--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My introduction of Whitney was that if…" description: "\"My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg" --- # My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be… ![“My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston.” quote by Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg) > “My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston.” [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Whitney Houston was seen as the next generation's ultimate vocalist, blending elegance with powerful gospel roots. **In simple terms:** Whitney combines elegance and gospel power. Key Takeaway Recognize and nurture unique talent. Themes talent music legacy influence vocalism Mood admiring hopeful Type inspirational celebratory When to use this quote - artist scouting - record production - music education Key Concepts crossover iconic voice cultural impact Questions to Reflect On - How can industry support emerging artists authentically? - What defines a timeless vocal style? A Different Perspective Talent may be overhyped without sustained development. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aretha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aretha/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Fiery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiery/) [Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation/) [Gospel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gospel/) [Houston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/houston/) [Introduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introduction/) [Next generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/next-generation/) [Performer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performer/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) ## Related quotes > [My years with Aretha Franklin have been very special, as were the years making records with Dionne Warwick. Other highlights include working with Janis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-years-with-aretha-franklin-have-been-very-special-as-were-the/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I think the most-played record in our house was the 'Big Chill' Soundtrack - so Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Otis Redding. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-faker/i-think-the-most-played-record-in-our-house-was-the-big-chill/) [Chet Faker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-faker/) > [Aretha Franklin is and will always be a national treasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/aretha-franklin-is-and-will-always-be-a-national-treasure/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [I am in love with old school funk and soul music. That's what I grew up listening to, and I want to bring that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raini-rodriguez/i-am-in-love-with-old-school-funk-and-soul-music-that-s-what-i-grew/) [Raini Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raini-rodriguez/) > [You knew the difference between Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, straight away. Now everyone sounds like each other, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-womack/you-knew-the-difference-between-barbra-streisand-and-aretha-franklin/) [Bobby Womack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-womack/) > [As a kid, I was listening to Aretha Franklin, Etta James and hip-hop as well as music my parents were listening to, like Joni…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/as-a-kid-i-was-listening-to-aretha-franklin-etta-james-and-hip-hop-as/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [I'm telling the story, and if I can't tell the story, I'm not going to sing it. And if I don't agree with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-jones/i-m-telling-the-story-and-if-i-can-t-tell-the-story-i-m-not-going-to/) [Sharon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-jones/) > [To me, R&B means Aretha Franklin, who is otherworldly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/to-me-r-b-means-aretha-franklin-who-is-otherworldly/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [Aretha Franklin, first and foremost... That's my top girl there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-holliday/aretha-franklin-first-and-foremost-that-s-my-top-girl-there/) [Jennifer Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-holliday/) > [There are days when I'm completely obsessed with Kate Bush, and there are days when I'm completely obsessed with the Eurythmics. Then it's Aretha…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-erivo/there-are-days-when-i-m-completely-obsessed-with-kate-bush-and-there/) [Cynthia Erivo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-erivo/) > [I have total respect for the self-contained rock artist. Whether you're dealing with Jerry Garcia or Lou Reed or Patti Smith or a Whitney…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-have-total-respect-for-the-self-contained-rock-artist-whether-you/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I'm probably the only one in the world you can name that's worked with Billie Holiday, Louie Armstrong, Ella, Duke, Miles, Dizzy, Ray Charles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quincy-jones/i-m-probably-the-only-one-in-the-world-you-can-name-that-s-worked/) [Quincy Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quincy-jones/) > [If you think about it, Aretha did basically the same things that I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peabo-bryson/if-you-think-about-it-aretha-did-basically-the-same-things-that-i-do/) [Peabo Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peabo-bryson/) > [“It's not the weight of the load, but how you carry it. ~Lena Horne~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trenice-carter/it-s-not-the-weight-of-the-load-but-how-you-carry-it-lena-horne/) Trenice Carter > [“I love Lena Horne's "It's not the load that breaks you down. It's the way you carry it." And Annie Dillard"s roughly remembered: Sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeri-parker/i-love-lena-horne-s-it-s-not-the-load-that-breaks-you-down-it-s-the/) Jeri Parker ## More by Clive Davis > [You see the genius that Whitney Houston has as an interpreter of material, and you realize why genius can be applied to only a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/you-see-the-genius-that-whitney-houston-has-as-an-interpreter-of/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [The subject of bisexuality really needs much more discussion. It's a status that does exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/the-subject-of-bisexuality-really-needs-much-more-discussion-it-s-a/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I would say, from an all-around point of view, Bruce Springsteen is one of the two great poet lords of America, Bob Dylan, coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-would-say-from-an-all-around-point-of-view-bruce-springsteen-is-one/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I feel that contemporary music, with very few exceptions, is missing the voice. You see an award show, you see a hundred extras on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-feel-that-contemporary-music-with-very-few-exceptions-is-missing/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [It is only occasional that talent becomes genius - radiating sparks, brilliance, energy, and charismatic magnetism... such a talent was Janis Joplin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/it-is-only-occasional-that-talent-becomes-genius-radiating-sparks/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [This group came on stage, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and this whirling dervish, this electrifying white soul singer was so riveting. