Single Reviews: I Learned From The Best

Date: November 27, 1999

From Billboard
Submitted by: Rachel D.


WHITNEY HOUSTON I Learned From The Best (4:09)
PRODUCER: David Foster
WRITER: D. Warren
PUBLISHER: Realsongs, ASCAP
Arista 3603 (CD promo)

Whitney Houston has cruised through four sleeper singles from her current "My Love Is Your Love": the initial "When You Believe" with Mariah Carey, "Heartbreak Hotel," "It's Not Right But It's Okay," and her previous top 10 hit with the title track. Now--surprise--here's the most immediate single from her now multi-platinum set, a song that has most-added stamped all over it.

Written by the ultimate pop/R&B scribe of the '90s, Diane Warren, this gorgeous ballad will take fans old and new to that sacred territory that Whitney established back in the years of classics like "Saving All My Love For You" and "All The Man That I Need." But make no mistake; the Houston of today is a fully seasoned, well-traveled diva, leaving the wannabes in scattered remains with this spine-chilling performance.

You'll be throwing your hands in the air over the wisdom she's gained in this tale of the strong woman who's breaking bad with her lessons about heartbreak. Producer/arranger David Foster, meanwhile, puts forth all that he's learned in the past two decades with a forceful instrumental package that borrows from his days of commandeering the horns-heavy Chicago through its comeback in the early '80s.

The three together--Houston, Warren, and Foster--simply can't miss in this stellar effort that brings together the best of their talents. It all adds up to a certain No. 1 that will fill hearts, enrapture ears, captivate top 40 and R&B radio, and leave remaining detractors clamoring for their copies of this deep, forward-stepping album. Bravo.