"Didn't We Almost Have It All" by Whitney Houston

#1 Alert!

Song#:  3217

Date:  08/01/1987
Debut:  50
Peak:  1 (2 week)
Weeks:  17
Genre:  Pop, Adult Contemporary, R&B



Pop Bits:  Houston's second album, Whitney, got off to a great start with its first single "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" becoming her fourth consecutive #1 on the Pop chart. Her streak would continue with this next single. The ballad was another home run getting to #1 Pop, #2 R&B, and #1 AC. While it wouldn't hit the gold/platinum level sales of her previous five singles, it was still an impressive feat to grab a fifth consecutive #1 on the Pop chart. It was also her fifth consecutive #1 at AC.

ReduxReview:  Houston had already reached #1 with two big ballads, so the released of this one wasn't a surprise. Its giant chorus, sweeping strings, and treacly lyrics were not that different from the others (with two of them sharing the same writer - see below) and it seems folks were not tired of the formula yet sending it to #1. While I liked the song, I thought it was just a bit excessive. The tune kind of goes on and on with Houston practically yelling the whole time. There was little subtlety or nuance in either the song or Houston's vocal. She practically strains at certain points. It was a good record, but it was never one of my favorites from Houston.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  The song was written by Michael Masser and Will Jennings. The pair would get a Grammy nomination in the Song of the Year category. Masser previously co-wrote (with Linda Creed) "The Greatest Love of All" which Houston recorded for her debut album. That song would hit #1 and get a Grammy nod for Record of the Year. It didn't get a nomination for Song of the Year because it was a remake of a song that previously charted. However, Masser was still part of the nominees for that song because he had produced the recording. Masser would write more songs for Houston and other artists, but these would be his only Grammy nods.

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