How Will I Know
{{Short description|1985 single by Whitney Houston}}
{{good article}}
{{use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox song
| name = How Will I Know
| cover = Whitney_Houston_HowWill_IKnow.jpg
| alt = A woman is sitting, with a smile on her face. She is looking forward and her head is resting on her left arm. She is wearing bracelets on her right wrist. Next to her the word "Whitney" is written in medium purple capital letters. The words "How Will I Know" are written near her head.
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = Whitney Houston
| album = Whitney Houston
| B-side =
- "Someone for Me"
- "Saving All My Love for You"
| released = {{start date|1985|11|22}}
| recorded = 1984
| studio = Mediasound Studios (Manhattan){{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-tracks-whitney-houston-wanna-dance-somebody|title=Classic Tracks: Whitney Houston 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody'|last=Buskin|first=Richard|website=Sound on Sound|date=May 2012|accessdate=May 29, 2025}}
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=30}}
| label = Arista
| writer =
| producer = Narada Michael Walden
| prev_title = Thinking About You
| prev_year = 1985
| next_title = Greatest Love of All
| next_year = 1986
| misc =
{{External music video|{{YouTube|m3-hY-hlhBg&ob|"How Will I Know"}}}}
}}
"How Will I Know" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her self-titled debut studio album. It was released on November 22, 1985, by Arista Records as the album's third single. Written and composed by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, it was originally intended for pop singer Janet Jackson, who passed on it. Houston then recorded the song with altered lyrics and production from Narada Michael Walden.
"How Will I Know" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. It became Houston's second number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1986, spending two weeks atop the chart, and also became her first chart-topper on the Canadian RPM Top 100 Singles chart. It also reached top-10 positions in Australia, Sweden, Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and top-20 positions in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
The accompanying music video for "How Will I Know" features scenes of Houston dancing in a setting of video screens and colored partitions. The music video gave Houston exposure to teenagers via MTV and other video outlets. It received two nominations at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards; Best Female Video and Best New Artist, winning the former category. The song was performed on many of her tours including Greatest Love Tour (1986) and her Nothing But Love World Tour (2009–10). "How Will I Know" is also featured as a remix on Houston's compilation album Whitney: The Greatest Hits (2000), whereas the original single version is featured on The Ultimate Collection (2007) and I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston (2012). The song cemented Houston’s status as a global pop star.
Background and recording
Initially, husband-and-wife songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam had written the song's demo in 1984 for pop singer Janet Jackson, who was managed by A&M Records executive John McClain.{{harvnb|Bronson|2003|p=628}} However, after hearing the song, Jackson's management passed on it, feeling it was not a compatible fit with material already in development for her. In an interview with Fred Bronson, Merrill expressed his feelings after learning of Jackson's decision: "We were pretty upset because we thought it was perfect for her at the time. We had written it with her completely in mind." During this period, Brenda Andrews at Almo-Irving Music, Merrill and Rubicam's publisher, played the song for Gerry Griffith, the director for R&B music at A&M and Arista Records. Griffith, who was then compiling material for Houston's debut album, felt the song perfectly matched her musical style. He soon contacted Andrews and the song's two writers and suggested that they give the song to him for Houston's debut album. Griffith described his discovery of the song and what he and Clive Davis thought of it:
"We had a lot of R&B-based tunes, we had a few ballads, but we didn't have a pop crossover song. So when I heard 'How Will I Know,' I said 'this is absolutely perfect.' I played it for Clive [and] he fell in love with it. I wasn't very familiar with her family background; I didn't realize that, even at that time, there was a pretty big industry buzz about her future."
After receiving permission from Merrill to use the song, Griffith quickly turned to Narada Michael Walden, who at the time was producing material for Aretha Franklin's album Who's Zoomin' Who?. Griffith implored him to produce it, describing how important the song would be for Houston's upcoming album. After hearing the demo, Walden agreed to fly to San Rafael, California to arrange it. He was not very impressed with the demo and requested permission to change some of the lyrics and chord progression, inducing Merrill and Rubicam to deny him the right to their song. After a lot of back-and-forth with Griffith, they compromised and allowed Walden to de-construct the song and change the key and tempo. After completing the song, Houston came in to the studio to record her vocal in late 1984. Her mother Cissy Houston joined her on background vocals. Griffith stated:
"I asked Whitney to sing on the background session. She was reluctant because she wanted to enjoy hearing her mother sing. I said, 'No, get out there and sing,' so she did. The background sounded incredible ... Clive Davis heard the mix and immediately gave it a 10, which is outrageous for him, because he doesn't like anything!"
