from I LOOK TO YOU
written by Diane Warren
In the nineties, pairing Whitney Houston’s immense vocal talent with the musical genius of David Foster created some of the most successful pop songs of all times like “I Will Always Love You” and “I Have Nothing.” Those songs sold millions and gave both Houston and Foster awards and accolades.
During those years, Houston was the #1 singer in the world, the most loved superstar and every subsequent record was a sure hit. She also became a movie star after “The Bodyguard” with other important movies like “Waiting To Exhale” and “The Preacher’s Wife.”
Unfortunately, as the new millennium started, bad life choices and personal problems forced Houston to disappear from the music scene for almost a decade. In 2009 she released a comeback album, “I Look To You.” The new album presented a perfect mix of dance tracks and intense ballads written and produced by an A-list of music makers. Every detail was perfect, the musical background was current and fashionable and Clive Davis’ marketing machine built up the event worldwide. The big question on everyone’s mind was if Whitney Houston’s voice was still powerful and unique like the old days. Our opinion is that Houston is still a great singer, but her voice clearly suffered from years of abuses and excesses.
“I Look To You” was certified platinum in the US and sold around two and a half million worldwide. That would be a great result for some, but is quite disappointing by Houston’s standards. Among the multitude of trendy, hip-hop and R&B sounds, we can find the classic, elegant atmospheres of David Foster. He produced a terrific new Diane Warren song entitled “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” It’s a power ballad with touching lyrics that are clearly autobiographical for the singer who gives a pour-her-heart-out performance. The presentation isn’t perfect and strong like her golden days, but it’s moving just the same. “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” was eventually released as a single with a dance remix which made the Dance and R&B charts.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_didn_tk_now_my_own_strength.mp3|titles=I didn’t know my own strenght|artists=Whitney Houston]
Lead Vocals: Whitney Houston
Keyboards: David Foster
Drum Programming, Synths & Sound Design: Jochem van der Saag
Background Vocals: David Foster & Courtney Blooding
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Lyrics
Lost touch with my soul
I had no where to turn
I had no where to go
Lost sight of my dream,
Thought it would be the end of me
I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to,
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out of the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me
I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
There were so many times I
Wondered how I’d get through the night I
Thought took all I could take
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength