Whitney Houston, I Look to You | Sunday Refresh 🙏

On the 4th edition of Sunday Refresh, we’re uplifted by the late, great Whitney Houston performing, “I Look to You.”

Welcome to Sunday Refresh 🙏, a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit.  These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed.  So, for the 4th edition of Sunday Refresh, we highlight 🎵 “I Look to You” as performed by 🎙 Whitney Houston.

So, as we examine “I Look to You,” we’re first going to talk about 🎙 R. Kelly.  Why, you ask? Well, ‘The Pied Piper’ definitely has issues and has caused ample pain as a person – we can’t simply write that off.  His relationships have been totally inappropriate and his relationship with sex in general is incredibly sketchy.  That said, his songwriting abilities have been undeniable, particularly when it comes to more thoughtful, inspirational songs like this song he penned for Whitney Houston, and would sing at her funeral.  “I Look to You” serves as one of the standouts from 💿 I Look to You, the comeback/final studio album by the 🏆 Grammy winning icon.  She wasn’t in her best voice on the 2009 studio album, but you can still hear the shades of greatness, particularly on the title track.

“I look to you
I look to you
After all my strength is gone
In you, I can be strong.”

“I Look to You” is a fine mix of adult contemporary R&B and contemporary gospel.  It isn’t a full-fledged gospel record, but clearly, Houston is looking to The Most High for guidance and strength.  Whitney definitely brings Kelly’s thoughtful words to life, while a production team comprised of 🎛 Emanuel Kiriakou, 🎛 C. Tricky Stewart, and 🎛 Harvey Mason Jr. provide a relatively simple but fitting backdrop to support her.

“My levees are broken (Oh Lord)
My walls are coming down on me (Coming down on me)
All the rain is falling (My rain is falling)
Defeat is calling (Set me free)
I need you to set me free
Take me far away from the battle
I need you
Shine on me.”

No, “I Look to You” never reaches the highs of her most iconic performances but it’s a great addition to her collection all in all.  It definitely provides a refreshing, uplifting listening and spiritual experience.

Also Appears On 🔽:

🔗 🎧 Eye 👁 This List of Must-Hear “I” Songs

🎙 Whitney Houston • 💿 I Look to You • 🏷 Arista • 📅 2009 

Whitney Houston, “I Look to You”: Sunday Refresh 🙏 No. 4 (2021) [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, Zac Durant on Unsplash]