Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

4. Whitney HoustonWhitney

Oh, man. Totally love her. I just love her so much. Whitney was the first record I bought with my own money and it was a vinyl from Kmart. Well, that and Lionel Richie’s Dancing On The Ceiling, when I was about six. I love her voice. I sobbed when she passed away. I just think that she has one of the most pure, amazing human voices that there has ever been. People still try to imitate her to this day but for her it was absolutely effortless. She was just able to open her mouth and do what she did. So many people these days, they’re like [mimics X Factor audition caterwauling] and all that shit and it doesn’t work in the same way. Whitney, when she would run all those notes, just wasn’t affected. It was unaffected, pure talent and it still gives me chills. Her national anthem brings me to tears every single time. You like ‘Love Is A Contact Sport’? Oh yeah, absolutely. [Sings] "Love is a contact sport, na-na-na-nah-na-na-na!"

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Susanna
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