Hold Me

Album: Whitney (1984)
Charted: 44 46
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Songfacts®:

  • "Hold Me" is a ballad duet performed by Whitney Houston with former Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes lead singer Teddy Pendergrass.
  • Houston sings of her attraction to Pendergrass' honest and pure nature and her desire for him to hold her close. In the chorus, they both croon of their intention to cherish the night, fill it with pleasure, and make it last forever.
  • In February 1983, Gerry Griffith, an A&R representative from Arista Records, discovered Whitney performing with her mother, Cissy Houston, in a New York nightclub. He convinced Arista's head, Clive Davis, to see her sing. Impressed by her talent, Davis offered her a worldwide record deal, which she signed on April 10, 1983.

    "Hold Me" was her first recording. Released on May 24, 1984, it gave her a first taste of success, becoming a Top 5 R&B hit.
  • The song was written by Linda Creed and Michael Masser and was originally recorded solo by Diana Ross.

    Creed and Masser also wrote "The Greatest Love Of All." Penned for the 1977 film biography of Muhammad Ali, The Greatest, it was originally recorded by George Benson. Whitney Houston revived the song, and on May 17, 1986, it became her third Hot 100 #1.
  • Diana Ross included her version on her 1982 album Silk Electric under the title "In Your Arms," with slightly different lyrics.
  • Ross produced her original version and Masser helmed Houston and Pendergrass' duet version.
  • "Hold Me" appears on both Pendergrass's eighth studio album, Love Language (1984), and on Houston's self-titled debut studio album (1985).

    Love Language was Pendergrass' first album of new material since a March 1982 car crash left him paralyzed from the waist down. It was his first record for Asylum Records after being a longtime artist on Philadelphia International Records.
  • The musicians are:

    Guitars: Paul Jackson
    Bass: Nathan East
    Keyboards: Randy Kerber, Ray Parker Jr.
    Drums: Carlos Vega
    Background Vocals: Debbie Thomas

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