Whitney Houston’s “Love Is”: The Posthumous Love Letter That Won’t Leave You Cold
Reading Time: 3 minutes
The Comeback We Didn’t Know We Needed
Ah, Whitney Houston’s new unreleased single “Love Is” – because why not bring back the legend from beyond the grave, right? If the ghost of Whitney Houston isn’t haunting your Spotify playlist by now, don’t worry; she’s about to make a grand entrance. Commissioned as part of the new live album, “Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban)”, we are reminded of just how much we miss that voice that could make a tin can cry.
What’s This Song About? Love, Naturally
Written by Carvin Winans and produced by Nat Adderley alongside Whitney herself, “Love Is” is reportedly a love song, because, of course, that’s what Whitney does best. It’s about how powerful love can be, and honestly, who’s better at delivering that message than the woman who practically defined love ballads in the ’90s? I mean, “I Will Always Love You”? Get in line!
An Emotional Backstory
Let’s keep the tissues on standby. In a twist of fate worthy of a rom-com, Carvin Winans awoke one morning in 1986 with a melody in his head. After penning down “Love Is,” he was surprised when Whitney Houston herself insisted on saving it for her. Now, that’s a win on multiple levels! Fast forward to 1990, and voilà, Whitney graced us with that silky smooth vocal we all adore. It’s practically a miracle she didn’t break the studio windows with her incredible range while recording it!
A Premiere Worthy of Whitney
SiriusXM is giving this track the star treatment with an exclusive U.S. premiere, something we can only describe as “very 2023.” It’s nice to see Whitney’s music not only endure but also flourish in today’s streaming landscape. Dion Summers, SiriusXM’s Vice President of Music Programming, waxed lyrical about Whitney’s influence, stating, “His songs continue to inspire, and SiriusXM is honored to once again celebrate his legacy…” – as if Whitney could somehow hear us all swooning over her genius. Sure, they say there’s no such thing as ghosts, Dion, but are you sure?
A Family Affair
The connection between the Houston and Winans families has always been strong—so strong that it makes you think they’ve been assembling a superhero music team. Carvin fondly reminisces about the moment Whitney approached him and gushed over his compositions, leaving him utterly starstruck. Can you picture that? Whitney Houston practically fan-girling over a home run love ballad. The very thought does tugs at the heartstrings.
What’s Next?
Alongside “Love Is”, this stellar live album features Whitney’s greatest hits that defined a generation, like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “How Will I Know,” and “I Have Nothing” to name just a few. There’s even a live concert film that audiences in over 30 countries had the privilege of watching. It’s like “The Greatest Hits” of the decade, but instead of cringe, it’s pure emotional melody.
Final Thoughts
So, buckle up, folks—Whitney’s back, and she’s got a new song under her belt. If “Love Is” is anything like her previous hits, prepare for it to be played at every wedding, graduation, and triumphant moment you can think of. Maybe I should get my karaoke game ready—bursting into Whitney is always a solid life decision! Keep an ear out because this track might just turn out to be as timeless as the legend herself.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
It’s available “Love Is”, the long-awaited unreleased single by the legendary Whitney Houston. This powerful track is featured on the new album “Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South African (Durban)”, unveiled by Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment. This exciting release is a collaboration with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston and Primary Wave Music, marking the 30th anniversary of Whitney’s groundbreaking performance in South Africa, a concert that captivated audiences worldwide.
Written by the talented Carvin Winans and masterfully produced by Nat Adderley alongside Whitney Houston herself, “Love Is” stands as an unreleased gem recorded in the studio for this new live album. Additionally, it will appear as a bonus track in a remix titled “Love Is (Carvin Winans Remix)” crafted by Winans and Tommy Sims. This highly anticipated song will debut in the United States on SiriusXM radio frequencies: “Whitney is unquestionably the quintessential voice of her generation,” expressed Dion Summers, Vice President of Music Programming at SiriusXM, who fondly recalls first hearing the song three decades ago. He added, “Her music continues to inspire, and SiriusXM is honored to celebrate her enduring legacy with the exclusive U.S. premiere of “Love Is.” Through her extraordinary music and incredible spirit, Whitney Houston will always be with us.” The bond between the Houston family and the Winans family runs deep, with Carvin being the initial family member to cross paths with Whitney when she performed at the Pine Knob Music Theater near Detroit in August 1986. There, he had planned to sing the beloved song “Tomorrow,” penned by Carvin for himself and his brothers, the iconic gospel group The Winans. Whitney’s admiration for the Winans and the song prompted her to seek out Carvin, who was left in awe of her electrifying performance. Their impromptu backstage meeting became a cherished moment, as Carvin recalls Whitney expressing her love for his song.
