I Look to You is the seventh and final studio album by American singer Whitney Houston. It was first released on August 28, 2009, through Sony Music in Europe, then August 31, 2009 with Arista Records in the United States before being released by RCA Records in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2009. The album was Houston's first non-holiday studio album since 2002's Just Whitney. It received favorable reviews from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 66/100 from Metacritic and debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number one with sales of 305,000 beating her previous career best first-week sale of 205,137 units with Just Whitney (2002), and it was her first album to reach number one in the US since 1992's The Bodyguard. Additionally it became her fourth chart-topping album, thus extending her as the female artist with the most cumulative weeks at the number one position.
It has spawned two official hit singles: the title song, which became a top 20 US R&B chart single, and the international single "Million Dollar Bill", which hit the top ten in several countries worldwide and also was a US top 20 R&B hit. Since its release, I Look to You has gone on to sell over 3 million copies worldwide, earning platinum certification in seven countries and gold certification in eight. A promotional single, "Nothin' But Love", taken from the album, was only released to UK radio stations to promote the accompanying Nothing but Love World Tour. Houston died on February 11, 2012, making this her last living studio release.
Background[]
I Look to You had first been conceived in 2007 with recording and production taking place in 2008, as said Houston during her Los Angeles album listening party in 2009.[3] Rumor of Houston's return to music were first circulated at the start of 2007 and were then substantiated when record label boss and close mentor Clive Davis confirmed that he would personally be involved in the project whilst speaking on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In February 2009, Houston appeared on stage at Davis's "Pre-Grammy Gala" where she performed a four-song set comprising "I Will Always Love You", "I Believe in You and Me", "It's Not Right but It's Okay", and a rousing version of "I'm Every Woman". Onlookers included her mother Cissy Houston, musicians Paul McCartney, Jamie Foxx, and Barry Manilow as well as actors Antonio Banderas and Sylvester Stallone.[4]
She told press in London that her latest album will reflect her emotional state and chronicle events in her personal life since her last musical release in 2002. She said "That makes it real. The changes that we go through, the transitions that we go through, the tests that we go through, being a mother, becoming a single mother. It all had its ups and its downs, but for the most part, I kept my faith and I kept my head up... I took my time. All the triumphs and the ups and downs and stuff, it's all incorporated on the album, and hopefully not only does it inspire me, but inspires a whole lot of other people."
Singles[]
The album was preceded by the release of the title song, I Look to You which was written by R. Kelly and produced by Tricky Stewart, Harvey Mason Jr., and Emanuel Kiriakou. The song was serviced in the US as the lead single and later as the second international single. It peaked in the top 20 of the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number 70 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 30 of the Gospel chart. Internationally the song had mixed success, peaking as high as number 16 in Switzerland and as low as 115 in the United Kingdom.
The album's second US single (first single internationally) was "Million Dollar Bill", written and produced by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. It peaked at 100 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in the top 20 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Additionally it topped the Hot Dance Club Songs and the Adult R&B Songs charts. Internationally the single experienced some success, including in the United Kingdom where promotion of the Freemasons remix enabled it to peak at number five, her first top 5 hit in a decade.
Promotional Singles[]
A Ballad, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength', Written By Diane Warren and Produced by David Foster. The Song peaked at Number 17 on the US Songs Charts. Later, following Houston's performance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, it appeared at number 61 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Internationally the song peaked at number 38 and number 44 in Ireland and the United Kingdom respectively following its performance by Danyl Johnson, one of the finalists on the sixth series of The X Factor. It also charted on the Japan Hot 100 at number 16.
A Song Called "Nothin' But Love" had been sent into the UK Radio Stations and Became only as a Promotional Single to promote with The Nothin' But Love Tour that Begin In December 2009 and Ended In June 2010. It gave positive reviews, awarded 5/5 and listed on BBC Radio 2, being called it a "Modern Whitney Classic".
Another Song Called "Worth It" became another Promotional Single and Debuted on the Korean International Singles Chart and peaked at Number 182 before peaking at Number 56, and Number 61 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart.
Nothin' But Love Tour[]
Houston's performance on Good Morning America's 'Fall Concerts' series on the American television broadcast network ABC aired on September 2, 2009. She performed songs from the album, including single "Million Dollar Bill" and title song "I Look to You", as well as previous hits "I'm Every Woman" and "My Love Is Your Love". It was also announced at the start of September that Houston would be interviewed by Oprah Winfrey for the new season of The Oprah Winfrey Show and perform "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" as personally requested by Winfrey. The Winfrey interview turned into two one-hour specials featuring the most in-depth and personal interviews of both Houston's and Winfrey's careers and were screened on September 14 and 15 featuring the promised live performance of "I Didn't Know My Own Strength". Winfrey called it the best interview she has ever done.
