Count_On_Me_(Whitney_Houston_and_CeCe_Winans_song)

Count On Me (Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans song)

Count On Me (Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans song)

1996 single by Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans


"Count on Me" is a song recorded by American singers and best friends Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans. Produced by Babyface and co-written by Babyface, Houston and her brother Michael, it is an uplifting song about leaning on a friend for support when needed. Released in early 1996, the song was the fourth single from the soundtrack album of the motion picture Waiting to Exhale, and the second single by Houston released from that album and its soundtrack. "Count on Me" became Winans's highest-charting single on the US Hot 100, peaking at number eight. It was certified gold in the US.

Quick Facts from the album Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album, B-side ...

Critical reception

AllMusic editor Craig Lytle wrote, "She (Whitney) teams with Cece Winans on the inspirational duet "Count on Me", and both accomplished singers raise all hopes with their comforting vocals."[1] A reviewer from Billboard deemed the song "torchy".[2] The magazine's Larry Flick commented, "The touch of superstar producer Babyface is, as always, unmistakable, and he excels with this song's lush string arrangement. Vocally, Houston dominates the track, though Winans makes a strong-enough impression that those who have yet to hear her fine recordings will yearn to hear more. A buddy song for the diva generation that is destined to saturate pop radio airwaves into the spring."[3]

Gil L. Robertson IV from Cash Box picked it as a "standout track" of the soundtrack album.[4] Chicago Tribune editor Greg Kot felt that Winans's is one of the few voices on the album that sounds enraptured.[5] British magazine Music Week rated it four out of five, adding, "a slightly lethargic ballad from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack but, since everything Houston touches turns to gold, put your money on this reaching the Top 10."[6] Gary Darling from The Orlando Sentinel commented that "with its swelling choruses and shouted pledges of friendship", the song "is infused with We Are the World earnestness and overkill, but the performances save it from being too treacly".[7]

Music video

The accompanying music video for the song features Houston and Winans giving a concert performance, while clips of the Waiting to Exhale feature film are sporadically mixed in. The "Count on Me" music video peaked at number one on music channels BET, MTV, and VH1.

References in pop culture

On a Valentines Day episode of Sister, Sister, the three principal actors: Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry and Marques Houston, sing the song at a karaoke bar. They sing the first two verses and the chorus.

Charts

More information Chart (1996–2012), Peak position ...

Certifications

More information Region, Certification ...

References

  1. Lytle, Craig. "Waiting to Exhale - Original Soundtrack | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  2. "Billboard". Billboard. November 25, 1995.
  3. Flick, Larry (February 17, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 88. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. Robertson IV, Gil L. (December 9, 1995). "Urban" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 11. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  5. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 27, 1996. p. 27. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  6. Darling, Gary (December 8, 1995). "'Waiting To Exhale' Soundtrack". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  7. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  8. Steffen Hung. "Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans - Count On Me". austriancharts.at. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  9. Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 135. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  10. "German Charts - 1997". World Charts. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  11. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 161 Vikuna 16.3. – 22.3. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 16, 1996. p. 26. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  12. Steffen Hung. "Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans - Count On Me". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  13. Steffen Hung. "Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans - Count On Me". charts.nz. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  14. "South Korea Gaon International Chart (Week: February 12, 2012 to February 18, 2012)". Gaon Chart. January 5, 2013. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  15. Steffen Hung. "Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans - Count On Me". hitparade.ch. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  16. "1996 The Year in Music: Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. December 28, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  17. "Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 33. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  18. "1996 The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. December 28, 1996. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  19. "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  20. "Best-Selling Records of 1996". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 3. January 18, 1997. p. 61. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 7, 2015.

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