Whitney Houston Makes a Comeback With I Look to You

Growing up, I was a genuine fan of the music recorded and released by Whitney Houston. "How Will I Know," and "Greatest Love Of All," were songs that communicated with me individually, while still being able to relate to many others. On Sept. 1, 2009, Houston's new album, "I Look To You" was released. I am interested to see if it will hold up to the standards set by her previous albums, and if she is still able to generate fans like she used to.

This new album represents a comeback for Houston, as it is her first one released in the past seven years. In an article published by Entertainment Daily, it is written that her career stalled for years and her pop princess image imploded as she battled drugs and endured a troubled (and now defunct) marriage to Bobby Brown. One of the songs on the album, titled, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," is a reference to her recent personal difficulties. The lyrics, written for her by Diane Warren, includes these words:
I didn't know my own strength
And I crashed down and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
At the listening party, hosted in Los Angeles, CNN.com/entertainment reported Houston as saying she identified with the lyrics because everyone has been through ups and downs in life.

According to Whitney-Fan.com, in the span of 24 years, Whitney Houston has become an international superstar in the worlds of both music and motion pictures, amassing global album sales of over 120 million copies alone, and a film box office total of over a half billion dollars. The WHITNEY HOUSTON website reports that she is the only artist to chart seven consecutive #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits ("Saving All My Love For You," "How Will I Know," "Greatest Love Of All," "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," "Didn't We Almost Have It All," "So Emotional," and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go"); the first female artist to enter the Billboard 200 album chart at #1 (her second album, Whitney, 1987); and the only artist with seven consecutive multi-platinum albums (Whitney Houston, Whitney, I'm Your Baby Tonight, The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher's Wife soundtracks, and My Love Is Your Love). Her highest honors include 21 American Music Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards, 2 Emmys, 6 Grammys, 12 NAACP Image Awards, 6 People's Choice Awards, 8 Soul Train Awards including the Soul Train Artist of the Decade Award, and the inaugural BET Lifetime Achievement Award. Houston has been known to provide aid to charitable causes, such as the Children's Diabetes Fund, the United Negro College Fund, and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. In 1989, she herself formed The Whitney Houston Foundation For Children, a nonprofit organization assisting children as they deal with youth self-empowerment, homelessness, cancer, and AIDS.

On Sept. 14, 2009, The Oprah Winfrey Show is scheduled to begin its 24th season with an appearance by Whitney Houston, which Oprah.com is calling "the most anticipated music interview of the decade." This will be her first interview in almost seven years. Since her comeback will most likely be discussed, I recommend that people watch this program.

Sources

1.)Associated Press, "Whitney Houston previews her upcoming CD, says daughter Bobbi Kristina inspired her" Entertainment Daily

2.)CNN, "Houston makes a comeback with first album in seven years" CNN.com/entertainment

3.)Lisa D., "Whitney's Life Story [Complete Biography]" Whitney-Fan.com

4.)WHITNEY HOUSTON, "Biography" WHITNEY HOUSTON

5.)Oprah.com, "Oprah Interviews Whitney Houston" Oprah.com