How Will I Know

Whitney Houston

About How Will I Know

"How Will I Know" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her eponymous debut studio album, which was released in February 1985. The song was released by Arista Records in November that year as the album's third single. Composed by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, the song was originally intended for American singer Janet Jackson, but she passed on it. Houston then recorded the song with altered lyrics and production from Narada Michael Walden. The lyrics speak about the protagonist trying to discern if a boy she likes will ever like her back. "How Will I Know" received mainly positive reviews from music critics. The song became Houston's second number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100. It spent two weeks atop the chart and also became Houston's first chart topper on the Canadian RPM Top 100 Singles chart. Its success was worldwide: it reached the top-ten in Sweden, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom, and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland. 


Year:
1985
4:37
113 

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

There's a boy I know, he's the one I dream of
Looks into my eyes, takes me to the clouds above, mm mm
Oh I lose control, can't seem to get enough, uh huh
When I wake from dreaming, tell me is it really love, ooo

How will I know (Don't trust your feelings)
How will I know
How will I know (Love can be deceiving)
How will I know
How will I know if he really loves me

I say a prayer with every heart beat
I fall in love whenever we meet
I'm asking you what you know about these things
How will I know if he's thinking of me
I try to phone but I'm too shy (can't speak)
Falling in love is so bitter sweet
This love is strong why do I feel weak

Oh, wake me, I'm shaking, wish I had you near me now, uh huh
Said there's no mistaking, what I feel is really love, ooo tell me

How will I know (Don't trust your feelings)
How will I know
How will I know (Love can be deceiving)
How will I know

How will I know if he really loves me
I say a prayer with every heart beat
I fall in love whenever we meet
I'm asking you what you know about these things
How will I know if he's thinking of me
I try to phone but I'm too shy (can't speak)
Falling in love is so bitter sweet
This love is strong why do I feel weak

If he loves me, if he loves me not
If he loves me ooo, if he loves me not
If he loves me, if he loves me not

How will I know
How will I know
How will I know
Hey how will I know
How will I know

How will I know if he really loves me
I say a prayer with every heart beat
I fall in love whenever we meet
I'm asking you 'cause you know about these things
How will I know if he's thinking of me
I try to phone but I'm too shy (can't speak)
Falling in love is so bitter sweet
This love is strong why do I feel weak

How will I know
How will I know
How will I know
How will I know, ooo
How will I know, how will I know, hey how will I know, how will I know

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Whitney Houston

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston was one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide. She released six studio albums, one holiday album and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. Houston's crossover appeal on the popular music charts, as well as her prominence on MTV, starting with her video for "How Will I Know", influenced several African American female artists to follow in her footsteps. more »

16 fans

Written by: George Robert Merrill, Narada Michael Walden, Shannon Rubicam

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"How Will I Know" was released as the third single from Whitney Houston's self-titled debut album on November 22, 1985.
Chart Performance
The song took Houston to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in 1986 - her second chart-topper in this country.
Sales Performance
"How Will I Know" became one of the best-selling singles of 1986 in the U.S.
Song Origin
The song was originally intended for Janet Jackson, but she passed on it, which opened the door for Houston.
Music Video
The music video of the song, directed by Brian Grant, features Whitney Houston in a pink dress and a bow in her hair performing energetic choreography. It became one of MTV's most-played videos at the time.
Songwriters
The song was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, who are the duo behind the band Boy Meets Girl, and also known for writing other big hits like "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."
Style
"How Will I Know" is known for its up-tempo, infectious rhythm, synthesizer melody, and the use of a dance-pop style, which was popular in the 1980s.
Grammy Winning
The song won the 1986 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, cementing Houston's status as a breakout star.
Cover Versions
Numerous artists have covered "How Will I Know" in the years since its release, including Sam Smith whose slowed-down, ballad version garnered significant attention in 2014.
Hit Single
"How Will I Know" helped establish Whitney Houston as a leading pop artist in the '80s and is one of her signature songs.

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    How Will I Know

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1986

    Billboard #1


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