Calum Scott and Whitney Houston Duet: A Balladic Reinterpretation of 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody
A new Whitney Houston song is set to be released, 13 years after her passing, thanks to English singer Calum Scott. The single is a duet between Scott and Houston, featuring a balladic reinterpretation of the classic "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" using Houston's original vocal stems. Scott expressed his honor and excitement at the opportunity to collaborate with one of his childhood musical influences.
The creation of this new song required the approval of various parties, including Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law and the executor of her estate, and Primary Wave, which holds the copyrights to Whitney Houston's songs. The idea for Scott's rendition of the song came from Primary Wave, who were impressed by his live cover version during a tour with Ed Sheeran. Pat Houston recognized the potential of Scott's ballad version and approved the collaboration.
To bring the new song to life, Scott was provided with the original vocal stems by the Houston estate and Primary Wave. He recorded the song in the U.K. with producers and a string section, adding a somber dimension to the track. The decision to turn the upbeat pop song into a ballad was made to emphasize the melancholic lyrics of the original.
Scott's approach to the song included starting with Houston's voice alone in the first verse as a tribute to her legacy. The recording process preserved some imperfections, like the sound of a snare drum bleeding into Houston's vocals, to maintain the authenticity of the original recording. The iconic key change in the last chorus was also retained to honor the song's essence.
The original songwriters, George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, approved of Scott's interpretation and praised his vocal prowess. They commended his decision to strip down the song and showcase Whitney's voice, highlighting his respect for the iconic singer. The collaboration between Scott and Houston is described as a meeting of emotional and vocal power.
Scott views the duet as a collaboration rather than a tribute, aiming to channel the spirit of Whitney Houston in a fresh and lively way. The new version of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" will be featured on Scott's upcoming album "Avenoir," set for release on October 10. Pat Houston sees the collaboration as a fitting continuation of the song's legacy and praises the connection between Scott and Whitney.