I Have Nothing

Background and recording

In April 1991, Houston announced that she was to begin filming her first movie, The Bodyguard, with Kevin Costner as co-star. After her I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour wrapped up in October of the year, producers of the film — including Costner himself — set the date for principal photography on November 25, 1991. Initially, the romance thriller featured no music, which concerned Houston's label head, Clive Davis, who sent a letter to Costner and the film's director Mick Jackson, addressing them of how Houston's character, singing diva Rachel Marron, needed a bodyguard with minimal music. Costner agreed with Davis' concern and, through Warner Bros. Pictures, Houston eventually signed a deal to record content for the film's soundtrack in which she would earn royalties. Houston, along with Davis, would serve as executive producer on the album.

Houston agreed to record six songs, of which, four would be prominently featured in scenes from the film that would then feature Houston's character performing the songs. After recording her composition, the hard rock number "Queen of the Night" with producers Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid on November 9, 1991; Houston headed to Encore Studios in Burbank, California three days later on November 12 to begin working with record producer David Foster on two songs, marking the first time in her career that Houston worked with Foster. Since Houston had recently suffered from a cold at the time, producer and artist agreed on recording two of the songs that had been submitted for the film and its accompanying soundtrack — "Run to You" and "I Have Nothing". Two takes of the former song were recorded first before they recorded "I Have Nothing". Prior to recording, Houston was concerned about the song's pitch, complaining to Foster that she "couldn't hit the note" and asked if he could drop the pitch down to a lower key. However, Foster told her he wouldn't be able to, due to the fact keyboards at the time didn't have chord progression edits. Foster was inspired by Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" to compose the song.

The song was lyrically composed by Foster's then-wife Linda Thompson. In her 2016 memoirs, A Little Thing Called Life: On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner, and Songs in Between, Thompson mentions that Jackson had approached her to write a song for The Bodyguard. She later revealed that the lyrics, "Stay in my arms if you dare / Or must I imagine you there / Don't walk away from me", was inspired by her relationship with American singer Elvis Presley. Thompson was Presley's girlfriend between 1972 and 1976; Thompson broke up with the star prior to his death a year later. Said Thompson, "having lived with the very biggest male diva of all time, I had a good deal of experience to draw on while creating that lyric." Thompson further wrote about the character of Marron in the film, "it was centered around this gorgeous megastar. She's petulant. She's a diva. And she has this bodyguard, he's protecting her, but she's difficult. And then she starts to fall in love with him. And the song has to be called 'I Have Nothing.'" Much like "I Will Always Love You", Houston performed the song in the film and later the music video of the song at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach.

Composition

According to the sheet music published by Warner Chappell Music, "I Have Nothing" is a pop and R&B song with soul and pop rock elements.

It has a "moderately slow" tempo with 52 beats per minute and starts at the key of G major and follows a chord progression of G—Em7—C—Am7—D/C—G—Em7—Cmaj7. It shifts to A major in the bridge and D major in the first two choruses. It then shifts to the key of E major in the final chorus and ends at B major.

Houston's vocal range in the song goes from the low note of G3 to the high note of F5 while the piano range from producer David Foster goes from as low as C2 to a high F5.

Critical reception

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic complimented the song as a "first-rate urban pop song that skillfully captures Houston at her best". Larry Flick from Billboard magazine called it a "booming power ballad". He added that it "has the same lung-bursting drama" as "I Will Always Love You", "tweaked with a quasi-symphonic climax that never fails to push all the right buttons. No need to predict single's future. Just count the minutes to its planting at No. 1." Another Billboard editor, Chuck Taylor, in his writing about Britney Spears on October 24, 1998, issue, described "I Have Nothing" as "bombastic and ultra-challenging." Jan DeKnock of Chicago Tribune said it is "yet another scorcher of a ballad" from the soundtrack. Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report complimented Houston's "emotionally-charged performance". In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "A classic ballad like the Whitney we used to know and love showing her voice off to best effect and making a deservedly high new entry."

