Whitney Houston is an American national treasure with timeless beauty. Her voice is so fervent, almost anyone can immediately identify a song as inextricably hers.
Almost all of Whitney’s songs are about love in some capacity and they’re epic classics, which makes nearly any one of them a perfect choice for a wedding playlist.
The following Whitney Houston wedding songs are true classics you’re sure to love. These encompass all-time favorites such as “All the Man that I Need,” “For the Love of You,” Higher Love,” “I Believe in You and Me” and, of course, “I Will Always Love You,” among others.
The way her voice pierces the soul sets a moment of delicate ambiance and tender memory that you cannot duplicate with any other artist. Her gift of song with an angelic delivery makes Whitney Houston’s work a must-have at any wedding.
Whitney Houston: A Brief History
Whitney Houston was one of the most captivating bombshell divas from the 1980s and 1990s. With a sobriquet like “the voice,” she was and still is a most beloved singer.
Whitney’s skill and talent has led her to become one of the best selling musical artists in the world, with Rolling Stone Magazine crowning her #2 singers of all time.
She’s sold over 200 million albums internationally and won more awards than we have the space to list. Her soulful melodies, powerful lyrics and elegant countenance pump into every song she’s produced.
Unfortunately, Whitney Houston left this world in February 2012, leaving a legacy of love songs in her wake.
Several have made the grade for the best wedding song lists over decades. So, you can’t go wrong. She has such wide range appeal that even your metalhead cousin can at least appreciate the tonality of her voice and sympathetic lyrics.
7 Best Whitney Houston Wedding Songs
You will also like our other popular posts on the perfect wedding song to get everyone on their feet on your big day:
1. All the Man that I Need
Best Lyrics: “When the moon is high / He holds me close . . .]
Recorded in 1982 and released on the album, I’m Your Baby Tonight, “All the Man that I Need” is a little on the naughty side, yet fun and breathtaking at the same time. The romantic picture she paints with her creative lyrics suggests intimacy without being too tacky for your reception.
2. For the Love of You
Best Lyrics: “Lovely as a ray of sun / That touches me when the morning comes.”
Whitney’s use of metaphor and simile combined with a pop and R&B feel provides a wistful song with lyrics that play on the imagination in the most delightful way. It has a nice beat, which makes it perfect for a wedding in the summertime, in a tropical location or on the beach.
3. Higher Love
Best Lyrics: “We walk the line and try to see / Falling behind in what could be.”
Whitney’s rendition of “Higher Love” was an original from Steve Winwood and it was a bonus track on the album, I’m Your Baby Tonight in 1990. She truly nails it in ways that floored even Mr. Winwood himself.
However, if you’re looking for a little more oomph, the famous Norwegian DJ, Kygo, released a club version in 2019.
4. I Believe in You and Me
Best Lyrics: “And like the river finds the sea / [. . .] / . . . I believe in you and me.”.
At the apex of Whitney’s career, she dabbled a bit in acting and “I Believe in You and Me” comes from the 1996 comedy drama, The Preacher’s Wife with Denzel Washington. Actually, this is another cover originally done by The Four Tops in 1983.
But, as with any cover she does, Whitney delivers the song with a sense of unmatched style.
5. I Look to You
Best Lyrics: “After all my strength is gone / [. . .] / . . . I can be strong / [. . .] / In you, I hear a song”
From her 2009 same-name album, Whitney’s “I Look to You” is an emotional and tender song that reflects the vicissitudes every marriage faces. While it is a sure tearjerker, it’s not so blue that it brings the party down.
You could play this at any point after the bridal entrance or first dance. The lyrics illustrate the heartfelt distillation of experience:
6. I Wanna Dance with Somebody
Best Lyrics: “Yeah! I wanna dance . . . / With somebody who loves me”
Anyone who’s been around since the early 1980s knows “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” It’s bright, lively, positive and full of fun. The energy of the tune combined with exuberant vocals while displaying her awesome skills will get everyone dancing.
7. I Will Always Love You
Best Lyrics: “I’m wishing you joy and happiness / . . . above all . . . love”
Yet another immediately identifiable classic by Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love You” is the number one song selection for weddings. It encapsulates the scene it premiered in on the movie The Bodyguard. Everyone wants to emulate Whitney’s on-camera chemistry with Kevin Costner, especially on the dance floor.
Plus, her voice in this song delivers her innate talent and poetic artistry which pull at the heartstrings and evoke tears.
Outro
These Whitney Houston wedding songs are by no means the only choices to go with for a playlist. Her work encompasses a wide range of moods, messages and meanings. You could possibly include several of these throughout the reception.
Certainly, the one you select will come down to personal choice but they are all going to be crowd-pleasers nonetheless. So, picking which one(s) will be the trickiest part of all.
FAQs
Which songs by Whitney Houston are best for a first dance?
Any of the songs listed above are best for a first dance. What’s more important are the bridal couple’s skills at dancing.
If neither have a talent for movement, then “Higher Love” might be a good choice. But, if the bride and groom can bust a few moves, then “I Will Always Love You” could be ideal.
Which songs mentioned above are best for the bridal entrance?
Any song from Whitney Houston, mentioned above or elsewhere, can be best for the bridal entrance. However, consider using one of the more upbeat and bright songs to serve as an appropriate serenade.
Are there any other songs by Whitney Houston that are good for the wedding reception?
You could pick any song Whitney has done throughout her career and it will be awesome for your reception’s playlist. Other very popular choices that might work are “I’m Every Woman,” “So Emotional,” “My Love Is Your Love,” “We Didn’t Know,” “You Give Good Love,” “Run to You,” “A Song for You” or “When You Believe.
Serena & Dominic are a married couple and parents to 3 wonderful children. They plan weddings, run multiple small businesses, and curate wedding events.
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