Written by Diane Warren

When you find a song written by the hit-making pen of Diane Warren, crafted by super-producer David Foster and delivered by the legendary voice of Lionel Richie, good chances are that you are thrown into an elegant adult contemporary heaven. This was the case with “The Closest Thing To Heaven,” a sweet ballad included on the former Commodores singer’s 1998 cd “Time.” “The Closest Thing To Heaven” was a love song that reaffirmed Warren ’s uncommon ability to pair a gorgeous, catchy melody with an irresistible hook that was stuck in your mind the moment you hear it for the first time.

As usual, Foster added his superior musical artistry to increase the level of catchiness with his superb arrangement of acoustic and electric guitars, minimal keyboards and synths. For the occasion, Foster’s usual high-tech production is a bit more restrained with amazing results. The icing on the cake was Richie’s warm baritone slowly dancing on top of Foster’s instrumental background. The singer was second to none when it came to serenading listeners with his familiar voice and he delivered another killer performance. Cool vocal harmonies are a pleasure to the ear and provided with the support of Jeff Pescetto’s smooth tenor voice. The overall result wasn’t far from the successful acoustic soul productions of Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds , another R&B superstar that was crafting around that same time. “The Closest Thing To Heaven” was released as the final single from “Time.” Although it had radio-friendly potential, “The Closest Thing To Heaven” never bloomed into a hit.

“Time” also included “I Hear Your Voice,” a great co-write by Foster, Warren and Richie that was an adult contemporary hit single that year. Previously reviewed, you can read all about “I Hear Your Voice” here.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Lionel Richie
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitars: Dean Parks & Michael Thompson
Synthesizers Programming: Felipe Elgueta
Drum Programming: Guy Roche
Backing Vocals: Jeff Pescetto

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

An angels kiss is the kiss you gave to me
An angels touch, has touched my heart
Your love is something, thats truly heavenly
Heaven is here in your arms

I couldn’t sleep at night and then you embraced my life
With your sweet, sexy ways, oh, now I can’t even think
What my life would be, to be without you even one day

You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen

You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are

My happiness is just being next to you
Your tenderness has touched my soul
Never knew someone had so much love for me
I’m never letting you

I thought no one could care, you answered all my prayers
With your sweet, sexy ways, oh, you made my life complete
When you made love to me thats why, I love you more everyday

You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen

You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are

The one love, I need in my life
The one touch, I need in night
You’re the answer to all of my prayers
Promise me you’ll always be there

You’re the closest thing to heaven in my world
Never take this heaven from my arms
Don’t take your love from me or you’ll take everything
You’re the closest thing to heaven that I’ve ever seen

You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are
You are, you are the closest thing to heaven, you are, you are

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

Written by Diane Warren

Dru Hill was one of the most popular R&B vocal groups at the end of the Nineties. The Baltimore founded quartet had very good success on the charts with a string of hits including “In My Bed,” “Never Make A Promise” and “How Deep Is Your Love.”
In 1998, Dru Hill released their sophomore effort entitled “Enter The Dru.” It was a winning combination of vocal talent and contemporary R&B sounds thanks to the group’s talent and an endless list of big name collaborators. The songs, sung mostly by band members Sisqò and Jazz, were produced by heavyweights like Daryl Simmons, Babyface, Damon Thomas and David Foster. Babyface and Foster brought Dru Hill to a comfortable, radio-friendly Adult Contemporary sound. Babyface’s smooth ballad “These Are The Times” was also released as a single with good success. Foster produced and arranged a classic Diane Warren-pinned ballad entitled “What Do I Do With The Love.” Once again the Foster/Warren combo is a winner, delivering a sweet melody perfectly crafted by Foster and beautifully performed by Dru Hill. “Enter The Dru” spawned four singles on various Billboard charts and was certified double platinum.

Performed by Dru Hill (Sisqò, Jazz, Woody & Nokio)
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Synclavier Programming: Simon Franglen

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

What do I do, what do I do babe

I can put away the letters
Hide them in the drawer
I can even forget what you sent them for
And I can take your name out of my book
I can put away the pictures
I can put the dreams aside
But I just can’t seem to put you out of my mind
So tell me now, oh

What do I do with the love, tell me baby
What do I do with the memories of
What do I do with the nights
Without you by my side
They used to be your’s and mine
Without you, what do I do with the love

I can go out every night now
Stay out til the dawn
Do whatever I want to
Anytime I want
And I can make believe we never met
I can clear out all the closets
Leave your things ouside the door
But I just can’t seem to not love you anymore
So tell me now, tell me now, what do I do

What do I do with the love (Oh baby)
What do I do with the memories of (Tell me)
What do I do with the nights (Baby)
Withyou you by my side
They used to be your’s and mine
Without you what do I do with the love, yeah yeah

Do do I do with this heart
Who do I give it to
What do I do with these arms
If they’re not holding you
What do I do with this time
If I’m not spending time with you
If I’m not giving my love to you, oh

What do I do with the love,
(Oh, Lord have mercy, do ya hear me?)
What do I do with the memories of
What do I do with the nights
Without you by my side
They used to be your’s and mine
Without you what do I do with the love
What do I do with the love
What do I do with the love
What do I do with the love
What? I’m sitting here
What do I do, with all the love, oh yeah

In 1998, Whitney Houston released a new album entitled “My Love Is Your Love.” It was a state of the art affair that involved the cream of the nu soul/hip-hop music makers like Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Missy Elliot, Rodney Jerkins plus legendary mainstream powerhouses including Babyface and David Foster.