Howard Cohen from The Miami Herald remarked that Houston "soars effortlessly as she belts out the brass-inflected ballad". James Montgomery of MTV said the song was "untouchable." Alan Jones from Music Week declared it as "an emotionally charged rollercoaster of a song, giving Ms Houston another chance to display her range." Nancy Culp from NME felt the "big ballad epic-ness" of "I Have Nothing" "calls for that kind of treatment." Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote that the song and "Run to You" are "booming generic ballads to which Houston applies her typical stentorian delivery." James T. Jones IV of USA Today praised the song with "Run to You" as "thrilling ballads, powered by an operatic coloratura alto."

Commercial performance

"I Have Nothing" was released as the third single from The Bodyguard in February 1993. The single debuted at number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart as the Hot Shot Debut of the week, the issue date of February 27, 1993, when her two songs, "I Will Always Love You" and "I'm Every Woman" still placed within the top ten. Remarkably, for the weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ending March 13 and 20, Houston had three songs inside the top 11, making her the first artist to achieve the trifecta on the same week since the Hot 100 began using Broadcast Data System and SoundScan data in 1991. On the Hot 100 Airplay chart, Houston equaled the feat with the aforementioned tracks on the February 27 and March 6 issues. The song peaked at number four on the Hot 100 on the April 3 issue, becoming Houston's 14th top five hit, spending 20 weeks on the chart. The single entered the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart at number 37 on the February 27 issue and peaked at number four on the chart in the April 10 issue. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary chart the issue dated May 1, 1993, and remained there for two weeks, becoming her tenth number-one song on the chart. It placed at number thirty and thirty-two on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts respectively. On the Cash Box pop singles charts, the song peaked at number one on the week of April 10, 1993 and would remain at number one for three consecutive weeks, becoming Houston's eleventh number one single on the chart. On Cash Box's R&B chart, it peaked at number two behind Silk's "Freak Me" on the week of April 24, 1993. The single was certified gold for shipments of 500,000 copies or more by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 1, 1993. On March 11, 2019, it was certified platinum for shipments of one million copies or more by the Recording Industry Association of America and then, two years later, on what would've been Houston's 58th birthday, the song was certified double-platinum for sales of two million copies or more. On June 25, 2025, the song was certified quadruple-platinum for sales of four million, becoming Houston's third highest-certified single in the United States after "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and "I Will Always Love You".

In Canada, the song debuted at number 50 on the RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks chart on March 13, 1993, and four weeks later reached the top ten. In its eighth week of release, on May 1, 1993, the single topped the chart and spent three weeks at the summit, staying on the chart for 18 weeks. The song entered the RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart at number 20 in the same week of its top 100 debut. Within five weeks, it hit the pole position of the chart on April 17, 1993, and stayed on the top for six weeks.

Worldwide, the song was also a success. In the United Kingdom, the single debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart on April 24, 1993, and the following week peaked at number three on the chart, making it Houston's ninth UK top five hit. According to The Official Charts Company in 2012, the single had sold 220,000 copies in the country; it has since been certified 2x platinum with sales of over 1.2 million units. It peaked at number four in Ireland, number 16 in Belgium, and number 20 in New Zealand. The song also reached a peak of number 28 in Australia, number 50 in France, number 39 in Germany, number 22 in the Netherlands, and number 39 in Switzerland. Due to the ballad's success in Europe, it peaked at number 9 on the Eurochart Hot 100, following "I Will Always Love You" and "I'm Every Woman". Following Houston's death in 2012, the song re-entered the global charts. In France, it hit a new peak of number 29, outperforming its original 1993 peak while also reaching the Spanish charts for the first time where it peaked at number 23. It also reached the charts in South Korea, peaking at its Circle International singles chart at number 27.

Music video

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by S. A. Baron. Because Houston was pregnant at the time of the song's release, footage of Houston performing the song to an audience in a dining room hall was shown. The video is intercut with scenes from the film (The Bodyguard, the same thing for I Will Always Love You).