Composition
{{listen
| filename = HowWillIKnow.ogg
| title = "How Will I Know" (1985)
| description = A sample of the song's chorus, where Houston sings "How will I know if he really loves me?". It also makes use of drums.
| format = Ogg
}}
"How Will I Know" is a synth-funk{{cite magazine|url =https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/whitney-houston-whitney-houston-20120524|title =500 Greatest Albums: Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston|magazine =Rolling Stone|date =May 31, 2009|publisher =Wenner Media|access-date =2011-03-17|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121022191812/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-20120531/whitney-houston-whitney-houston-20120524|archive-date =2012-10-22|url-status =live}} and dance-pop{{Cite web|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=November 20, 2020|title=The Number Ones: Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know"|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2107774/the-number-ones-whitney-houstons-how-will-i-know/columns/the-number-ones/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203134144/https://www.stereogum.com/2107774/the-number-ones-whitney-houstons-how-will-i-know/columns/the-number-ones/|archive-date=December 3, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2020|website=Stereogum}}{{Cite magazine|last=Unterberger|first=Andrew|date=May 2, 2017|title=10 Reasons Why Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' Is One of the Greatest Songs of All Time|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7778738/whitney-houston-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-greatest-song-all-time.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203135041/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7778738/whitney-houston-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-greatest-song-all-time.|archive-date=December 3, 2020|access-date=December 3, 2020|magazine=Billboard|quote="...the dance-pop giddiness of her first album's signature smash, "How Will I Know"..."}} song composed in a 1980s dance beat.{{cite web|url =http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0063765|title =Whitney Houston – How Will I Know Sheet music (Digital Download)|work =Music Notes|date =March 10, 2008|publisher =Alfred Music Publishing|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150413230556/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdVPE.asp?ppn=MN0063765|archive-date =2015-04-13|url-status =live}} According to Kyle Anderson of MTV, the song found Houston hitting an "incredible groove". It is written in the key of G flat major. The beat is set the time signature of common time and moves at a fast tempo of 120 beats per minute. The song also has the sequence of G{{music|flat}}-B{{music|flat}}m7-G{{music|flat}}/C{{music|flat}}-D{{music|flat}}-E{{music|flat}}m-D{{music|flat}} as its chord progression. Houston's vocals in the song span from the note of D{{music|flat}}4 to the high note of G5. Lyrically, the song speaks about the lead woman trying to discern whether a man she likes will ever like her back. She is also hesitant, because her friends tell her "love can be deceiving", and she is so shy that she cannot call him. Later, she feels that it might be a dream, but realizes that "there's no mistaking", and that what she feels is really love.
Critical reception
"How Will I Know" mainly garnered positive reviews from music critics, with some noting it as a standout on the album. Don Shewey of Rolling Stone commented "Although it's awfully reminiscent of the Pointer Sisters' 'He's So Shy', 'How Will I Know' is still irresistibly danceable."{{cite magazine|url =https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-houston-19850606|title =Whitney Houston by Whitney Houston Review|magazine =Rolling Stone|publisher =Wenner Media LLC|author =Shewey, Don|date =June 6, 1985|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110628231222/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/whitney-houston-19850606|archive-date =2011-06-28|url-status =live}} Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic wrote "...what really impresses some 20-plus years on are the lighter tracks, particularly the breakthrough single 'How Will I Know'."{{cite web|url =http://www.allmusic.com/album/whitney-houston-r9575/review|title =Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston|author =Erlewine, Stephen Thomas|work =AllMusic|publisher =Rovi Corporation|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20101212114503/http://allmusic.com/album/whitney-houston-r9575/review|archive-date =2010-12-12|url-status =live}} While reviewing the Deluxe Anniversary Edition of the album, Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly commented on the a cappella version of the song, noting, "a cappella mix of 'How Will I Know' displays the singer's precision long before the advent of Auto-Tune."{{cite magazine|url =http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20338028,00.html|title =Whitney Houston: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition|author =Wood, Mikael|magazine =Entertainment Weekly|publisher =Time Inc.|access-date =2010-12-23|date =2010-01-20|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100124081301/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20338028,00.html|archive-date =2010-01-24|url-status =dead}} While reviewing The Ultimate Collection, Nick Levine of Digital Spy added, "Houston's floor-fillers have aged a little more gracefully, although their clunky, thudding drum sounds are as unmistakably Eighties as Joan Collins' Dynasty wardrobe."{{cite web|url =http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a79009/whitney-houston-the-ultimate-collection.html|title =Whitney Houston: 'The Ultimate Collection'|author =Levine, Nick|work =Digital Spy|date =November 2, 2007|publisher =Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd|access-date =2010-10-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100530122739/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/albumreviews/a79009/whitney-houston-the-ultimate-collection.html|archive-date =2010-05-30|url-status =live}} Dave Rimmer of Smash Hits considered that "this dreary bit of disco isn't anywhere near as good" as "Saving All My Love for You," adding that it "sounds positively snoozeworthy, in fact."{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Smash-Hits/1986/Smash-Hits-1986-01-15.pdf |title=Singles reviewed by Dave Rimmer |magazine=Smash Hits |volume=8 |issue=2 |date=15–28 January 1986 |last=Rimmer |first=Dave |page=39 |issn=0260-3004 |via=World Radio History |access-date=22 November 2023}} The song was voted number 12 in VH1's List of Greatest Songs of the 1980s.{{cite web|url =http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/vh180s.htm|title =VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80's|publisher =Rockonthenet.com|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130904165749/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/vh180s.htm|archive-date =2013-09-04|url-status =live}}{{cite web|url =http://www.antimusic.com/news/06/oct/27.shtml|title =100 Greatest Songs of The '80s|publisher =Antimusic.com|access-date =2010-12-27|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110522053146/http://www.antimusic.com/news/06/oct/27.shtml|archive-date =2011-05-22|url-status =live}}
