Just Whitney

In the United States, Just Whitney debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, with sales of 205,147 copies in the first week. That beat the previous high first-week sales of 177,284 copies with the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack, and also logged her highest debut sales out of her Nielsen SoundScan-era albums at the time of its release.


The album spawned four singles (in order), "Whatchulookinat", "One of Those Days", "Try It on My Own", and "Love That Man", with the first, third and fifth singles peaking at number one on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart. "Try It on My Own" also peaked at number ten on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. Just Whitney has sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide and has also earned Platinum certification in the United States and Switzerland, and Gold in France, Brazil and other countries. In 2003, the album was nominated at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in the category for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.^[2]

Commercial performance[edit]

On the week ending December 28, 2002, Just Whitney debuted and peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 and number three on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.^[20] The album spent 26 weeks on the US Album chart. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding one million copies. Since its release, the album has sold 1.3 million copies in the US and roughly 1.2 million copies outside the US for total sales of 2.5 million copies.^[21]


In Australia, the album reached number 22 on the ARIA Urban Albums Chart.^[22] The album debuted at number 85 on the Canadian Albums chart, selling 3,000 copies in its first week.^[23] In Austria, it entered the albums chart on December 8, 2002 at its peak position of number 33.^[24] In Switzerland, the album saw its second highest peak, when it debuted at number 10 on the charts.^[25] It was certified Platinum by the IFPI Switzerland for shipment/sales of 30,000 copies or more.^[25] In France, the album charted at number 25 and was certified Gold, for shipment of 50,000 copies.^[26][27] In the Netherlands, it peaked at number 70 on the albums chart.^[28] Just Whitney was certified Gold in Brazil. In the UK, it peaked at number 76.^[29] The album has sold more than 2.5 million copies worldwide.^[30]

Singles[edit]

The album saw the release of five official singles - two preceding and three succeeding the album's release.


"Whatchulookinat" became the album's lead single released on September 17, 2002. The song received mixed to unfavorable reviews from critics.^[31] The single became a moderate success worldwide, peaking inside the top forty in most countries. In the US, it became her tenth Hot Dance Club Play topper.^[32] The corresponding music video was also considered as Houston's answer to the media for getting too deep into her personal life. The video showed a white set with cameras all over, following Houston's every move. The set was also full with old movie cameras and people dressed as reporters and photographers. Houston is shown dancing in front of them.


"One of Those Days" was the album's second single and was released on October 29, 2002.^[33] The song received many positive reviews from critics. It sampled The Isley Brothers' song "Between the Sheets". The single was a moderate success in the US. The accompanying music video's plot revolved around Houston and her friends, having a day for themselves and going to the club at night.


"Try It on My Own" became the project's third single and was released on February 11, 2003. The song received acclaim from critics as well as fans; most of them who named it as the album's highlight.^[9] The song, like its predecessors, was a moderate success and topped Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.^[34] It also reached the top ten on the US Adult Contemporary chart. Internationally, the song performed fair. A music video was released to promote the single.


"My Love" was released to urban adult contemporary radio as the album's fourth single on March 10, 2003.^[35]


"Love That Man" was the fifth and final single from the album, released on May 20, 2003. It became another Dance Club chart-topping single, but failed to make the Hot 100. No accompanying video was released for the single.^[36]