Whitney Houston, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I” | COVERS

In the 2^nd edition of COVERS (2023), Whitney Houston and a star-studded cast deliver a compelling rendition of “Somebody Bigger Than You and I.”

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS separates itself from a related column, Head 2 Head 🗣️ only highlighting the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer. COVERS is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 2^nd edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 Whitney Houston and a star-studded cast deliver a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”, famously recorded by 🎙 Mahalia Jackson. 

“Somebody bigger than the Earth is round / Bigger than the saddest frown / Bigger than the brightest smile / And longer than the longest mile.” Hmm, interesting! Why? Well, these are lyrics that appear on the 🎙 Whitney Houston cover of the classic, faith-based song, 🎵 “Somebody Bigger Than You And I” (written by 🎼 ✍ Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, and Sonny Burke). Furthermore, they are rapped, not sung! #Transformation! In Houston’s hands, with the help of some high profile names – 🎙 Bobby Brown, 🎙 Faith Evans, 🎙 Johnny Gill, 🎙 Monica, and 🎙 Ralph Tresvant – the religious ballad earns more of a hip-hop soul makeover.  Sure, in the 2020s, this soundtrack rendering sounds very 1990s, but at the time, it was idiomatic of the R&B/hip-hop/contemporary gospel sound.  Furthermore, if you never happened to hear the original, maybe you’d attribute the song to Houston and company definitively.

As to be expected, all voices involved, especially Whitney Houston, sound fantastic.  She is the star of the show but there are plenty of fine moments from the star-studded cast that joins her. The expressiveness and the authenticity with which the performance is delivered, even with the ‘modern production sheen’ goes a long way. This cool yet energetic, rhythmic rendition picks up the pace compared to the brilliant,  Mahalia Jackson take, but still emphasizes the point: Giving praise to almighty God.

🎙 Whitney Houston • 💿 The Preacher’s Wife • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1996

Whitney Houston, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”: Covers No. 2 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Arista; Paul Brennan from Pixabay, Pexels, Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]