Episode 17 of Glee's season 3 is a tribute to the music of Whitney Houston.
1. "How Will I Know"
Courtesy Columbia Records
Glee's tribute to the music of Whitney Houston kicked off with an a capella quartet of Mercedes, Santana, Rachel, and Kurt singing "How Will I Know" in her memory. The song was included on Whitney Houston's debut album. It became her second #1 pop hit and won the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. "How Will I Know" also topped the R&B and adult contemporary charts.
2. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)"
The glee club members are encouraged to perform Whitney Houston songs to help them in their efforts to say goodbye to her as well as preparation for saying goodbye when they graduate from high school. Brittany chooses "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and shares the spotlight with her girlfriend Santana. The song kicked off Whitney Houston's second album Whitney in 1987. It was a #1 pop hit and topped the adult contemporary and dance charts as well. Whitney Houston received a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal for "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)."
3. "Saving All My Love For You"
Romance begins to blossom when Quinn and Joe duet on "Saving All My Love For You." Originally released by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., the song was recorded by Whitney Houston for her debut album. It was her second single and her first #1 pop hit. "Saving All My Love For You" also topped the R&B and adult contemporary charts while winning a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal.
4. "So Emotional"
Santana chooses to sing "So Emotional." It ends up being a duet with Rachel. Released as the third single from the album Whitney, "So Emotional" became Whitney Houston's sixth consecutive pop hit tying a mark set by the Beatles and the Bee Gees. "So Emotional" also hit #1 on the dance chart. It was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly who wrote other 80s classics like Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors," The Bangles' "Eternal Flame," and Heart's "Alone."
5. "It's Not Right But It's Okay"
After discovering Kurt's flirtation with a new friend, Blaine decides to perform Whitney Houston's song for "cheaters." The song was initially used as a B-side for the single "Heartbreak Hotel," but the popularity of the song caused it to be treated as a primary single release. "It's Not Right But It's Okay" peaked at #4 on the pop singles chart and hit the top of the dance chart. The version of the song that is best remembered is the towering Thunderpuss 2000 dance mix.
6. "I Have Nothing"
Kurt responds to both Blaine and his father's angst over impending graduation with his version of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." The song was originally included on the soundtrack to the movie The Bodyguard. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and hit #4 on the pop singles chart while topping the adult contemporary chart.
7. "My Love Is Your Love"
The Whitney Houston tribute closes with a version of "My Love Is Your Love." It was the title song of her fourth studio album. Co-produced and co-written by Wyclef Jean, "My Love Is Your Love" became a huge international hit. It went to #4 on the pop singles chart in the US and reached #1 on the dance chart.
