| "How Will I Know" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byWhitney Houston | ||||
| from the albumWhitney Houston | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | November 22, 1985 (1985-11-22) | |||
| Recorded | 1984 | |||
| Studio | Mediasound (Manhattan)[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:30 | |||
| Label | Arista | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Narada Michael Walden | |||
| Whitney Houston singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "How Will I Know" onYouTube | ||||
"How Will I Know" is a song recorded by American singerWhitney Houston for herself-titled debut studio album. It was released on November 22, 1985, byArista Records as the album's thirdsingle. Written and composed byGeorge Merrill andShannon Rubicam, it was originally intended for pop singerJanet Jackson, who passed on it. Houston then recorded the song with altered lyrics and production fromNarada Michael Walden.
"How Will I Know" received mostly positive reviews frommusic critics. It became Houston's second number-one single on the USBillboard Hot 100 in February 1986, spending two weeks atop the chart, and also became her first chart-topper on the CanadianRPM Top 100 Singles chart. It also reached top-10 positions in Australia, Sweden, Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and top-20 positions in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
The accompanyingmusic video for "How Will I Know" features scenes of Houston dancing in a setting of video screens and colored partitions. The music video gave Houston exposure to teenagers viaMTV and other video outlets. It received two nominations at the1986 MTV Video Music Awards;Best Female Video andBest New Artist, winning the former category. The song was performed on many of her tours includingGreatest Love Tour (1986) and herNothing But Love World Tour (2009–10). "How Will I Know" is also featured as a remix on Houston's compilation albumWhitney: The Greatest Hits (2000), whereas the original single version is featured onThe Ultimate Collection (2007) andI Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston (2012). The song cemented Houston's status as aglobal pop star.
Initially, husband-and-wife songwritersGeorge Merrill andShannon Rubicam had written the song's demo in 1984 for pop singerJanet Jackson, who was managed byA&M Records executive John McClain.[2] However, after hearing the song, Jackson's management passed on it, feeling it was not a compatible fit with material already in development for her. In an interview withFred Bronson, Merrill expressed his feelings after learning of Jackson's decision: "We were pretty upset because we thought it was perfect for her at the time. We had written it with her completely in mind."[2] During this period, Brenda Andrews at Almo-Irving Music, Merrill and Rubicam's publisher, played the song for Gerry Griffith, the director forR&B music at A&M andArista Records. Griffith, who was then compiling material for Houston's debut album, felt the song perfectly matched her musical style. He soon contacted Andrews and the song's two writers and suggested that they give the song to him for Houston's debut album.[2] Griffith described his discovery of the song and what he andClive Davis thought of it:
We had a lot of R&B-based tunes, we had a few ballads, but we didn't have a pop crossover song. So when I heard "How Will I Know," I said "this is absolutely perfect." I played it for Clive [and] he fell in love with it. I wasn't very familiar with her family background; I didn't realize that, even at that time, there was a pretty big industry buzz about her future.[2]
After receiving permission from Merrill to use the song, Griffith quickly turned toNarada Michael Walden, who at the time was producing material forAretha Franklin's albumWho's Zoomin' Who?.[2] Griffith implored him to produce it, describing how important the song would be for Houston's upcoming album. After hearing the demo, Walden agreed to fly toSan Rafael, California, to arrange it. He was not very impressed with the demo and requested permission to change some of the lyrics and chord progression, inducing Merrill and Rubicam to deny him the right to their song.[2] After a lot of back-and-forth with Griffith, they compromised and allowed Walden to de-construct the song and change thekey andtempo. After completing the song, Houston came in to the studio to record her vocal in late 1984. Her motherCissy Houston joined her on background vocals. Griffith stated:
I asked Whitney to sing on the background session. She was reluctant because she wanted to enjoy hearing her mother sing. I said, "No, get out there and sing," so she did. The background sounded incredible ... Clive Davis heard the mix and immediately gave it a 10, which is outrageous for him, because he doesn't like anything![2]

"How Will I Know" is asynth-funk[3] anddance-pop[4][5] song composed in a 1980sdance beat.[6] According to Kyle Anderson ofMTV, the song found Houston hitting an "incrediblegroove".[7] It is written in the key ofG flat major.[6] The beat is set thetime signature ofcommon time and moves at a fast tempo of 120beats per minute.[6] The song also has the sequence of G♭-B♭m7-G♭/C♭-D♭-E♭m-D♭ as itschord progression.[6] Houston's vocals in the song span from the note of D♭4 to the high note of G5.[6] Lyrically, the song speaks about the lead woman trying to discern whether a man she likes will ever like her back.[8] She is also hesitant, because her friends tell her "love can be deceiving", and she is so shy that she cannot call him.[8] Later, she feels that it might be a dream, but realizes that "there's no mistaking", and that what she feels is really love.[8]
"How Will I Know" mainly garnered positive reviews frommusic critics, with some noting it as a standout on the album.[9] Don Shewey ofRolling Stone commented "Although it's awfully reminiscent of thePointer Sisters' 'He's So Shy', 'How Will I Know' is still irresistibly danceable."[10] In its single releases section,Cashbox called the song a "hard funking pop effort which again spotlights Houston's explosive vocals and Narada Michael Walden's airtight production."[11]Stephen Thomas Erlewine ofAllMusic wrote "...what really impresses some 20-plus years on are the lighter tracks, particularly the breakthrough single 'How Will I Know'."[9] While reviewing theDeluxe Anniversary Edition of the album, Mikael Wood ofEntertainment Weekly commented on thea cappella version of the song, noting, "a cappella mix of 'How Will I Know' displays the singer's precision long before the advent ofAuto-Tune."[12]
