*More than a decade after her death, Whitney Houston’s musical legacy remains untouched.
Billboard reports the soundtrack to the late singer’s 1992 film “The Bodyguard” became certified for U.S. shipments of 19 million units. The achievement extends the album’s lead as the top-certified film soundtrack in RIAA history.
As a result, “The Bodyguard” soundtrack puts it in rare air with six other Diamond-certified soundtracks, selling 10 million copies or more: the Bee Gees-led “Saturday Night Fever” (16 million), Dirty Dancing (14 million), Prince & the Revolution’s “Purple Rain” (13 million), “Forrest Gump” (12 million), “Titanic” (11 million) and “The Lion King” (10 million).
For Houston, the RIAA distinctions are not done with her. She is the only Black artist with three Diamond albums: “The Bodyguard” soundtrack – 1985’s “Whitney Houston” (her debut) 14x platinum; 1987’s “Whitney” (her sophomore album) 10x platinum
Only three other Black musicians – Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey and 2Pac – have each had two Diamond albums, but Houston has surpassed them with her album trio.
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In addition to “The Bodyguard” soundtrack, RIAA certifications for 10 of Houston’s singles were upgraded on June 25. Those singles being the following:
“I Will Always Love You” (11x Platinum)
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (8x Platinum)
“I Have Nothing” (4x Platinum)
“Higher Love” with Kygo (released on Kygo/RCA Records)
“How Will I Know” (each is 3x Platinum)
“Heartbreak Hotel,” “My Love Is Your Love” and “Saving All My Love for You” (2x Platinum each)
“Run to You” and “Count on Me” (Platinum each).
“I know that Whitney would be happy to know of the impact that her music has made globally,” Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law, executor of her estate and the president of The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation, said about the honors in a statement. “… She would be delighted to know that her loyal and worldwide fans have continued to love her and carry on her musical legacy through the generations. She would want us to say thank you to every person that contributed to her recordings, her productions, and the marketing of all her records, especially to Clive Davis and the extraordinary team of Arista Records through her many years at the label.”
The RIAA certification upgrades come amid the 40th anniversary of the “Whitney Houston” album, which was released on Feb. 14, 1985, Billboard noted, adding that it first cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 200 on the chart dated Aug. 31, 1985, and first reaching No. 1 on the chart dated March 8, 1986.
The outlet went further into Houston’s latest accomplishments, pointing out that “I Will Always Love You,” “I Have Nothing” and “Run to You” all spawned from “The Bodyguard” soundtrack.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” the lead single from the “Whitney: album, ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s 2023 mega-list: “The 500 Best Pop Songs: Staff List.”
Overall, Houston’s RIAA-certified units total 114.5 million across 38 titles (27 singles plus 11 albums).
The recognition is further cemented with RIAA president and COO Michele Ballantyne, who noted the continued generational appeal of Houston’s voice and music since her passing on Feb. 11, 2012.
“Whitney Houston’s iconic voice and powerful songs have carried her legacy across generations,” Ballantyne said in a statement. “With 11 new certifications, RIAA is proud to celebrate how her enduring impact is still felt throughout the music industry and as the Estate’s partnership with Sony finds moments to reach new fans. We are grateful for the remarkable gift Whitney left for us all!”
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