Whitney Houston

Released: June 2, 1987

Songwriter: Preston Glass

Producer: Narada Michael Walden

[Intro]
Contact Contact
Huh huh huh huh hoo huh yeah

[Verse 1]
You've been avoiding me
Like a cat trying to dodge a dog
I never see ya shine
You're as cold as the London fog
You claim you want my love
Well I wouldn't know by the way you behave
If you want to feel the thrill of my touch
You better come out of your cave

[Pre-Chorus 1]
It's so perplexing
Why you fight it won't you try it
Love's electric
Turn me on and see

[Chorus]
Love is a contact sport
You gotta move in time
If you want to do it right
Here I am
Love is a contact sport
You gotta act untamed
If you want to play the game
So grab my hand, SLAM!

[Verse 2]
I hate to sound aggressive
But I'm tired of waiting for your move
Cut the formalities
Cause you've got a few things to prove
If you really want my love
I need to feel it down deep from within
Don't make me wait too long
I'm ready now come and stroke my skin

[Pre-Chorus 2]
Well all this talking
Worthless chatter just don't matter
Time for stalkin'
Come get next to me

[Chorus]
Love is a contact sport
You gotta move in time
If you want to do it right
Here I am
Love is a contact sport
You gotta act untamed
If you want to play the game
So grab my hand, SLAM!

[Interlude]
Hey boy
Why dontcha come on over
So we can make that contact
Contact you dare

[Bridge]
It's so perplexing
Why you fight it won't you try it
Love's electric
Turn me on you'll see
Contact!

[Chorus]
Love is a contact sport
You gotta move in time
If you want to do it right
Here I am
Love is a contact sport
You gotta act untamed
If you want to play the game
So grab my hand, SLAM!

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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