The Quest for Whitney's First Hit: A Rollercoaster Ride (Mostly Upward)
Ah, Whitney Houston. The name itself evokes power, grace, and enough lung power to launch a small rocket. But before she was belting out classics and becoming the world's sweetheart of song, there was... drumroll please ... a question mark. Yes, a time when even Whitney wasn't dominating the charts.
Hold Up, Wasn't it "I Wanna Dance with Somebody?"
Now hold your horses (or should I say, "hold me," because that was an early song of hers that didn't quite crack the number one spot). "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" is a bop for sure, but it wasn't her first rodeo, honey. It turns out, Whitney's path to chart domination was paved with... well, not quite gold, but a respectable bronze medal.
Enter the Scene: "You Give Good Love"
This funky little number from her self-titled debut album in 1985 did alright for itself, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Not too shabby for a newcomer, right? But Whitney, with her powerhouse vocals, craved the peak.
And the Winner Is... "Saving All My Love for You!"
Finally, in October of 1985, the magic happened. "Saving All My Love for You" soared to the top of the charts, becoming Whitney's first number one hit. This soulful ballad showcased her incredible range and cemented her status as a rising star.
So, the Moral of the Story?
Sometimes, even the greatest voices take a hot minute to warm up. But once Whitney hit her stride, there was no stopping her. So next time you hear "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," remember the trail it blazed, leading all the way back to "Saving All My Love for You."
P.S. Who knows, maybe "Hold Me" will get its own biopic someday. A gritty underdog story, perhaps?
