Thanks Brad! They did include it as that is also the scene where she meets Bobby Brown for the first time. Some say she dated him, in part, because his image would be helpful to her. I certainly can't confirm that but there is speculation out there.
Nicely done, Jami....so much about Whitney I didn't know. Trolling the karaoke bars a decade ago, I wanted to sing "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," but Whitney, of course, is out of my range. A little research dug up a Canadian 6-piece pop-punk band of lads, These Kids Wear Crowns, and, in 2011, they did a cover of the song! They're kinda like Green Day, but far more fun-loving, and nowhere near as pretentious!
Wait till you hear how they arranged and crafted a song not originally made for guitars, made the guitar front and center! They're an incredibly fun and infectious bunch of dudes (usually wearing big grins and flip-flops!), and as it happens, I wrote about them just over a year ago!
In it, you'll hear their single version of the song, another electric version, this time with a gal guest singer, and finally, a live acoustic performance in a town squre with four of These Kids! I just took it out from behind the paywall, so you and your readers can dig it! https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-autopsy-2011-canadas-these Thanks!
I've always felt such impotent frustration on Whitney Houston's behalf, even as I've loved her music for most of my life. This piece inspired me to listen to the Thunderous remix of "It's Not Right, But It's Okay."
Great read. I enjoyed "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (2022 biopic) as I knew very little about Houston's relationship with Robyn Crawford. I appreciate the quote from the leading actress from the film, Naomi Ackie, that you include here, "The thing I loved about her relationship with Robyn is that it's just the deepest connection I think that Whitney experienced," said star Naomi Ackie to Entertainment Weekly.
That says everything. Does her sexuality matter? Well, yes if it was somehow weaponized and used to perpetuate self-hate and push her down a shame spiral that ended up with her medicating via rampant harmful drug abuse.
Thank you for the thoughtful write up on Whitney. She is on the list of women featured in my upcoming book “First Ladies of Music.”
I think it’s also significant to point out her religious upbringing. She spoke of God often and presumably had a hard time reconciling her faith with her sexuality-- most certainly contributing to her addictive behavior.
Between the inner turmoil and external pressures, one might say it’s a miracle she lived as long as she did.
From a business perspective, it’s another example of personal branding not lining up with reality or personal values. PR machines gone wild. This almost always leads to devastating outcomes professionally and/or personally. Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, Demi Lovato, Marilyn Monroe, and the jury is literally still out on Lizzo. The list goes on.
I don't tell you enough how much I appreciate your work! I learn so much from you, and you add an amazing and fresh perspective to songs I've known and loved for years but clearly never understood on quite the same level as you.
I hypnotizing read. I was not familiar with the story about the boos at the Grammys. I don’t recall that they included it in the biopic?
Thanks Brad! They did include it as that is also the scene where she meets Bobby Brown for the first time. Some say she dated him, in part, because his image would be helpful to her. I certainly can't confirm that but there is speculation out there.
Ah, now I remember! Thanks, Jami!
I just remembered the scene - I thought the boos were for Bobby Brown. 😂
Nicely done, Jami....so much about Whitney I didn't know. Trolling the karaoke bars a decade ago, I wanted to sing "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," but Whitney, of course, is out of my range. A little research dug up a Canadian 6-piece pop-punk band of lads, These Kids Wear Crowns, and, in 2011, they did a cover of the song! They're kinda like Green Day, but far more fun-loving, and nowhere near as pretentious!
Wait till you hear how they arranged and crafted a song not originally made for guitars, made the guitar front and center! They're an incredibly fun and infectious bunch of dudes (usually wearing big grins and flip-flops!), and as it happens, I wrote about them just over a year ago!
In it, you'll hear their single version of the song, another electric version, this time with a gal guest singer, and finally, a live acoustic performance in a town squre with four of These Kids! I just took it out from behind the paywall, so you and your readers can dig it! https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-autopsy-2011-canadas-these Thanks!
I've always felt such impotent frustration on Whitney Houston's behalf, even as I've loved her music for most of my life. This piece inspired me to listen to the Thunderous remix of "It's Not Right, But It's Okay."
Great read. I enjoyed "Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody" (2022 biopic) as I knew very little about Houston's relationship with Robyn Crawford. I appreciate the quote from the leading actress from the film, Naomi Ackie, that you include here, "The thing I loved about her relationship with Robyn is that it's just the deepest connection I think that Whitney experienced," said star Naomi Ackie to Entertainment Weekly.
That says everything. Does her sexuality matter? Well, yes if it was somehow weaponized and used to perpetuate self-hate and push her down a shame spiral that ended up with her medicating via rampant harmful drug abuse.
Thank you for the thoughtful write up on Whitney. She is on the list of women featured in my upcoming book “First Ladies of Music.”
I think it’s also significant to point out her religious upbringing. She spoke of God often and presumably had a hard time reconciling her faith with her sexuality-- most certainly contributing to her addictive behavior.
Between the inner turmoil and external pressures, one might say it’s a miracle she lived as long as she did.
From a business perspective, it’s another example of personal branding not lining up with reality or personal values. PR machines gone wild. This almost always leads to devastating outcomes professionally and/or personally. Tiger Woods, Charlie Sheen, Demi Lovato, Marilyn Monroe, and the jury is literally still out on Lizzo. The list goes on.
I don't tell you enough how much I appreciate your work! I learn so much from you, and you add an amazing and fresh perspective to songs I've known and loved for years but clearly never understood on quite the same level as you.