When legends leave, their legacy lives on. Whitney Houston was an icon who amassed fame that still remains unparalleled.
From storming the music industry to making her mark on the big screen, Whitney Houston is well-regarded for her unmatched talents as she continues to inspire artistes with the legacy she left behind.
While she established superiority with her own string of hits, her talent was extremely showed when she covered some songs and made it all her own, obviously the reason she is referred to as the queen of covers.
As a tribute to the late legend, let’s take a trip down memory lane as we talk about 5 WHITNEY HOUSTON’S SONGS THAT WERE COVERS.
- I’M EVERY WOMAN
Yes, Whitney even managed to out woman the diva herself Chaka Khan, although she first scored a big hit with this anthem in 1978, before Whitney recorded a cover version for the Bodyguard soundtrack in 1993.
However, Whitney version peaked at number four on the pop singles chart and went all the way to the top of the dance chart, earning Houston a Grammy nod for Best Female R&B Vocal performance.
Whitney Houston even appeared in the music video very pregnant with daughter Bobbi Kristina, which inspired the message of the song.
- GREATEST LOVE OF ALL
This song was originally recorded by George Benson for the soundtrack to the film ‘The Greatest,’ about Muhammad Ali, which was a big hit in 1977, but Whitney later recorded an even more popular cover in 1986 for her self-titled debut album. The song spent three weeks at number one on the pop singles chart. It is also regarded as one of Whitney Houston’s most inspirational hits.
- STEP BY STEP
‘Step by Step’ was written and originally recorded by singer Annie Lennox, but later become a cross over pop hit by R&B/pop singer Whitney Houston.
The song served as the second single from Houston’s 1996 soundtrack album ‘The Preacher’s Wife.’ Houston’s version replaces Lennox’s verses with new lyrics and omits portions from the bridge as well.
It charted successfully across the globe, reaching the top twenty in over forty-five countries, and also certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU
Originally a minor hit for the duo Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. in 1978, before Whitney turned it into a huge hit in 1985.
The song became Houston’s second hit single from her self-titled debut album and it became her first number one, and also won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal performance.
- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU
Perhaps no other song showcases the powerhouse vocals for which Houston rightly became famous more impressively than ‘I Will Always Love You.’
The original, a plaintive ballad was written and recorded by Dolly Parton which was a minor hit on the country charts. Houston however turned it into a showstopper.
As the lead single from the soundtrack to the movie ‘The Bodyguard,’ where Houston made her acting debut, it shot to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 only three weeks after its release.
It became one of the biggest pop hit singles of all time spending fourteen weeks at the top of the chart and selling twenty million copies worldwide.
‘I Will Always Love You’ was certified Diamond by the RIAA, making it Whitney’s first Diamond single.
