Whitney Houston's Worst Enemy? Her Biggest Hit

By Marc Schneider Posted Apr 26th 2010 05:55PM

It's been a rough two weeks for Whitney Houston, as she and her depleted voice battle through a British tour that has been dominated by poor performances, unmerciful reviews and bummed-out fans. The multi-Grammy winner even acknowledged her shortcomings to concert-goers Sunday night in London after an off-key rendition of her biggest song, 'I Will Always Love You.'

"She don't want to come, my soprano friend," Houston, 46, said of her instrument after croaking her way through the soaring section of the hit.

She added: "Sometimes the old girl sings, but not tonight. I want to do it, but she doesn't want to ... She's getting a little ... temperamental, even."

London, 4/26

Birmingham, 4/13

It's been that song, written by Dolly Parton and perfected by Houston in 'The Bodyguard,' that has dogged the singer throughout this tour. On night one, in Birmingham, Houston physically struggled to get through the ballad, and reviewers took note of her lack of stamina.

Even the normally prim BBC got in on the act, saying the singer was "panting more than John Prescott running for the bus," referencing a well-known (and chubby) politician from Wales.

'I Will Always Love You' will forever be Houston's signature song, having sold over 15 million copies worldwide and spending a then-record 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts when the song was released in 1992. The recorded version was perfection, and live performances throughout the 1990s were legendary for how effortless she made it all look.

'I Will Always Love You,' 1999:

But on Sunday, a sweat-soaked Houston repeatedly paused during songs to catch her breath and could be heard panting in between verses. She skipped a verse of 'Greatest Love of All,' and her backup singers routinely carried the songs while Houston peppered them with occasional vocal flourishes.

According to reports, several hundred fans walked out of the comeback concert.

While the reviews for the Birmingham show were mixed, the news out of London was nearly all bad.

The London Evening Standard:
"Where once she soared, now she wheezes and croaks, bludgeoning her perfect pop single 'I Wanna Dance (With Somebody Who Loves Me)' into karaoke submission; stripping the moving 'My Love Is Your Love' of all emotion and inflicting grisly carnage on 'I Will Always Love You' (if she is late-period Judy Garland, this is her 'Over The Rainbow')."

The Independent:
"Her voice, seemingly about an octave deeper than the Whitney who sang the hits, is ragged and raw ... Between songs, wheezing and panting and occasionally breaking into a scary Wicked Witch of the West cackle, she plays for time, breaking off to sign autographs."

The Telegraph:
"When she then tried to perform a medley of her early songs, even her infinitely patient audience began to revolt. Houston placated them, as she repeatedly did, by acting like a spoilt girl -- giggling, begging forgiveness, stamping her feet and then being momentarily brilliant again."

The notoriously cheeky tabloid The Sun noted, "Time and substances haven't been kind to her once astonishing voice." Indeed, the string of poor performances have kick-started another round of rumors and reports that she has picked up old habits again.

She has long admitted to being hooked on cocaine for much of the 1990s and 2000s, but in a recent PEOPLE interview Houston called reports of a relapse "ridiculous."

"At this point, I just don't respond. I don't even read it," she said of the reports.

Houston's European tour has been beset with problems from the get-go. She did not show up to her first three concerts, blaming respiratory problems that landed her in a Paris hospital.

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Whitney Houston Snapshots

Whitney Houston performs on stage at O2 Arena in London on April 25 during her European tour. Click for More Whitney Live Pics >>>

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Whitney Houston Snapshots

Whitney Houston arrives at Fountain studios on October 18, 2009 in London, England. Celebrity Sightings In London - October 18, 2009 London, England United Kingdom October 18, 2009 Photo by Sam Snap/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58676261), contact FilmMagic.com

Sam Snap/FilmMagic.com

Singer Whitney Houston performs during the German game show "Wetten Dass...?" (Bet it...?) in Freiburg, southwestern Germany, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. "Wetten Dass...?" is one of the most popular Saturday night programmes in Germany. (AP Photo/Johannes Eisele, Pool)

US singer Whitney Houston talks with TV host Thomas Gottschalk during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

US singer Whitney Houston performs on stage during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - OCTOBER 03: Singer Whitney Houston performs during the Wetten dass...? show at the Messe Freiburg on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, Germany. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Whitney Houston

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Comments

(283)

Monday 26 April

By Julie

Vote down Vote up Report this

Duh ... ya think?

By papam11

Yup, she's done.

By Pam

Nothing but love for you Whitney!

Tuesday 27 April

By b

@steffenjobbs
""I Will Always Love You" is now just an ode to a lonely crack pipe."
That was hilarious!!
Thanks for the laughs.

By dhayescharlotte

The woman deserves much patience, considering she finally had the willpower to get away from her ex. What a tragedy that his bad behavior had more influence on her that her good behavior had on him. HANG IN THERE WHITNEY!!!

By C

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Whitney once said something about being able to sing this song much better than the ORIGINAL singer, Dolly Parton (who wrote the song). Karma baby--Whitney was catty and now it looks like Dolly could and can sing it better.

By darrell eason

Actually that is not true, Dolly pardon said; she thought Whitney did a better job. Kind of like the way Lionel Ritchie said about Kenny Rogers doing his song. Kevin Costner approached Dolly and asked permission, and Dolly said yes she will do a good job.

By mb

there's a reason people 'retire' from the business

By tim

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I'll bet Dolly who wrote it can still sing it...That was pretty sad.

By judejaded

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

its a crap song, like all dolly parton songs are. i hate both versions, but whitney made it famous...DEAL W/IT!!!!!

By dorthy

brain, how immature can you be, sounds racist to me. so tell me do you think that crack is really a black drug? well I'm going to stoop to your level just a little bit and say that meth is a want-to-be scientist white drug,, but understand that I'm not racist. So what, Whitney couldn't hit her highest note, for everyone to attend any of her concerts had to have realize that it might be some struggles for her, and knowing what she has been through, you have to give her credit for not being afraid to try it. Brain this isn't a perfect world, did you not know this. Quit hating, and just wish her well and more success.

By lu

You are not the sharpest tool in the box. What do u think Whitney Houston is a God and Idol? She is part of her shame blame. Unfortunate she lost her talent. Futhermore .. Hollywood and all these Super Stars Needs to Wise up and Wake Up America. Disgusting role models. Self relationzation. Drug abuse is a pathetic sickness. This is not a Racial issue!

By Katie

You sound amazing baby. So prounda you girl. We will always love you.

By steve

It was an overblown arrangement back when it came out. I recall criticism of her "live" back when she first started. Recordings can be enhanced. Ask Rihanna

By Lilypom

Whitney had once of the greatest voices ever, a true talent. It's so sad to listen to her now, to hear what drugs did to her. A waste, and a loss for us all. But this was her choice, the cost was very high...I would leave I will always Love you alone it was horrible...

By kevin

Poor Whitney, she seems like a tortured soul.

Wednesday 28 April

By robert

she has to change tones, sometimes, the vocals can ware down. Look a Mariah, She use to hit some notes. Now she mellow it down into a low style of singing. If Whitney cant do the notes, she should lower her pitch.

By Al

It is just very sad that a voice like she had has deteriorated to this level. Her voice is no longer worth the price of admission. Time to hang it up and age with grace.....

By Barbara

Everyone liked her when she was at her best, now that she is older and clearly not in good health by her wheezing, people wants to knock to the curb. Shame

By Mary

Whitney!!!!
It's way past time to hang it up.
Please - for your sake, RETIRE!!
You had choices, and you made all the wrong ones.
You're done, through, finished - leave while you still have a pinch of dignity left.
So sad ~ what a total waste of talent and beauty.

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