While reviewingThe Ultimate Collection, Nick Levine ofDigital Spy commented, "Houston's floor-fillers have aged a little more gracefully, although their clunky, thudding drum sounds are as unmistakably Eighties asJoan Collins'Dynasty wardrobe."[13] Dave Rimmer ofSmash Hits considered that "this dreary bit of disco isn't anywhere near as good" as "Saving All My Love for You," adding that it "sounds positively snoozeworthy, in fact."[14] The song was voted number 12 inVH1'sList of Greatest Songs of the 1980s.[15][16]Billboard voted the song number 229 on its list of the "500 Greatest Pop Songs of All Time", the first out of three Houston entries and the lowest ranked Houston song.[17] On their list of Houston's 20 greatest songs,Forbes voted the song number 10.[18]
"How Will I Know" debuted at number 60 on the USBillboard Hot 100 in the December 7, 1985, issue.[19] It entered the top 40 in the December 28, 1985, issue, starting a 16-week run in the top forty. Seven weeks later, it peaked at number one in the issue dated February 15, 1986, becoming Houston's second number-one single on that chart.[2] It displaced Houston's cousinDionne Warwick's "That's What Friends Are For", stayed at number one for two weeks, and was displaced byMr. Mister's "Kyrie".[2] It also debuted on theBillboardHot Black Singles chart at number 60 on the December 28 issue, and later peaked at number one for one week.[19] In the issue dated January 25, 1986, "How Will I Know" entered theBillboardDance Club Songs chart at number 30, and later peaked at number three in the February 22, 1986, issue.[19] It also reached number one on theBillboardAdult Contemporary chart.[19] TheRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the singleGold on December 6, 1985, for shipments of 500,000 copies or more, and later triple platinum, for equivalent sales of 3 million units.[20] It ranked at number six on theBillboard year-end chart.
In Canada, the single debuted at number 80 on theRPM Top 100 Singles chart in the issue dated December 14, 1985.[21] It later peaked at number one in the week dated March 1, 1986, becoming Houston's first number-one single in Canada.[22] It was later certified Gold by theCanadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) on May 1, 1986, for shipments of 200,000 copies or more.[23]
The single also performed well in other countries. In the United Kingdom it debuted at number 36 during the week of January 25, 1986, and later peaked at number five.[24] It was also certified Silver by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI).[25] According toMTV UK and Ireland, the single has sold about 280,000 copies in the UK.[26] In New Zealand it debuted at number 35, and peaked at number 19.[27] In Austria it reached a peak position of number 28,[27] while peaking at number 12 in the Netherlands.[27] It also reached number two in Norway and Sweden, while charting at number 11 in Switzerland.[27] According toAllMusic, "How Will I Know" has sold about 1.5 million copies worldwide.[28]
In Australia "How Will I Know" was released as the first single from the album in March 1985.[29] It spent a single week on theKent Music Report chart at number 97 in July 1985,[30] before re-entering the chart in February 1986, eventually peaking at number two.[31]
The accompanyingmusic video for "How Will I Know", directed by British directorBrian Grant and choreographed byArlene Phillips,[32] was filmed prior to the release of the single and album.[33] Unlike her past music videos, Houston was given the opportunity to move beyond the staged performance settings to demonstrate straightforward dance moves.[33] The video is set against a strikingly designed, vividly colored setting of video screens and partitions.[33] Houston's hair is dyed honey blonde and is worn by a dazzling, colored hairbow.[33] She is also seen underlined by a form-fitting silver dress made of metal mesh, reaching almost to her knees, adorned with matching fingerless gloves.[33][34] Houston is also seen performing with backup dancers in black outfits and wearing French-style makeup.[34] The video also has a scene of spattering of paint and drizzling down the screen.[34] Houston's labelmate and family friendAretha Franklin also makes a black-and-white cameo appearance in the otherwise colorful music video.[34] In 2011, Kyle Anderson ofMTV wrote that it was "eye-opening to watch her cut loose in a fun environment," since her past songs were ballads.[7]
The music video was her first to receive heavy rotation onMTV.[35][36] It was also nominated for two awards at the1986 MTV Video Music Awards, in the categories ofBest New Artist andBest Female Video, winning the latter.[37]

Houston performed the song on herGreatest Love Tour (1986),Moment of Truth World Tour (1987–88),Feels So Right Japan Tour (1990),I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour (1991),The Bodyguard World Tour (1993–1994),My Love Is Your Love World Tour (1999) andNothing But Love World Tour (2009–2010). Apart from the concert tour performances, Houston has performed the song on many other occasions such as the third annualMTV Video Music Awards in 1986, where she sang "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All",[37][38][39] 13th annualAmerican Music Awards (1986),[40] and1987 BRIT Awards.[41] The latter performance is included in the 2014 CD/DVD release,Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances.[42]On May 15, 1987, during her European promotion for then-new album,Whitney, Houston sang the song at the Montreux Golden Rose Rock Festival: IM&MC Gala with two other 1986 released songs, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "Where Do Broken Hearts Go".[43]
