Whitney Houston. The name itself conjures up images of unparalleled vocal talent, chart-topping hits, and an undeniable charisma that captivated the world. For many, including myself, Whitney’s music is deeply missed. Her voice was arguably the most beautiful of her generation, effortlessly producing hit after hit. She was the epitome of a strong, smart, and sassy woman – truly an icon. While countless Whitney videos are endlessly rewatchable, today we’re diving into her early years, specifically the vibrant 1980s. This era saw Whitney blossom into a true pop princess: radiant, energetic, and longing for connection, perfectly encapsulated in her hit song and music video, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
This iconic video accompanied the first single from Whitney’s second album, Whitney. The song’s full title, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” itself speaks volumes. It evokes the playful yet earnest desire for connection, like someone at a club lightheartedly declaring, “I just want to dance with somebody! That’s all!” But then, with a touch of seriousness, comes the crucial addendum: “But only if they love me.” This sentiment perfectly captures the blend of fun and longing at the heart of the song and its visual representation.
An 80s Pop Culture Time Capsule
The “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” music video is a quintessential 80s spectacle, brimming with stylistic elements that define the decade. It’s reminiscent of the era’s pop culture icons and trends, echoing the vibrant aesthetic of both Kelly Kapowski from Saved by the Bell and the energetic vibes of early MTV. The video is awash in bold colored backgrounds, voluminous hairstyles, and denim embellished in true 80s fashion. It even features those distinctive, and somewhat perplexing, rectangular fence-like props that were inexplicably popular in 80s photoshoots, often paired with geometric neon signs.
Kelly Kapowski 80s fashion inspiration
Seriously, what was the deal with those geometric stands? Despite their questionable purpose, they became a visual shorthand for the 80s aesthetic, perfectly framing the pop sensibilities of the time.
Whitney Houston in "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" music video
And let’s not forget the fashion! Whitney’s denim jacket in the video is a prime example of 80s embellishment, showcasing the era’s love for bold details and textures.
Close-up of Whitney Houston's denim jacket embellishment
Beyond the Glitz: Loneliness and Performance
Beneath the vibrant surface, the “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video subtly hints at the realities of pop stardom in the 1980s. It serves as a valuable historical document, offering a glimpse into the life of a touring artist. Touring was, and still is, a crucial part of a musician’s career. However, it could be a demanding and isolating experience, even for someone like Whitney, who performed before massive, adoring crowds night after night.
Whitney Houston performing on stage in black and white
The video’s use of black and white cinematography is particularly poignant here. It underscores the idea that even amidst the adoration of her fans, Whitney was ultimately alone on stage, performing under the spotlight. This visual contrast emphasizes the dichotomy between the public persona and the private individual.
Whitney Houston backstage looking contemplative
The video also portrays Whitney backstage, leaning against a wall in a pose reminiscent of Jordan Catalano’s brooding coolness, seemingly wishing for that connection – to dance with somebody who loves her – even after the high of performance.
Whitney Houston leaning against a wall backstage
The Escapism and Joy of Music Videos
But then, the video shifts gears, celebrating the pure fun and escapism that music videos offered, especially in contrast to the sometimes-lonely reality of touring. Music videos were a realm of limitless possibilities, a chance to create a fantasy world.
Whitney Houston with teased hair in music video
Hair Transformations: Music videos allowed for dramatic hair changes without the constraints of a live performance. Go big, go wild! Tease it, curl it, experiment! There’s no need to worry about next-day styling or rain ruining your look when you’re filming a video. Whitney embraces this freedom with super tight curls and voluminous bangs, iconic 80s hairstyles.
Whitney Houston with colorful eyeshadow
Bold Makeup: Eye shadow in music videos knows no bounds. The 80s were a celebration of color, especially on eyelids. In an era where subtle makeup often reigns, the “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video reminds us of the joy of vibrant, expressive eye makeup. Whitney’s bold eyeshadow choices are a testament to this fearless approach to beauty.
