written by Jud Friedman & Allan Rich

As a tribute to the late Whitney Houston we have picked the gorgeous ballad, “Run To You” as our song for this week. “Run To You,” co-written by hit songwriters Allan Rich and Jud Friedman, was the fourth single released from the mega-successful soundtrack of the movie, “The Bodyguard.”

Impeccably produced by David Foster, “Run To You” was another showcase of Houston’s unbelievable talent. On this elegant ballad, the superstar’s unique voice is tender and smooth on the verses while soaring high on the refrain with the lush backing of Foster’s perfect  instrumental arrangement. It takes just a quick listen to understand that this love song is another masterpiece on the long list of Houston’s winners. “Run To You” was nominated, along with Foster’s “I Have Nothing” to the Academy Awards but it was only a moderate hit on the charts reaching #31 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #10 on the Adult Contemporary chart. This may sound odd given the absolute beauty and value of the song but the reason was that at the time of its release, in June 1993, its parent album, “The Bodyguard,” had already sold over twenty millions copies worldwide and fans already owned the song with the album.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/run_to_you.mp3|titles=Run To You|artists=Whitney Houston]

Lead Vocals: Whitney Houston

Strings Arranged by David Foster & Bill Ross
Arranged by David Foster & Jud Friedman
Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

No Lyrics

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

Whitney Houston beautifully sang Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” for the soundtrack of the1993 blockbuster movie, “The Bodyguard.” It is one of the most popular and successful songs ever. Produced by David Foster, “I Will Always Love You” reached the top of the international charts by selling over ten million copies worldwide. The song was certified platinum four times in the US where it kept the #1 Billboard spot for fourteen weeks making it Arista Records’ biggest hit. It also brought home several Grammy Awards including Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.

Foster’s smart pop/soul arrangement was built around Houston’s show-stopping performance. Houston’s famous a capella intro gently opens the song and sets the atmosphere. The word perfection isn’t too much to describe the beauty of Houston’s emotional performance, the craft of the musical scenario created by Foster’s trademark keyboards with smooth strings plus Kirk Whalum’s sexy saxophone adds flavor to the mix.

“I Will Always Love You” is a milestone for pop music. In 2007, The United World Chart elected Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” as the most successful song ever released by a female artist and the 6th highest selling single of all-time. Recently, Foster and Houston have been back in the studio working on a song for the singer’s forthcoming comeback album.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_will_always_love_you.mp3|titles=I will always love you|artists=Whitney Houston]

Lead Vocals: Whitney Houston
Keyboards: David Foster
Saxophone: Kirk Whalum
Vocals Arranged by Whitney Houston
Conductor: Ricky Minor
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I’ll go, but I know
I’ll think of you each step of the way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Bittersweet memories
That is all I am taking with me
Good-bye, please don’t you cry
Cause we both know I’m not what you need
But I will always love you
I will always love you
I hope life (I hope life)
Treats you kind (treats you kind)
And I hope you have all you dream of
I wish you joy (I wish you joy)
And happiness (and happiness)
But above all this, I wish you love, oh
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Yes, I will always love you
I will always love you

Released in 1996, “The Preacher’s Wife” was Whitney Houston’s third movie soundtrack following the stellar successes of “The Bodyguard” and “Waiting To Exhale.” From those two monster sellers came the perfect adult contemporary triumphs of “I Will Always Love You” under David Foster’s production and the soul-tinged sounds of Babyface’s “Exhale (Shoop, Shoop).” For “The Preacher’s Wife,” it was the talented Mervin Warren, a former member of Take 6, who produced the bulk of this gospel-oriented project. Many of the songs feature the Georgia Mass Choir that accompanies the singer in a few intense performances. Foster and Babyface are back again to add some hit flavor to a few tracks. Babyface produced the beautiful ballad, “You Were Loved,” written by Diane Warren plus his own up-tempo “My Heart Is Calling.” Warren and Houston produced “I Believe In You And Me,” which opens the album. Foster beautifully reworked the gorgeous ballad co-written by David Wolfert and Sandy Linzer. Foster’s arrangement for the single release is absolute ear candy and perfectly suited for radio. “I Believe In You And Me” once again showcases Houston’s outstanding voice and the absolute expertise of Foster’s production. This song became a multi-format smash, reaching # 2 on the adult contemporary chart plus #4 on both the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and Billboard’s Hot 100. “I Believe In You And Me” was also certified platinum. Its parent album reached #3 on Billboard’s Top 200 and was certified triple platinum.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/i_believe_in_you_and_me.mp3|titles=I believe in you and me|artists=Whitney Houston]