Commercial performance
"How Will I Know" debuted at number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the December 7, 1985 issue.{{cite magazine|url ={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=whitney houston|chart=all}}|title =Whitney Houston Chart History|magazine =Billboard|publisher =Prometheus Global Media|access-date =2010-12-23}} Nine weeks later it peaked at number one in the issue dated February 15, 1986, becoming Houston's second number-one single on that chart. It displaced Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick's "That's What Friends Are For," stayed at number one for two weeks, and was displaced by Mr. Mister's "Kyrie." It also debuted on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart at number 60, and later peaked at number one for one week. In the issue dated January 25, 1986, "How Will I Know" entered the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart at number 30, and later peaked at number three in the February 22, 1986, issue. It also reached number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the single Gold on December 6, 1985, for shipments of 500,000 copies or more, and later Double Platinum, for an equivalent sales of 2,000,000 units. It ranked at number six on the Billboard year-end chart. In Canada, the single debuted at number 80 on the RPM Top 100 Singles chart in the issue dated December 14, 1985.{{cite web|url =http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0611&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ibnkef41m56704k5js1i6skfv1|title =RPM Archives|publisher =Library and Archives Canada|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021033425/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0611&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ibnkef41m56704k5js1i6skfv1|archive-date =2012-10-21|url-status =dead}} It later peaked at number one in the week dated March 1, 1986, becoming Houston's first number-one single in Canada.{{cite web|url =http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0640&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ibnkef41m56704k5js1i6skfv1|title =RPM Archives|publisher =Library and Archives Canada|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021033447/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.0640&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=ibnkef41m56704k5js1i6skfv1|archive-date =2012-10-21|url-status =dead}} It was later certified Gold by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) on May 1, 1986, for shipments of 200,000 copies or more.{{cite web|url=http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207020137/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-02-07 |title=Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum |publisher=Canadian Recording Industry Association |access-date=2010-12-23 }}
The single also performed well in other countries. In the United Kingdom it debuted at number 36 during the week of January 25, 1986, and later peaked at number five.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/How%20Will%20I%20Know |title=The Official Charts Company – Whitney Houston – How Will I Know |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=2010-12-23 |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705102506/http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/how%20will%20i%20know/ |url-status=live }} It was also certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |title=BPI Searchable Database |publisher=British Phonographic Industry |access-date=2019-09-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-04 }} According to MTV UK and Ireland, the single has sold about 280,000 copies in the UK.{{cite web|url =http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/whitney-houston-official-top-20|title =Whitney Houston > Official Top 20|work =MTV UK|publisher =MTV Networks (Viacom)|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120812085757/http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/charts/official-uk-countdowns/whitney-houston-official-top-20|archive-date =2012-08-12|url-status =dead}} In New Zealand it debuted at number 35, and peaked at number 19.{{cite web|url =https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Whitney+Houston&titel=How+Will+I+Know&cat=s|title =Whitney Houston > How Will I Know|work =charts.nz|publisher =Hung Medien|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-date =September 12, 2018|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022533/https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Whitney+Houston&titel=How+Will+I+Know&cat=s|url-status =live}} In Austria it reached a peak position of number 28, while peaking at number 12 in the Netherlands. It also reached number two in Norway and Sweden, while charting at number 11 in Switzerland. According to AllMusic, "How Will I Know" has sold about 1.5 million copies worldwide.{{cite web|url =http://www.allmusic.com/song/how-will-i-know-t2019247|title =How Will I Know|author =Hogan, Ed|work =Allmusic|publisher =Rovi Corporation|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20101210005550/http://allmusic.com/song/how-will-i-know-t2019247|archive-date =2010-12-10|url-status =live}}
In Australia "How Will I Know" was released as the first single from the album in March 1985.{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/tGG4Uqk.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 559 – 25 March 1985 > Singles: New Releases|publisher=Kent Music Report|via=Imgur.com|access-date=June 1, 2020}} It spent a single week on the Kent Music Report chart at number 97 in July 1985,{{cite web|first=Gavin|last=Scott|url=http://www.chartbeats.com.au/2015/07/30-years-ago-this-week-july-14-1985.html|title=Chart Beats - This Week In 1985: July 14, 1985|publisher=chartbeats.com.au|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705044243/http://www.chartbeats.com.au/2015/07/30-years-ago-this-week-july-14-1985.html|url-status=live}} before re-entering the chart in February 1986, eventually peaking at number two.