On October 3, 2009, Houston appeared on German television show, Wetten Dass, and later she was on Le Grand Journal in France to perform "Million Dollar Bill". On October 18, Houston performed the same song live on The X Factor, marking her first UK performance in over a decade. She also performed the single live on The X Factor in Italy. On November 22, 2009, Houston performed "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" at the 2009 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, which gave her a standing ovation.
It was announced via Houston's official website on October 12, 2009, that the singer would embark on her first world tour in 11 years in promotion of her latest album I Look to You. "This is my first full tour since the My Love Is Your Love tour and I am so excited to be performing for my fans around the world after all this time. I am putting together a great show and cannot wait to perform the songs from my new album I Look To You along with some of your favorites." The tour began on December 9, 2009, in Russia with further dates including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Australia.
Unreleased Songs[]
An Unreleased Song called "Never Give Up" , originally the song was supposed to be on the 2009 album on I Look To You but after months after Whitney's death, on November 13, 2012, he R&B song, called "Never Give Up," recorded with producer Jermaine Dupri, But Ended up on the album called "Whitney Houston's new greatest hits album".
It's an uplifting, motivational tune. "Never, never give up / Hold your head to the sky, look them right in the eyes / Tell them you will never quit until the day you get it right," Houston sings.
The song is on the greatest hits collection I Will Always Love You — The Best of Whitney Houston, along with another posthumously released song, "I Look to You," a duet with R. Kelly, which came out in September.
In Early September 2023 A YT Channel called "TheWhitneyHoustonPlatinumClub" posted a Video and only had audio of Whitney Houston Singing. The Video was taken down and the song was called "I'll Be There"Some Fans speculated it was recorded between 2007-2009 of higher tone before the ILTY Era and others thought it was meant for to be on the Soundtrack of the album "I Look To You". In Late October of 2023, 2 weeks ago a fan speculated it was from 2003 During the making of One Wish: The Holiday Album For right now it is unsure/unknown if the estate will release the full song and be added onto the Soundtrack into the holiday album.
"Link To The Video" (Maybe Taken Down Again): https://youtu.be/9jSjm4SaIgc?feature=shared
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Million Dollar Bill” | Alicia Keys • Kasseem Dean • Norman Harris | Swiss Beatz • Keys | 3:24 | |
| 2. | “Nothin' But Love” | Fernando Garibay • Franne Golde • Kasia Livington • Nathaniel Hills | Danja • Garibay • Harvey Mason Jr. | 3:35 | |
| 3. | “Call You Tonight” | Johnta Austin • Tor Erik Hermansan • Mikkel S. Erikson • Stargate | Austin • Stargate • Hermansan • Erikson | 4:08 | |
| 4. | “I Look to You" | R.Kelly | C. "Tricky" Stewart • Mason, Jr. • Emanuel Kiri | 4;25 | |
| 5. | "Like I Never Left (feat. Akon)" | Whitney Houston • Akon • Giorgio Tuinfort • Claude Kelly | Akon • Mason Jr. • TuinFort | 3:49 | |
| 6. | "A Song for You” | Leon Russell | Stargate • Mason, Jr. | 4:11 | |
| 7. | “I Didn't Know My Own Strength” | Houston • Diane Warren | David Foster | 3:40 | |
| 8. | “Worth It" | Austin • Eric Hudson | Hudson • Mason, Jr. | 4:39 | |
| 9. | “For the Lovers” | Hills • C. Kelly • Marcella Araica | Danja • Kelly | 4:14 | |
| 10. | “I Got You" | Houston • Thiam • Tuinfort • C. Kelly | Akon • C. Kelly • Tuinfort | 4:12 | |
| 11. | “Salute" | R.Kelly | R.Kelly • Mason, Jr. | 4:10 |
| Total length: | 44:47 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Club Remix) | Houston • Warren | Peter Rauhofer | 7:42 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Radio Mix) | Houston • Warren | Peppe Folliero • Carlo Griceo • Romano | 3:11 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Million Dollar Bill" (Freemasons Radio Mix) | 3:48 |
| 2. | "Million Dollar Bill" (Frankie Knuckles Radio Mix) | 3:15 |
| 3. | "I Look to You" (Johnny Vicious Warehouse Radio Mix) | 4:07 |
| 4. | "I Look to You" (Johnny Vicious Club Radio Mix) | 3:52 |
| 5. | "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Peter Rauhofer Radio Edit) | 3:04 |
| 6. | "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" (Daddy's Groove Magic Island Radio Mix) | 3:15 |
| 7. | "I Look to You" (Christian Dio Radio Mix) | 4:00 |
| 8. | "I Look to You" (Giuseppe D. Radio Mix) | 3:50 |
Notes
- "Million Dollar Bill" contains a sample from "We're Getting Stronger", written by Allan Felder, Norman Harris and Ronald Tyson, as performed by Loleatta Holloway.