“My Love Is Your Love” was a step into a new sound for the singer while still having its fair share of traditional big pop/r&b ballads. The album sold over four million copies in the US and spawned five hit singles on the charts. “My Love Is Your Love” is chock full of special guests like Mariah Carey who duets with Houston on Babyface’s hit ballad, “When You Believe” from the soundtrack of “Prince of Egypt,” Faith Evans and Kelly Price who lent their voices to another uptempo hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” plus Missy Elliot, Shanice, Sheila E., Greg Phillinganes and Mark Kibble of Take 6.

Foster produced and arranged the power ballad “I Learned From The Best.” Penned by hit maker Diane Warren, “I Learned From The Best” was the fifth and final hit single off the album reaching #27 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #20 on AC while a remix of the song went to #1 on the dance charts. “I Learned From The Best” presents Diane Warren’s typical memorable melody and refrain. Houston’s vocal performance is impeccably backed up by Foster’s standard array of keyboards, synth horns and strings.

Early in 2009 brought the welcome news of a brand new collaboration between Whitney Houston and David Foster for her comeback album that should be released before the end of the year. A new song, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” was again penned by the incomparable hit maker Diane Warren and we can predict it’ll be another perfect vehicle for the superstar’s amazing vocal talent.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_learned_from_the_best.mp3|titles=I learned from the best|artists=Whitney Houston
]

Lead Vocals: Whitney Houston
Keyboards: David Foster
Electric Guitar: Michael Thompson
Acoustic Guitar: Ali Boudris
Background Vocals: Whitney Houston & Sue Ann Carwell

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Did you really think that
I would really take you back
Let you back in my heart one more time
Ohh. no. no.
Did you think that I still care
That there be more feeling there
Did you think you could walk back in my life.
So you found you miss the love you threw away.
Baby but you found it out too late. too late.
Chorus:and so now you know the way it feels to cry
The way that I cried when you broke my world in two.
Baby I learned the way to break a heart
I learned from the best.
I learned from you.
Oh baby now.
I learned from you
I remember cold nights
Tears I though would never dry
How you shattered my world
With your goodbye.your goodbye baby
Woulde sold my soul then.
Just to have you back again
Now youe the last thing on my mind.
Now you say your sorry and
Youe changed your ways
Sorry but you changed you ways too late.
Chorus
So when all youe got are sleepless nights
When those tears are clouding up your eyes
Just remember it was you who said goodbye
Who said goodbye.
Instrumental break
Chorus

Oleta Adams is a talented black singer and piano player who started as a gospel singer. She was discovered in the second half of the eighties by Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal, the famous UK duo Tears For Fears. She joined their band and appeared on their 1989 hit album “The Seeds of Love,”singing the chart topping duet “Woman in Chains.”One year later she started a solo career with her debut album “Circle of One,”produced by Orzabal. In 1991, the singer reached the top of the charts with a poignant cover of the Brenda Russell ballad “Get Here.”In 1993, Adams released “Evolution,”her sophomore effort that offered another well-dosed mix of covers and originals. Among the best cover songs are Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind”and James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.”Adams’ own “When Love Comes to the Rescue”is one of the great original tunes found on the album along with Diane Warren’s intense ballad “The Day I Stop Loving You.”This last song was slated to become a single and given to David Foster to prepare a tailor-made remix for its release. Foster reworked the song with great expertise and made it absolutely perfect for the adult contemporary audience. Like the entire record, Adams’ interpretation of this song is outstanding and touching.

“Evolution”was followed by a number of solid R&B/Pop records, all centered on Adams’ powerful, vibrant voice. The singer, always at ease with pop/soul sounds, also ventured into gospel and jazz-tinged territories with great results. She recently published a Christmas record entitled “Christmas Time with Oleta.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/the_day_i_stop_loving_you.mp3|titles=The day i stop loving you|artists=Oleta Adams]

Lead Vocals: Oleta Adams
Remix Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

The day I stop loving you will be the day the world stops turning
The day I stop loving you will be the end of time
But the saddest day I’ll ever see
Is the day you stop loving me

The day I stop needing you will be the day that I stop breathing
The day I stop needing you the sun won’t shine
But the darkest day there’ll ever be
Is the day you stop needing me

There’ll never come a time when I’ll ever change my mind
Can’t imagine a life without your love
You’re forever in my soul
I’m never letting go
I will always be by your side

The day I stop wanting you will be the day my heart stops beating
The day I stop wanting you the stars won’t shine
But the saddest day there’ll ever be
Is the day you stop wanting me

Can’t imagine a life without your love
You’re forever in my soul
I’m never letting go
I will always be by your side
No, I’ll never, never, never, no, never say goodbye

(First verse)

Please don’t ever stop loving me