Remembering Whitney 'The Voice' Houston...

 

Today, 9th August 2013, Whitney Elizabeth Houston, American recording artist, singer, actress, producer, model, and multi-award winning artiste would have celebrated her 50th birthday. But in a strange twist, the beloved American singer passed away suddenly and tragically on the 11th of February 2012.

Whitney was phenomenal, one of a rare talented breed. Her voice was moving and exceptional, totally unmistakable, never duplicated. She inspired us with it on 'Greatest Love Of All', soothed us with it on 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go' and made us fall in love over and over again with it on 'I Will Always Love You'. She knew what she had right from an early age and was one of the very first black women to grace the cover of Seventeen magazine, going on to feature in magazines like Cosmopolitan and Glamour way before she even turned 20. She loved music and understood what she would do with it early on; inspire others to love and to give love in return. Her voice was that tool and she used it tirelessly up until her death. She was brave, and she battled her addiction with renewed optimism the same way she fought for herself and her daughter after her whirlwind marriage to Bobby Brown ended. She was fearless, stood right back on her feet and fought on, still giving us spectacular songs on her last album I Look To You and a stellar performance in the amazing movie Sparkle.

Whitney was one of a kind, forget the cocaine addiction. She was a great woman and deserves her star on the walk of fame 10 times over. Today, I remember her with the words on her song "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", a song that I hope will speak to you as much as it does to me, reminding you to tap into the strength that lies deep within you and get right back on your feet. Happy 50th birthday, Whitney Houston!

 I Didn't Know My Own Strength - Whitney Houston

Lost touch with my soul
I had nowhere to turn, I had nowhere to go
Lost sight of my dream
Thought it would be the end of me

I, I thought I'd never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to
I, I thought I would break

I didn't know my own strength
And I crashed down and I tumbled, but I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn't know my own strength

Survived my darkest hour, my faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up, hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn't know my own strength

Found hope in my heart
I found the light to life my way out of the dark
Found all that I need here inside of me

Oh, I thought I'd never find my way
I thought I'd never lift that weight
I thought I would break

I didn't know my own strength
And I crashed down and I tumbled, but I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn't know my own strength

There were so many times
I wondered how I'd get through the night
I thought I took all that I could take

I didn't know my own strength
And I crashed down and I tumbled, but I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
Oh, I didn't know my own strength

My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up, I hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn't know my own strength

I was not built to break, no, no
I got to know my own strength