Whitney Houston

Released: October 21, 1989

Songwriter: BeBe Winans Keith Thomas Whitney Houston

Producer: BeBe Winans Keith Thomas

[Verse 1]
There's a chance that maybe in this life I'll find
True love and peace of mind
There's a chance that maybe I can reach my goal
And soar to the other side
Good things come to those who wait
I'm just afraid that I might sit here and wait too late, so

[Chorus]
I'm taking a chance on loving you
No matter the price I'll pay my dues
I'm taking a chance on loving you
They tell me I'm crazy

[Verse 2]
There's a chance that maybe once I could be wrong
But wrong never felt so right
There's a chance that maybe I'm risking much too soon
But our hearts just fell in tune
Good things come to those who wait
I'm just afraid that I might sit here and wait too late, soo

[Chorus]
I'm taking a chance on loving you
No matter the price I'll pay my dues
I'm taking a chance on loving you
They tell me I'm crazy

[Verse 3]
I don't know much about you, but I know I can't live without you
I am telling all my friends goodbye
My friends can't understand but
I know I've got to try
Here's my reason why
I'm in love, that's all I know

[Chorus]
I'm taking a chance on loving you
No matter the price I'll pay my dues
I'm taking a chance on loving you
They tell me I'm crazy

Known across the pop culture spectrum as the “Queen of Pop” and “The Voice” for her mezzo-soprano octave, Whitney Elizabeth Houston left an indelible impression upon pop culture. She is one of the most successful artists of all time, with more than 200 million albums sold worldwide.

Born August 9, 1963, Houston grew up singing as part of the gospel choir at her local church. She was surrounded by powerful voices in her own family (mother Cissy Houston, cousin Dionne Warwick, godmother Darlene Love, honorary aunt Aretha Franklin). After working as a model and commercial actress in the early 1980s, Whitney was discovered during a New York City nightclub performance, which led to her signing a contract with Clive Davis at Arista Records. Whitney’s first song was a duet in 1984 with Teddy Pendergrass on “Hold Me.”

She released her self-titled début album the following year, which catapulted her into superstardom as the album topped the Billboard 200 for 14 non-consecutive weeks before becoming the top-selling album of 1986, eventually achieving diamond status in the US and selling over 22 million copies worldwide. The singles “Saving All My Love For You,” “How Will I Know,” and “Greatest Love of All” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and achieved platinum status. The music video for “How Will I Know” received heavy rotation on MTV, which was uncommon for Black women at the time. She took home the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance Grammy Award for “Saving” in 1986; her performance at the Grammys of “Saving” later won her an Emmy award. She also won seven American Music Awards between 1986 and 1987.

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