Whitney Houston’s I Want To Dance With Somebody was a milestone in her career and in the pop music of the 80s. Released in 1987 as the lead single from her second album, Whitney, the song showcased her extraordinary vocal range and pop sensibility. It was co-written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of the band Boy Meets Girl, and produced by Narada Michael Walden, who had worked with Whitney on her previous album.
The song’s infectious beat was provided by a Roland TR-808 drum machine, a staple of 80s pop and hip-hop music. It was programmed by Randy Jackson and Preston Glass, who were also responsible for the song’s bass and guitar parts. The guitar solo was played by Corrado Rustici, who had worked with Whitney on her debut album.
For Whitney’s vocal, the engineers used an AKG C24 microphone, known for its warm and detailed sound. It was connected to a Focusrite 110 module from a Focusrite desk, which provided a clean and transparent preamp. The signal was then sent to a Neve 33609 compressor, which added some subtle color and control to the dynamic range.
The song was mixed by Mick Guzauski at the Power Station in New York City, using the SSL 4000 G+ console. Mick had previously worked with Whitney on her debut album, and he knew how to highlight her voice and make the song sound bigger than life. He used the AMS RMX 16 digital reverb for the main vocal, giving it a lush and spacious quality. The AMS DMX 15-80 was used for the drums, adding some punch and depth. The Lexicon PCM 41 and PCM 42 were used for the delay effects, creating a sense of movement and excitement.
I Want To Dance With Somebodyy was a huge success for Whitney Houston, both commercially and critically. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the charts in many other countries around the world. It also won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1988, cementing Whitney’s status as one of the greatest singers of her generation. The song’s memorable chorus and irresistible groove still make it a favorite among fans of 80s pop music today.
