Just as I make the official announcement post, Whitney Houston’s comeback single ‘I Didn’t Know My Strength’ finally leaks online. The track is the lead single from her forthcoming new album ‘I Look To You’ which will drop on Sept 1st. Listen to the Diane Warren-penned/David Foster-produced powerballad below in HQ:
![♫ WHITNEY HOUSTON: I DIDNT KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH [OFFICIAL 1ST SINGLE]...](http://toyas-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/toyanewmusic1.jpg "♫ Whitney Houston: I Didnt Know My Own Strength [official 1st Single]...")
What I appreciate about this (and ONLY hardcore fans will appreciate this) is that it’s not cliche, it’s not gimmicky and she has refused to sell herself out by following trends or by trying to appeal to the younger generation of music listeners. She decided to come back as 100% Whitney Houston. So whilst some may say, “a powerballad isn’t going to sell her because the music industry has changed” and so forth, her fanbase, the ones that followed her in her prime can help propell her to the top once again. I’ve already made the mistake of doubting one legend so anything goes in my book. The voice is clearly still there and she sounds fantastic, soulful and very much a dignified woman back on the rise. Welcome back Ms Houston.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I like the song,its okay.
Who’s the legend you doubted,Toya?????????
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
this was a pretty song.. but i don’t agree that is showed her voice was back. she didn’t SING or as some folk would say about Whitney SANG. she just sung.
but still the song was really pretty.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Nevermind toya….i just saw the MJ post lol
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I LOVE IT!! SHE SOUNDS GOOD.
ITS REALLY POWERFUL. IM SO GLAD SHE DIDNT GO THE MARIAH (OBSESSED) ROUTE.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:12 pm
This isn’t the first single from what I’ve heard. The song is boring and sounds dated.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Sorry but the voice is no longer there. And the song is mediocre and boring… it’s like a remake of her thousand ballads. I’m glad you are generous enough to try to give her props but this sounds dated as hell and is a sad shadow of her glory days. And to the one atacking Mariah… it’s called staying relevant. Something quite difficult
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
At some moments she sounds like Liza… after surgery Liza… wich is not good cause she is no Liza entertainment wise
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
This is not my cup of tea at all. But I’m sure grandma’s would like it. I can see this being a buzz single though, surely they aren’t gunna release this to radio’s and TV.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:22 pm
can’t**
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:23 pm
You’re saying you’re glad she hasn’t gone with the Mariah route. But the track with Akon, Like I Never left is gunna be on the album, and it was also up to be the first single b4 it leaked.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:27 pm
It’s simple. It’s empowering. It’s classic Whitney. It’s amazing! I really do love this song. Perfect comeback single IMO. I want to hear what Ne-Yo cooked up for her. That dude has gained a tremendous amount of respect from me over the past 2-3 years.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Her voice isn’t there anymore, and I know it would be much worse live. The song is also really lackluster.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Yes yes yes!! Welcome back whitney!!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Lost touch with my soul
I had no where to turn
I had no where to go
Lost sight of my dream,
Thought it would be the end of me
I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to,
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me
I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
There were so many times I
Wondered how I’d get through the night I
Thought took all I could take
I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I kinda like it but… She did not go all the way in the ending. I really hope her voice isn’t Mariah-ing.
It kinda sounds like a track from the Mulan soundtrack.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
The voice is still there?
I DON’T think so. I love the lyrical content though.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Nothing against Whitney & I’m all for the comeback ballad but I just think she can do better than this song. The feel of this song just screams album filler more than comeback power ballad! We Belong Together & Be Without You for Mimi & Mary J is something Whitney should be aiming for, just maybe not that sort of sound exactly! She just needs to come harder IMO!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I forgot to ask, but is this mastered, or whatever music terminology you people use?
Something about it sounds off.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I agree with Young One, it would have been better if she came with a WBT or Without You. But I guess she wanted to go for this empowering song.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
My heart is hurting because the totality of her voice has totally changed because of her drug use…at some points she sounded like a totally different person…
I like the song (inspirational, if not stunningly amzing vocally) but, man, poor Whitney
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Its grew on me after a few listens.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I don’t like this as a comeback single, but I really like the song. She sounds great!
