Ahead of the highly-anticipated release of I Wanna Dance With Somebody, in movie theaters on December 23 via TriStar Pictures, and the film’s corresponding soundtrack, RCA Records has released a sneak peek at Whitney Houston’s live performance track, “Don’t Cry For Me” – available today. The 1-minute teaser serves as an introduction to the never-before-released a cappella recording, as well as a new and original re-imagined version by the multi-platinum selling artist and producer, Sam Feldt. Both versions of the song will be available on I Wanna Dance With Somebody (The Movie: Whitney New, Classic and Reimagined), to be released by RCA Records on December 16.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (The Movie: Whitney New, Classic and Reimagined)is packed with 35 electrifying tracks. Among them is Houston’s rare live recording of “Don’t Cry For Me” – the riveting song that was originally recorded by BeBe and CeCe Winans for their 1988 album, Heaven. While on The Bodyguard World Tour, Houston flew back to the U.S. for the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) benefit concert, offering a vocal performance that would ultimately become iconic.
“The song “Don’t Cry For Me,” originally sung live by Whitney Houston, is truly a surprise discovery,” said Clive Davis. “The lyrics amazingly integrate into Whitney’s life story and her peerless voice penetrates your heart with its message. A must listen after two minutes of the end credits!”
Houston first burst into the mainstream with her self-titled debut album, Whitney Houston. The album, which spurred three #1 Billboard Hot 100 singles – “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” and “Greatest Love of All,” spent 14 weeks at #1 on Billboard Top 200, and sold more than twenty-five million copies globally.
The star’s second studio album, Whitney, followed in 1987. It yielded four #1 singles, including “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.” Both albums went on to become RIAA-certified diamond (Whitney Houston 13x Platinum and Whitney 10x Platinum), making Houston the first Black recording artist to earn the triple diamond achievement.
On February 10, Legacy Recordings, in cooperation with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, will release the icon’s first two studio albums on vinyl. Target will offer an exclusive sky-blue color vinyl of Whitney. Both versions will feature the original album packaging and are available for pre-order HERE.
Pat Houston on the song, “Everything is about timing and I’m more than elated about this amazing song being released at this moment in time. Whitney was always her best spokesperson and this song “Don’t Cry For Me” is a testament to her life and her connection to all of her fans. She delivers that signature Voice with a heartfelt message and the arrangement compliments everything that Whitney’s Team hoped for!”
Check out the “Don’t Cry For Me (A Capella)” song from Whitney Houston Below: