"Fine" is a song by American R&B singer Whitney Houston, and was the fourth single from her 2000 compilation album, Whitney: The Greatest Hits.
Composition
|
|
| Problems playing this file? See media help. |
"Fine" is a mid-tempo R&B tune, written and produced by Raphael Saadiq and Kamaal Fareed. According to Billboard, it features "languid retro-funk guitars" and a "sneaky hook", brought to life by "richly layered harmonies".[1] It was described as having "a sleek lite-funk sound" by The Star-Ledger.[2]
Critical reception
Billboard wrote that "Fine" is "perhaps her most convincing crack at urbanized pop music to date. [Houston] seems to have eased into the chilled soul that propels a street-wise track. She wisely does not give into the temptation to belt and wail her way through the song [...]. Instead, Houston works the more sultry lower register of her voice, saving the big, beautiful notes as a dramatic accent toward the end of the cut.[1] LA Weekly in its review for Whitney: The Greatest Hits wrote that "Only on the stellar R&B track “Fine” does Whitney stand out. [...] “Fine” is soulful, funky and tight as hell. And the vocal performance ranks among Whitney’s best."[3] The Baltimore Sun wrote that "Of the new tracks [on Whitney: The Greatest Hits], only the sultry, soulful "Fine" manages to convey any of the strengths that made Houston a star." and "hearing [Houston] work the tune's insistent, retro-funk groove, there's no doubting that she still has what it takes to make hits".[4] CANOE reviewer Jane Stevenson felt that the song "falls flat".[5] The Star-Ledger wrote that the song "grows tiresomely repetitious".[2] According to New Nation the song takes Houston "to even greater heights, changing [her] vocals to a much lower tone, with an added hip-hop bassline".[6]
Chart performance
"Fine" appeared on the singles charts only in the United States and in Sweden.[7][8] The song peaked at number 51 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.[7] In Sweden, it debuted and peaked at number 50, but spent only one week on the chart.[8]
Music video
The music video features Houston at a rooftop cocktail party. In the U.S., a DVD single was released. It includes the videos for "Fine" and the Houston-George Michael duet "If I Told You That," plus behind-the-scenes footage from the "Fine" video shoot. Houston's then-husband Bobby Brown also appears in the video.
Track listings and formats
|
|
| 1. |
"Fine" (Album version) |
3:34 |
| 2. |
"Love to Infinity Megamix" (Edit) |
5:17 |
| 3. |
"Hearbreak Hotel" (R.I.P. Mix) |
3:40 |
| 4. |
"Love to Infinity Megamix" |
9:22 |
|
|
| 1. |
"Fine" |
3:34 |
| 2. |
"Same Script, Different Cast" (Jonathan Peters Radio Edit) |
4:20 |
| 3. |
"Same Script, Different Cast" (Friburn & Urik Cover Your Ears Mix) |
10:49 |
| 4. |
"Fine" (Instrumental) |
3:34 |
|
|
| 1. |
"Fine" (Music video) |
3:35 |
| 2. |
"If I Told You That" (Music video) |
4:12 |
| 3. |
"Behind-the-scenes footage of the "Fine" video shoot" |
|
Personnel
- Credits[12]
- Produced by Raphael Saadiq & Q-Tip for The Ummah
- Orchestra arranged by Raphael Saadiq & Charles Veal, Jr.
- Orchestra recorded by Gerry "The Gov" Brown at Capitol Studios, LA, CA
- Orchestra conducted by Charles Veal, Jr. & performed by The South Central Chamber Orchestra
- Vocal Arrangement: Whitney Houston
|
- Recording and mixing[12]
- Recorded by Jason Stasium & Danny Romero at The Record Plant, LA, CA
- Mixed by DJ Quik at Skip Saylor Studios, LA, CA
|
Charts
References
External links
|
|---|
| | | | Studio albums | |
|---|
| | Soundtrack albums | |
|---|
| | Holiday albums | |
|---|
| | Extended Plays | |
|---|
| | Compilation albums | |
|---|
| | Concert tours | |
|---|
| Notable concerts
& appearances | |
|---|
| | Achievements | |
|---|
| | Related articles | |
|---|
| |
|