Music video
The accompanying music video for "How Will I Know", directed by British director Brian Grant and choreographed by Arlene Phillips,{{cite web|url =http://www.whitneyhouston.com/us/news/whitney-video-countdown-part-4|title =Whitney Video Countdown – Part 4|publisher =WhitneyHouston.com|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120405233941/http://www.whitneyhouston.com/us/news/whitney-video-countdown-part-4|archive-date =2012-04-05|url-status =live}} was filmed prior to the release of the single and album.{{harvnb|Bowman|1995|p=106}} Unlike her past music videos, Houston was given the opportunity to move beyond the staged performance settings to demonstrate straightforward dance moves. The video is set against a strikingly designed, vividly colored setting of video screens and partitions. Houston's hair is dyed honey blonde and is worn by a dazzling, colored hairbow. She is also seen underlined by a form-fitting silver dress made of metal mesh, reaching almost to her knees, adorned with matching fingerless gloves. Houston is also seen performing with backup dancers in black outfits and wearing French-style makeup. The video also has a scene of spattering of paint and drizzling down the screen. Houston's labelmate and family friend Aretha Franklin also makes a black-and-white cameo appearance in the otherwise colorful music video.{{citation |author=Whitney Houston |date=2000-05-16 |title=Greatest Hits (DVD) |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment}} In 2011, Kyle Anderson of MTV wrote that it was "eye-opening to watch her cut loose in a fun environment," since her past songs were ballads.{{cite web |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/02/15/whitney-houston-lady-gaga-number-one/ |title=Whitney Houston Knows How To Get To Number One: Wake-Up Video |work=MTV Newsroom |publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom) |date=2011-02-15 |access-date=2011-02-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218060417/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2011/02/15/whitney-houston-lady-gaga-number-one |archive-date=2011-02-18}}
The music video was her first to receive heavy rotation on MTV.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ssMBzqrUpjwC&q=notable+black+american+women |title=Notable Black American women|author =Smith, Jessie Carney |page=305 |year=1996 |publisher=Gale |access-date=2010-12-23 |isbn=9780810391772}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964980-6,00.html |title=Show Business: The Prom Queen of Soul |last1=Corlis |first1=Richard |last2=Bland |first2=Elizabeth L. |last3=Dutka |first3=Elaine |magazine=TIME |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=2010-12-23 |date=1987-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113040042/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964980-6,00.html |archive-date=2011-11-13 |url-status=dead}} It was also nominated for two awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, in the categories of Best New Artist and Best Female Video, winning the latter.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1986/ |title=MTV Video Music Awards |work=MTV |publisher=MTV Networks (Viacom) |access-date=2010-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206065310/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/1986/ |archive-date=2013-02-06 |url-status=dead}}
Live performances
File:Whitney Houston Milano 3.jpg during a Milan show]]
Houston performed the song on her Greatest Love Tour (1986), Moment of Truth World Tour (1987–88), Feels So Right Japan Tour (1990), I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour (1991), The Bodyguard World Tour (1993–1994), My Love Is Your Love World Tour (1999) and Nothing But Love World Tour (2009–2010). Apart from the concert tour performances, Houston has performed the song on many other occasions like the third annual MTV Video Music Awards in 1986, where she sang "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All",{{cite web|url =https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387367/|title =MTV Video Music Awards 1986 (TV 1986)|date =September 5, 1986|publisher =Internet Movie Database|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130217170824/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387367/|archive-date =2013-02-17|url-status =live}}{{cite news|url =https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58023661.html?dids=58023661:58023661&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+08%2C+1986&author=DENNIS+HUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=MTV%27S+AWARDS+SHOW+HITS+CASUAL+NOTE&pqatl=google|archive-url =https://archive.today/20120719201017/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/58023661.html?dids=58023661:58023661&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+08,+1986&author=DENNIS+HUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=MTV'S+AWARDS+SHOW+HITS+CASUAL+NOTE&pqatl=google|url-status =dead|archive-date =July 19, 2012|title =MTV'S Awards Show Hits Casual Note|work =Los Angeles Times|author = Hunt, Dennis|access-date =2010-12-23|date=1986-09-08}} 13th annual American Music Awards (1986),{{cite web|url =http://realrnbradio.com/2010/11/whitney-houstons-historic-ama-wins-and-performances/|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110715162021/http://realrnbradio.com/2010/11/whitney-houstons-historic-ama-wins-and-performances/|url-status =dead|archive-date =2011-07-15|title =Whitney Houston's Historic AMA Wins and Performances|publisher =Reanrnbradio.com|access-date =2010-12-23}} and 1987 BRIT Awards.