The music video premiered in March 1993 and, like her previous music videos from The Bodyguard, immediately gained heavy rotation on MTV on March 20 of that year. It eventually reached heavy rotation on VH1, BET and other music video stations as well.

The Cleopatra-inspired beaded headpiece and jewelry and black halter gown Houston wears in the main performance scene, shot at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach, were designed for the singer by the film's costume designer Susan Nininger.

It was made available on Houston's official YouTube channel in November 2009, and has generated more than 995 million views as of January 2026, where it is her second most popular music video on YouTube after "I Will Always Love You".

Live performances

Houston performed "I Have Nothing" at the 4th Billboard Music Awards on December 9, 1993, receiving a standing ovation. Chris Willman of Los Angeles Times commented on the performance, saying "Houston's physically stationary, vocally mobile approach to the ballad―backlit behind the mike in a she-got-back-her-figure-flattering gown―effectively heightened the tune's diva dramaturgy, making it an easy highlight in a night otherwise short on compelling performances." She also performed a rousing 10-minute-medley of show tunes that ended with the song―"I Loves You, Porgy" from Porgy and Bess, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls, and "I Have Nothing"―at the 21st Annual American Music Awards, where she won the record eight awards, on February 7, 1994. This performance was included in the 2014 CD/DVD release, Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances.* Jet* magazine wrote about the AMA performance that "she [Houston] brought the house down with her soulful, stirring medley renditions."

On November 12, 1994, Houston sang the song during the concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, entitled Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa, telecast live via satellite on HBO. The performance is found in VHS and DVD with the same title of the concert, originally released in December 1994, and later re-released on June 24, 2010. The song was also performed on the concert to celebrate the wedding of Brunei royalty, at the Jerudong Park Garden on August 24, 1996. Houston sang the short-edited version of the song along with "I Will Always Love You," which were followed by a standing ovation, at the 1st BET Awards on June 19, 2001, becoming the first artist ever to be given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Though "I Have Nothing" is one of Houston's notable hits during her career, the song was performed solely on The Bodyguard World Tour (1993–94) among her ten tours. Houston performed the song as the final part of a medley which included the aforementioned songs from Broadway shows on first North American leg of the tour in 1993, but since the European leg in 1993, the song was performed solely without two show tunes on almost all the rest of the tour dates. Four performances of the song on the South American leg of the tour (1994) were broadcast on each country's TV channel: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 23, Santiago, Chile on April 14, Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 16, and Caracas, Venezuela on April 21.

Legacy

Accolades and achievements

"I Have Nothing" was nominated for Best Original Song at the 65th Annual Academy Awards on March 29, 1993. David Foster and Linda Thompson were nominated for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for the song at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards on March 1, 1994. The song was also nominated for Best R&B Single, Female but lost to Toni Braxton's "Breathe Again" at the 8th Annual Soul Train Music Awards on March 15, 1994. Foster and Thompson received the award for Most Performed Song from a Film for the song at the 10th BMI Film & Television Awards on May 17, 1994.

Polls and rankings

In August 2012, Polish Porcys included "I Have Nothing" in their list of "100 Singles 1990-1999". That same year, Rolling Stone readers picked the song as the fourth best Whitney Houston song of all time. In 2017, ShortList's Dave Fawbert listed the song as containing "one of the greatest key changes in music history". In 2018, Smooth Radio placed the song in their list of the 19 greatest power ballads of all time. In April 2019, Business Insider included the power ballad in its list of the "Best Songs From the '90s". In November 2020, the day before Houston was formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Billboard ranked it the second best Whitney Houston song out of 25 Houston songs.

In his list of twelve favorite Houston songs, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone listed "I Have Nothing", writing "after years of being the pop singer with the soul voice, Whitney suddenly turned into a great soul singer", further explaining "the Nineties were Whitney's prime because she evoked adult misery with so much warmth and strength – in 'I Have Nothing,' she sounded fully committed to every line, which would have been unthinkable a few years before."

