"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" is a song by American singerWhitney Houston, featured onthe soundtrack for the filmWaiting to Exhale. It was released as the lead single from the soundtrack on November 6, 1995, byArista Records. The song was written and produced byBabyface. A mid-tempoR&B andsoul ballad, composed in thekey ofD-flat major, the song's lyrics speak about growing up and learning to let go. The song garnered mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom noted Houston's vocal maturity in the song.
In the United States, it became the third single to debut on top of theBillboard Hot 100 chart inBillboard's history, and Houston's eleventh (and final) number one single. It was later certified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of one million copies. The song also reached number one in Canada and Spain, and the top 10 in Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. Additionally, it peaked within the top 20 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. At the39th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 26, 1997, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" received four nominations, including theGrammy Award for Song of the Year, and won in the category ofBest R&B Song. The song also won four other awards, including aSoul Train Music Award.
Themusic video for the song, directed byForest Whitaker, shows close-up scenes of Houston inter-cut with scenes from the filmWaiting to Exhale. Houston performed the song at the 39th Grammy Awards ceremony, and on theHBO specialClassic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C. in October 1997. It was included in the set-list of Houston's three tours and select dates of various concerts.
In 1994, Houston signed with20th Century Fox to play the role of Savannah Jackson in the filmWaiting to Exhale, which was adapted from the novel of the same name byTerry McMillan.[1] Initially, she had no interest in recording songs for the film's soundtrack, as she wanted to concentrate on her acting. The film's director,Forest Whitaker, hiredKenneth "Babyface" Edmonds to compose thefilm score and the accompanying soundtrack.[1] Though Babyface visited the set of the film and tried to convince her, Houston was determined not to record songs for the soundtrack. She finally agreed after hearing Babyface play one of the songs she liked.[1] In an interview withFred Bronson, Babyface explained the development of the song:
"When Whitney first heard the song, she figured I'd lost it—I couldn't come up with words anymore. And, actually she's right. I couldn't think of anything for that particular part. It felt like it should groove there. But I knew it couldn't groove without any vocals, so I started humming along with it and that's what happened. The 'shoops' came. But they felt so good, I thought 'Why not?' It doesn't have to mean anything."[1]
"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" is anR&Bballad[3][7] written in thekey ofC-sharp major.[10][inconsistent] The song is set incommon time with a tempo of 69 beats per minute.[10] It has the sequence of F(add9)–C/E–Dm7–C as itschord progression throughout the track, and Houston's vocals span an octave and aperfect fifth, from G3 to D5.[10] The song's instrumentation includes quiet bells andstrings, and the whole arrangement is mellow.[7] According to Steve Knopper ofNewsday, the bells resemble electronic Christmas bells, and Houstonad-libs "shoo-bay" over the chorus.[11] The chorus repeats the phrase "shoo bay doop".[11]
According to Bronson, the song summarizes the movie's philosophy.[1] His opinion was somewhat echoed by Ted Cox, author of the bookWhitney Houston, who noted that the soothing quality of the song fitted perfectly with the mood and texture of the movie.[12] He described that the song has a "slowgroove" that features the most relaxed singing of Houston's career.[12]The Miami Herald described the song as a model of "refined, easy-goingsoul",[13] and Kyle Anderson ofMTV described it as a "smooth jam" with a "crazy-catchy groove".[14] Describing the instrumentation as "silky", Larry Flick ofBillboard wrote that Houston's performance was more soulful than before, with far more "vocal colors".[15]Stephen Holden ofThe New York Times commented that the song is reminiscent of 1960sgirl group records, and the verses speak about growing up and learning to let go.[16]
"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" received mostly positive reviews from music critics; most of which were positive about Houston's 'soulful' performance and vocal maturity.[12]The Atlanta Journal-Constitution viewed the song as "easy and understated".[17]Larry Flick ofBillboard called it "a surprisingly understated shuffle-ballad with soul and far more interesting vocal colors than all the shrieking can provide."[15] However, Patricia Smith ofThe Boston Globe wrote that the "Shoop Shoop"s were "annoying".[18] Anthony Violenti ofThe Buffalo News gave the song a positive review, commenting that Houston's vocals were intoxicating.[19] Steve Baltin fromCash Box said it "has SMASH written all over it." He added that the song "has a soothing, gentle feel refreshingly free of Houston’s normal vocal melodramatics."[20]James Masterton forDotmusic deemed it as "a gorgeous piece of very, very hardcore soul with Whitney adopting a breathy, understated vocal style."[21] Mike Wood fromIdolator described it as a "slow-jamming gem", noting "the soothing lyrics about learning how to let go and move on: “Sometimes you laugh, sometimes you cry / Life never tells us the whens or whys.” If only we all could keep that calm in light of life's calamities."[22] Jean Rosenbluth ofLos Angeles Times praised the song, saying "Houston's elegant 'Exhale (Shoop Shoop)' [...] exude[s] maturity without resorting to the relentlessly big vocals that characterize so many R&B records aiming for adult audiences."[23]