On April 29, 1985, Houston appeared onThe Merv Griffin Show, taped inNew York City, and performed "How Will I Know".[44][45] On herMoment of Truth World Tour, she participated in theNelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert and performed the song with other seven songs. She also performed the song onWelcome Home Heroes, a concert dedicated to the U.S. troops, their families, and military and government dignitaries in honor of those returning from theGulf War, which aired onHBO on March 31, 1991.[46][47] The concert was taped and later released as aVHS on May 14, 1991.[46] She also performed the song onThe Concert for a New South Africa, three concerts in 1994 to honor PresidentNelson Mandela. Houston later performed the song on the closing ceremonies of the1994 World Cup along with five of her other songs.[48] In 2000, she performed the song onArista's 25th Anniversary, along with "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)."[49]
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Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[92] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[93] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[94] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[95] Digital single | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[96] Physical single | Silver | 250,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[20] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
British singerSam Smith released a cover of "How Will I Know" in June 2014, taking a slower tempo[97] and a snippet of that version was used in an episode ofGrey's Anatomy.[98] It was later included on Smith's 2015In the Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition), a re-release of their debut album.[99]
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[100] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[101] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[102] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[103] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[104] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[105] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| "If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byDavid Guetta,MistaJam andJohn Newman | ||||
| Released | July 2, 2021 (2021-07-02)[106] | |||
| Length | 3:04 | |||
| Label | Parlophone | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| David Guetta singles chronology | ||||
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| MistaJam singles chronology | ||||
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| John Newman singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "(If You Really Love Me) How Will I Know" onYouTube | ||||
In 2021, French DJ and producerDavid Guetta teamed up with British DJ and producerMistaJam and singerJohn Newman to release a dance track based on an interpolation of "How Will I Know".[109] Now called "If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know)", the song charted in the UK, reaching No. 66 in the Top 75 (for the week ending August 5, 2021) after amassing a sales total of 7,018 units.[110][111] The song became the fourth entry on that week's chart for Guetta (though the only single out of the four chart hits where he took lead artist credit) and the first chart credit for Newman since "Give Me Your Love" with British DJ and record producerSigala and American guitaristNile Rodgers in 2016.
| Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[112] | 20 |
| Global Excl. US (Billboard)[113] | 154 |
| Hungary (Dance Top 40)[114] | 13 |
| Hungary (Single Top 40)[115] | 26 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[116] | 30 |
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[117] | 33 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[118] | 27 |
| UK Dance (OCC)[119] | 8 |
| USHot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[120] | 19 |
| Chart (2021) | Position |
|---|---|
| Hungary (Dance Top 40)[121] | 89 |
| US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[122] | 86 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (IFPI Austria)[123] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[124] | Gold | 400,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| "How Will I Know (Whitney × Clean Bandit)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byWhitney Houston andClean Bandit | ||||
| Released | September 24, 2021 (2021-09-24)[125] | |||
| Length | 3:33 | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Whitney Houston singles chronology | ||||
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| Clean Bandit singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "How Will I Know (Whitney Houston × Clean Bandit)" onYouTube | ||||
In September 2021, Britishelectronic music groupClean Bandit released a remix of the track.[126] The song has become an international success and has been certified in three countries, including the United Kingdom, where Houston became the first female artist to have certified singles in five consecutive decades (1980s–2020s).
| Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| CanadaAC (Billboard)[127] | 12 |
| CanadaHot AC (Billboard)[128] | 48 |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard)[129] | 20 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[130] | 26 |
| South Africa Radio (RISA)[131] | 55 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[132] | 92 |
| USHot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[133] | 23 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[134] | Gold | 40,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[135] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[136] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
In January 2004, Britishdance groupLMC released the song "Take Me to the Clouds Above", which interpolates the first four lines of "How Will I Know" over a sample of "With or Without You" by Irishrock bandU2. The song is credited to "LMC vs U2".[137] In 2015, DutchEDM duoW&W released the song "The One", sampling some elements of the song.[138] In 1996,the Lemonheads included a cover of the song in both electric and acoustic versions on the single "If I Could Talk I'd Tell You".[139][140]
...the dance-pop giddiness of her first album's signature smash, 'How Will I Know'...
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