In 2022, The Guardian ranked it number one in their list of Houston's greatest songs, writing that besides it being overshadowed by the commercial success of "I Will Always Love You" that it was "the Whitney Houston power ballad to end all Whitney Houston power ballads, a five-minute-long emotional rollercoaster ride that surges from gentle pleading to full-on hell-hath-no-fury anger... with all the vocal trimmings thrown in", further adding, "in lesser hands [the song] would just sound histrionic, but Houston's vocal makes it utterly gripping and believable – an alchemist at work." During the same year, Parade magazine voted the song as the sixth best of her songs. In February 2023, USA Today voted the song Houston's eighth best song, comparing the chorus to the Dreamgirls hit, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going".{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/12/23/whitney-houston-best-songs-clive-davis-movie/10923664002/ |work=USA Today |title= Whitney Houston Add Topic We rank Whitney Houston's 10 best songs, with the inside story from her mentor Clive Davis |author=Melissa Ruggieri |date=February 11, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250818233010/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/12/23/whitney-houston-best-songs-clive-davis-movie/10923664002/ |archive-date=2025-08-18}} In 2024, Entertainment Weekly ranked it number 7 in their list of 25 best Whitney Houston songs. In the same year, Smooth Radio voted the ballad the 50th greatest movie song of all time. In February 2025, Billboard magazine ranked it number six in their list of "Top 100 Breakup Songs of All Time", naming it "one of Houston's most stunning vocal performances." Paste ranked the song fifth place in its list of "The 50 Best Original Songs Written for Films", writing that the ballad helped Houston to "[make] sure to flaunt her talents on the unforgettable soundtrack with some of the best work of her career."

Covers and samples

Official recording versions

Filipino singer Jake Zyrus recorded a version of the song on his debut release, the self-titled Charice EP released in May 2008. Korean singer SunMin has a cover of the song on her mini album Cover Girl, released in Japan, August 2008. The Italian variety TV show, Ti Lascio Una Canzone alumna Sonia Mosca covered the song on the compilation album Ti Lascio Una Canzone - La Compilation, released in May 2009. In 2012, the song is performed on the TV musical series Glee in episode 17 of season 3, "Dance with Somebody", by Chris Colfer (as his character Kurt Hummel). The whole episode pays tribute to Whitney Houston and her music.

According to the sample database site, WhoSampled, the song has been covered over 121 times, becoming Houston's third most covered song after her rendition of "I Will Always Love You" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)". Along with Zyrus and Colfer, other official recording versions have been produced by artists such as Jessie J, Jack Vidgen, Deborah Cox and David Phelps.

Demonstration versions

Jessica Simpson recorded a version of the song as a demonstration when she was a teenager. Britney Spears revealed on VH1's Behind the Music, originally aired on November 9, 2003, that she recorded a demonstration of the song before she was signed to Jive Records. Spears also later sang the song at her Jive audition at the age of fifteen.

Live cover versions

On behalf of Houston who had given birth to a daughter the three weeks before the ceremony, Natalie Cole crooned Houston's two nominated songs including "I Have Nothing" at the 65th Annual Academy Awards on March 29, 1993.

Christina Aguilera sang this song on The Mickey Mouse Club, with Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake singing backup. Years later, in November 2017, Aguilera also performed "I Have Nothing" as a tribute to Houston at the 2017 American Music Awards.

Patti LaBelle performed the song as a tribute to Whitney Houston, the first ever recipient of the Triumphant Spirit Award at the 10th annual Essence Awards, taped on April 4, 1997, and broadcast later on Fox TV, May 22, 1997.

Other live performances of the song have been done by singers Jazmine Sullivan and Glennis Grace.

Jessie J performed the song on the Chinese TV talent show Singer in 2018.

Ariana Grande performed "I Have Nothing" in 2014 at The White House, along with some select dates such as Manila on her Honeymoon Tour.

