Thank you to everyone that took time to list their Top 20 Whitney Houston songs in the regular poll that has become a defining part of this community and how we celebrate Whitney and her music. It's been really difficult to work on this, in what has become the year Whitney passed, and whilst I had originally planned to share the lists without any analysis, I have since taken the time to do it.
108 songs by Whitney Houston featured in Top 20s as ranked by 70 Classic Whitney members to produce the final Top 20.
The final Top 20 is listed below in reverse order for those that like the build up.
To start, here's a list of the mistakes that were made in people's Top 20s which I always detail for transparency. A number of 'school boy' errors this time:
Here's the final Top 20 along with the last poll's rank position (2009) in Parentheses:
20 (13) One Moment In Time
Ahead of this Olympic year (London 2012), the US official anthem for the 1988 Seoul Olympics peaked at No.5 on the Hot 100 and was Whitney's third UK No.1 single. 'One Moment In Time' never featured on a Whitney Houston album until 2000 when it was included in 'Whitney: The Greatest Hits'. The song was No.2 in the 2000 Poll.
19 (12) Why Does It Hurt So Bad
One of three Whitney Houston songs on the 'Waiting To Exhale' soundtrack, and the first of two in the final Top 20, 'Why Does It Hurt So Bad' was only released in the US as a single, backed with re-amped remix of 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)', mixed by Junior Vasquez at the time. The song was ranked as high as No.7 in 2005 and 2007.
18 (21) Million Dollar Bill
Increasing its popularity since first appearing in the 2009 poll from the album 'I Look To You' released that year. 'Million Dollar Bill' is one of two songs from Whitney's latest album to make the final Top 20 for 2011. The song hit the Top 5 in the UK.
17 (17) Run To You
The fourth single from 'The Bodyguard' and one of four songs in this year's Top 20 run down. 'Run To You' was nominated for an Academy Award for its songwriters and at the ceremony in 1993 it was performed by Natalie Cole due to the impending birth of Whitney's daughter. The song peaked at No.31 on the US Hot 100 and No.15 in the UK. The first of four songs from 'The Bodyguard' in this Top 20.
16 (16) How Will I Know
Whitney's second US No.1 hit from her debut album, 'How Will I Know' was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicum who later went on to write 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)'. The song reached No.5 in the UK. Four songs from 'Whitney Houston' feature in the final Top 20 - matched only by 'The Bodyguard'.
15 (24) I'm Every Woman
Originally a hit for Chaka Khan in 1978 and rumoured to feature Whitney Houston on background vocals (although the album 'Chaka' cites background vocalists were Chaka Khan, Hamish Stuart and Will Lee), 'I'm Every Woman' was the second single from 'The Bodyguard' and created a huge club buzz in 1993 peaking at No.1 on the US Club/Dance Play chart. The single was a No.4 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard R&B Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart. For Whitney's fans, the song has always featured somewhere in the Top 25 on these polls and this No.15 placement is it's highest ranking yet. The second of four songs from 'The Bodyguard' in the Top 20.
14 (15) I Love The Lord
Ranked as Whitney's highest placed Gospel song in every year of this poll, 'I Love The Lord' was never a single but always featured in Whitney's tour set lists from 1997 on. The song has featured in every poll's Top 20 with it's highest peak in 2005 at No.11. The song is credited as a collaboration with The Georgia Mass Choir. 'I Love The Lord; is the first of two songs from 'The Preacher's Wife' in the Top 20. One of just two songs from 'The Preacher's Wife' in the Top 20 whilst two other songs from the soundtrack that feature Whitney did not get into anyone's Top 20 - 'He's All Over Me' and 'Somebody Bigger Than You And I'.
13 (18) I'm Your Baby Tonight
Whitney's eighth US No.1 single and the title track to her Top 3, quadruple platinum third album. The LA & Babyface production of the track features only on the US album with the worldwide release featuring a reworked version by Yvonne Turner. 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' is the first of two songs from the album in the Top 20 and has always featured in the Top 20 in the years of it's compilation (it's best placement was 2007 - No.12). Two songs from 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' album didn't pick up a place in anyone's Top 20 - 'Anymore' and 'We Didn't Know', whilst the two B sides from the album's singles both did - 'Feels So Good' ranks at No.76 and 'Dancin' On The Smooth Edge' ranks at No.52.
