I Have Nothing

"I Have Nothing"
Single by Whitney Houston
from the album The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album
Released	February 20, 1993
Format	CD single, cassette single, 7" single, 12" single
Recorded	1992
Genre	Adult contemporary, pop
Length	4:45
Label	Arista
Writer(s)	David Foster, Linda Thompson
Producer	David Foster
Certification	Gold (U.S.)
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"I'm Every Woman" (1993) "I Have Nothing" (1993) "Run to You" (1993)

"I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and is the third single released from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album.

Written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, the song is a richly orchestrated power ballad about deep love and commitment to one's lover, through lines such as "I don't want to go where you don't follow" and "Stay in my arms if you dare/ or must I imagine you there/ Don't walk away from me/ I have nothing, nothing, nothing if I don't have you."

As of most of Houston's material, this song has been an extremely popular choice on the reality television series American Idol. It is one of the most performed songs on American Idol, with six times, tied for first place alongside Phil Collins's "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" and Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me."

After the back to back successes of Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and "I'm Every Woman," The Bodyguard soundtrack album had become a massive international success. "I Have Nothing" became yet another hit, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified gold by the RIAA.

On secondary charts, the song became a hit with a number 1 peak (for 2 weeks) on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and a number 4 peak on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Internationally, the song performed well in the UK (peaking at number 3) and hit the top twenty in a few other markets; but performed moderately in Australia (number 28), Germany (number 39), and Switzerland (number 39). Remarkably, for the weeks on the Billboard chart ending March 13 and March 20, Houston had three 3 songs in the Top 11: "I Will Always Love You," "I'm Every Woman," and "I Have Nothing;" all from her Bodyguard soundtrack.

The song received nominations for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and for a 1994 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B Single - Female, although not winning either nomination.

The music video (directed by Steve Barron), shows Houston performing the song to an audience in a dining room hall. The video is intercut with scenes from The Bodyguard.

Formats and track listings

CD single

1. "I Have Nothing" - 4:45
2. "Where You Are" - 4:10

European/U.S. CD maxi-single

1. "I Have Nothing" - 4:45
2. "Where You Are" - 4:10
3. "Lover for Life" - 4:48

UK CD maxi-single

1. "I Have Nothing" - 4:45
2. "All the Man That I Need" - 3:54
3. "Where You Are" - 4:10
4. "Lover for Life" - 4:48

Charts

Covers

• Christina Aguilera performed her own rendition of the song while appearing on The Mickey Mouse Club.
• Jessica Simpson recorded a version of the song as a demo, it is so far only available on YouTube for people to hear it.
• Britney Spears revealed on VH1's Behind the Music, that she recorded a demo of this song before she was signed to Jive Records.
• Patti Labelle sung the song as a tribute to Whitney Houston on the 1996 Essence Awards.
• Charice Pempengco recorded a version of the song for her debut album.
• SunMin has a cover on her mini-album Cover Girl.
• Jennifer Hudson drew herself huge attention after a rendition on the third season of American Idol.
• Leona Lewis performed this song week 9 on the X Factor (Semi-final) of the competition she won, The X Factor.
• Frenchie Davis revealed that she was to sing the song as her next performance before being removed from American Idol season 2.
• The song was sung by Anastasia Horne on Kids Incorporated.
• Other American Idol alumni who have covered the song include Trenyce, Jennifer Hudson, Leah LaBelle, Vonzell Solomon, Katharine McPhee, and LaKisha Jones, as well as many auditioners.

References