In March 2025, Kelly Clarkson performed the song on the 1,000th episode of her talk show, the Kelly Clarkson Show.

Samples

Drake sampled the song for "Tuscan Leather", the opening song from his third acclaimed studio album Nothing Was the Same (2013).

Other rap artists who have sampled it include French Montana, Central Cee and Rod Wave. According to WhoSampled, the ballad has been sampled 21 times.

Track listings and formats

• UK 12-inch vinyl single :A1. "I Have Nothing" ― 4:45 :A2. "All the Man That I Need" ― 3:54 :B1. "Where You Are" ― 4:10 :B2. "Lover for Life" ― 4:48

• European 7-inch vinyl single; Japanese 3-inch CD single :A. "I Have Nothing" ― 4:45 :B. "Where You Are" ― 4:10

• UK 7-inch vinyl single :A. "I Have Nothing" ― 4:45 :B. "All the Man That I Need" ― 3:54

• US maxi-CD single; European maxi-CD single; UK maxi-CD single

1. "I Have Nothing" ― 4:45
2. "Where You Are" ― 4:10
3. "Lover for Life" ― 4:48

• UK CD single

1. "I Have Nothing" ― 4:45
2. "All the Man That I Need" ― 3:54
3. "Where You Are" ― 4:10
4. "Lover for Life" ― 4:48

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album liner notes.

"I Have Nothing"

• Whitney Houston – vocals, vocal arrangement
• David Foster – producer, arranger, keyboards, bass
• Jeremy Lubbock and David Foster – string arrangement
• Michael Landau – guitar
• Simon Franglen – Synclavier and synth programming
• Dave Reitzas – recording engineer
• Mick Guzauski – mixing engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