- "A Song for You" is a cover of the original song by Leon Russell.
- ^[a] also a vocal producer
- ^[b] vocal producer
- ^[b] co-producer
- Unless noted otherwise or not credited, all vocal production handled by Harvey Mason, Jr.
Charts[]
Certifications and Sales[]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 10,000* |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Platinum | 80,000^ |
| France (SNEP) | Gold | 50,000* |
| GCC (IFPI Middle East) | Gold | 3,000* |
| Germany (BVMI) | Gold | 100,000^ |
| Hungary (MAHASZ) | Gold | 3,000^ |
| Ireland (IRMA) | Platinum | 15,000^ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 35,000* |
| Poland (ZPAV) | Platinum | 20,000* |
| Russia (NFPF) | Gold | 10,000* |
| Sweden (GLF) | Gold | 20,000^ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | Gold | 15,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| Summaries | ||
| Worldwide | — | 2,500,000 |
| * Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Personnel and credits[]
Personnel[]
- Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica – mixing
- Christian Baker – assistant
- Adam Beyrer – additional instrument recording engineer (track 2)
- Courtney Blooding – background vocals
- Anita Marisa Boriboon – art direction and design
- Clive Davis – executive producer, A&R
- Michael Daley – assistant vocal engineer
- Kaseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean – music producer, music programming (track 1)
- Patrick Demarchelier – photography
- Mikkel S. Eriksen – recording engineer (track 3), instrumentation (3, 6), producer (3, 6)
- Abel Garibaldi – instrumental recording engineer (track 11)
- Fernando Garibay – music producer (track 2)
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Charlotte Gibson – background vocals (track 8)
- Angela N. Golightly – production coordination
- Christy Hall – production assistant
- Andrew Hey – audio mixing (track 11), vocal recording engineer (2, 4–6, 8–9, 11)
- Gary Houston – background vocals (track 8)
- Whitney Houston – lead vocals (All tracks), executive producer, songwriter (5, 10)
- Dabling Harward – vocal engineer
- Eric Hudson – music producer, all instruments (track 8)
- Tavia Ivey – background vocals (tracks 2, 8)
- Larry Eaglin Jackson – executive producer, A&R
- Chad Jolley – instrumental recording engineer (track 9)
- Claude Kelly – vocal producer
- Robert Kelly (R. Kelly) – music arranger, producer (track 11)
- Alicia Keys – vocal producer, vocal arrangement, music producer (track 1)
- Emanuel Kiriakou – producer, all other instruments (track 4)
- Damien Lewis – engineer
- Donnie Lyle – guitar, musical direction
- Tony Maserati – mixing
- Harvey Mason Jr. – producer (track 4), mixing (11), vocal producer (2, 5–6, 8, 11)
- Kenny Mason – choir director (track 4)
- Jeff Meeks – instrumental recording engineer (track 11)
- Jan Fairchild – engineer
- Nick Fainbarg – engineer
- Ian Mereness – instrumental recording engineer (track 11)
- Ann Mincieli – recording engineer (track 1)
- Luis Navarro – assistant
- Dave Pensado – mixing
- Jochem van der Saag – synthesizer, recording engineer, drum machine, audio mixing, sound design (track 7)
- Miguel Scott – assistant
- Timothy Snell – stylist
- Bernt Rune Stray – guitar
- Phil Tan – mixing
- Aliaune "Akon" Thiam – music producer (tracks 5, 10), vocals (5)
- Pat Thrall – instrumental recording engineer (track 4)
- Miki Tsutsumi – assistant
- Giorgio Tuinfort – co-producer, additional music programming (tracks 5, 10)
Recording locations and studios[]
- Atlanta (Konkast, Patchwerk, Soapbox)
- Burbank (Boom Boom Room)
- Chicago (Chocolate Factory)
- Hollywood (Record Plant)
- Las Vegas (Studio at the Palms)
- Los Angeles (1221, Blue, Chalice Recording
- Miami (Hit Factory Criteria)
- New York (Chun King, Germano, KMA, OVEN, Roc the Mic, Sterling Sound)
- Norcross (Tree Sound)
- North Hollywood (Larrabee Sound, Mason Sound)
- San Francisco (Soapbox West)