Robert Hilburn, pop music critic ofLos Angeles Times, noted Babyface's achievement in the song, saying "he [Babyface] brings Houston down to earth, trading her normal vocal exuberance for convincing warmth."[24] Pan-European magazineMusic & Media stated that it is "fitting Houston like a glove".[25] Alan Jones fromMusic Week commented that it "is one of her more insidious, gradually getting under your skin. It's a very low-key affair, with Babyface keeping Whitney's "why sing one note when you can sing 10?" and delivering a charming, sweet and effective ballad destined for a long and high chart career."[26] Steve Knopper ofNewsday said that the song was "irresistibly catchy" and irritating at the same time.[11] While reviewing Houston's compilationWhitney: The Greatest Hits (2000), Christine Galera ofOrlando Sentinel expressed her dislike for the song, stating the songs fromWaiting to Exhale, including "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and "Why Does It Hurt So Bad", were too mellow.[27]Rome News-Tribune noted that "'Exhale' has an easygoing, infectious charm", and that Houston "delivers a soulfully relaxed vocal."[28]Geoffrey Himes ofThe Washington Post wrote, "Sounding like someone who has just emptied her lungs after holding her breath a long time, Houston brings a surprisingly mature, world-weary tone to the song."[29]
In the United States, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" debuted at number one on theBillboard Hot 100 chart and theHot R&B Singles chart, the issue dated November 25, 1995, with 125,000 copies sold in its first week. It became the third number-one single to do so inBillboard's history, followingMichael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone" (1995) andMariah Carey's "Fantasy" (1995).[42][43] In addition, it became Houston's 11th and seventh number one single on the Hot 100 and the Hot R&B Singles charts respectively, and was Houston's final number one hit on the Hot 100 chart.[44] The single stayed at the top of the Hot 100 for just one week, and was replaced by "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey andBoyz II Men. It descended to the number two position and spent 11 consecutive weeks there, from December 2, 1995, to February 10, 1996, setting the record forthe longest stay in the runner-up position.[45][46][47] (That record has since been equalled byOlivia Rodrigo's "Good 4 U", in 2021,[48] and surpassed bythe Kid Laroi andJustin Bieber's "Stay", in 2022.[49]) However, it had as few as 21 weeks in the Top 50. On the Hot R&B Singles chart, the single remained at the summit for eight consecutive weeks from its debut week, making it Houston's second-longest stay on the top position since "I Will Always Love You" (1992), which remained atop the chart for 11 weeks.[50] The song peaked at number five on theBillboard Adult Contemporary chart, spending a total of 26 weeks on the chart.[51] The song placed at number 14 and number 18 on the 1996Billboard year-end Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts respectively.[52][53] It has sold over 1,500,000 copies in the US and was certified platinum for shipments exceeding 1,000,000 copies by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on January 3, 1996.[54][55][56] In Canada, the single entered theRPM 100 Hit Tracks chart at number 90, on November 13, 1995.[57] Eight weeks later, it topped the chart and spent two weeks at the top spot, becoming Houston's eighth number-one single in Canada.[58] The song was ranked at number 20 on theRPM Year-end Top 100 Hit Tracks chart for 1996.[59]
In other countries, the single performed moderately on the chart. In the United Kingdom, it debuted at number 11 on theUK Singles Chart for the week dated November 18, 1995.[60] The next week it dropped to number sixteen before descending the charts steadily.[61] According toMTV, the single has sold about 100,000 copies in the UK.[62] In the Netherlands, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" peaked at number seven and stayed on the chart for a total of 11 weeks.[63] It made number 79 on the Dutch Singles year-end charts.[64] In Australia, the song entered theARIA Charts at number 30, the week dated December 10, 1995.[65] The following week, it ascended to its peak position of number 18, before descending the charts.[65] In Switzerland, "Exhale" debuted at number 16, the week dated December 10, 1995.[66] Three weeks later, it peaked at number 13.[66] The song fell to number 16 the next week, and exited the chart at number 49, the week dated March 24, 1996.[66] The song also reached number six in Finland[67] and number four in New Zealand,[68] and number 10 in Sweden.[69] It peaked within the top 20 of the singles charts in a few other countries: number 15 in Austria,[70] 16 in Belgium (Wallonia)[71] and Ireland,[72] 14 in Norway,[73] and 13 in Switzerland. However, in few other countries, the song managed to reach only the top 40; it peaked at number 22 in Belgium (Flanders), 23 in France, and 26 in Germany.[74][75][76]
Houston personally asked Forest Whitaker (pictured) to direct the video.
