Strange that this was written by Dolly Parton, because it's always seemed like such a Whitney Houston song, don't you think? That happens sometimes. Neil Diamond wrote "Midnight Train To Georgia" but it's the version by Gladys Knight & The Pips that resonates.
I think Whitney Houston understood the song better than Dolly Parton did. "Bittersweet memories, that is all I'm taking with me." The whole song plays like a bittersweet memory. It feels like a love song at first until you realise how it's something far more complicated. The woman's jaded, the love is gone. All she can do is love something that isn't there anymore. She's serenading a guy who, it seems, isn't even listening.
"If I, should stay, I would only be in your way." Was there ever a sadder and more truthful opening line in the history of music? Whitney's heart seems to break on the opening word "If", and the way her voice swerves and bends on the word "way", it's as if you hear her heart faltering all inside one word.
We can write songs like this off as cheesy, but there's a reason you always hear it on the radio. Same with "Nothing compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor, they ring true. They capture the heart, breaking. Most artists are too scared to spill out their guts, just like people are in life.
Despite the drugs and controversy, people will mourn the loss of Whitney Houston in a big way, and it's largely down to this song. It's the one track of hers that everyone can name.
"We both know I'm not what you need, and I will always love you." Isn't it horrible!? I love you, you don't need me, goodbye. She's that loser who clings on, long after the love died. And we would ridicule her if the song didn't happen to be about every single one of us at one time or another.
RIP WHITNEY HOUSTON
Not many times in the past have I been this touched by the passing of a famous musician or celebrity.
ReplyDeleteBut tonight, the tears in my eyes are real, and the lump in my throat nearly suffocating.
May she finally be at peace after many years of heartache and pain.
Death is all around us, but this death comes too soon. So sad.
ReplyDeletemay she rests in peace. fairwell Whitney :(
ReplyDeleteNothing Compares 2 You written by Prince.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you can say that Whitney understood the song better than Dolly. I think you can say that Whitney's version/interpetation but understood Dolly's own song better. No.
ReplyDelete""We both know I'm not what you need, and I will always love you." Isn't it horrible!? I love you, you don't need me, goodbye. She's that loser who clings on, long after the love died. And we would ridicule her if the song didn't happen to be about every single one of us at one time or another."
Actually no. The song is saying I love you, but we aren't working so I'm leaving.
Dolly wrote that song in honor of the guy who gave her big break in the music business. He had mentored her, but they were fighting a lot and she wanted control of her own career. They were on a show together; she was his sidekick. He didn't want her to go wasn't listening to her; so she wrote that song. She was saying look I will always love you, always be grateful for what you did. But I'm leaving...
Can you see how though its not loserish. If you really love someone how can you really stop. But sometimes love isn't enough. The relationship isn't enough. Sometimes you can have a great relationship but still need to move on. Its empowering to say look I love you; but I'm moving on.
ReplyDeleteAnd Porter actually had a tough time that Dolly left (sued her) but still felt that was the most beautiful song he had ever heard. They eventually moved on. When he was deep in debt Dolly bought his music catalogue to help him back. Years later he had money and asked if he could buy it back, and she gave it to him for free as a gift. She was there when he died. So it was a really a I love you but I must move on relationship.
It's very odd to me that someone like Whitney Houston should be worshipped so. She didn't write any songs nor did she arrange the ones she sang. She was a puppet with a good voice. To compare her to Dolly Pardon who, like her or not, is an actual musician is like comparing the sun to a heat lamp. Please!
ReplyDeleteOnly reading this now, as I catch up on posts missed. I was deeply saddened by Whitney's death, another loss of someone my age group, too young, too early. This is one of the most beautiful songs ever, and I know exactly how she (either Whitney or Dolly) felt when she sang those words.
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