Whitney Houston

Released: November 1, 1986

Songwriter: Narada Michael Walden George Merrill Shannon Rubicam

Producer: Narada Michael Walden

[Verse 1]
There's a boy I know, he's the one I dream of
Looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above
Ooh I lose control, can't seem to get enough
When I wake from dreaming, tell me is it really love?

[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, how will I know? (Don't trust your feelings)
How will I know?
How will I know? (Love can be deceiving)
How will I know?

[Chorus]
How will I know if he really loves me?
I say a prayer with every heart beat
I fall in love whenever we meet
I'm asking you what you know about these things
How will I know if he's thinking of me?
I try to phone, but I'm too shy (can't speak)
Falling in love is so bittersweet
This love is strong, why do I feel weak?

[Verse 2]
Oh, wake me, I'm shaking, wish I had you near me now
Said there's no mistaking, what I feel is really love
Ooh tell me

[Pre-Chorus]
How will I know? (Don't trust your feelings)
How will I know?
How will I know? (Love can be deceiving)
How will I know?

[Chorus]
How will I know if he really loves me?
I say a prayer with every heart beat
I fall in love whenever we meet
I'm asking you what you know about these things
How will I know if he's thinking of me?
I try to phone, but I'm too shy (can't speak)
Falling in love is so bittersweet
This love is strong, why do I feel weak?

[Bridge]
If he loves me
If he loves me not
If he loves me
If he loves me not
If he loves me
If he loves me not
Oh, how will I know?
How will I know?
How will I know?
Hey, how will I know?

[Chorus]
How will I know if he really loves me?
I say a prayer with every heart beat
I fall in love whenever we meet
I'm asking you what you know about these things
How will I know if he's thinking of me?
I try to phone, but I'm too shy (can't speak)
Falling in love is so bittersweet
This love is strong, why do I feel weak?

[Outro]
How will I know? (How will I know?)
How will I know?
How will I know? (I say a prayer)
How will I know?
How will I know? (I fall in love)
How will I know?
How will I know?

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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Whitney Dancin’ Special

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Whitney Dancin’ Special (1986)

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