Whitney Houston with rainbow background
Rainbow of Colors: Live stages, while sometimes elaborate, rarely offer the sheer visual variety of a music video set. Music videos could utilize vibrant, rapidly changing backgrounds, something impossible to achieve in a live performance setting unless you were a mega-star with elaborate stage productions. The use of rainbow colors in the video is another signature 80s visual element, adding to the overall sense of fun and dynamism.
Whitney Houston in front of geometric stand
Whitney Houston in orange dress with geometric stand
Whitney Houston posing with geometric stand
And yes, there are those ubiquitous geometric stands again, even pretending to be windows in some shots! Their presence further solidifies the video’s commitment to 80s visual trends.
Whitney Houston with dancers
Dancers and Choreography: Music videos brought dance into the pop music landscape in a big way. Unlike live performances where stage space and practicality might limit choreography, music videos could feature elaborate dance sequences with numerous dancers. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is full of energetic dance sequences that enhance the song’s upbeat feel.
Whitney Houston in nautical outfit with dancer
Dancer in "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" music video
Dancer in oversized suit in music video
Dancer in suit doing a dance move
80s Changing Room Scenes: The “changing room shot” became a classic trope of 80s music videos. It provided a quick and visually engaging way to showcase different looks and styles. The “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video utilizes this trope effectively, adding to the video’s fast-paced and dynamic feel.
Whitney Houston and dancer in changing room scene
Dancer in changing room scene
Graffiti Art: Music videos offered a space for visual experimentation that wouldn’t necessarily translate to a live stage. Graffiti art, for example, could be incorporated into the video’s aesthetic, adding an edgy and urban touch. Whitney spray-painting “Get Down” on a fake fence is a perfect example of this visual freedom.
Whitney Houston spray painting graffiti
Confetti Rain: Confetti, often impractical in real-life settings, becomes magical in a music video. The “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” video embraces the celebratory nature of confetti, creating a visually stunning and joyful moment as confetti rains down on Whitney in a vibrant orange dress.
Whitney Houston in orange dress with confetti rain
Whitney Houston in orange dress and confetti
Instant Costume and Hair Changes: Music videos excel at creating seamless transitions and transformations. Costume and hair changes can happen in the blink of an eye, something impossible in a live performance without elaborate stagecraft or leaving the stage entirely. Whitney showcases this video magic with rapid style shifts, including a leopard print hair scarf and short curls.
Whitney Houston in leopard print scarf
Dancing on Your Own Image: The video even incorporates surreal and playful visual effects, like Whitney dancing on a projection of her own face. This kind of imaginative visual flourish was a hallmark of 80s music videos, pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Whitney Houston dancing on her face projection
Whitney Houston in bodycon dress
Whitney Houston dancing on her face projection close up
Bodycon Dresses and Paint-Splattered Shoes: The 80s were synonymous with bodycon fashion. Whitney rocks a bodycon dress in the video, a style that defined the era. And let’s not forget her paint-splattered shoes, another example of the bold and playful fashion choices prevalent in 80s music videos.
Whitney Houston's paint-splattered shoes close up
Whitney Houston's paint-splattered shoes full view
Film Editing Magic: In 1987, dancing inside a roll of film was cutting-edge visual technology! Music videos were at the forefront of exploring film editing techniques, creating visually exciting and innovative sequences that captivated audiences.
Whitney Houston dancing in film roll effect
Whitney Houston dancing in film roll effect side view
Whitney Houston dancing in film roll effect full view
A Happy Ending, Unlike Real Life Touring
The video culminates in a feel-good “happy ending” scenario. Whitney arrives at a glamorous hotel, spots some cool dancers heading into a club, and spontaneously joins them, radiating joy and connection. This idealized ending is a stark contrast to the often-less-glamorous reality of touring, which might involve late nights, travel fatigue, and the aforementioned stale chips and Louis CK DVDs in the tour van.
In the perfect world of a music video, and in the hopeful spirit of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” we all find someone to dance with, someone who loves us. And for Whitney, her music, and this iconic video, the love from her fans is everlasting. We love you too, Whitney.
