A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston

I decided to read this book after all the doom and gloom going on in the world, I needed a book that had some humanity, love and a warm hug and that's exactly what I got with this book. I consumed it within 3 days.I'm a Whitney Houston fan and it pained me to see her in the state she was in during her final years, particularly in the early 00's. As this once classy woman who had so much talent, that I watched and enjoyed as a child in the 80's and grew up listening to, turned into a shadow of her former self. It was too upsetting to watch.Robyn was and is a genuine person who really cared and loved Whitney for Whitney or "Nippy" (as she was affectionately called by close friends and family). Robyn wanted nothing in return and I honestly don't believe that she was an "opportunist" like Cissy and Gary Houston keep mentioning in interviews. No-one who worked with Robyn has a bad word to say about her, not one! Only Whitney's family and that alone speaks volumes as this "concern" was coming from another place and not Whitney's well-being, but merely as their cash-cow.The saddest part about all of this; Whitney was in love with Robyn, I truly believe that, but because of being raised in the church and Whitney's religious beliefs, a relationship with a woman was not permitted during her time. Had this been today, Whitney would be alive and no doubt living her life with Robyn as there are a lot of entertainers today who are openly gay/bisexual and no-one bats an eyelid. They are simply living their authentic lives as people today are far more tolerant and empathetic, which is so refreshing and shows as a society how far we have come and how archaic this world once was.How do I know Whitney was in love with Robyn? Well firstly there is no way a woman let alone anyone would allow someone who they have been intimate with in the past to be around their spouse (in this case Bobby Brown) yet alone in their lives (working relationship or not) unless they deeply cared for them, just no way! Another thing; when Robyn stopped working for Whitney in 2000 that is when Whitney's life and drug use just spiralled out of control. Coincidence? I think not. That was someone who was suffering from a broken heart and was trying to ask for help and even Robyn herself said Whitney had too much pride. The one person who cared and loved Whitney for her when those feelings were clearly reciprocated, but couldn't openly express this to, was now gone and Whitney was left with people who just wanted to take advantage of her and didn't care how she felt or what another tour would do to her psychologically and physically. She needed to rest.Bobby knew that Whitney loved him, but he also knew she wasn't in love with him and only married him to shrug off the gay rumours. He even admitted had Whitney's sexuality been accepted by her family and Robyn been around, Whitney would still be alive today. Which explains Bobby's behaviour at the time, which I don't condone or really feel there was an excuse for. When Whitney and himself were married; you have a wife who is a bigger star than yourself, everyone loves, respects and adores her, her career is huge and soaring making more money in the relationship, she really and truly loves someone else and you are the fall guy. That's a recipe for disaster for someone with an ego who loves to be the centre of attention.As for Robyn, what a classy and lovely lady. I've seen her in interviews and she's nothing, but gracious, classy and well spoken. She didn't bad mouth a soul, not one and I'm sure she had more to say about people who mistreated her. I’ve read both Bobby Brown and Cissy Houston’s biographies and we didn’t fully see Whitney the person or truly get to know her like Robyn allowed us to. Robyn really knew Whitney better than anyone and she humanised her throughout this book and made sure Whitney was present on every single page.The title of this book is another wink to Robyn and Whitney’s love. Robyn explained that she always wanted Whitney to perform “A song for you”, but Whitney didn’t feel she was ready as she was too young and inexperienced. However, years later at the 1991 Welcome home heroes concert, Whitney sang this song and Robyn herself mentioned when she sang she sounded like she was in agony. It sounded INCREDIBLE and Whitney never sang it again until she put it on her last and final album, I look to you, in 2009.I strongly believe that there is a lot more that Robyn knew, saw and did, but she's kept that private by honouring Whitney even after 40 years of friendship especially when Whitney is no longer on this earth, she remains loyal. Robyn is a truly special person and Whitney was so blessed to have someone like that in her life.Robyn Crawford, you wanted to honour your friend and I believe you truly did that. Bravo!!!

