A Playlist for Every Mood🎶

 A Playlist for Every Mood – Inspired by Whitney Houston

          [Late Whitney Houston: American                 actress and singer]

The Day I Discovered Whitney Houston

I was five years old, living in a complex. Back then, DSTV wasn’t something we paid for regularly—bills had to be taken care of first. So, there I was, an only child at the time, roaming around, flipping through SABC1, SABC2, SABC3, and eTV, looking for something—anything—to watch. But there was nothing. Just boredom.

During my childhood, CDs were everything. If there was nothing on TV, I’d go searching through our collection, hoping to find something that would keep me entertained. And one day, as I was rummaging through, I found her.

It was 2011. I didn’t know who she was yet. I couldn’t read well at the time, so her name didn’t mean anything to me. But what caught my attention—what drew me to that CD—was the image of a beautiful woman with a radiant smile. Whether it was on the CD cover or a cardboard sleeve, I don’t remember. All I knew was that I had to watch it.

So, I switched on the TV, connected the DVD player, inserted the CD, and pressed play.

And there she was.

          [ Starring: Whitney Houston and                               Clive Davis]

A woman in a white tracksuit, full of energy, joy, and excitement. She was with a white man (who I later learned was Clive Davis), taking pictures, talking, and cheering. She had this warmth—this glow—that immediately pulled me in. And then, the music started.

"How Will I Know".

        [During the music video shoot "How                 will I know]

"I Wanna Dance With Somebody".

Oh my goodness. I fell in love instantly.

From that moment on, whenever my parents were out, or my mom was napping, I would take that CD, press play, and dance—sometimes with my own imaginative friend, sometimes just dreaming of being like her. It became my little world.

Then, one day, the CD was gone.

I searched everywhere. My toys. My closet. My bag. Even my parents’ room. But I never found it again. A few days or months later, I was walking with my dad when we passed a neighbor’s house, and I heard Whitney Houston’s voice playing. My heart dropped.

"Did you take my CD and give it to her?" I asked my dad.

I don’t remember what he said, but I do remember the devastation.

That CD, that music, had become a part of me. And just like that, it was gone.

Reconnecting with Whitney

Years passed, and when I finally got my first small phone, the first thing I searched for was Whitney Houston. That’s when I started discovering more about her—the history, the life, the voice that had captivated me as a child.

From Grade 7 to high school, my love for her music only grew. I found songs I had never heard before, like:

"Same Script, Different Cast"

"My Love"

"You Were Loved"

"Try It on My Own"

And many, many more.

Back then, I only knew her biggest hits—"Saving All My Love", "How Will I Know", "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", and, of course, "The Greatest Love of All" (because who doesn’t know that song?). But as I uncovered more of her music, I realized that Whitney Houston wasn’t just a singer. She was an experience.

And that’s why this playlist is dedicated to her.

A Playlist for Every Mood – Whitney Houston Edition

       ["it's not right but it's okay" live in the                 late 90s]

For Pure Happiness & Dancing Like Nobody’s Watching:

I Wanna Dance With Somebody – If this song doesn’t make you want to get up and twirl around, I don’t know what will.

How Will I Know – That joyful 80s beat, those vocals—pure magic.

So Emotional – For when you just want to feel the rush of excitement.

For When You Need Strength & Motivation:

Try It on My Own – A song that reminds you to trust yourself and your journey.

Step by Step – Keep going. Even when it’s hard. Even when you feel like giving up. Keep moving forward.

One Moment in Time – Perfect for those moments when you’re chasing a dream.

For Love, Heartbreak & Everything In Between:

My Love Is Your Love – Love that withstands time and struggles.

Run to You – Soft, emotional, and so powerful.

Where Do Broken Hearts Go – For those moments when love feels lost.

For When You Just Want to Feel Something Deep:

You Were Loved – A song that makes you reflect on life, love, and the people who truly care.

Same Script, Different Cast – The storytelling in this song? Unmatched.

I Have Nothing – One of the greatest ballads of all time.

For Peaceful, Reflective Moments:

All the Man That I Need – Smooth, soulful, and filled with emotion.

I Look to You – Whitney’s final album title track. A song of surrender, faith, and finding strength in difficult times.

The Greatest Love of All – A timeless message about self-love and believing in yourself.

Why This Playlist Matters

Whitney Houston’s music shaped a part of my childhood. It wasn’t just about the melodies or the lyrics—it was about the feeling. The way her voice could transport you. The way she could take a simple song and turn it into an experience.

Even though I lost that CD all those years ago, I never lost my love for Whitney Houston.

And now, I get to share it here—with you.

So, tell me… what’s your Whitney Houston song?

Disclaimer:

I do not own any of this pictures