The accompanyingmusic video for "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" was directed byForest Whitaker, who also directedWaiting to Exhale.[77] The video focuses mainly on close-ups of Houston, sporting a short and maturecoif, as she sings.[78] Scenes of the movie are inter-cut between her scenes. In aMaking of the Video segment of "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)", which aired on Japanese satellite television channelNHK-BS2, Houston explained:
"I wanted him [Whitaker] to do it. And he said 'yeah'. I said 'are you sure you can? Because you've got so much to do.' He said 'I think I can do this.' I kinda got afraid because I knew he was working so hard."[79]
According to Houston, the song was direct, so she wanted the video to be direct and concentrate on her face and on the lyrics.[79] Whitaker also expressed a same opinion of the song. He said, "I've seen the video [...] It's like a thing she has, you know, that I guess people would say is like acharisma kinda thing that it zooms, you know, comes up. It's beautiful [...] It's magic, it's spirit."[79] The video aired on MTV on October 10, 1995.[80] According to Marla Shelton, a writer forCamera Obscura, a journal offeminism andfilm theory, "the video concept's originality stops with Houston's hair style as its stark simplicity underscores the 'straight and narrow' politics of the film."[78] When the film was released, the video was shown as atrailer prior to the beginning of films on 450General Cinema screens in some major US media markets.[81]
The video for "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" was later published on Houston's officialYouTube channel in November 2009. It has amassed more than 63 million views as of October 2025.[82]
Houston performed "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" live a number of times, between 1996 and 2009. In February 1997, Houston performed it as the third song of her 'Waiting to Exhale Medley'―"Sittin' Up in My Room" byBrandy, "Not Gon' Cry" byMary J. Blige, "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" by Houston, and "Count On Me" by Houston,CeCe Winans, Brandy, Blige,Chaka Khan, andAretha Franklin―at the 39th Grammy Awards.[83][84] Houston sang the song live on theHBO special "Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C." on both October 3 and 5, 1997. Houston's solo performance was followed by ad-libs of its chorus. She was joined byBeBe Winans,Monica, andShirley Caesar, who was seated in the audience and invited onstage by Houston.[85] Houston used the song throughout the entire run of herThe Pacific Rim Tour (1997). She performed it again during the entire run of herMy Love Is Your Love World Tour (1999), as a part of the promotion for her fourth studio album,My Love Is Your Love (1998). In April 2000, Houston performed the song on the 25th Anniversary Celebration ofArista Records. Houston started by saying "We all need to exhale sometimes", and proceeded to sing the song.[86] The song was included in the set list of herNothing but Love World Tour (2010) promoting her seventh studio album,I Look to You (2009).
Babyface performed the song with Beverly Crowder onMTV Unplugged on October 18, 1997.[87] The performance was released on CD in November 1997, and on DVD and VHS in August 2001, titledBabyface MTV Unplugged NYC 1997.[88][89] In April 2012, possibly as a tribute to Houston following her death, R&B singerRobin Thicke covered the song and released his rendition as a single.[90][91]
^abShelton, Marla (September 1, 1995). "Whitney is Every Woman? Cultural Politics and the Pop Star".Camera Obscura.12 (3). Sfumato Press, LLC:134–153.doi:10.1215/02705346-12-3_36-134.
^abcWhitney Houston, Forest Whitaker (cast) (1997). "Exhale (Shoop Shoop): Making of the Video".4大スーパースター特集 (Four Superstars Special).Shibuya, Tokyo.NHK-BS2.
^Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (US CD Single (Version 1)). Whitney Houston. United States: Arista Records. 1995. 07822-12916-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (Japanese Maxi-CD Single). Whitney Houston. Japan: Arista Records. 1995. BCA 8814.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (US CD Single (Version 2, Cardboard Sleeve)). Whitney Houston. United States: Arista Records. 1995. 07822 12917-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (Japanese 3" CD Single). Whitney Houston. Japan: BMG (Japan). 1995. BVDA-501.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (EU CD Single). Whitney Houston. Europe: Arista Records. 1995. 74321 33247 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (EU Maxi-CD Single). Whitney Houston. Europe: Arista Records. 1995. 74321 32754 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^"Exhale (Shoop Shoop) single notes".Exhale (Shoop Shoop) (CD maxi). Whitney Houston. United States: Arista. 1995. 07822-12916-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
