About the Song
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston, the lead single from her second album, Whitney (1987). The song was aimed to bring Houston a more accessible pop sound to compete with her contemporaries after enjoying hits with pop ballads on her debut album Whitney Houston. The song was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, of the band Boy Meets Girl, the songwriters of Houston's previous hit, "How Will I Know", and produced by Narada Michael Walden. The song's lyrics depict a woman seeking a special person to "dance in the life with" forever. Houston contributed uncredited lyrics while also receiving credit for being the song's vocal arranger.
Meaning Behind the Lyrics
The lyrics of "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" can be read as an exuberant expression of the desire for connection and romance. Many listeners interpret the song as celebrating the joy and exhilaration that comes from finding a partner who shares a deep emotional bond, emphasized through the metaphor of dancing together. This yearning for companionship resonates widely, as it captures the universal hope for love and the thrill of shared experiences. The upbeat tempo and lively arrangement further enhance the feeling of liberation and happiness, making it a timeless anthem for anyone longing for intimacy and joy in their relationships.
Did You Know?
- Commonly referred to as "the Voice", she is one of the most awarded performers of all time.
- Houston is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales of more than 220 million records worldwide.
Music Details
These details come from the iTunes song listing used for the artwork and metadata match.
- Album/collection: Whitney
- Genre: R&B/Soul
- iTunes release date: May 2, 1987
- Track runtime: 4:53
Video Snapshot
- Video title: Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) (Official 4K Video)
- YouTube channel: whitneyhoustonVEVO
- Video published: October 25, 2009
- Video runtime: 5 minutes, 15 seconds
- YouTube views when drafted: 559,077,023
- YouTube likes when drafted: 2,692,064
- YouTube comments when drafted: 76,044
Quick Facts
- Artist: WHITNEY HOUSTON
- Song: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY (WHO LOVES ME)
- Album/collection: Whitney
- Genre: R&B/Soul
- Reference page: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)
