Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Saving All My Love for You (1985)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) This was Whitney Houston's first big hit, her introduction to a mass, national audience. But music was not her first career. While she was still in high school, Whitney was a model and  Seventeen magazine covergirl. Is there a print magazine in your home right now? If yes, who is on the cover? Vanity Fair: the girls from Wicked.

2) During her modeling days, she also appeared on packaging for Simplicity patterns. Can you sew? I can hem (I'm 5'1, so even petite slacks are too long) and mend and replace a button. But no, I can't really sew.

3) "Saving All My Love for You" was the record that made Whitney Houston a superstar in the UK. Let's flip that: Tell us about a British performer you enjoy listening to. Sometimes I'm just in an Amy mood. Here's my favorite.

4) This song was composed by Michael Masser. He left his career as a stockbroker to pursue his passion for music and scored his first major hit with "Touch Me in the Morning" by Diana Ross. Do you feel you have a greater affinity for the analytical/logical or the creative/emotional? Creative/emotional.

5) The lyrics were written by Gerald Goffin. He, too, took a circuitous route to music success. After high school he joined the Navy. When that stint was over, he went to college and studied chemistry. He worked in a lab for a while, but that was just to earn a regular paycheck until he could support himself with songwriting. What was your first job after you finished your education? How long did you stay at that job? I was an admin (secretary, in those days) for Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Sears Tower. After 5 years, I was lucky enough to get a promotion to catalog copywriter. They didn't promote from within very often, and I know I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. That copywriting job opened the door to a real career and I'm grateful.

6) While this week's song was Whitney's first hit, it wasn't her most biggest hit. That was "I Will Always Love You," from the soundtrack of her movie The Bodyguard. "I Will Always Love You" was written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton. The film's star and producer Kevin Costner called Dolly personally to get her permission to use her song, a courtesy she appreciated. Who has recently been thoughtful or kind to you? Katie O., our temporary manager at the card shop. She gave me an extra, longer shift yesterday. I asked what was up: did we get a big shipment in or has traffic unexpectedly increased? Nope. She told me that right now Corporate isn't being so bearish about payroll and she saw an opportunity to let me make a little more money so she grabbed it. That was so nice of her. She doesn't even know me! We texted and talked on the phone, but I didn't even meet her until I showed up for my extra shift yesterday.

7) Whitney was a big fan of tomato soup. So is Barbra Streisand. (Maybe is bestows some kind of musical superpower!) What's your favorite soup for an autumn day like today? Clam chowder is always good. 

8) 1985 wasn't just big for Whitney. It was also the year Bruce Willis became a household name when his TV series premiered on ABC. Can you name it? Moonlighting! I've been bingeing on it on Hulu, and falling in love with David Addison all over again.

 

9) Random question: While dining out, have you ever sent food back? No.