In Honor of Whitney Houston’s 60th Birthday, These Are Her Songs We Love to Singing Along To

We’re warming up our pipes for the songs we can’t help belting out.

Photo: Getty Images Kevork Djansezian

We don’t need a reason to honor Whitney Houston’s greatness, but as the world celebrates her 60th birthday, it seems like a perfect time to remember the ridiculous number of hits she gave us. Obviously, no one can match her vocals, but that doesn’t stop us from trying. In case you don’t already have an amazing Whitney playlist, here are the songs we love singing along with to help you get started.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Amanda Warren Admits There’s No Living Without These 3 Fashion Must-Haves

I Have Nothing

There has never been a single season of American Idol, The Voice or America’s Got Talent where someone hasn’t tried to climb this vocal mountain. Some succeed, others fail miserably, but that will never stop this powerhouse ballad from being a karaoke staple.

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Not only is this song so catchy it’s impossible not to sing along to, but you also can’t sit still. The joy and enthusiasm Whitney exudes literally compels you to dance.

I’m Every Woman

Chaka Khan’s classic empowerment anthem was given new life on The Bodyguard soundtrack. Guys, if you ever walk into a room full of women singing this song, back out slowly and walk away.

I Will Always Love You

Dolly Parton really hit it out of the park when she wrote this beautiful love song. Add in Whitney’s deeply emotional vocals and it’s a track that must be sung at the top of your lungs.

How Will I Know

If you’re in the early stages of a relationship, there’s no better way to enjoy the honeymoon phase than with one of Whitney’s first big hits.

Greatest Love of All

There’s an innocence to this song that reminds us how we fell in love with the singer/actress’ voice for the first time.

It’s Not Right but It’s Okay

As her private life began to make headlines and her “America’s Sweetheart” image slipped, she went into an edgier mode that gave every woman a badass breakup anthem.

When You Believe

If you try to sing along with a duet between Whitney and Mariah Carey, good luck. Of course, the degree of vocal difficulty doesn’t stop fans from going for it. My advice is to just commit to full diva mode and have fun with it.

Count on Me

If you ever run into a group of emotional girlfriends on karaoke night, you will absolutely hear a tear-filled, personal version of this duet between Whitney and her best friend, CeCe Winans.

Saving All My Love for You

Another early classic that never gets old, but watch out for the higher register on this one, because it is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Didn’t We Almost Have It All

Obviously, the Waiting to Exhale star has given us countless breakup anthems, but the way her voice soars here really captures the shock of heartbreak.

All at Once

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-elQTyYaaU

If you’re in the ice cream and alcohol phase of a breakup, this is your full-throated sing-along jam. Nothing captures those feelings better than Whitney belting: “All at once, I’m drifting on a lonely sea, Wishing you’d come back to me, And that’s all that matters now.”

Same Script, Different Cast

This hidden gem is sometimes lost in Whitney’s remarkable collection of hits, but if you want to bring down the house at karaoke night, grab a friend and go full-on scorned woman.

My Love Is Your Love

The end of our queen’s life was full of so much drama, we love celebrating this sweet moment between her and her daughter Bobbi Kristina. Hopefully, they’ve both found peace.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Peek Inside The Childhood Home Of Nina Simone

Peek Inside The Childhood Home Of Nina Simone

A look through the recently restored childhood home of the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone …
Wise Words From Nelson Mandela That Hit Harder Than Ever, In Honor of His Death Anniversary

Wise Words From Nelson Mandela That Hit Harder Than Ever, In Honor of His Death Anniversary

Given Nelson Mandela’s efforts and insights and into how to make the world a better place, and in honor of his death anniversary–let’s take a look back on some of his powerful words! …
The Pros <i>and</i> Cons For Your Favorite Black Shows When Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery

The Pros and Cons For Your Favorite Black Shows When Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery

With Netflix’s impending takeover of Warner Bros., let’s take a look at how this historic deal could impact the future of Black stories and storytellers! …
Why Supreme Court's MAGA-Friendly Redistricting Ruling Could Change Everything For Jasmine Crockett, Other Texas Dems

Why Supreme Court’s MAGA-Friendly Redistricting Ruling Could Change Everything For Jasmine Crockett, Other Texas Dems

Under the Supreme Court temporarily ruling in favor of Trump, but where does it leave the Democrats, who are more than outnumbered …
Customer Pulls Gun on Black Barber After A Messed Up Haircare... and That's Not All

Customer Pulls Gun on Black Barber After A Messed Up Haircare… and That’s Not All

Miami police caught up with Darious Dwayne Davis after he was identified as the man who viciously attacked a Black barbershop owner …
Quinta Brunson's Latest Move Might Change the Lives of Philly Public School Students Forever

Quinta Brunson’s Latest Move Might Change the Lives of Philly Public School Students Forever

Actress Quinta Brunson just launched a new fund designed to for Philadelphia public school students …
Breaking Down Beyoncé, Brandy and Ray J's Social Media Drama!