Lead Vocals: Whitney Houston
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Vocal Arrangement by Whitney Houston

Lyrics

I believe in you and me
I believe that we will be
In love eternally
Well as far as I can see
You will always be the one…
For me
Oh yes you will

And I believe in dreams again
I believe that love will never end
And like the river finds the sea
I Was lost, now I’m free
Cuz I believe in you and me

I will never leave your side
I will never hurt your pride
When all the chips are down Baby
Said I will always be around
Just to be right where you are
My love
You know I love you, boy

I will never leave you out
I will always let you in boy
To places no one’s ever been
Deep inside, can’t you see
That I believe in you and me

Maybe I’m a fool
To feel the way I do
But I will play the fool forever
Just to be with you forever

I believe in miracles
And Our love’s a miracle
And yes, baby you’re my dream come true
I was lost, now I’m free (oOh Baby)
Cuz I believe
I believe in you and me
See I was lost, now I’m free
I believe in you and me

“Could I Have This Kiss Forever” was released in 1999 as part of Enrique Iglesias’ new collection simply entitled “Enrique.” This album saw Julio’s son moving away from the typical Latin atmospheres of his first records while following Ricky Martin’s successful trend of a more international dance/pop sound. A sophisticated duet with superstar Whitney Houston, “Could I Have This Kiss Forever” was written by the hit-machine of the nineties, Diane Warren, who delivered another winner here. The song, produced and arranged by David Foster, isn’t the typical Foster/Warren hit ballad, but a refined dance ditty with a delicious Latin-tinged background. The elegant arrangement relies on percussions, lush strings and acoustic guitars to support the two singers’ strong performances. The single reached the top ten on the Adult Contemporary charts while its parent album was certified platinum. “Could I Have This Kiss Forever” was eventually included on Houston’s greatest hits compilation that was released in the Spring of 2000.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/could_i_have_this_kiss_forever.mp3|titles=Could i have this kiss forever|artists=Enrique Iglesias & Whitney Houston]

Lead Vocals: Enrique Iglesias & Whitney Houston
Keyboards: David Foster
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks & Ramon Stagnaro
Bass: Nathan East
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Over and over I look in your eyes
you are all I desire
you have captured me
I want to hold you
I want to be close to you
I never want to let go
I wish that this night would never end
I need to know

Could I hold you for for a lifetime
Could I look into your eyes
Could I have this night to share this night together
Could I hold you close beside me
Could I hold you for all time
Could I could I have this kiss forever
Could I could I have this kiss forever, forever

Over and over I’ve dreamed of this night
Now you’re here by my side
You are next to me
I want to hold you and touch you taste you
And make you want no one but me
I wish that this kiss could never end
oh baby please

Could I hold you for a lifetime
Could I look into your eyes
Could I have this night to share this night together
Could I hold you close beside me
Could I hold you for all time
Could I could I have this kiss forever
Could I could I have this kiss forever, forever

I don’t want any night to go by
Without you by my side
I just want all my days
Spent being next to you
Lived for just loving you
And baby, oh by the way

Could I hold you for a lifetime
Could I look into your eyes
Could I have this night to share this night together
Could I hold you close beside me
Could I hold you for all time
Could I have this kiss forever
Could I could I have this kiss forever, forever