{{cite web|url =http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1987|title =The BRITs 1987|work =Brit Awards|publisher =British Phonographic Industry|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110721230911/http://www.brits.co.uk/history/shows/1987|archive-date =2011-07-21|url-status =live}} The latter performance is included in the 2014 CD/DVD release, Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances.{{Cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-her-greatest-performances-mw0002759110 |title=Live: Her Greatest Performances - Whitney Houston | Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=AllMusic |access-date=2015-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227075920/http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-her-greatest-performances-mw0002759110 |archive-date=2015-02-27 |url-status=live }}
On May 15, 1987, during her European promotion for then-new album, Whitney, Houston sang the song at the Montreux Golden Rose Rock Festival: IM&MC Gala with two other 1986 released songs, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go".{{cite book|title =International who's who in popular music|author =Eur|publisher =Routledge|year =2002|pages =656}} On April 29, 1985, she appeared on The Merv Griffin Show, taped in New York City, and performed "How Will I Know".{{Cite web |url=https://reelinintheyears.com/database-search/?stage=show_results |title=Reelin' in the Years Productions, LLC |access-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202201135/http://reelinintheyears.com/database-search/?stage=show_results |url-status=live }}{{harvnb|Parish|2003|p=10}} On her Moment of Truth World Tour, she participated in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert and performed the song with other seven songs. She also performed the song on Welcome Home Heroes, a concert dedicated to the U.S. troops, their families, and military and government dignitaries in honor of those returning from the Gulf War, which aired on HBO on March 31, 1991.{{cite web|url =https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808631903/details|title =Whitney Houston – Live in Concert|work =Yahoo Movies|publisher =Yahoo!|access-date =2010-12-23|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110622024525/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808631903/details|archive-date =2011-06-22|url-status =live}}{{cite journal|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=77oDAAAAMBAJ&q=whitney+houston+Welcome+Home+Heroes&pg=PA37|title =Whitney Houston welcomes Home US Troops in Live HBO TV Special on Easter|journal =Jet|publisher =Johnson Publishing Company|access-date =2010-12-23|date =April 1991}} The concert was taped and later released as a VHS on May 14, 1991. She also performed the song on The Concert for a New South Africa, three concerts in 1994 to honor President Nelson Mandela. Houston later performed the song on the closing ceremonies of the 1994 World Cup along with five of her other songs.{{cite magazine|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=UQgEAAAAMBAJ&q=1994+world+cup+whitney+houston+closing+ceremonies&pg=PA10|title =World Cup scores major Musical acts|author =Rosen, Craig|magazine =Billboard|publisher =Prometheus Global Media|access-date =2010-12-23|date =1994-06-18}} In 2000, she performed the song on Arista's 25th Anniversary, along with "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)."{{cite news|url =http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-03-2000/0001131912&EDATE=|title ='25 Years of #1 Hits: Arista Records' Anniversary Celebration' Set To Air As NBC-TV Special on May 15th|work =PR Newswire|publisher =United Business Media|access-date =2010-12-23|url-status =dead|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110715114149/http://www2.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F02-03-2000%2F0001131912&EDATE=|archive-date =2011-07-15}}
Formats and track listings
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- US 7" vinyl single{{cite AV media notes|title=How Will I Know|others=Whitney Houston|date=1985|type=7" vinyl|publisher=Arista|id=AS1-9434}}
:A: "How Will I Know" (edit) – 4:10
:B: "Someone for Me" – 4:57
- German 12" vinyl single{{cite AV media notes|title=How Will I Know|others=Whitney Houston|date=1985|type=12" vinyl|publisher=Arista|id=607 952}}
:A: "How Will I Know" (dance remix) – 6:35
:B1: "How Will I Know" (instrumental version) – 4:42
:B2: "How Will I Know" (LP version) – 4:28
- German 12" vinyl single{{cite AV media notes|title=How Will I Know|others=Whitney Houston|date=1985|type=12" vinyl|publisher=Arista|id=602 126}}
:A: "How Will I Know" (dance mix) – 6:10
:B1: "Saving All My Love for You" – 3:55
:B2: "How Will I Know" (dub mix) – 5:36
- Japan CD single/3"{{cite AV media notes|title=How Will I Know|others=Whitney Houston|date=1988|type=CD single|publisher=BMG Victor Inc|id=A10D-102}}
- "How Will I Know" – 4:34
- "Someone for Me" – 5:00
{{col-end}}
Credits and personnel
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
- George Merrill – writer
- Shannon Rubicam – writer
- Narada Michael Walden – writer, vocal producer
- Whitney Houston – lead vocals
- Mary Canty – background vocals
- Preston Glass – synthesizer
- Cissy Houston – background vocals
- Randy Jackson – bass
- Yvonne Lewis – keyboards
- Corrado Rustici – guitar
- Premik Russell Tubbs – saxophone
- Bill Schnee – mixer, Firewire synth trumpet, drums
- Michael Barbiero – engineer
{{col-2}}
- Freddie Washington – writer