She needs to drop a different song tho for buzz. I also want that R.kellyn song I look to you, to drop. That song is nothing short of brilliant
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 pm
@Nathan this isnt empowering the lyrics are!! The song is not big like i expected!! She’s old and i can respect vocal delivery but this just isnt it.. Come on Whitney Im pulling for all the underdogs this year!! Make your MARK!! and come bigger!!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:22 pm
This song could sounds good… without Whitney… :((
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
bored
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
One big mess, that’s how I describe it. I feel so sorry for her fans. They must be really disappointed.
Crack is whack, crack is cheap…. crack destroys your voice!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Boring. But it is Retro WhiWhit.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Sounds dated, she’s done this type of song too many times before. The beautiful voice is definitely still there though, just a bit raspier.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
BORING AND DATED. HER VOCALS ARE SHOT.NO AMOUNT OF AUTO TUNING COULD HIDE THE TEARS IN HER VOICE
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 am
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:58 am
Decnet song.. Definitely not a comeback song. We ddin’t wait all this time for that… i doubt that is the lead single… just a buzz track.. if that’s her lead single she’s in trouble…
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:00 am
it sounds like an updated of ON MY OWN from her album just whitney, nothing groundbreaking, its just refreshing to hear her again, anyway welcome back whitney.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 am
Tohamy Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:00 am
it sounds like an updated of ON MY OWN
- that’s what it reminded me of too.
Ms.Labeja Says:
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
NO AMOUNT OF AUTO TUNING COULD HIDE THE TEARS IN HER VOICE
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:22 am
I love the song, I wished for more high points in her vocals but the song is still great. Whether or not her voice is still in tact, the fact is that she can still sing and that’s the most important thing, now let’s see some live performances.
I’m very excited for Whitney.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:47 am
Cmon Toya
The Voice is stil there?????
Dont Think So. I am 24yo and a olskool Whitney Fan. Lyrics r good but omg am i disapointed. Her voice is a frail as they come. There are even moments when its scretches. No power notes or climax. It should be like the last song on the album to close with NOT A SINGLE!!!!!!!!!!! Kinda like I WISH YOU WELL from E=MC2
I love me some whitney but Guys this will flop. Like i never left with akon would of been so much better.
LAST NOTE: If she sounds this horsh on the Album cut how is she gonna sing it live.
r
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 am
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:11 am
This song is dusty. That’s all I gotta say.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:40 am
OK I LOVE ME SOME WHITNEY but this sounds like a track left off the Waiting to Exhale Soundtrack.
And why do you idiots always have to bring up Mariah when talking about Whitney and vice versa. Mariah has taken her own path to what she wants to do. She has obviously made up her mind about what she wants to do so move on.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuum but this Whitney song….im sorry….IS HELLA BORING!! It just sounds so oold and totally dated. And her voice…it aint back thats for sure. It aint bad…still sounds better than Ciara and Cassie and some of the other bitches but it definitely aint Whitney!
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 am
DO NOT LiSTEN TO MARAH’s fans here..they are vile and bitter. As if Obsessed deserves to be in the TOP 40.
Mariah is a fluke….a carbon copy of Whitney.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 am
Kelly hush lol everyone has their own opinion
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I find it hilarious that people are talking about her voice is lost, yet the same fools go around blasting their keri hilson (yes see all saw that vocal disaster called the bet awards), ciara, rihanna, hell even Mariah Carey (at this point) CDs.
No whitneys voice isn’t flawless anymore. But there was nothing in this song indicating vocal tears and some of the other nonsense I’ve seen.
Her runs are still flawless, she sounds good. Voice is clear and strong, and just lacking the range she used to have. The only thing wrong with the song is its boring as hell considering it was written diane warren and produced by David foster. The fact that they couldn’t come up with anything better is shocking
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
yeah DMV im pretty shocked that Foster and Warren came up with this but to be honest I believe its because they couldnt push her anymore. Whitneys voice could not give them anymore than this so the production on it had to remain bland.
And when people are talking about Whitney and her voice being gone….its because they are comparing her to WHITNEY AND MARIAH AND CELINE of old. You know when the big three had the big voices. The difference with her and mariah and celine is that the latter 2 are still recording at the highest level. Mariah still produces amazing vocals in a studio and every now and then does something good live. Same as Celine. With Mariah its just thats shes lazy and not vocally strict with herself anymore and same with Celine.
But Whitney cant even produce in the studio anymore which is what i think is scary.
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
It’s a pretty song. A good message. But her voice is definetely not the same. I would say it’s just alright. Definetely not in the same league as Mariah though. Mariah manages to stay relevant without changing her style too much, and her voice IMO is better now then it was back then. I like the raspyness to her voice!
