Something in Common
"Something in Common" is a song by American singers Bobby Brown and then-wife Whitney Houston, that was featured on Brown's third album, Bobby (1992). The single version was re-recorded and released in December 1993 by MCA, and was also available on Brown's 1993 compilation album Remixes in the Key of B. It was written by Brown and Houston with Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Mark Middleton and Alfred Rosemond, while Riley and L.A. Reid produced it. The song stands as the couple's first musical collaboration and the only song released as a single. It examines two unlikely people coming together as they find "something in common." Its music video was directed by Andy Morahan.
This article is about the song. For other uses, see Something in Common (disambiguation)."Something in Common"
December 7, 1993
- NJS Future Records (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
- Studio LaCoCo (Atlanta, Georgia)
- 4:59 (album version)
- 4:23 (radio edit)
- Whitney Houston
- Bobby Brown
- Teddy Riley
- Bernard Belle
- Mark Middleton
- Alfred Rosemond
- Teddy Riley
- L.A. Reid (remix)
Chart performance[edit]
The song was released as a single track in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 16. Although the song and its music video received moderate rotation in the United States, "Something in Common" was not released as a commercial single and was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts;[1] however, it peaked at numbers 32 and 30 on the Hot 100 Airplay and Hot R&B Airplay lists, respectively.[2][3]
Critical reception[edit]
Larry Flick from Billboard felt the song is "actually quite sweet, and good fun ... not to mention a viable radio contender."[4] Troy J. Augusto from Cashbox named it Pick of the Week, declaring it as "quite a catchy number thanks to the always reliable production skills of Teddy Riley as well as LA. Reid's remix and the duo's pleasant delivery." He also called it a "happy, positive cut".[5] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly noted that here, Brown "coos to his new bride, Whitney Houston, in a bouncy duet".[6] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "'My Maaaaaan', Whitney sings proudly on a thundering swingbeat. 'Giiiiiiiirl', Bobby replies passionately, and together they sing about their much-publicised happy marriage. Baby "Bobbi" joins in on the video only."[7]
Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "This shuffling jackswing/soul number draws fine vocal performances from the husband and wife team and is the commercial highlight of Brown's album."[8] The Network Forty declared it "a wonderful uptempo track", adding that "the electric vocals of Houston and Brown gives an urban edge to their strong dance and pop base."[9] A reviewer from People Magazine felt it is "destined to be a much scrutinized cut", describing it as an "up-from-the-streets echo" of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.[10] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented Houston's vocals as "rich and confident".[11] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update viewed it as "pleasant".[12] Mark Frith from Smash Hits was less enthustiastic, giving the song two out of five.[13]