References

References

1. (February 20, 1993). "Pop Singles Looking Ahead".
2. "I Have Nothing (Film Version) * Whitney Houston Official Site".
3. "I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston". [[AllMusic]].
4. Hunt, Dennis. (March 11, 1993). "Q&A WITH DAVID FOSTER : 'I Have My Vision of a Song'". [[LA Times]].
5. Solomon, Benjamin. (January 15, 2014). "Which Songs Are Performed Most Often by Reality-Competition Contestants?".
6. (February 15, 2023). "What Songs Lead to the Most American Idol Eliminations?". Action Network.
7. (March 21, 2025). "Kelly Clarkson Returns with a Thunderous "I Have Nothing" Whitney Houston Cover". [[NBC]].
8. (11 April 1991). "Whitney Houston, Costner to co-star". [[USA Today]].
9. "The Bodyguard - Filming & production". [[IMDb]].
10. McLean, Craig. (December 5, 2022). "'Whitney was a natural beauty, not a natural actress': inside Hollywood's big Bodyguard gamble". [[The Daily Telegraph.
11. (November 21, 2018). "The story of Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing". [[Smooth Radio (2014).
12. "David Foster Shares Secret Behind Whitney Houston’s "I Have Nothing"".
13. Sophie Schillaci. (August 10, 2012). "Remembering Whitney Houston: Jordin Sparks Shares the Real Story Behind 'I Have Nothing' (Video)". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
14. (November 17, 2020). "Behind the song "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston". Pop Icons Blog.
15. Houghton, Cillea. (April 30, 2023). "The Meaning Behind the Elvis Presley Inspired Whitney Houston Hit, "I Have Nothing"".
16. (December 17, 2018). "'The Bodyguard', shot at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, turns 25". [[The Sun Sentinel]].
17. (October 21, 2013). "I Have Nothing By Whitney Houston - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com.
18. (April 3, 2001). "I Have Nothing By Whitney Houston - Digital Sheet Music (2)". Musicnotes.com.
19. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "''The Bodyguard (Soundtrack Album) - Whitney Houston'' review". [[AllMusic]].
20. Flick, Larry. (February 13, 1993). "Single Reviews".
21. Chuck Taylor. (October 24, 1998). "Air Waves: Jive's Britney Spears SetsTop 40 Abuzz With Rhythm-Leaning 'Baby One More Time'". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
22. Jan DeKnock. (January 22, 1993). "Houston Closing In On Boyz Record". [[Chicago Tribune]].
23. Sholin, Dave. (February 4, 1993). "Singles".
24. Masterton, James. (April 18, 1993). "Week Ending April 24th 1993".
25. Cohen, Howard (November 24, 1992). "Houston hits overdrive on sound track". p. 7E. ''[[The Miami Herald]]''.
26. James Montgomery. (May 21, 2009). "The 10 Greatest 'American Idol' Contestants Of All Time". [[MTV Networks]].
27. Jones, Alan. (April 10, 1993). "Market Preview: Mainstream - Singles".
28. Culp, Nancy. (November 21, 1992). "Long Play".
29. Stephen Holden. (December 20, 1992). "Record Brief: ' "The Bodyguard": Original Soundtrack Album' Arista 18699; CD and cassette". [[The New York Times]].
30. James T. Jones IV. (November 17, 1992). "Houston heroic on 'Bodyguard' album". [[USA Today]].
31. (February 27, 1993). "The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 Singles chart listing for the week of February 27, 1993". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
32. Fred Bronson. (February 27, 1993). "Chart Beat: "Always" and Forever: Single Tops Record".
33. Silvio Pietroluongo, Minal Patel and Wade Jessen. (December 8, 2001). "Between the Bullets: Singles Minded". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
34. Fred Bronson. (March 13, 1993). "Chart Beat: Clapton Coup; Lang Lunge; Boy Back". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
35. (March 6, 1993). "Top 40 Radio Monitor chart listing for the week of March 6, 1993". Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
36. (February 27, 1993). "The ''Billboard'' Hot R&B Singles chart listing for the week of February 27, 1993". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
37. (May 8, 1993). "The ''Billboard'' Hot Adult Contemporary chart listing for the week of May 8, 1993". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
38. (December 25, 1993). "1993 The Year in Music, Special Double Issue". Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
39. (April 10, 1993). "Cash Box Top 100 4/10/93". [[Cashbox (magazine).
40. (April 24, 1993). "Cash Box Top R&B Singles 4/24/93".
41. (July 17, 2013). "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1765". [[Library and Archives Canada]].