12 (8) Greatest Love Of All
In the last poll (2009) 'Greatest Love Of All' was the highest placed song from 'Whitney Houston' but it drops back this poll with two other songs from the set rank above it. The song's popularity has been volatile, as noted in previous years' analysis having peaked at No.15 in 2004 and dropped as low as No.15 in 2007. 'Greatest Love Of All' was Whitney Houston's third US No.1 single. It peaked at No.8 in the UK.
11 (11) Saving All My Love For You
The song that made Whitney Houston an international household name, Saving All My Love For You was her first US and UK No.1 single. For the last 3 Top 20 polls conducted (2007, 2009, 2011), the song has been listed in 11th place. Its best year was 2005 when it was ranked in fifth place.
10 (9) You Give Good Love
Whitney's first ever solo single and for many their first experience of The Voice. 'You Give Good Love' is the highest ranking song from her debut self titled album, 'Whitney Houston'. It entered the US Hot 100 just as USA For Africa's 'We Are The World' left the No.1 spot whilst on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, the song made its debut the week Diana Ross' 'Missing You' held the top spot. The best showing for 'You Give Good Love' with Whitney's fans was in 2005 when the song ranked No.5.
9 (10) I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
The first single from 'Whitney', the groundbreaking second album that would go on to become the first album by a woman to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200 album chart where it would lock the top spot for 11 weeks and did the same in the UK for 6 weeks. 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)' was debuted by Whitney on her first tour in 1986 and released to radio/commercially in 1987. It would go on to win Whitney a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This 9th place ranking is the highest the song has ever been placed in the fans' Poll having featured as low as No.18 in the 2004 poll. 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)' is the only song from 'Whitney' to feature in this Top 20 poll.
8 (14) I Look To You
It's important to remember that the votes for this poll were cast before Whitney's passing in February of this year, especially when considering the special meaning 'I Look To You' has taken on for many fans since. The rise of the song into the Top 10 from the 2009 Poll ranking of No.14 when the song was very new underscores its growing resonance with fans in the two years since its release. This is the second and highest ranking song from Whitney's 'I Look To You' album, her final studio album, to feature inside the Top 20.
7 (7) Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
'Exhale (Shoop Shoop)' is the highest ranked song from 'Waiting To Exhale'. Having found a new peak in the 2007 Poll at No.3, it holds on to its lowest peak that it sat at in the very first Poll in 2000. The song was one of the first singles to debut at No.1 on the Hot 100 and became her 11th, and final US No.1 single during her lifetime. It then spent a record 11 weeks at No.2.
6 (5) It's Not Right But It's Okay
The first of two songs from 'My Love Is Your Love' to feature in the Top 20 - only one song, 'In My Business' failed to generate any interest in any Top 20s submitted for this poll. 'It's Not Right But It's Okay' found its new peak in the 2007 & 2009 polls but drops back this time. 6 of the 13 songs from the album found a place in the Top 40 rankings. 'It's Not Right But It's Okay' is the highest ranking up-tempo song in the 2011 Poll.
5 (3) All The Man That I Need
Routinely a Top 3 contender, this is only the second time 'All The Man That I Need' has featured outside of the Top 3 (the last time was in 2001 when it ranked 4th). 'All The Man That I Need' is the highest placed song from 'I'm Your Baby Tonight', the title track being the only other song inside the 2011 Poll. In total, 6 of the 13 songs from the album are in the Top 40 with two failing to feature in anyone's Top 20 - 'Anymore' and 'We Didn't Know'. 'All The Man That I Need' featured in 20 fan's Top 5 but never featured as anyone's No.1 song.
4 (6) I Believe In You And Me
In 3 previous Polls, 'I Believe In You And Me' has ranked 4th - it's highest place ever and this is the fourth time it attains this position. It is the highest placed of two songs from 'The Preacher's Wife' in the Top 20, with a total 4 songs in the Top 40. The song peaked at No.4 on the US Hot 100 and was certified Platinum for sales of over 1m copies. It features in two versions on 'The Preacher's Wife' soundtrack. Featuring 17 times in fans' Top 5 but never as anyone's No.1 song in the 2011 poll.
