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The almost-as-big question: what's the tune like? Hmm... not great to be honest. It's a Diane Warren-penned empowerment ballad called 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' that sounds as if it could have been recorded at any point in the last 15 years. Like most recent Diane Warren songs, it's a bit lacking in the chorus department and the lyrics are positively dripping with clichés: "Hold my head up high", "Survived my darkest hour", "Wondered how I'd get through the night"... we could go on.
Let's hope there's fresher stuff to come - we're hoping for an album that will position Whitney at the forefront of modern R&B, while still offering nods to her classic sound, much as 1998's My Love Is Your Love did.
What do you think of 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength'? Has Whitney still got it? Use the space below to have your say.
More: Whitney Houston, Music
Your Views
23 Comments
Your Responses
Michael, NYC, on July 28th, 2009
First off I am glad she has come about. Second, all the previous negitive comments haven't a clue. It's very easy to comment on something know ones what the real storyt or was. And those of you who are negitive but be that way in there owns lives. Easy to be negitive harder to be positive. Take a lesson people. She had some trouble and now hopeftully is on the right track. She paved the way for all the new contempories. Lets see if the rest of them will be remembered like Whinety will always. I'm mot knocky and of the other new artists at all . There is a lot of new great talent out there out. Good for her that she is doing an album. I hope it hits the charts for her. Wish you well.
First off I am glad she has come about. Second, all the previous negitive comments haven't a clue. It's very easy to comment on something know ones what the real storyt or was. And those of you who are negitive but be that way in there owns lives. Easy to be negitive harder to be positive. Take a lesson people. She had some trouble and now hopeftully is on the right track. She paved the way for all the new contempories. Lets see if the rest of them will be remembered like Whinety will always. I'm mot knocky and of the other new artists at all . There is a lot of new great talent out there out. Good for her that she is doing an album. I hope it hits the charts for her. Wish you well.
., on July 8th, 2009
At first I was like ok erm? But now I love it, it is an amazing song.
At first I was like ok erm? But now I love it, it is an amazing song.
Thom, Portsmouth, on July 6th, 2009
Rubbish. Why bother coming back with that? Surely there has been better that she's recorded for this new album that would have promoted it better than this? Well, clearly not... I think it's flopsville for Whitney.
Rubbish. Why bother coming back with that? Surely there has been better that she's recorded for this new album that would have promoted it better than this? Well, clearly not... I think it's flopsville for Whitney.
bHaWu, on July 6th, 2009
honestly when i listened to the song the first i wasnt too impressed. not because the song was bad but because i had already build an idea of a 5-octave hit in my head. the voice is there, wonderfull as ever. her voice has matured and listen to this song again but this time you need to listen to the song and with the emotion it evokes. a great singer needs to be versatile and Whitney can sing just about anything and i take my hat off to her. its a case of Quantity vs Quality and its the latter that wins. Welcome back Whitney. one last thing, black people need to stop hating on each other. no one is perfect, no one.
honestly when i listened to the song the first i wasnt too impressed. not because the song was bad but because i had already build an idea of a 5-octave hit in my head. the voice is there, wonderfull as ever. her voice has matured and listen to this song again but this time you need to listen to the song and with the emotion it evokes. a great singer needs to be versatile and Whitney can sing just about anything and i take my hat off to her. its a case of Quantity vs Quality and its the latter that wins. Welcome back Whitney. one last thing, black people need to stop hating on each other. no one is perfect, no one.
yguidh@yahoo.com, on July 6th, 2009
How I love her voice...how I missed her voice, Thank GOD she is back!
How I love her voice...how I missed her voice, Thank GOD she is back!
Matt, Kent, on July 5th, 2009
I think that considering she hasnt recorded an album for some years, and she has had a lot of personal problems, that this song is a best as coulld have been expected, considering most artists later works are not very good at all.
I think that considering she hasnt recorded an album for some years, and she has had a lot of personal problems, that this song is a best as coulld have been expected, considering most artists later works are not very good at all.
Gary, Doncaster, on July 5th, 2009
Sorry Whitney, I love your music, but this is very very weak! Shouldn't have come back with a ballad, but if you have to, then at least make it a powerful one! Again weak, weak, weak!