42. (July 17, 2013). "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1781". [[Library and Archives Canada]].
43. (July 17, 2013). "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1713". [[Library and Archives Canada]].
44. (July 17, 2013). "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1741". [[Library and Archives Canada]].
45. (July 17, 2013). "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 1767". [[Library and Archives Canada]].
46. "Whitney Houston". [[The Official Charts Company]].
47. "The Official UK Countdowns - Whitney Houston Official Top 20". MTV Networks.
48. (March 27, 1993). "The Clip List (as of March 20, 1993)".
49. (April 10, 1993). "The Clip List (as of April 3, 1993)".
50. (April 17, 1993). "The Clip List (as of April 10, 1993)".
51. (August 13, 2025). "The 60 Most Iconic Movie Dresses of All Time".
52. (November 14, 2009). "Whitney Houston - I Have Nothing (Official HD Video)". [[YouTube]].
53. Chris Willman. (December 10, 1993). "Pop Music Review : Houston Tops Off Record Night With Show's Highlight". [[Los Angeles Times]].
54. (December 16, 2008). ""I Have Nothing" live performance by Whitney Houston at the 1993 Billboard Music Awards". [[YouTube]].
55. (February 8, 1994). "American Music Awards: Houston sweeps the ceremonies". [[The Union Democrat]].
56. "Live: Her Greatest Performances - Whitney Houston - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic".
57. (February 28, 1994). "Cover Story: Whitney Houston Eight American Music Awards Make Her Top Female Winner". Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.
58. {{YouTube. Whitney Houston - Medley: I Loves You Porgy / And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going / I Have Nothing (live at the 21st American Music Awards)
59. (February 1995). "Whitney in South Africa". Johnson Publishing Company.
60. (November 12, 1994). ""I Have Nothing" live performance in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1994". [[HBO]].
61. (June 24, 2010). "Whitney Houston - Concert For South Africa". [[CD WOW!.
62. (August 24, 1996). ""I Have Nothing" live performance in Brunei, 1996". [[YouTube]].
63. Angie Wagner. (June 20, 2001). "OutKast double winner on BET". [[The Daily News (Kentucky).
64. (October 9, 2010). ""I Have Nothing" and "I Will Always Love You" live performance on the 1st BET Awards in 2001". [[YouTube]].
65. (January 23, 1994). ""I Have Noting" live performance at Hollywood Rock Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1994". [[YouTube]].
66. (April 14, 1994). ""I Have Nothing" live performance in Santigo, Chile in 1994". [[YouTube]].
67. (April 16, 1994). ""I Have Nothing" live performance in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1994". [[YouTube]].
68. (April 21, 1994). ""I Have Nothing" live performance in Caracas, Venezuela in 1994". [[YouTube]].
69. David J. Fox. (February 18, 1993). "The 65th Academy Award Nominations". [[Los Angeles Times]].
70. Steve Hochman. (January 7, 1994). "The 36th Grammy Nominations : The Populists Lead the Way". Los Angeles Times.
71. Dennis Hunt. (March 17, 1994). "Backstage Rapping at Soul Train Awards : Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton take home honors in a show blasted for overlooking Dr. Dre and recognizing Kenny G.". [[Los Angeles Times]].
72. Carrie Borzillo. (May 28, 1994). "TV Composer Post Takes BMI Award". 'Nielsen Business Media, Inc..
73. (August 20, 2012). "100 Singli 1990-1999".
74. (February 22, 2012). "Reader's Poll: The Best Whitney Houston Songs of All Time".
75. (October 1, 2017). "The 19 greatest key changes in music history".
76. (July 6, 2018). "19 of the greatest power ballads of all time". [[Smooth Radio (2014).
77. Alani Vargas. (April 25, 2019). "100 of the best songs from the '90s". [[Business Insider]].
78. (November 6, 2020). "Whitney Houston's 25 Best Songs: Staff Picks".
79. Rob Sheffield. (February 13, 2012). "12 Favorite Whitney Houston Songs".
80. Alexis Petridis. (September 22, 2022). "Whitney Houston's 20 greatest songs, ranked!". [[The Guardian]].
81. Samuel L. Murrian. (December 21, 2022). "We Ranked the 15 Best Whitney Houston Songs of All Time".
82. (July 8, 2024). "The 25 best Whitney Houston songs, from deep cuts to chart-toppers".
83. (March 11, 2024). "The 100 greatest movie songs of all time, ranked". Smooth Radio.
84. Dailey, Hannah. (February 11, 2025). "Top 100 Breakup Songs of All Time".
85. (March 10, 2024). "The 50 Best Original Songs Written for Films".
86. (October 14, 1008). "Charice [Import]".