3 (4) My Love Is Your Love
The poignancy of the lyric may for 'My Love Is Your Love' may reflect in a future poll, but as with 'I Look To You', 'My Love Is Your Love' sees its popularity increase in the 2011 poll when voting was concluded prior to Whitney's passing. The song is the highest placed of the songs from 'My Love Is Your Love' and re-touches it's 2001 Poll peak position of No.3. The song featured in 15 Top 5s but never anyone's No.1 song.
2 (2) I Have Nothing
The third of four songs from 'The Bodyguard' to feature in the Top 20, 'I Have Nothing' has been ranked No.2 in five other Polls, never dipping below No.4. It is considered one of Whitney Houston's greatest songs. 'I Have Nothing' was in 24 fans' Top 5 and ranked No.1 for 9 fans - more than any other songs, bar one. The song peaked at No.4 on the US Hot 100 and No.3 on the UK Chart.
1 (1) I Will Always Love You
The closing moments of Whitney Houston's home going service came with the sadness of hearing her own 'I Will Always Love You' recording from 1992. The song has featured at No.1 in every single one of the nine Polls conducted between 2000 and 2011. Since Whitney's passing, the song has been the one most performed as a way of paying tribute to her as an icon, legend and the greatest voice of our generation. 'I Will Always Love You' was No.1 for 14 weeks in the US and 10 weeks in the UK. Before the digital era, it had sold over 8.6m copies and stands as a biggest selling non charity single of all time. Since her passing, and during the digital era, the song has surpassed over 10m total units worldwide.
Thank you for your participation, for reading and again, apologies it has taken time to share these results. More extended tables will be available very soon. manish.
108 songs by Whitney Houston featured in Top 20s as ranked by 70 Classic Whitney members to produce the final Top 20.
The final Top 20 is listed below in reverse order for those that like the build up.
To start, here's a list of the mistakes that were made in people's Top 20s which I always detail for transparency. A number of 'school boy' errors this time:
| Name | Error Type |
| salif | Listed 3 songs at No.1 - selected the first listed (Love Will Save The Day), disregarded the other two (I Love The Lord & I Have Nothing); Listed 2 songs at No.2, selected the first (Savings All My Love For You), disregarded the other one (I Will Always Love You); listed 2 songs at No.13, selected the first listed (Lover For Life) and disregarded the second (Until You Come Back) |
| stefwhit | Listed 2 songs at No.4, selected the first for the poll (I Have Nothing) and disregarded the second (Heartbreak Hotel); listed Saving All My Love For You twice, once at No.16 and once at No.19 (disregarded the Nol.19 song). |
| Whitefragniere | Listed There Is Music In You at No.15 - song not commercially available at any time and therefore does not qualify |
| Kev80 | Listed Call You Tonight at No.10 and No.17 - disregarded No.17 |
| lol1567 | Listed 16 songs, not 20. Listed Don't Cry For Me 4th (not commercially available and does not qualify) |
| Chimier | Listed Impossible at No.7 - song not commercially available so does not qualify |
| MillDollaDivo | Listed Run To You twice - No.12 & No.15; disregarded No.15 |
| divasummer | Didn't list a song at No.18 |
| RAMALE | Listed Oh Yes at No.13 and No.18; listed Until You Come Back at No.16 and No.20 - disregarded to the lower ranked of each song |
| GoldenPatriarch | Listed My Love Is Your Love at No.3 and No.9 - disregarded the No.9 listing. |
| Rosannasfriend | Listed Run To You twice - No.15 and No.19 - disregarded the later listing. |
| BozOfTheBoz | Didn't list a song at No.8 |
Here's the final Top 20 along with the last poll's rank position (2009) in Parentheses:
20 (13) One Moment In Time
Ahead of this Olympic year (London 2012), the US official anthem for the 1988 Seoul Olympics peaked at No.5 on the Hot 100 and was Whitney's third UK No.1 single. 'One Moment In Time' never featured on a Whitney Houston album until 2000 when it was included in 'Whitney: The Greatest Hits'. The song was No.2 in the 2000 Poll.
19 (12) Why Does It Hurt So Bad
One of three Whitney Houston songs on the 'Waiting To Exhale' soundtrack, and the first of two in the final Top 20, 'Why Does It Hurt So Bad' was only released in the US as a single, backed with re-amped remix of 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)', mixed by Junior Vasquez at the time. The song was ranked as high as No.7 in 2005 and 2007.