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Whitney..you sing with your heart…no auto-tune.
You sing with passion not your checkbook
You stay true to ballads, you dont compromise talents.
You not Mariah, she just a studio diva.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
@Fashia bwahahahahahahahahahahahahhah… overindulgence… the only message left is: feel like doping some crack? go do some if that’s what you feel like, Whitney, you deserve it all… go… go… needles? here you are baby… not like Mariah, honey…
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
HER NEXT NUMBER ONE!!!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Mariah a studio singer…
:) 
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Which Diva most reminds you of a stripper?
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Uhm.. people that her voice was gone, is something we already knew she cant even belt out at this old performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IejunkZGh58
and the song is sooooo not comeback worthy, shame on you Miss Houston.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:12 pm
@Mike
I think you should see Celine’s show live from Las Vegas, that woman still has her voicena dn it’s even more powerfull then her younger days, something Mariah and Whitney couldn’t keep nowaydays.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
What DMV is R&B made a lot of sense. Everyone complains her voice is gone but praises rihanna, keri, and ciara. They couldn’t hold a note if their life depended on it. All of a sudden u people are upset that her voice is great? I fuckin bet
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
boring song, i hoped for so much more
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
to XGH
You should watch that show from vegas….celine lips half of it. I alctually went to one of those shows.
And celine is a prude….mariahs voice will never sound that good again likve if she continues to live this life style. But if she goes back to everyday voice training and likving in a vocal jail like back int eh day…we know she can sing like that easily again. Mariah has become lazy and doesnt take care of her voice anymore….and lets not even talk about the wine drinking.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I will be honest and say I was expecting a lot more but the track is decent for what it is. The thing I love the most is that it definitely sounds like classic Whitney. I’m just glad to have her back on the music scene and I’m definitely ready for her upcoming album to release.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:32 pm
i am the number 1 Whitney Stan. Id die 2 smell her sweat. I found a few things wrong. SHe shoulda picked I look 2 you as the first single, the end of the track is boring, she starts of great, but this track will flop on the charts, its very boring. - a few positives are - the lyrics are amazing , she and David went about this the wrong way, wherez the power belts, the classic whitney. Her voice is still good not as great as 10 years ago but good. I love Whitney and will wake at dawn 2 by the album, and all her singles. Id download alota the slamming dime divas albums. But im paying hard cash for Whitney oh and Alicia, Mary J, letoya and Mariah oh and Leona im def buying their new albums. Luv Whitney man
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
We are never satisfied. I must be an alien but I LOVE THIS SONG and it’s not boring to me god If there is something boring in this album it’s Akon .
July 4th, 2009 at 12:10 am
She happy, healthy and recording.
That’s the first big step surely??
Yes she has lost some range, but NO she doesn’t sound awful, or sh*t, or washed-up as some people are suggesting. She still sounds soulful and emotive and THAT is “classic Whitney”.
Just in case the ridiculously bitchy and defensive Mariah fans have forgotten, there WAS a time not so long ago that everyone was saying that Mariah’s voice was shot and all that breathiness was a cover for losing her abilities, BUT she kept going, kept recording and in the last few years her voice seems to have recovered some strength and depth.
We need to stop comparing these Divas to the heights of their fame DECADES ago. They are older and totally different people. How many of us can still do EVERYTHING that we could at 40 that we could at 20????
I am glad that Whitney is back, I like the song alot and hope it’s a hit for her and I hope that Mariah’s new stuff does well for HER too.
If all the energy that goes into hating was put into loving ourselves, our friends and families, the world would be a better damn place, you ask me!
July 4th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Ummm this didnt work for Mariah with Through The Rain and that mess was still better than this shit. Sorry Whitney, but this ain’t cutting it. I think she should just stop before hurting her legacy unless she is trying to set a low expectation for us and there are some decent songs on the album lol
July 4th, 2009 at 10:19 am
this is not a song she needs to come back. sorry…
July 4th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Am I the only person who likes Whitney and Mariah?! Jeez stop the comparisons!
July 4th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
@Liam - No! I Love MC, but I like Whitney too!
July 4th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I like it..don’t like yall’s taste in music.
anyway…Obsessed kinda shits on IDKMOS.
sorry,but it does.
but this joint may warm up the 70s and 80s cars,while grand mommas sing along wit it.
may turn out to be a hit really.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
toya..you still anticipating Whitney’s album more than mariah’s ???
if yes,SHAME ON YOU !!!!