Whitney Houston - Whitney (album) I Wanna Dance With Somebody Page

A quintessential 80s dance-pop anthem, the song features a synthesized arrangement that initially drew comparisons to Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun".

Directed by Brian Grant , the colorful video features Houston in her iconic pink dress and helped cement her status as a MTV staple. A quintessential 80s dance-pop anthem, the song features

Far from just a club track, the lyrics depict a deeper yearning for a partner to do the "dance of life" with. It was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam (the duo behind "How Will I Know") and produced by Narada Michael Walden . It was written by George Merrill and Shannon

"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" is the signature hit from Whitney Houston's record-breaking second studio album, (1987) . The song transformed her from a powerhouse ballad singer into a global pop icon, eventually becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time with over 18 million copies sold worldwide. The Iconic Single: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" The Iconic Single: "I Wanna Dance with Somebody"

The track earned Houston the 1988 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance .

Released on , the song was a deliberate move by Clive Davis and Arista Records to give Houston a more upbeat, accessible sound following her debut album's success.