- Raymond Jones – writer
- Jermaine Jackson – producer
- Whitney Houston – lead vocals
- John Barnes – keyboards
- Nathan East – bass
- Ed Greene – drums
- Paul Jackson, Jr. – guitar
- Tim May – guitar
- Greg Phillinganes – synthesizer
- John "J.R." Robinson – drums
- Steve Rucker – drums
- Freddie Washington – bass
- Bill Schnee – mixer
{{col-end}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"|Chart (1985–1991)
!scope="col"|Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite book|last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location = Sydney|year=1993|edition=Illustrated|pages=143|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}
|2 |
| {{single chart|Austria|28|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Flanders|28|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"|Canada Retail Singles (The Record){{cite book|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|author-link=Nanda Lwin|date=2000|title=Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide|publisher=Music Data Canada|page=134|isbn=1-896594-13-1}}
|1 |
| {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=0640|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"|European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media){{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1986/M&M-1986-04-05.pdf |title=European Hot 100 Singles |magazine=Music & Media |volume=3 |issue=13 |date= April 5, 1986 |page=12 |via=World Radio History}}
|13 |
| scope="row"|Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book |last=Pennanen|first=Timo|title=Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972|year=2006|publisher=Otava|location=Finland|isbn=951-1-21053-X|page=161}}
|5 |
| {{single chart|Germany|26|songid=1404|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|rowheader=true}} |
| scope="row"|Iceland (RÚV){{cite web|url=http://www.ruv.is/persona/whitney-houston|publisher=RÚV|title=Whitney Houston Chart History|work=RÚV |access-date=May 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231051525/http://www.ruv.is/persona/whitney-houston|archive-date=2017-12-31|url-status=live|date=2016-03-22}}
|1 |
| {{single chart|Ireland2|3|artist=Whitney Houston|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch40|15|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|access-date =2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Dutch100|12|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|access-date=April 21, 2022|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|New Zealand|19|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|access-date =2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|access-date =2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|2|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|access-date =2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Switzerland|11|artist=Whitney Houston|song=How Will I Know|access-date =2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|UK|5|date=1986-02-22 |access-date=2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=Whitney Houston|access-date=2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|1|artist=Whitney Houston|access-date=September 3, 2022|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Whitney Houston|access-date=2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|3|artist=Whitney Houston|note=Remix|access-date=2010-12-23|rowheader=true}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Canada|artist=Whitney Houston|title=How Will I Know|award=Platinum|relyear=1985|certyear=2020|access-date=July 11, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Denmark|artist=Whitney Houston|title=How Will I Know|award=Platinum|id= 13929|relyear=1985|certyear=2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Whitney Houston|title=How Will I Know|award=Platinum|relyear=1986|certyear=2021|source=radioscope|access-date=January 13, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Whitney Houston|title=How Will I Know|award=Platinum|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|note=Digital single|refname=UKDigital|id=3027-1531-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United Kingdom|artist=Whitney Houston|title=How Will I Know|award=Silver|relyear=1986|certyear=1986|note=Physical single|refname=UKPhysical|id=3027-2739-1}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Whitney Houston|title=How Will I Know|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1985|certyear=2021|access-date=August 11, 2021|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}
Sam Smith version
British singer Sam Smith released a cover of "How Will I Know" in June 2014, taking a slower tempo{{cite magazine|last1=Coleman |first1=Miriam |title=Watch Sam Smith Cover Whitney Houston |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-sam-smith-cover-whitney-houstons-how-will-i-know-76677/ |access-date=11 April 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=21 June 2014}} and a snippet of that version was used in an episode of Grey's Anatomy.{{cite news |last1=Mallenbaum |first1=Carly |title=Sam Smith sings Whitney's 'How Will I Know,' and we know we love him |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2014/06/22/sam-smith-how-will-i-know/77308542/ |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=USA Today |date=June 22, 2014}} It was later included on Smith's 2015 In the Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition), a re-release of his debut album.{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Jessica |title=Hear Sam Smith's new song from 'In The Lonely Hour' reissue |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/10/02/sam-smith-lonely-hour-drowning-shadows-edition/ |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=EW.com |date=October 2, 2015 |language=en}}