87. "''Cover Girl'' by SunMin". [[Amazon.com.
88. (June 16, 2009). "Ti Lascio Una Canzone - La Compilation [Import]".
89. (May 8, 2009). "Ti lascio Una Canzone". ibs.it.
90. (April 24, 2012). "'Glee' Pays Tribute To Whitney Houston Tonight: Hear All 6 Songs".
91. "Covers of I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston". [[WhoSampled]].
92. (October 9, 2010). "Britney Spears - Behind the Music (part 2)". [[YouTube]].
93. (November 9, 2003). "VH1 Behind The Music » Ep. 192 "Britney Spears"". [[VH1]].
94. (March 14, 1993). "People: Tip-off". [[Lakeland Ledger]].
95. (April 19, 1993). "People Are Talking About...". [[Jet (magazine).
96. (May 29, 2009). ""Run to You" and "I Have Nothing" medley performance by Natalie Cole at the 65th Academy Awards in 1993". [[YouTube]].
97. "MMC ❄️ I Have Nothing [Updated + End Credits".
98. Swertlow, Meg. (November 20, 2017). "Christina Aguilera's Whitney Houston Tribute Brings the Crowd to Its Feet at the 2017 AMAs".
99. J.R. Reynolds. (April 19, 1997). "The Rhythm and The Blues section, Essence Awards Accentuate The Positive; Living Legend Awards Spotlight Clayton". [[Billboard (magazine).
100. (April 17, 2009). ""I Have Nothing" live performance by Patti LaBelle at the 10th Essence Awards in 1997". [[YouTube]].
101. (January 6, 2015). "Philadelphia's Jazmine Sullivan Hits High Notes in Whitney Houston's Cover". NBC 10 Philadelphia.
102. "Glennis Grace cover of Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing". [[WhoSampled]].
103. (February 16, 2018). "Why Jessie J's bid to win a Chinese talent show is the best career move she's ever made". [[The Guardian]].
104. (2023-06-05). "Ariana Grande's Unbelievable Whitney Houston Cover Will Make You Emotional".
105. "Watch Ariana Grande's Amazing Cover Of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing'".
106. (March 20, 2025). "Kelly Clarkson Brings Fans to Tears With Pared-Down Cover of Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' (Video)". [[The Wrap]].
107. LeDonne, Rob. (October 28, 2016). "Whitney Houston: 7 Rap Songs That Sample the Legendary Powerhouse".
108. "Samples of I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston". WhoSampled.
109. (1993). "I Have Nothing". [[Arista Records.
110. (1993). "I Have Nothing". Arista Records.
111. (1993). "I Have Nothing". BMG (Japan).
112. (1993). "I Have Nothing". Arista Records.
113. (1993). "I Have Nothing". Arista Records.
114. (1993). "I Have Nothing". Arista Records.
115. (1993). "I Have Nothing". Arista Records.
116. (1993). "I Have Nothing". Arista Records.
117. (1992). "The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album". [[Arista Records]].
118. "I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston". [[Apple Music]].
119. Lwin, Nanda. (2000). "Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide". Music Data Canada.
120. (May 8, 1993). "Top 10 Sales in Europe".
121. (May 15, 1993). "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
122. (May 22, 1993). "EHR Top 40".
123. (March 11, 1993). "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (12.03.1993 – 18.03.1993)". [[Dagblaðið Vísir]].
124. (April 16, 1993). "Discos más populares". [[El Siglo de Torreón]].
125. (27 March 1993). "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec". [[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.
126. (May 15, 1993). "Top 50 Airplay Chart".
127. (April 10, 1993). "Cash Box Top 100 Singles 4/10/93".
128. (April 24, 1993). "Cash Box R&B Singles 4/24/93".
129. "Whitney Houston". Wweb.uta.edu.
130. "I have nothing". Wweb.uta.edu.
131. "Whitney Houston Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)".
132. "2012 Week 12 Digital Chart - 국외".
133. (15 October 2021). "Official Singles Sales Chart on 15/10/2021 {{!}} Official Charts".
134. "The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1993".
135. "The RPM Top 100 A\C Tracks of 1993".
136. (December 18, 1993). "1993 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles".
137. "Jaarlijsten 1993". Stichting Nederlandse Top 40.
138. (January 15, 1994). "Top 100 Singles 1993".
139. (December 25, 1993). "The Year in Music: 1993".
140. (December 25, 1993). "The Year in Music: 1993".
141. (December 25, 1993). "The Year in Music: 1993".
142. (December 31, 1993). "Awards: Top 50 Pop Singles".
143. "Whitney Houston: I Have Nothing".
144. (April 10, 1993). "New Releases: Singles".
145. "アイ・ハブ・ナッシング {{!}} ホイットニー・ヒューストン". [[Oricon]].
146. (April 25, 1993). "New Release Summary – Product Available from : 26/04/93: Singles".