Sorry Whitney, I love your music, but this is very very weak! Shouldn't have come back with a ballad, but if you have to, then at least make it a powerful one! Again weak, weak, weak!
Welsh and Proud, on July 4th, 2009
Simon, why bother replying is such a nasty way? Fair enough if you didn't like it, however there was no reason to use such foul language! Was a decent song in my opinion.
Simon, why bother replying is such a nasty way? Fair enough if you didn't like it, however there was no reason to use such foul language! Was a decent song in my opinion.
One&Only X, on July 4th, 2009
Oh Yeah, my favourite line is 'I wasn't built to break' I just love that line.
Oh Yeah, my favourite line is 'I wasn't built to break' I just love that line.
One&Only X, on July 4th, 2009
The voice is back finally! But 'the voice' is not like it used to be. It's the drugs that have hurt 'the voice' anyway I hope it gets into the top ten at least. But Leona is taking her shine like Lady Gaga is taking Britney's.
The voice is back finally! But 'the voice' is not like it used to be. It's the drugs that have hurt 'the voice' anyway I hope it gets into the top ten at least. But Leona is taking her shine like Lady Gaga is taking Britney's.
Emma Durham, on July 4th, 2009
Love it :)
Love it :)
jimmy - liverpool, on July 4th, 2009
mariahs comback was so much better!!!!
mariahs comback was so much better!!!!
Jamie, Leeds, on July 4th, 2009
It's no Mariah, that's for sure. That's the thing with Whitney, she's never written her own songs, so she has to accept these cliched offerings from 'top' songwriters. At least Mariah is co-writer & co-producer of everything that she releases.
It's no Mariah, that's for sure. That's the thing with Whitney, she's never written her own songs, so she has to accept these cliched offerings from 'top' songwriters. At least Mariah is co-writer & co-producer of everything that she releases.
Mike Worsley, Brixton, on July 4th, 2009
When Mariah had a breakdown she came back with ‘Through The Rain’ – and her voice sounded amazing. When Whitney had a comedown (from the crack) she’s come back with this rubbish written by Diane Warren – who still writes ballads as if it’s1991 – and despite the fact I applaud Whitney for her efforts, this will get lost in the wash and I just don’t think (like Janet) she’s musically relevant anymore. Mariah has still (just about) got it. Whitney, you just don’t. It’s not right – but it’s ok! Give it up!
When Mariah had a breakdown she came back with ‘Through The Rain’ – and her voice sounded amazing. When Whitney had a comedown (from the crack) she’s come back with this rubbish written by Diane Warren – who still writes ballads as if it’s1991 – and despite the fact I applaud Whitney for her efforts, this will get lost in the wash and I just don’t think (like Janet) she’s musically relevant anymore. Mariah has still (just about) got it. Whitney, you just don’t. It’s not right – but it’s ok! Give it up!
Andrew London, on July 4th, 2009
Love the song, it is great. Fantastic to hear her back on form
Love the song, it is great. Fantastic to hear her back on form
XY, The Music Man, on July 4th, 2009
its not one of her best songs but it will do ok
its not one of her best songs but it will do ok
Rob, Leeds, on July 4th, 2009
Yeah. Of course. Great song, powerful lyrics, typical Whitney song - just hoping for some more upbeat on the album, some songs similar to IWDWS hopefully & HWIK.
Yeah. Of course. Great song, powerful lyrics, typical Whitney song - just hoping for some more upbeat on the album, some songs similar to IWDWS hopefully & HWIK.
Bobb, on July 3rd, 2009
3 tracks from LEona LEwis album have leaked on line!!! perfect stranger,strangers,i got you! there fab
3 tracks from LEona LEwis album have leaked on line!!! perfect stranger,strangers,i got you! there fab
EmmaDx, on July 3rd, 2009
yeh it's abit Blah...just boring she's still got the voice compared to some singers...cough cough mariah curry!!
yeh it's abit Blah...just boring she's still got the voice compared to some singers...cough cough mariah curry!!
Whitney is going to sell millions of this album I look to you. Just watch this space.