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "How Will I Know"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Gold|type=single|certyear=2023|access-date=June 9, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|title=How Will I Know|artist=Sam Smith|access-date=February 28, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2020|title=How Will I Know|artist=Sam Smith|id=8918|access-date=June 9, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Sam Smith|title=How Will I Know?|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|source=radioscope|access-date=December 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Sam Smith|title=How Will I Know|award=Silver|relyear=2015|certyear=2023|id=3027-3877-1|access-date=December 1, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2015|certyear=2022|title=How Will I Know|artist=Sam Smith|access-date=June 9, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}
David Guetta, MistaJam and John Newman version
{{Infobox song
| name = If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = David Guetta, MistaJam and John Newman
| album =
| B-side =
| recorded =
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=4}}
| label = Parlophone
| writer =
- George Merrill
- Shannon Rubicam
- Narada Michael Walden
- David Guetta
- Franklin
- John Newman
- Peter Dalton
- Ollie Green{{Cite web |url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/912323186 |title=ACE Repertory |access-date=August 7, 2021 |archive-date=March 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327173622/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/912323186 |url-status=live }}
| producer =
- David Guetta
- MistaJam
- John Newman
- Timofey Reznikov
- Ollie Green{{Cite web|url=https://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/if-you-really-love-me-how-will-i-know-david-guetta-x-mistajam-x-john-newman/zv8shmkg3gnab|title=Album if You Really Love Me (How Will I Know) (David Guetta & MORTEN Future Rave Remix) de David Guetta | Qobuz : Téléchargez et streamez en haute qualité|access-date=August 7, 2021|archive-date=August 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807092126/https://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/if-you-really-love-me-how-will-i-know-david-guetta-x-mistajam-x-john-newman/zv8shmkg3gnab|url-status=live}}
| chronology = David Guetta
| prev_title = Remember
| prev_year = 2021
| next_title = Get Together
| next_year = 2021
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = MistaJam
| type = singles
| prev_title = Make You Better
| prev_year = 2021
| title = If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)
| year = 2021
| next_title = The Recipe
| next_year = 2021
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = John Newman
| type = singles
| prev_title = High on You
| prev_year = 2020
| title = If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)
| year = 2021
| next_title = Waiting For a Lifetime
| next_year = 2022
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|2aJfC8JR2No|"(If You Really Love Me) How Will I Know"}}}}
}}
In 2021, French DJ and producer David Guetta teamed up with British DJ and producer MistaJam and singer John Newman to release a dance track based on an interpolation of "How Will I Know".{{Cite web|url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/david-guetta-mistajam-and-john-newman-share-remix-of-whitney-houston-classic-2984357|title = David Guetta, Mistajam and John Newman share remix of Whitney Houston classic|website = NME|date = July 3, 2021|access-date = August 1, 2021|archive-date = August 1, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210801123456/https://www.nme.com/news/music/david-guetta-mistajam-and-john-newman-share-remix-of-whitney-houston-classic-2984357|url-status = live}} Now called "If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)", the song charted in the UK, reaching No. 66 in the Top 75 (for the week ending August 5, 2021) after amassing a sales total of 7,018 units.{{cite web|date=August 1, 2021|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100 for 30 July 2021 - 05 August 2021|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20210730/7501/|url-status=live|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=July 30, 2021|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730152221/https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20210730/7501/}}{{cite web |url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-ed-sheeran-scores-fifth-week-at-singles-summit/083834 |title=James Masterton's Music Week Charts analysis for Friday 30th July 2021 (Charts analysis: Ed Sheeran scores fifth week at singles summit) |publisher=Future |date=July 30, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2021 |archive-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731101149/https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/charts-analysis-ed-sheeran-scores-fifth-week-at-singles-summit/083834 |url-status=live }} The song became the fourth entry on that week's chart for Guetta (though the only single out of the four chart hits where he took lead artist credit) and the first chart credit for Newman since "Give Me Your Love" with British DJ and record producer Sigala and American guitarist Nile Rodgers in 2016.
