It was Sunday when I first heard about the news. At first, I thought, It was impossible because I knew she was still young though I don’t know her exact age. But when we got home from church, we confirmed it and she died at a really young age, 48.
As a kid, I have some vivid memories of her. (I’m not saying I have a great connection with her or I have seen her.) My father would ask me to sing some of her songs. Some of it are The Greatest Love of All, One Moment in Time, I Will Always Love, Try it On My Own and When You Believe (a duet with Mariah Carey). When we have get together or with some friends, I would sing some of her songs at the videoke and I like singing One Moment in Time. I just personally like the song.
I’ve also sang When You Believe in our church as a special number as a part of the church ensemble. Though it was meant to be a duet performance, i have sang it solo because one of the ensemble that was supposed to sing the song with me got a fever and we didn’t have a chance to rehearse it together. But recently, on church anniversary concert which was entitled When You Believe, one of my closest friend and I sang it together as the concerts finale.
I should say, I am a fan because I grew up knowing her songs. I really admire her powerful voice, her amazing stage presence and her strong personality. I am really amazed with her talent and really wished I could sing like her and I could have the confidence she has every time she steps on the stage to perform.
Two or three years ago, I’m not really sure when, it was reported that Whitney lost her voice or that she can’t reach high notes. They say it was because of drugs that she admitted when she had an interview with Oprah last 2009.
I was able to watch that time her interview with Oprah when I accidentally hit the remote. I’ve watched her performances of I Didn’t Know My Own Strength and I Look to You as her latest singles and I really got goosebumps and even until now, when I watch the replay, I could see how she delivered the song and that emotion that really struck me. I was just dumbstruck. She delivered it with all her heart and full of emotion. She became the song and I think that’s how a singer should do, like what my mentor told us.
It makes me sad when I hear news about her and how people would be disappointed because of her voice. I think, people should understand and know what she had gone through. The fact that she was still being able stand and letting the people see how you’ve grown as an individual after all those things that had happened in your life is the thing I’ve admired about. She bravely admitted her faults and all the mistakes she had made and I think that was brave of her and I admire her more as and artist.
Personally, I really like the lyrics of the songs I Didn’t Know my Own Strength and I Look To You. It was she was just giving it all to God who gave her another chance in life and to start all over again. Putting her faith to him and trusting him with her whole life.
Sadly, she died. The reason and the cause is still unknown. It’s just really sad and I think the whole music industry is really at a loss at her death and so with millions of fans all over the world.
To wrap things up, a singer doesn’t have to hit the highest notes just to hear those people screaming and yelling at us. You may have hit the high notes but the question is, how did you deliver it? How did you relay the song’s message to the audience? My mentor always tells us that ever time we sing a song, we must become the song. I just understand it when I watched Whitney singing I Didn’t Know My Own Strength. As she sings, it’s as if she’s singing it to me face to face that it really struck me and I just realized my tears was about to fall. When I had a hard time singing Whitney’s part in the song When You Believe, my mentor would always scold me that I had to put more emotion and that I need to watch the video how did Whitney delivered it. At first, I thought it was over acting but I realized that’s how she delivers it, that’s how she puts her emotions in the song, that’s how she becomes the song.
She had touched many heart and lives through her songs. She maybe dead but her songs, her voice and the legacy she had left will still remain.
Condolences to her family.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 - February 11, 2012)
