Something in Common

This article is about the song. For other uses, see Something in Common (disambiguation).

"Something in Common" is a song by American singers Bobby Brown and then-wife Whitney Houston, that was featured on Brown's third album, Bobby (1992). The single version was re-recorded and released in December 1993, by MCA Records, and was also available on Brown's 1993 compilation album Remixes in the Key of B. It was written by Brown and Houston with Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Mark Middleton and Alfred Rosemond, while Riley and L.A. Reid produced it. The song stands as the couple's first musical collaboration and the only song released as a single. It examines two unlikely people coming together as they find "something in common." The accompanying music video was directed by Andy Morahan, featuring Brown and Houston performing in and by a swimming pool.

"Something in Common"
Single by Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston
from the album Bobby
Released	December 7, 1993 (1993-12-07)
Studio	NJS Future Records (Virginia Beach, Virginia) Studio LaCoCo (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre	Swingbeat[1] soul[2]
Length	4:59 (album version) 4:23 (radio edit)
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Whitney Houston Bobby Brown Teddy Riley Bernard Belle Mark Middleton Alfred Rosemond
Producer(s)	Teddy Riley L.A. Reid (remix)
Bobby Brown singles chronology
"That's the Way Love Is" (1993) "Something in Common" (1993) "Two Can Play That Game" (1994)
Whitney Houston singles chronology
"Queen of the Night" (1993) "Something in Common" (1993) "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" (1995)
Music video
"Something in Common" on YouTube

Chart performance

The song was released as a single track in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 16. Although the song and its music video received moderate rotation in the United States, "Something in Common" was not released as a commercial single and was ineligible to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B Singles charts;^[3] however, it peaked at numbers 32 and 30 on the Hot 100 Airplay and Hot R&B Airplay lists, respectively.^[4][5]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine felt the song is "actually quite sweet, and good fun ... not to mention a viable radio contender."^[6] Troy J. Augusto from Cashbox named it Pick of the Week, declaring it as "quite a catchy number thanks to the always reliable production skills of Teddy Riley as well as LA. Reid's remix and the duo's pleasant delivery." He also complimented it as a "happy, positive cut".^[7] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly noted that here, Brown "coos to his new bride, Whitney Houston, in a bouncy duet".^[8] Pan-European magazine Music & Media wrote, "'My Maaaaaan', Whitney sings proudly on a thundering swingbeat. 'Giiiiiiiirl', Bobby replies passionately, and together they sing about their much-publicised happy marriage. Baby "Bobbi" joins in on the video only."^[1]

Alan Jones from Music Week gave it a score of three out of five, saying, "This shuffling jackswing/soul number draws fine vocal performances from the husband and wife team and is the commercial highlight of Brown's album."^[2] The Network Forty named it "a wonderful uptempo track", noting that "the electric vocals of Houston and Brown gives an urban edge to their strong dance and pop base."^[9] People Magazine felt it's "destined to be a much scrutinized cut", describing it as an "up-from-the-streets echo" of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.^[10] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update called it "pleasant" in his weekly dance column.^[11] Mark Frith from Smash Hits was less enthustiastic, giving the song two out of five and calling it "a very average slice of swing beat. It's one of those records where the video will be more interesting than the song."^[12]

Music video

The official music video for "Something in Common" was directed by British commercial, film and music video director Andy Morahan.^[13] It features Brown and Houston performing in or by a swimming pool. Other scenes shows Houston in the backseat of a car, Brown on a boat, and the couple together at a barbeque with guests. The video also features their daughter, Bobbi.^[1]

Track listing

1. "Something in Common" (Radio edit) - 4:25
2. "Something in Common" (Original album version) – 4:59
3. "Something in Common" (Extended vocal version) – 6:55
4. "Something in Common" (Quiet Storm version) – 4:38
5. "Something in Common" (Dub version) – 6:28
6. "Something in Common" (LA Reid Remix) – 6:46
7. "Something in Common" (Second LA Reid Remix) – 7:00

Credits

• Executive Producer – Bobby Brown, Louil Silas Jr., Tommy Brown
• Piano – Bo Watson
• Producer – Teddy Riley
• Remix – L.A. Reid

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1993–1994) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[14] 82 Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)[15] 19 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[16] 51 Europe (European AC Radio)[17] 11 Europe (European Dance Radio)[18] 2 Germany (GfK)[19] 58 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[20] 36 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] 40 New Zealand (RIANZ)[22] 33 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 41 UK Singles (OCC)[24] 16 UK Airplay (Music Week)[25] 3 UK Dance (Music Week)[26] 16 UK Club Chart (Music Week)[27] 63 US Radio Songs (Billboard)[28] 32 US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[29] 30 US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[30] 12 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[31] 30

Year-end charts Chart (1994) Position UK Singles (OCC)[32] 191

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	December 7, 1993	—	MCA	[citation needed]
United Kingdom	January 10, 1994	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl CD cassette		[33]