Is Whitney Dancin' Special a good place to start with Whitney Houston?

Yes, Whitney Dancin' Special is recommended as a starting point for new Whitney Houston listeners. A vibrant collection of dance remixes that elevate Whitney Houston's soulful pop hits into euphoric club anthems. Released in November 1986, Whitney Dancin' Special came shortly after Houston's massive breakthrough with her self-titled debut album. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a pop icon, following the success of tracks like 'How Will I Know' and 'You Give Good Love.' This remix album highlighted her appeal within the burgeoning dance music scene of the mid-1980s.

Who is Whitney Dancin' Special for?

Whitney Dancin' Special works well if you're into high-energy dance floor vibes, sing-along remixes with friends and steady groove for movement.

How many songs are on Whitney Dancin' Special?

Whitney Dancin' Special has 6 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Released 40 years ago

Whitney Dancin' Special

Whitney Houston · 1986

38 min · 6 tracks · pop music

A vibrant collection of dance remixes that elevate Whitney Houston's soulful pop hits into euphoric club anthems.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
How Will I Know (dance remix) Start here — This remix transforms Houston's hit into an upbeat anthem perfect for dance floors, showcasing her vocal agility against infectious beats.
→
You Give Good Love (extended dance version) — The extended version breathes new life into this classic ballad, emphasizing its romantic essence while making it suitable for club play.
→
Thinking About You (extended dance version) — This track exemplifies the fusion of smooth vocals with a driving rhythm, creating a captivating atmosphere that highlights Houston's artistry.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The EP effectively transforms pop hits into dance tracks, highlighting Houston's versatility in a club context.

What we noticed

The EP features five remixed versions of Whitney Houston's tracks, with four being extended or dance versions that emphasize rhythm and beat.
Each remix maintains the original vocal lines but alters the instrumentation significantly to create a club-friendly atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

high-energy dance floor vibes
sing-along remixes with friends
steady groove for movement
celebratory party atmosphere

Maybe skip if you

prefer quiet, introspective moments
dislike extended dance tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Showcases Houston's versatility and solidifies her status in dance music post-debut.
Themes: club anthem remixes· urban contemporary pop
Career context: Released in November 1986, Whitney Dancin' Special came shortly after Houston's massive breakthrough with her self-titled debut album. At this point in her career, she was solidifying her status as a pop icon, following the success of tracks like 'How Will I Know' and 'You Give Good Love.' This remix album highlighted her appeal within the burgeoning dance music scene of the mid-1980s.
Stylistic neighbors: Mariah Carey· Toni Braxton· Aretha Franklin