Whitney Houston, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

On the 38^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2022), we recollect and reflect on “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” by Whitney Houston. 

The 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 38^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2022), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, performed by 🎙 Whitney Houston. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Remember when we held on in the rain / The night we almost lost it / Once again…” Yes, yes, YES! Cutting straight to the chase,  🎵 “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” is one of the best of the best when it comes to 🎙 Whitney Houston songs.  Fittingly, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” was nominated for the 🏆 Grammy for Song of the Year (It lost to 🎵 “Somewhere Out There” from An American Tail).  Writers 🎼✍ Michael Masser and 🎼✍ Will Jennings gave the iconic R&B singer a surefire gem to work with, beginning with those memorable lyrics from the first verse.  Worth noting, 🎙 James Cleveland, 💿 The King of Gospel Music, borrowed the tune for a gospel rendition, 🎵 “Aren’t You Glad You Know the Lord”. Hallelujah! “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” appears on Houston’s 1987 sophomore album, 💿 Whitney.

“…We can take the night into tomorrow

Living on feelings

Touching you I feel it all again.”

“Didn’t We Have It All” is exceptionally well produced, bearing a sound that slates Houston somewhere between pop and R&B. The palette of sounds includes colorful keys and soaring strings, sigh. Whitney Houston, of course, is the star of the show.  She sounds utterly sublime, particularly on the centerpiece, the chorus.  This is the part of the classic everybody knows and loves.  The production grows robust, Houston gives her all vocally, and honestly, it’s just special.  You just must hear it to get the full effect. Just know, of course, love fuels the fire, as it does with the best songs!

“Didn’t we almost have it all

When love was all we had worth giving?

The ride with you was worth the fall my friend

Loving you makes life worth the living

Didn’t we almost have it all

The night we hold on ‘til the morning

You know you’ll never love that way again

Didn’t we almost have it all?” 

Final Thoughts 💭

Whitney Houston has an entire catalog filled with iconic bops. Count “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” alongside the best.  This no. 1 hit is still potent as it approaches 40 years of age.  Yes, it’s a quintessential 1980s ballad, but honestly, they just don’t make songs like this anymore.

🎙 Whitney Houston • 💿 Whitney Houston • 🏷 Arista • 🗓 1987

Whitney Houston, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 38 (2022) [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, Gerhard G., JL G via Pixabay,  Karl Hörnfeldt via Unsplash,  The Musical Hype]