The pop masterpiece that was almost a Janet Jackson hit
In short: Before it became a global synth-funk anthem for Whitney Houston, 'How Will I Know' was a rejected demo. Originally written for Janet Jackson, the song underwent a dramatic transformation in the studio, changing keys, tempos, and lyrics to create a definitive pillar of 1980s pop.
In 1984, songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam composed a demo specifically for Janet Jackson. However, Jackson's management passed on the track, believing it did not fit her current repertoire. The song eventually found its way to Arista Records executive Gerry Griffith, who recognized its potential as a 'pop crossover' for Whitney Houston's debut album.
The transition from demo to hit was not seamless. Producer Narada Michael Walden, who was simultaneously working on Aretha Franklin's 'Who's Zoomin' Who?', was initially unimpressed with the original version. He negotiated a compromise with the writers to deconstruct the song, altering the key, the tempo, and even parts of the lyrics. The final version, recorded in late 1984, featured a 120 BPM dance beat in G flat major and included a saxophone solo by Premik Russell Tubbs.
The song's impact was immediate and historic. Released on November 22, 1985, it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in February 1986, displacing Houston's own cousin, Dionne Warwick. It also achieved significant international success, topping charts in Canada and performing strongly in the UK, Australia, and Sweden. Beyond the charts, the accompanying music video helped Houston break color barriers on MTV, winning Best Female Video at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.
Decades later, the song's legacy persists. It has sold over 11 million units worldwide and remains a celebrated anthem, even being ranked as a significant LGBTQ anthem due to its ungendered lyrical themes. While some critics have noted its 'clunky' eighties drum sounds, others praise the precision of Houston's vocals, noting her skill long before the era of Auto-Tune.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Will I Know
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-how-will-i-know.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
