About the song
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston is a quintessential dance-pop anthem that embodies the vibrant spirit of the 1980s music scene. Released on May 2, 1987, as the lead single from her second studio album, *Whitney*, the song was a collaborative effort. Co-written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of the band Boy Meets Girl, who had previously penned Houston’s hit “How Will I Know,” and produced by Narada Michael Walden, a frequent collaborator with the iconic singer, the track seamlessly blends dance-pop with R&B influences.
Initially conceived as a country song, Walden’s transformative production turned it into an infectious dance floor filler. The lyrics depict a young woman’s yearning to find true love through dancing, capturing both the euphoria and vulnerability of searching for a meaningful connection amidst the festive atmosphere of a party.
Upon its release, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” garnered mixed reviews from music critics, drawing comparisons to Houston’s earlier work and contemporaries like Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” However, its commercial success was undeniable, topping charts in 17 countries worldwide including the US, where it spent two consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Houston’s fourth consecutive chart-topper.
The music video, directed by Brian Grant, complements the song’s exuberance with vibrant visuals of Houston and dancers performing in various colorful settings and costumes. Houston promoted the song extensively through television appearances, award shows like MTV’s Music Video Awards and the Grammy Awards, and live performances during her tours.
Beyond its initial success, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” has endured as a cultural touchstone, covered by artists ranging from Fall Out Boy to Jessie J, and featured on compilation albums like *Whitney: The Greatest Hits* and *The Ultimate Collection*. With global sales exceeding 8 million copies, it remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, solidifying Whitney Houston’s legacy as a powerhouse in pop music history.
Video
Lyrics
Aah
Yeah
Woo
Hey yeah
Haa
Ooh yeah
Ah-ha
Yeah
I wanna dance
Clock strikes upon the hour
And the sun begins to fade
Still enough time to figure out
How to chase my blues away
I’ve done alright up ’till now
It’s the light of day that shows me how
And when the night falls, loneliness calls
Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
I’ve been in love and lost my senses
Spinning through the town
Sooner or later, the fever ends
And I wind up feeling down
I need a man who’ll take the chance
On a love that burns hot enough to last
So when the night falls
My lonely heart calls
Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Somebody who, somebody who
Somebody who loves me yeah
Somebody who, somebody who
To hold me in his arms oh
I need a man who’ll take the chance
On a love that burns hot enough to last
So when the night falls
My lonely heart calls
Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Oh, I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Ooh ooh (dance)
Come on baby (dance)
Ooh, yeah (dance)
Now get with this
Whoah!
Don’tcha wanna dance with me baby?
Don’tcha wanna dance with me boy?
Hey don’tcha wanna dance with me baby?
With somebody who loves me?
Don’tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance, don’tcha wanna dance
Don’tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance, don’tcha wanna dance
Don’tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance, ah-ha
With somebody who loves me
Dance, dance, dance (hey baby!)