Breaking Down Beyoncé, Brandy and Ray J’s Social Media Drama!

There’s been a whole bunch of online chatter regarding Beyonce, Brandy and Ray J. Let’s break down what it’s all about! …
How Black Folks and Asians Found Themselves Bonding Over Tiktok Drama About White People

How Black Folks and Asians Found Themselves Bonding Over Tiktok Drama About White People

Black folks have found themselves in the middle of Asian TikTok drama and we’ll tell you why …
Michelle Obama Reveals Seven Unknown Facts About Katt Williams

Michelle Obama Reveals Seven Unknown Facts About Katt Williams

The comedian opened up to Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson on their podcast, sharing a vulnerability you rarely see …
Why Expert Says DHS's 'Not a Nation of Immigrants' Announcement Is Deeper Than You Think

Why Expert Says DHS’s ‘Not a Nation of Immigrants’ Announcement Is Deeper Than You Think

DHS’s “Not a Nation of Immigrants” stance has deeper Implications, according to Experts …
Meghan Markle's Holiday Netflix Special is Just the Kind of Self-Care Black Folks Need Right Now

Meghan Markle’s Holiday Netflix Special is Just the Kind of Self-Care Black Folks Need Right Now

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has a special holiday episode of her lifestyle show and her Black fans are here it. Spoiler alert: Prince Harry loves gumbo! …
Here's How Much it Costs to Rent Out Kanye West's Formerly Abandoned Malibu Mansion

Here’s How Much it Costs to Rent Out Kanye West’s Formerly Abandoned Malibu Mansion

Since 2021, the Malibu mansion that once belonged to Kanye West has been through renovations, potential timeshares and now a possible foreclosure …
The <i>Real</i> Reason Star Boxer Terence Crawford Was Stripped Of His WBC Title

The Real Reason Star Boxer Terence Crawford Was Stripped Of His WBC Title

Terence Crawford refused to pay a $300,000 sanctioning fee that was mandated by the World Boxing Coucil (WBC) …
About Those Pics of Diddy Smiling with Inmates...

About Those Pics of Diddy Smiling with Inmates…

Diddy just became the latest victim of artificial intelligence after the truth behind his viral prison pictures are finally revealed …
Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Has Everyone Furious at This Black Woman Juror From the Trial

Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Has Everyone Furious at This Black Woman Juror From the Trial

After watching the Netflix Diddy documentary, fans call out Juror 160 on behavior which may have impacted the court ruling …
Halle Berry Trashes the Idea of Gavin Newsom as President For One Crucial Reason

Halle Berry Trashes the Idea of Gavin Newsom as President For One Crucial Reason

Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry is calling out California Gov. Gavin Newsom for his veto of legislation supporting one crucial topic …
'Industry' Star Myha'la's Response to Learning Her Roots Will Have You Reaching For Tissues

‘Industry’ Star Myha’la’s Response to Learning Her Roots Will Have You Reaching For Tissues

‘Industry’ star Myha’la Herrold sobs after landing in the country of her ancestral roots for the first time …
Brian McKnight's Shocking Alleged Words to His Dying Son Will Have You <i>Big</i> Mad

Brian McKnight’s Shocking Alleged Words to His Dying Son Will Have You Big Mad

Fans are outraged after McKnight Jr. reveals the “Back at One” singer refused to tell his late brother he loved him, even in his final days …
The Heartbreaking Reason a Florida Man Allegedly Murdered a Man as He Was Having His Hair Braided

The Heartbreaking Reason a Florida Man Allegedly Murdered a Man as He Was Having His Hair Braided

A routine braiding appointment turned tragic on Thanksgiving when a Florida man allegedly did the unimaginable to his girlfriend’s client …