Yesterday, we lost one of the most influential female singers of all time. An inspiration to many current popular artists including Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Rowland, Robin Thicke and Beyonce who have all sited Houston as a major influence. Her legacy will also continue to live on through her music and movies.
In 1995, Houston stared in the romantic movie Waiting to Exhale with Angela Bassett. Centered on the lives of four female friends who are all “holding their breath” waiting for a committed relationship with a man.
While the movie was a major box office hit, the soundtrack also received major accolades. All songs with the exception of My Funny Valentine were written and composed by Babyface. Houston was actually first approached to sing all of the tracks on the album. However, Houston “wanted it to be an album of women with vocal distinction.”
The album includes major chart toppers including:
Exhale (Shoop Shoop) performed by Whitney Houston
Why Does It Hurt So Bad performed by Whitney Houston
Let It Flow performed by Tony Braxton
It Hurts Like Hell performed by Aretha Franklin
Sittin’ Up In My Room performed by Brandy
Not Gon’ Cry performed by Mary J. Blige
Count On Me performed by Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans
Overall, the film grossed $81 million worldwide and numerous awards. The album remained at number one on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart for five weeks and the Top R&B Albums chart for ten weeks, going platinum seven times.