There are a handful of singers who, when you hear their voice for the first time give you a "wow" moment and a tingle that touches you deep.Whitney gave me that when I first heard "Saving all my love for you."I am a similar age and many of her songs became part of the soundtrack of my life and to me, she had it all - a staggering beauty, elegance, success, financial security and a peerless voice. Stunning.God gave her the lot.Or did He.....I read the rumours about drugs and I saw the photos. I struggled to understand why a woman so gifted would fall into drugs so heavily.Why would she abuse that God given talent?Why isn't her voice, beauty and success enough??Why did she need to get high? And higher? And so much higher that her looks and voice were being ruined?Then I read about Robyn and I read quotes from Cissy - and I saw film footage of Cissy and it all fell into place.A sadly all too frequent case of a person not allowed to be their true selves and the suppression of their true self causing severe problems along the line. Keeping a secret and not being allowed to be their true self takes its toll.Whitney and Robyn's love was hidden and although people around them were happy to "allow" Robyn to be openly gay, they would not extend that "permission" to Whitney - oh no, the record company and her Mother would not permit it.And what a mother. Some call her great. Some call her strong.I call her bigoted and domineering.All her kids were messed up.They were on drugs from being teenagers - so the reason why a woman so gifted as Whitney would fall so deeply into drugs has its roots right there.In a section of the book where Robyn's mother sees Cissy "holding court" with her Church friends, Mrs Crawford is shocked by Cissy's bad behaviour and bad language and comments later, "and she calls herself a woman of God."Sums it up, really.Whitney ended her physical relationship with Robyn but still needed her close, but eventually Robyn was driven out.As Whitney became a cash cow for many people, Robyn was a threat to them.So she was eased out.Homophobia played its part here because Whitney was torn - she was convinced by people that her career would be ruined if she was open about her relationship with Robyn.Clearly Whitney wanted, no, needed that career but having to give up her love was part of the reason the drug taking became an addiction too strong for her to fight.Robyn was left on the outside looking in and when Bobby Brown and his family came on the scene, Robyn was totally excommunicated.Robyn tells her side of the story with dignity.She does not descend into name-calling or trashing people, she merely tells the story of her life and the people in it.She knew Whitney needed help but after her banishment she was not allowed back inside the inner circle. Whitney was beyond her reach and was lost. It was only a matter of time.I am glad Robyn has now found love and is living a happy family life with no secrets.Bigoted people who hide behind their religion have a lot to answer for.And so do homophobic people.Also greedy people who only care about how much money an Artist can make and how much of it they can grab from them without any thought for the Artist's wellbeing.If "they" had let Whitney be open about her relationship with Robyn, then maybe a huge message would have got through and gone some way to stamping out homophobia.Instead it was swept under the carpet and was the probable cause of the downward spiral of such a talented performer.The true self ought not to be suppressed.If people were allowed to just be themselves then maybe there would be fewer tragic endings to lives like those of Whitney Houston and her daughter.Thank you Robyn Crawford for finalling putting in the missing piece of the jigsaw.It all makes sense now.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s honest and raw and is written by someone who really did know Whitney personally. There wasn’t any section in the book that dragged out like some bios. I would highly recommend

Brilliant book would recommend to everyone gives an honest view into the real Whitney Houston

Robyn's book was beautiful and the realest account of Whitney I have ever read. I have always been a huge whitney houston fan I connected to her voice many years ago and followed her career to the very end. For anyone who listens to whitney, especially her live stuff, she is all about uplifting ones spirit and brings her gospel influence to her singing. For me she is the voice of triumph which is why, as a fan, I was angry about her downfall and death.  I couldn't understand how a woman who seemed to have it all, spoke so strongly about God would become so addicted to drugs, destroy her talent and fail in saving herself and her only child.With robyn's account you begin to understand how whitney went from being a carefree, happy, excited teen who was finding herself and figuring herself out to an addict. It is a sad story but it had to be told. The houstons were beyond toxic even pre fame and they trivialised the drug problems in their family.Through robyn's book you see whitney was essentially an addict in its fullest form - it is really sad. Robyn turned her life around and is now living in her truth going from strength to strength. My take away from this book was deep down whitney didn't feel worthy of better relationships and sobriety. The reasons for this we will never know. I will forever be a fan of whitney houston despite how messed up she was and became. Her artistry meant a lot to me and continues to make me happy. However I am glad this book was written.