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/this-group-came-on-stage-big-brother-and-the-holding-company-and-this/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [My 'act' was schoolwork. I was your basic, garden-variety, ambitious, upwardly mobile, hard-working Jewish boy from Brooklyn. I was bound to go beyond my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-act-was-schoolwork-i-was-your-basic-garden-variety-ambitious/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [The subject of bisexuality really needs much more discussion. Its a status that does exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/the-subject-of-bisexuality-really-needs-much-more-discussion-its-a/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [Having lost both my parents as a teenager, family is so important to me, and I cherish my time with my children and grandchildren.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/having-lost-both-my-parents-as-a-teenager-family-is-so-important-to/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I play no instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-play-no-instruments/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [My years with Aretha Franklin have been very special, as were the years making records with Dionne Warwick. Other highlights include working with Janis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-years-with-aretha-franklin-have-been-very-special-as-were-the/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [There's no way that music could ever go down the tubes. I can't imagine a civilization without music. When you realize today that music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/there-s-no-way-that-music-could-ever-go-down-the-tubes-i-can-t/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I feel blessed that I found not just a profession, but a 24/7 way of life that I purely love. That curiosity to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-feel-blessed-that-i-found-not-just-a-profession-but-a-24-7-way-of/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [I never stopped being attracted to women. Bisexuality is misunderstood; the adage is that you're either straight or gay or lying, but that's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-never-stopped-being-attracted-to-women-bisexuality-is-misunderstood/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [Watching artists like Joplin perform, I felt that tingle down my spine; I experienced the wonders of a cultural and musical revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/watching-artists-like-joplin-perform-i-felt-that-tingle-down-my-spine/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) [Explore all 42 Clive Davis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) ## More Aretha quotes > [I'm telling the story, and if I can't tell the story, I'm not going to sing it. And if I don't agree with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-jones/i-m-telling-the-story-and-if-i-can-t-tell-the-story-i-m-not-going-to/) [Sharon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-jones/) > [Aretha Franklin, first and foremost... That's my top girl there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-holliday/aretha-franklin-first-and-foremost-that-s-my-top-girl-there/) [Jennifer Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-holliday/) > [To me, R&B means Aretha Franklin, who is otherworldly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/to-me-r-b-means-aretha-franklin-who-is-otherworldly/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I'm probably the only one in the world you can name that's worked with Billie Holiday, Louie Armstrong, Ella, Duke, Miles, Dizzy, Ray Charles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quincy-jones/i-m-probably-the-only-one-in-the-world-you-can-name-that-s-worked/) [Quincy Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quincy-jones/) > [My years with Aretha Franklin have been very special, as were the years making records with Dionne Warwick. Other highlights include working with Janis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-years-with-aretha-franklin-have-been-very-special-as-were-the/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) > [As a kid, I was listening to Aretha Franklin, Etta James and hip-hop as well as music my parents were listening to, like Joni…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/as-a-kid-i-was-listening-to-aretha-franklin-etta-james-and-hip-hop-as/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [You knew the difference between Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles, straight away. Now everyone sounds like each other, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-womack/you-knew-the-difference-between-barbra-streisand-and-aretha-franklin/) [Bobby Womack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-womack/) > [I am in love with old school funk and soul music. That's what I grew up listening to, and I want to bring that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raini-rodriguez/i-am-in-love-with-old-school-funk-and-soul-music-that-s-what-i-grew/) [Raini Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raini-rodriguez/) > [Aretha Franklin is and will always be a national treasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcdonald/aretha-franklin-is-and-will-always-be-a-national-treasure/) [Michael McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcdonald/) > [If you think about it, Aretha did basically the same things that I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peabo-bryson/if-you-think-about-it-aretha-did-basically-the-same-things-that-i-do/) [Peabo Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peabo-bryson/) > [I think the most-played record in our house was the 'Big Chill' Soundtrack - so Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Otis Redding. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chet-faker/i-think-the-most-played-record-in-our-house-was-the-big-chill/) [Chet Faker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chet-faker/) > [I have total respect for the self-contained rock artist. Whether you're dealing with Jerry Garcia or Lou Reed or Patti Smith or a Whitney…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/i-have-total-respect-for-the-self-contained-rock-artist-whether-you/) [Clive Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/) [Browse all 13 Aretha quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aretha/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clive Davis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-there-s-going-to-be-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aretha" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-there-s-going-to-be-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/450/clive-davis-15821_aretha_my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-t_2537480.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who…” — Clive Davis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Clive Davis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-davis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My introduction of Whitney was that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-there-s-going-to-be-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-davis/my-introduction-of-whitney-was-that-if-there-s-going-to-be-one/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```