Whitney Houston Week continued"I Have Nothing"

[Editor's note] Today's installment of Whitney Week features my favorite song in her catalogue-- bar none.

Released in 1993, it was the third hit single from The Bodyguard soundtrack. The song is of special record-breaking importance because it made Houston the first artist to have three songs in the top 11 on the Hot 100 chart in the same week since the chart used Broadcast Data System and SoundScan data in 1991. (The other two songs were "I'm Every Woman" and "I Will Always Love You").

"I Have Nothing" was also nominated for Best Original Song at the 65th Annual Academy Awards.

Accolades aside, I love this Whitney song because it's about loving someone in spite of yourself. It's testimony to the humbling power of loving someone. A contradiction in terms to be sure, but isn't that what love really is...? It's also a hella exciting song to try and sing-- as some of my coworkers were unfortunate enough to see me do yesterday. But who can resist belting out lyrics like these: ♫ Take my love / I'll never ask for too much / Just all that you are / And everything that you do.

Don't misunderstand: I have never been (and probably will never be) very romantic. Sure, I love love songs and would relish the idea of a love-laden trip to Disney World someday. But generally I'm of the "sap can kill" mentality. Also, a day like today is about feeling feelings and I don't do that. Who knows, maybe I'm just waiting on Anderson Cooper to sweep me off my Converse.

But with Whitney, with this song, I allow myself to hope for a more loving me.

If you missed the previous installment of Whitney Week, catch up here.

--> In related news: Houston's family has decided against a public memorial for her at a New Jersey sports arena, and will hold an invitation-only service at the church where she first sang publicly, and where her mother, singer Cissy Houston, still attends services.