The lead single off Whitney Houston's second album became one of her biggest hits — and lends its name to Sony’s biopic about the superstar, in theaters Dec. 23
The video for “Somebody” reunited Houston with director Brian Grant and choreographer Arlene Phillips, who’d previously worked with her on the “How Will I Know” video. In a 2014 interview, Grant recalled first meeting Houston, then 19, when she came to London to film the video.
“She had great manners,” he said. “She had no entourage, just one friend with her.” Grant always began with a close-up shot of the artist performing the song the entire way through. “I still remember the time I was looking through the lens and Whitney looked into the camera and just smiled,” said Grant. “My knees wobbled and I thought, ‘My — that is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Her voice was absolutely amazing. It was the most incredible sound.
Houston was less agile on her feet, however. “She had good rhythm, but couldn’t put one foot in front of the other,” he recalled. “Arlene recognized that, so she surrounded her with other great dancers from England. We could hide her dancing in the edit, but what was important is that she looked great and had a good time. Which you can tell that she did and it was a hit.”
When they reunited for the “Somebody” video, there was already an ease among the three. Whereas “How Will I Know” had a concept — putting Houston inside a maze — “Somebody” just focused on “giving her lots of looks,” Grant said. The single has sold 4.2 million copies worldwide; after Houston’s death in 2012, it reappeared on the Hot 100 along with “I Will Always Love You,” giving Houston two posthumous Top 40 hits.
On May 29, 1987, a day before the video debuted on MTV, THR reported Arista Records was gearing up for big sales of her LP.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This week's new releases: 'Banshees,' Whitney Houston, 'High on Life' and moreAlso coming this week: an album from rapper Ab-Soul and David Letterman travels to Ukraine to sit down with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a special one-off episode of Netflix's 'My Next Guest.'
Read more »
This week's new releases: 'Banshees,' Whitney Houston, 'High on Life' and moreAlso coming this week: an album from rapper Ab-Soul and David Letterman travels to Ukraine to sit down with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a special one-off episode of Netflix's 'My Next Guest.'
Read more »
Clive Davis Recalls Final Meeting With Whitney Houston (Exclusive)ET spoke with Davis about the late pop star at the premiere of the new Whitney Houston biopic, 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody.'
Read more »
Stanley Tucci on How Clive Davis Advised Him on Whitney Houston BiopicStanley Tucci transforms into Clive Davis for the biopic about Whitney Houston's life.
Read more »
Houston police release bodycam video of shootout with armed parolee following chase in NW HoustonHouston police released the body camera video of an officer-involved shooting where a suspect was shot several times after a chase in northwest Houston back in November.
Read more »
Naomi Ackie and Nafessa Williams on Whitney and Robyn's 'Pure Love'The heavily scrutinized relationship is explored in the upcoming biopic, 'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.'
Read more »