=Charts=
==Weekly charts==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2021–2022) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Czech Republic|20|year=2021|week=40|rowheader=true|access-date=October 11, 2021}} |
| scope="row"| Global Excl. US (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/david-guetta/chart-history/glx/|title=David Guetta Chart History (Global 200 Excl. US)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=18 October 2024}}
| 154 |
|---|
| {{single chart|Hungarydance|13|year=2021|week=29|rowheader=true|access-date=February 3, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Hungarysingle|26|year=2021|week=27|rowheader=true|access-date=February 3, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland4|30|date=20211029|refname=Ireland2021|rowheader=true|access-date=October 29, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Slovakia2|33|year=2022|week=4|rowheader=true|access-date=February 1, 2022}} |
| {{single chart|UK|27|date=20211001|refname=UK44|rowheader=true|access-date=October 1, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|UKdance|8|date=20210924|rowheader=true|access-date=September 24, 2021}} |
| {{single chart|Billboarddanceelectronic|19|artist=David Guetta|rowheader=true|access-date=August 25, 2021}} |
==Year-end charts==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (2021) !Position |
| scope="row"|Hungary (Dance Top 40){{cite web|url=http://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/dance/2021|title=Dance Top 100 - 2021|access-date=February 3, 2022|publisher=Mahasz}}
|89 |
|---|
| scope="row"|US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2021/hot-dance-electronic-songs|title=Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2021|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 3, 2021}}
|86 |
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|type=single|artist=David Guetta, Mistajam & John Newman|title=If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)|award=Gold|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=October 7, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=David Guetta/Mistajam/Newman|title=If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)|award=Gold|id=17685-5784-1|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=December 25, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Whitney × Clean Bandit version
{{Infobox song
| name = How Will I Know (Whitney × Clean Bandit)
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Whitney Houston and Clean Bandit
| album =
| B-side =
| recorded =
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=3|s=33}}
| label =
| writer =
- George Merrill
- Shannon Rubicam
- Narada Michael Walden
| producer =
- Jack Patterson
- Mark Ralph
| chronology = Whitney Houston
| prev_title = Higher Love
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = He Can Use Me
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Clean Bandit
| type = singles
| prev_title = Drive
| prev_year = 2021
| title = How Will I Know (Whitney × Clean Bandit)
| year = 2021
| next_title = Everything but You
| next_year = 2022
}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|4VW-3jQi1IQ|"How Will I Know (Whitney Houston × Clean Bandit)"}}}}
}}
In September 2021, British electronic music group Clean Bandit released a remix of the track.{{cite web|url=https://www.sonymusic.ca/press_release/clean-bandit-reimagines-whitney-houston|title=Clean Bandit Reimagines Whitney Houston|website=Sony Music|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=April 9, 2024}} The song has become an international success and has been certified in three countries, including the United Kingdom where Houston became the first artist to have certified singles in five consecutive decades (1980s-2020s).
=Charts=
==Weekly charts==
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Whitney Houston & Clean Bandit|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=December 17, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Whitney Houston and Clean Bandit|title=How Will I Know?|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2021|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=December 30, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Whitney Houston & Clean Bandit|title=How Will I Know|type=single|award=Silver|relyear=2021|certyear=2023|id=3027-6315-1|access-date=April 14, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Other covers and samples
In January 2004, British dance group LMC released the song "Take Me to the Clouds Above", which interpolates the first four lines of "How Will I Know" over a sample of "With or Without You" by Irish rock band U2. The song is credited to "LMC vs U2".{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/number-1-today-in-2004-peter-andre-vs-jamelia__8213/|title=Number 1 today in 2004: Peter Andre vs Jamelia|last=Myers|first=Justin|publisher=Official Charts Company|date=March 5, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2024}} In 2015, Dutch EDM duo W&W released the song "The One", sampling some elements of the song.{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/6ulV6BN8zJe3t9JyvaEAsT |title=The One |website=Spotify }} In 1996, the Lemonheads included a cover of the song in both electric and acoustic versions on the single "If I Could Talk I'd Tell You".{{cite web |url=https://www.whosampled.com/The-Lemonheads/How-Will-I-Know/ |title=The Lemonheads - How Will I Know |work=WhoSampled |accessdate=April 18, 2025}}{{cite book |first= Martin C. |last= Strong |year= 2000 |title= The Great Rock Discography |edition=5th |publisher=Mojo Books |location=Edinburgh |pages=563–564 |isbn=1-84195-017-3 |author-link=Martin C. Strong |url=https://archive.org/details/greatrockdiscogr0000stro/page/563/mode/1up}}
See also
References
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Bibliography
{{refbegin}}
- {{Citation
| last = Parish
| first = James Robert
| title = Whitney Houston: The Unauthorized Biography
| publisher = Aurum Press
| year = 2003
| isbn = 978-1-85410-921-7
}}
- {{Citation
| last = Bowman
| first = Jeffery
| title = Diva: The Totally Unauthorized Biography of Whitney Houston
| publisher = Harper Collins Publishers
| year = 1995
| isbn = 0-06-100853-2
}}
- {{Citation
| last = Bronson
| first = Fred
| title = The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits
| publisher = Billboard Books
| year = 2003
| isbn = 0-8230-7677-6
| author-link = Fred Bronson
}}
{{refend}}
{{Whitney Houston}}
{{Whitney Houston singles}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video}}
{{David Guetta singles}}
{{John Newman}}
{{Clean Bandit}}
{{Sam Smith}}
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Category:Whitney Houston songs
Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Category:Cashbox number-one singles
Category:John Newman (singer) songs
Category:MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video
Category:Number-one singles in Iceland
Category:Songs written by Narada Michael Walden
Category:Songs written by Shannon Rubicam
Category:Songs written by George Merrill (songwriter)
Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles
Category:Song recordings produced by Narada Michael Walden