18 (21) Million Dollar Bill
Increasing its popularity since first appearing in the 2009 poll from the album 'I Look To You' released that year. 'Million Dollar Bill' is one of two songs from Whitney's latest album to make the final Top 20 for 2011. The song hit the Top 5 in the UK.
17 (17) Run To You
The fourth single from 'The Bodyguard' and one of four songs in this year's Top 20 run down. 'Run To You' was nominated for an Academy Award for its songwriters and at the ceremony in 1993 it was performed by Natalie Cole due to the impending birth of Whitney's daughter. The song peaked at No.31 on the US Hot 100 and No.15 in the UK. The first of four songs from 'The Bodyguard' in this Top 20.
16 (16) How Will I Know
Whitney's second US No.1 hit from her debut album, 'How Will I Know' was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicum who later went on to write 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)'. The song reached No.5 in the UK. Four songs from 'Whitney Houston' feature in the final Top 20 - matched only by 'The Bodyguard'.
15 (24) I'm Every Woman
Originally a hit for Chaka Khan in 1978 and rumoured to feature Whitney Houston on background vocals (although the album 'Chaka' cites background vocalists were Chaka Khan, Hamish Stuart and Will Lee), 'I'm Every Woman' was the second single from 'The Bodyguard' and created a huge club buzz in 1993 peaking at No.1 on the US Club/Dance Play chart. The single was a No.4 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard R&B Singles Chart and UK Singles Chart. For Whitney's fans, the song has always featured somewhere in the Top 25 on these polls and this No.15 placement is it's highest ranking yet. The second of four songs from 'The Bodyguard' in the Top 20.
14 (15) I Love The Lord
Ranked as Whitney's highest placed Gospel song in every year of this poll, 'I Love The Lord' was never a single but always featured in Whitney's tour set lists from 1997 on. The song has featured in every poll's Top 20 with it's highest peak in 2005 at No.11. The song is credited as a collaboration with The Georgia Mass Choir. 'I Love The Lord; is the first of two songs from 'The Preacher's Wife' in the Top 20. One of just two songs from 'The Preacher's Wife' in the Top 20 whilst two other songs from the soundtrack that feature Whitney did not get into anyone's Top 20 - 'He's All Over Me' and 'Somebody Bigger Than You And I'.
13 (18) I'm Your Baby Tonight
Whitney's eighth US No.1 single and the title track to her Top 3, quadruple platinum third album. The LA & Babyface production of the track features only on the US album with the worldwide release featuring a reworked version by Yvonne Turner. 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' is the first of two songs from the album in the Top 20 and has always featured in the Top 20 in the years of it's compilation (it's best placement was 2007 - No.12). Two songs from 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' album didn't pick up a place in anyone's Top 20 - 'Anymore' and 'We Didn't Know', whilst the two B sides from the album's singles both did - 'Feels So Good' ranks at No.76 and 'Dancin' On The Smooth Edge' ranks at No.52.
12 (8) Greatest Love Of All
In the last poll (2009) 'Greatest Love Of All' was the highest placed song from 'Whitney Houston' but it drops back this poll with two other songs from the set rank above it. The song's popularity has been volatile, as noted in previous years' analysis having peaked at No.15 in 2004 and dropped as low as No.15 in 2007. 'Greatest Love Of All' was Whitney Houston's third US No.1 single. It peaked at No.8 in the UK.
11 (11) Saving All My Love For You
The song that made Whitney Houston an international household name, Saving All My Love For You was her first US and UK No.1 single. For the last 3 Top 20 polls conducted (2007, 2009, 2011), the song has been listed in 11th place. Its best year was 2005 when it was ranked in fifth place.
10 (9) You Give Good Love
Whitney's first ever solo single and for many their first experience of The Voice. 'You Give Good Love' is the highest ranking song from her debut self titled album, 'Whitney Houston'. It entered the US Hot 100 just as USA For Africa's 'We Are The World' left the No.1 spot whilst on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart, the song made its debut the week Diana Ross' 'Missing You' held the top spot. The best showing for 'You Give Good Love' with Whitney's fans was in 2005 when the song ranked No.5.
9 (10) I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
The first single from 'Whitney', the groundbreaking second album that would go on to become the first album by a woman to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200 album chart where it would lock the top spot for 11 weeks and did the same in the UK for 6 weeks. 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)' was debuted by Whitney on her first tour in 1986 and released to radio/commercially in 1987. It would go on to win Whitney a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. This 9th place ranking is the highest the song has ever been placed in the fans' Poll having featured as low as No.18 in the 2004 poll. 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)' is the only song from 'Whitney' to feature in this Top 20 poll.
