Monday, February 13, 2012
Death American Psycho on the Greatness of Whitney Houston
Posted by Charles Mudede on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 4:57 PM
- American Psycho
Patrick Bateman: Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, called simply Whitney Houston had 4 number one singles on it? Did you know that, Christie?This scene reveals the moment that found its reflection in Houston's music: the Reagan years, the years that witnessed the spectacular rise of Wall Street and a new confidence in free market economics. Houston might have had a powerful voice, but it was soulless and cold. It was a like the smooth surface of neoliberal power, power without character or substance, power as power, money as money, money powering money.Elizabeth: [laughing] You actually listen to Whitney Houston? You own a Whitney Houston CD? More than one?
Patrick Bateman: It's hard to choose a favorite among so many great tracks, but "The Greatest Love of All" is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written about self-preservation, dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundaries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, Elizabeth, it's impossible in this world we live in to empathize with others, we can always empathize with ourselves. It's an important message, crucial really. And it's beautifully stated on the album.
2
Charles is like the one baseball writer every year who doesn't vote in the sure-fire first ballot hall of famer just so he can get his name in the press for a couple days. How this guy has a job writing for a living is perplexing.
4
Swans were recording around the same time. They played with themes of power and money and were good BECAUSE they were soulless and cold. I'm glad Whitney Houston's passing has given me an opportunity to revisit the classic album Filth.
http://youtu.be/uKPFp9g_us8
http://youtu.be/uKPFp9g_us8
6
'the greatest love of all' was originally recorded by george benson and was the theme song for the film 'the greatest' a biopic about muhaamad ali . ina stroke of genius he plays himself..
... carry on..
... carry on..
7
Riz is right. I remember watching that movie about Ali in the 70's and hearing that song way before Whitney Houston recorded it.
10
Thank You, Riz! I knew her other overblown power ballad schmaltz fest (the first being "I Will Always Love You") wasn't original either. I just couldn't remember where it came from.
11
This scene is precisely what I thought about when I heard the news. I hate that I thought something similar to Chucky.
12
Who cares if she wrote the songs or not? She sang the hell out of those songs and put her signature on it. She's one of the rare singers who actually has an original voice. What a lame and pathetic post. Just when you though Charles couldn't sink lower...
13
Rick Juzwiak of fourfour and the Daily has my vote for best writing about Whitney:
http://fourfour.typepad.com/fourfour/201…
http://fourfour.typepad.com/fourfour/201…
16
The notion that Whitney Houston's voice was soulless and cold says more about the listener than her voice. Bizarre.
Comments (16) RSS