Whitney Houston, All the Man That I Need | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

On the 6^th edition of Throwback Vibez, we recollect and reflect on “All the Man That I Need” by the iconic Whitney Houston.   

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he vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome – we don’t discriminate ‘round here! On the 6^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶, we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “All the Man That I Need,” performed by 🎙 Whitney Houston. 

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Theme & Lyrics ✍ 

“And in the evening / When the moon is high / He holds me close and won’t let go / He won’t let go.” The late, great 🎙 Whitney Houston had a knack for covers.  Her most famous cover was 🎵 “I Will Always Love You” with 🎵 “The Greatest Love of All” in the mix as well.  However, on her 1990 album, 💿 I’m Your Baby Tonight, The 🏆 Grammy-winning singer also did wonders with another cover and no. 1 hit, 🎵 “All the Man That I Need.” “All the Man That I Need” was written by 🎼✍ Dean Pitchford and 🎼✍ Michael Gore and originally recorded by 🎙 Linda Clifford in 1982.  Also, prior to the iconic Houston version, 🎙 Sister Sledge recorded it as the penultimate track on their 1982 album, 💿 The Sisters.  Ultimately, despite being a cover, Houston’s recording has become the definitive version.  Prior to researching “All the Man That I Need,” aside from a Luther Vandross reinterpretation (🎵 “All the Woman I Need” from 💿 Songs), it was the only version of the song I’d heard. 

Basically, everything that Whitney touched in her heyday turned into gold.  “All the Man That I Need” never ignited the charts until she anointed the track.  The big takeaway is that Houston made this non-original sound completely original.  The authenticity is a big selling point, as you buy what Houston is selling regarding love:

“He fills me up
He gives me love
More love than I’ve ever seen
He’s all I got
He’s all I got in this world
But he’s all the man I need.”

The chorus is the crowning achievement, particularly post-saxophone solo (courtesy of 🎙 Kenny G!).  We get a dramatic key change, and those signature, indescribable Houston ad-libs.  Her voice soars effortlessly, supported by marvelous backing vocals.  Also, the lush, warm production work cannot be denied (🎛 Narada Michael Walden).

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Final Thoughts 💭

Whitney Houston’s 1990 album, 💿 I’m Your Baby Tonight isn’t as elite as Whitney Houston (1985) or Whitney (1987).  That said, “All the Man That I Need” ranks among the best songs from her rich catalog.  Others may have failed to make it a hit, but Houston got the job done in a big way.

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🎙 Whitney Houston • 💿 I’m Your Baby Tonight • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1990
Whitney Houston, “All the Man That I Need”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 6 (2021) [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, cottonbro,  The Musical Hype]

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