t sound like 1988 whitney. But she is still singing circles around every other female popartist out there. Her new album contains smashing contemporary uptempo songs such as Million Dollar Bill written by Alicia Keys and produced by Swizz Beats. Do your homework my friend!!!
A bit more respect for Whitney, couchgrouch. In her day, she could chew up all of today’s wannabes, and have Beyonce for dessert.
Didn’t Rkelly write “You are not Alone” for Michael Jackson. The first and only song to debut at #1 on the billboard. Didn’t he start Aayliahs career by writing and producing every song on that album? Yeah Rkelly is a weirdo, but his contributions to the pop world are undeniable. Learn something about the history of Pop music before you start ranking on someone’s obvious musical talent.
I am not sure if “You Are Not Alone” was the first song to debut at number one, but it certainly wasn’t the only song to do it. There have been myriad number one debuts over the years.
Maybe they’re not going for a new, younger crowd. Maybe they’re playing on the nostalgia of older fans. I like the song, but I’m not sure it will fit into the radio landscape today.
You Are Not Alone has a lyric like a greeting card and no melody. it’s crap. Aayalah??! whoaa…she’s a musical giant. not. R. Kelly can’t write. learn something about music and you won’t think because a song hit #1 it’s good. unless you think Transformers 2 is a good movie.
I really do love Whitney Houston. Whatever they say, Houston is the best. I totally agree that “I look to you” is not an amazing single. I like the music, but the lyrics is not R. Kelly’s best creation. However, I am so glad that Houston is not immidating any of those “singers” out there. She is what she is, original, powerful and talented.