And In This Corner......

I just made the most tickling observation.

Im listening to this Whitney Houston station I created on Pandora this morning, and let me just tell you, I am JAMMING! Anyway, being Pandora, its gonna play a lot of Whitney, combined with similar artists, and its also going to play Whitney’s duets. Enter comedy LOL.

So the first duet they play is with Mariah Carey – the theme song from Disney’s “The Prince of Egypt,” “When You Believe.” I absolutely LOVE this song. In fact, its one of the few that make me so emotional, I cry every time I can freely sing it (i.e. not at my desk with the big boss at the desk behind me LOL) so Im sitting here, eyes closed, just feeling it. Suddenly, I notice the singing is changing. They started out so soft and sweet, but after the bridge, both Whitney and Mariah seem to lose their damn minds LOL. It turns into a battle, and both of them are going for broke. Whitney does a riff, Mariah goes to church, Whitney comes back with the uppercut, then there’s Mariah again, with a blow to the body LOL. If you have a favorite, you almost hear yourself thinking “Oooh, get her! Get her!” LMAO! I found it hysterical. I remember saying a long time ago that Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx sounded like they were battling on their duet of “She Got Her Own”, and that was hysterical too, but sometimes I just be like really tho?

In the case of Whitney and Mariah, people have been pitting them against each other since the beginning of time, and that debate gets hot like fire, so the smart money stays out of it. Its almost like they got in the studio, with full knowledge of what word was in the street, and each was determined to outshine the other. Its almost juvenile, but you know what? The result was a product with vocals that are nearly impossible to touch . If that’s what it takes to get good music – some friendly competition – I’m all about it.

But here’s the interesting thing: the next duet they played, a few songs later, was “Count On Me,” from the “Waiting to Exhale” movie soundtrack, that she did with CeCe Winans. I cant help but feel like Whitney was a little intimidated LOL. Don’t get me wrong, the beef in the street is DEFINITELY not as strong here, but there’s been some comparisons here and there. Why wasn’t there that same bravado in the studio? Why you aint singin it wit ya chest, Whit? LOL When you listen to that one, the vocals are great, as expected, but you don’t hear the posturing that was so obvious in the duet with Mariah. You don’t hear her inviting CeCe into the street LOL. And CeCe doesn’t seem to be paying any mind to the fact that she’s on a cut with Whitney – she’s just doing her like, “no, she on a cut wit ME, shit” LOL.

Again, I cant help but feel some kinda way. Im feeling like Whitney thinks she “got” Mariah and went in the studio like “let me show this little girl how its done.” Whether or not she really accomplished that…. well, I guess that’s up for debate LOL. But then she goes into the studio with CeCe and she’s not all cocky like that. Whats up, Whit? You cant get wit CeCe? Ima keep my commentary to myself, cause the thoughts in my head right now, although funny as hell, might hurt somebody’s feelings, but I will say this: pre-crack Whitney woulda went in the studio wit her gloves on and boots laced. Im just sayin.

That would be such a good sing-off though…… I don’t even think a winner could clearly be determined at each of their bests, but Lord, would I love to see them all sing for their lives…… Whitney….. Mariah…… CeCe……. In their primes?

Man.