Rest In Peace, The Voice : Whitney Elizabeth Houston (1963-2012) at 48 Years Old.

It’s the news that shocks the world; not to mention to all her fans. Whitney Houston, the once Golden Girl With Golden Voice has died at the age of 48 years old on 11th February 2012!!! It came as a shock as I was perusing my Facebook with television RTM2 English news aired after 2 hours and a half in school teaching English Communication. I vaguely heard “Whitney Houston is pronounced dead….” and I got sprung up! Was it some kinda joke? I know some typical Moslem acquaintances will go like “Why are you SO into this? She’s a non-Moslem heathen and bla bla bla..”. My reply will be “You are so narrow-minded and look beyond humanity. READ THIS, at least if you can read this!”

Whitney during her reigning days as The Voice in 80s and early 90s. With Grammy Awards. 

The haggard looking. Due to age, alcoholic and drugs abuse.

Whitney Houston was the legend in the singing arena in the mid 80s and early 90s. She was one of those Black American Singers Pioneers that was able to break the racial cocoon stigma that was still lingering in the American industry back then. She opened the doors of possibilities to other budding singers like Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey to penetrate the white-dominated mainstream. Unfortunately, when she wedded Bobby Brown who was a party-boy, he gave bad influence to her and the ‘good girl who derived from the church choir’ now diminishing and deteriorating. Whitney Houston began to lose discipline, being spotted with SCRAWNY figure due to drugs abuse. The quality and stamina of her voice soon affected… Sigh…

The fresh face during pre-drugs days.

Whitney Houston has certainly big influence to those who were born in 80s and 90s. As for me, most of her songs have become sort of like beacons throughout what I’ve gone all my life. I remember that the cover-version she did from Dolly Parton’s original “I Will Always Love You” was a smash hit in 1994 – when I was in Standard/Year 4. Her melismatic tone was unmatched! The song “When You Believe” ( a duet with Mariah Carey) from the soundtrack of animated feature “Prince Of Egypt” was an inspiring-motivational song belted in 1998. Being a fan and also aficionado of Houston as well as animated feature, I was excited. And the lyrics contained in the song was also a motivational trigger when I was forlorn.

After admitted to hospital due to alcoholic and drug abuse.

Whitney in late 2010. Trying to revive her sinking singing career.

“Where Do Broken Hearts Go” is also one of my favourite – a song about believing in love despite encountering some failure in love life and I was motivated with the song when I had my few ‘unfortunate relationships’ back then. “One Moment In Time” cemented my ambitions in life. A great enthusiasm trigger for me. I got chilled every time I hear she sang that LIVE in 1988 Grammy. “Step By Step” from the soundtrack ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ is another favourite! “I Have Nothing” talks about the appreciation to a true, loyal lover and I like that, too especially these days… (,”) . “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is one of the staple songs that got my friends and I sing (YES!!!! LOL!) in karaokes for party-like aura. And not to forget, “Greatest Love Of All”, the song that really embodies the essence of perseverances…. Ahhh, so many of her songs that really inspiring and motivate the dark and bright chapters of my life. 

With the man who was said to be the cause of disgraces in Whitney’s life. Bobby Brown.

I guess that is why people feel the ‘lost’ when we heard she is now no more here with us. She touched our hearts with her golden voice and motivational lyrics… She didn’t record many albums; only 6 albums, apart from 2 soundtracks, 5 compilation albums, 1 holiday album, 6 EPs and 5 box sets. We grow up listening to her, and we were empathic when she disgraced her life with drugs, and we are sad now that The Voice has passed away….. Rest In Peace, Whitney Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012). 

The phenomenal soundtrack of her film”The Bodyguard”.

Share my life, take me for what I am
Coz I’ll never change all my colors for you
Take my love, I’ll never ask for too much
Just all that you are and everything that you do

I don’t really need to look very much further
I don’t want to have to go where you don’t follow
I won’t hold it back again, this passion inside
Can’t run from myself
There’s nowhere to hide

Well,don’t make me close one more door
I don’t wanna hurt anymore
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you there
Don’t walk away from me…
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don’t have you, you, you, you, you, you…

You see through, right to the heart of me
You break down my walls with the strength of your love mmmmm…
I never knew love like I’ve known it with you 
Will a memory survive, one I can hold on to