BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
“How Will I Know” is a song recorded by American recording artist Whitney Houston for her debut album, entitled Whitney Houston, which was released in February 1985. It was released by Arista Records in November that year, as the album’s third single. Composed by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam, the song was originally intended for Janet Jackson, but she passed on it. Houston then recorded the song with altered lyrics and production from Narada Michael Walden. An up-tempo dance song, the lyrics speak about the protagonist trying to discern if a boy she likes will ever like her back.
“How Will I Know” received mainly positive reviews. The song became Houston’s second number one single on the United States Billboard Hot 100. It spent two weeks atop the chart and also became Houston’s first chart topper on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart. In other regions, the song was successful, reaching the top 10 in in Sweden, Norway, and United Kingdom and the top 20 in the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
| Special note about this 12″: The mixes contained on this 12″ were only released on European editions of the single and were not available in the US. The US version contains completely alternate mixes. |
SIDE A:
How Will I Know (Dance-Mix) 6:10
Producer, Arranged By – Narada Michael Walden
Written-By – George Merill*, Shannon Rubicam
SIDE B:
Saving All My Love For You 3:56
Producer, Written-By – Michael Messer*
Written-By – Gerry Goffin
How Will I Know (Dub Mix) 5:36
Producer, Arranged By – Narada Michael Walden
Written-By – George Merill*, Shannon Rubicam
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | How Will I Know | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1984 | How Will I Know | U.S. Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | #1 |
| 1984 | How Will I Know | U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | #3 |
| 1984 | How Will I Know | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary | #1 |
| 2012 | How Will I Know | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #49 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Arista – 602 126
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Executive Producer – Clive Davis
NOTES:
From the album “WHITNEY HOUSTON”
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Producer, Narada Michael Walden also told me that “How Will I Know” was originally written for Janet Jackson, but she rejected it. He explained how he initially turned down working with Whitney Houston, as he was too busy working with Aretha Franklin. It all worked out in the end!
Michael Barbiero told me 🙂
Hi Dj PaulT, I see that you wrote here what I just posted earlier on another How Will I Know post. 🙂 At any rate, I am looking forward to listening to the Dance-Mix version and Dub Mix version. YaY!! You have a nice weekend ahead and thank you very much for this post.
Thanks Paul for posting this.
I specifically bought this 12in German Import for these mixes, way back then.
It has been forgotten about by Arista/Song BMG ever since.
That’s a big shame, because it is so much better than the uninspiring Jellybean mix.
THIS version was mixed by Michael Barbiero. You might remember him teaming up with Steve Thompson in the late eighties. They did a lot of mixes together. Barniero has good feel for what the song and music is doing.
You saved me having to transfer this myself… Thank you!
Yes, Barbiero – I knew it! Thanks for the confirmation Disco D. These mixes are FAR FAR FAR much better than the Jellybean ones. Really don’t understand why Arista US commissioned a pair of different mixes by Benitez.
Great post, Paul. Apart from the terrific A-side, that Dub Mix rocks man!
DISCO D- Thanks for the useful info. Hope you see this. I am a big Whitney fan and have tons of stuff on her. Another fan told me he thought Narada mixed this version, but it was just a guess. Nice to hear confirmation that it was Michael Barbiero, a classic remixer I adored and followed. Would you mind disclosing how & where you got the info. I looked at the 3 different versions of this 12″ I own but could not find any info. Much appreciated as I’ve been searching for years! PAUL- Thank you so much for this!!!… Read more »
Wow. Amazing. I also have never heard of this mix. Thank you!!!
Wow, I had no idea that this existed either. What a great post! Thank DjPaulT!
Wow! Who knew there was a different Dance Mix of How Will I Know? The UK 12″ had the regular Jellybean mix I think. An absolute classic. Thanks so much. Look forward to seeing more rare Whitney material. I remember a friend having a great mix of Whitney’s duet with Aretha, “It Isn’t, It Wasn’t, It Ain’t Never Gonna Be” by Clivilles & Cole – might have been called the After Hours Club Mix? If you ever come across that, would love to hear it again!
I really cannot wait to check this out 🙂 Thanks for the Whitney!!!
My pleasure Matt. Enjoy!
Like everyone else has said… WOW! And I thought I had all the Whitney mixes from the 80s! Thanks so much for unearthing this little gem and sharing it with the world.
You’re welcome Todd 🙂
can’t wait to check this out, didn’t know it existed, thanks for another great post!
You are so welcome Feanor. You are going to love it!
thanx a lot for this rare single!!!!!
is it possible to upload the U.S. 12” single as well???
‘efharisto’ means thank you in greek!!!!!!
I have it planned for tomorrows post if all goes as planned Giorgio 🙂
love u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aren’t the mixes just done by Narada Michael Walden himself?
That’s a good question Maggie. I’m not sure.
Thanks so much, Paul! Please keep the rare Whitney comin’. Like my fellow 80s dance music enthusiasts here, I’ve been digging out my Whitney discs and reminding myself what a great singer she was — and what a breathtakingly beautiful woman she was.
She was truly a diamond that’s for sure.
In my opinion ‘How Will I know’ is in her best 3 songs. Looking forward to hearing these mixes! Thanks a million 🙂
One of my top favs also Woz.
Cool, Never heard this extended version before. I tought the jellybean remix was the only 12” version released of this song 😉
Hope you enjoy the mixes Bodyalive.
Thanks for post!
is better than the US versions!!
You’re welcome Drake!
I’m the proud owner of the US 12″ and also this European edition.
Jellybean did the US mixes (also released on the Japanese cd Dancin’ Special), but does anyone have an idea who did these European mixes ? I like them both actually…
Thanks Paul for the rip !
you’re welcome Trikke. I am also curious to know who did the European mixes.
Thank you so much Paul! What a beautiful woman she was. So pretty..Covergirl.. Amazing. I can’t look to this front picture without tears. Whitney, baby Whitney, for what God took your so soon??!
Thanks a lot for this single Paul. I always loved this song. How Will I Know… ?
You’re welcome Spring. I love this picture because I can still see some innocence in her face.
You are so right! On this photo Whitney simply radiates innocence and she shone with happiness. She is so light, very positive and magnificent here! Love it!!!
I use to play this mix back in the 80’s.
Waaayyyyy better than the US version.
It torn off the roof everytime I mixed it in at 0:39.
Great to hear this in quality digital form, thanks Paul!!
You’re welcome Victor I like this mix better too.
Many many thanks for all your fantastic vinyl rips!! This one is particurarly welcome because i still can’t believe Whitney is no more with us, and now can only pay her the right tribute for the wonderful artist she has been.
You’re welcome Alessandro it is still a shock to me too.
Holy crap! – The “Dance Mix” is a TOTAL different mix to the one released on the regular 12″!
Glad you like it Rob!
I pride myself on knowing a **LOT** about 12″ singles from the 80s (as an ex-dj and collector) but I have never heard of this 12″! Wow! Great stuff! Thank you so much!!
You’re welcome Fred it is a pretty rare one indeed.