8 (14) I Look To You
It's important to remember that the votes for this poll were cast before Whitney's passing in February of this year, especially when considering the special meaning 'I Look To You' has taken on for many fans since. The rise of the song into the Top 10 from the 2009 Poll ranking of No.14 when the song was very new underscores its growing resonance with fans in the two years since its release. This is the second and highest ranking song from Whitney's 'I Look To You' album, her final studio album, to feature inside the Top 20.
7 (7) Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
'Exhale (Shoop Shoop)' is the highest ranked song from 'Waiting To Exhale'. Having found a new peak in the 2007 Poll at No.3, it holds on to its lowest peak that it sat at in the very first Poll in 2000. The song was one of the first singles to debut at No.1 on the Hot 100 and became her 11th, and final US No.1 single during her lifetime. It then spent a record 11 weeks at No.2.
6 (5) It's Not Right But It's Okay
The first of two songs from 'My Love Is Your Love' to feature in the Top 20 - only one song, 'In My Business' failed to generate any interest in any Top 20s submitted for this poll. 'It's Not Right But It's Okay' found its new peak in the 2007 & 2009 polls but drops back this time. 6 of the 13 songs from the album found a place in the Top 40 rankings. 'It's Not Right But It's Okay' is the highest ranking up-tempo song in the 2011 Poll.
5 (3) All The Man That I Need
Routinely a Top 3 contender, this is only the second time 'All The Man That I Need' has featured outside of the Top 3 (the last time was in 2001 when it ranked 4th). 'All The Man That I Need' is the highest placed song from 'I'm Your Baby Tonight', the title track being the only other song inside the 2011 Poll. In total, 6 of the 13 songs from the album are in the Top 40 with two failing to feature in anyone's Top 20 - 'Anymore' and 'We Didn't Know'. 'All The Man That I Need' featured in 20 fan's Top 5 but never featured as anyone's No.1 song.
4 (6) I Believe In You And Me
In 3 previous Polls, 'I Believe In You And Me' has ranked 4th - it's highest place ever and this is the fourth time it attains this position. It is the highest placed of two songs from 'The Preacher's Wife' in the Top 20, with a total 4 songs in the Top 40. The song peaked at No.4 on the US Hot 100 and was certified Platinum for sales of over 1m copies. It features in two versions on 'The Preacher's Wife' soundtrack. Featuring 17 times in fans' Top 5 but never as anyone's No.1 song in the 2011 poll.
3 (4) My Love Is Your Love
The poignancy of the lyric may for 'My Love Is Your Love' may reflect in a future poll, but as with 'I Look To You', 'My Love Is Your Love' sees its popularity increase in the 2011 poll when voting was concluded prior to Whitney's passing. The song is the highest placed of the songs from 'My Love Is Your Love' and re-touches it's 2001 Poll peak position of No.3. The song featured in 15 Top 5s but never anyone's No.1 song.
2 (2) I Have Nothing
The third of four songs from 'The Bodyguard' to feature in the Top 20, 'I Have Nothing' has been ranked No.2 in five other Polls, never dipping below No.4. It is considered one of Whitney Houston's greatest songs. 'I Have Nothing' was in 24 fans' Top 5 and ranked No.1 for 9 fans - more than any other songs, bar one. The song peaked at No.4 on the US Hot 100 and No.3 on the UK Chart.
1 (1) I Will Always Love You
The closing moments of Whitney Houston's home going service came with the sadness of hearing her own 'I Will Always Love You' recording from 1992. The song has featured at No.1 in every single one of the nine Polls conducted between 2000 and 2011. Since Whitney's passing, the song has been the one most performed as a way of paying tribute to her as an icon, legend and the greatest voice of our generation. 'I Will Always Love You' was No.1 for 14 weeks in the US and 10 weeks in the UK. Before the digital era, it had sold over 8.6m copies and stands as a biggest selling non charity single of all time. Since her passing, and during the digital era, the song has surpassed over 10m total units worldwide.
Thank you for your participation, for reading and again, apologies it has taken time to share these results. More extended tables will be available very soon. manish.