One early morning in 1986, inspiration struck Carvin, leading him to compose a melody that flowed effortlessly as he sat at the piano. Shortly thereafter, he produced a demo in the studio and sent it to his music publisher. In a delightful twist, the following year, Whitney paid a surprise visit to Carvin’s home, where she first heard “Love Is”. Enthralled by the song, Whitney implored Carvin to save it for her, expressing her desire to record it. True to his word, Carvin preserved it, and Whitney’s recording of “Love Is” came to fruition three years later in September 1990. After Whitney’s untimely passing, Sony Music reached out to Carvin for a remix of the original track, resulting in “Love Is (Carvin Winans Remix)”, featured in the musical project “Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa (Durban),” which includes a recording from the iconic 1994 performance. Carvin reflects, “Love Is” captures the profound strength of love when truly embraced, and there’s no one who conveys that message more beautifully than the incomparable Whitney Houston.”
“Whitney said that Carvin was one of the most talented songwriters she had ever met, and she was thrilled to have collaborated with him on this song,” shares Pat Houston, executor of the Estate of Whitney E. Houston. “This is a classic, soulful R&B track with a sincere, heartfelt message. I know she would be overjoyed to see “Love Is” finally reaching audiences around the world.” The live album encompasses a selection of timeless songs from that unforgettable concert, including Whitney’s most-loved hits like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “How Will I Know”, “I Have Nothing”, “Greatest Love of All”, and the iconic “I Will Always Love You.” Also featured are stirring classics such as “Amazing Grace” and her poignant rendition of “Home” from the Broadway musical “The Wiz.” The album is available in three distinct formats, each with slightly varied tracklists—CD, vinyl, and digital. Recently, a previously unreleased concert film captivated audiences as it made its way to select theaters across more than 30 countries.
**Interview with Carvin Winans: The Heart Behind “Love Is”**
**Host:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Carvin Winans, the talented songwriter behind Whitney Houston’s long-awaited unreleased single, “Love Is.” Carvin, thank you for joining us!
**Carvin Winans:** Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here and talk about such an exciting moment in music history.
**Host:** Let’s dive right in. “Love Is” has finally made its debut on the new live album “Whitney Houston: The Concert for a New South Africa.” What does it feel like to hear Whitney’s voice once again with a song you created?
**Carvin Winans:** It’s truly surreal. The experience of hearing Whitney sing a melody that initially came to me back in 1986 is beyond words. She had this magical ability to elevate any song, and with “Love Is,” it feels like she’s still with us.
**Host:** Can you tell us more about the original inspiration behind the song? How did it come to life?
**Carvin Winans:** Absolutely! One morning in 1986, I woke up with this beautiful melody in my head. I sat at the piano and let the music flow out. It was inspired by love, of course, because that’s what we all crave. After producing a demo, I sent it to my publisher, but it wasn’t long before Whitney expressed her desire to record it, which was a huge honor for me.
**Host:** That has to be an incredible feeling to have an icon like Whitney express interest in your work.
**Carvin Winans:** It was a dream come true! When she visited my home in 1987 to hear “Love Is,” I was starstruck. Whitney was so passionate about the song that it felt like fate. I knew then I couldn’t let anyone else have it.
**Host:** You mentioned the connection between your family and the Houston family. How has that relationship evolved over time?
**Carvin Winans:** The bond between our families runs deep, especially through our shared love for music. Whitney not only admired my work but also inspired my family and me. It was always more than just business; it felt like a family affair every time we collaborated.
**Host:** Now that “Love Is” is officially out, it’s set to be a big hit. What impact do you hope this song will have on listeners today?
**Carvin Winans:** I hope it reminds people of the timeless power of love and the beauty that Whitney brought to the world. It has already endured the test of time, and I believe it will evoke emotions and memories for many. Whitney’s legacy is about connection, and I want listeners to feel that warmth when they hear “Love Is.”
**Host:** With SiriusXM giving it the star treatment for the premiere, how do you feel about honoring her legacy in this manner?
**Carvin Winans:** It’s truly fitting. SiriusXM’s decision to celebrate Whitney’s music is a perfect way to keep her spirit alive. Her songs continue to inspire so many, and it’s an honor to see “Love Is” recognized in such a big way.
**Host:** Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d like to say to Whitney’s fans around the world?
**Carvin Winans:** Absolutely! I want to thank her fans for their unwavering love and support. Whitney’s voice and spirit will forever live in our hearts and through her music. I hope ”Love Is” brings them joy and a reminder of the incredible artist she was.
**Host:** Thank you, Carvin, for sharing your heartfelt thoughts and memories with us today. We can’t wait to see how “Love Is” resonates with fans new and old.
**Carvin Winans:** Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure.
