Something in Common

"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, and was also available on Brown's 1993 compilation album Remixes in the Key of B. It stands as the couple's first musical collaboration and the only 1 released as a single. The song examines 2 unlikely people coming together as they find "something in common." Its music video was directed by Andy Morahan.

This article is about the song. For other uses, see Something in Common (disambiguation).
"Something in Common"
Single by Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston
from the album Bobby
ReleasedDecember 7, 1993 (1993-12-07)
Studio
Length
  • 4:59 (album version)
  • 4:23 (radio edit)
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
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;[1] however, it peaked at numbers 32 and 30 on the Hot 100 Airplay and Hot R&B Airplay lists, respectively.[2][3]

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard felt the song is "actually quite sweet, and good fun ... not to mention a viable radio contender."[4] 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 called it a "happy, positive cut".[5] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly noted that here, Brown "coos to his new bride, Whitney Houston, in a bouncy duet".[6] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented, "'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."[7]

Alan Jones from Music Week wrote, "This shuffling jackswing/soul number draws fine vocal performances from the husband and wife team and is the commercial highlight of Brown's album."[8] The Network Forty declared it "a wonderful uptempo track", adding that "the electric vocals of Houston and Brown gives an urban edge to their strong dance and pop base."[9] A reviewer from People Magazine felt it is "destined to be a much scrutinized cut", describing it as an "up-from-the-streets echo" of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.[10] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue complimented Houston's vocals as "rich and confident".[11] James Hamilton from the RM Dance Update viewed it as "pleasant".[12] Mark Frith from Smash Hits gave the song two out of five.[13]

Music video

The official music video for the song was directed by British commercial, film and music video director Andy Morahan.[14] It also features Brown and Houston's daughter, Bobbi.[7]

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
Chart (1993–1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[15] 82
Canada Contemporary Hit Radio (The Record)[16] 19
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[17] 51
Europe (European AC Radio)[18] 11
Europe (European Dance Radio)[19] 2
Germany (Official German Charts)[20] 58
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[21] 36
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[22] 40
New Zealand (RIANZ)[23] 33
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[24] 41
UK Singles (OCC)[25] 16
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 Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[30] 12
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[31] 30

Release history
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States December 7, 1993 — MCA
United Kingdom January 10, 1994
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [32]

References
  1. McCabe, Kevin (November 27, 1993). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. BPI Communications. 105 (48): 125. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  2. "Hot 100 Airplay" (PDF). Billboard. BPI Communications. 105 (48): 123. November 27, 1993. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 81.
  4. Flick, Larry (November 6, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 67. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  5. Augusto, Troy J. (November 13, 1993). "Pop Singles: Reviews - Pick Of The Week" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 11. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  6. Browne, David (August 28, 1992). "Bobby". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  7. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. February 5, 1994. p. 11. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  8. Jones, Alan (January 8, 1994). "Market Preview: Mainstream" (PDF). Music Week. p. 7. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  9. "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. October 29, 1993. p. 20. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  10. "Picks and Pans Review: Bobby". People. October 19, 1992. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. "Review: "Bobby" by Bobby Brown (CD, 1992)". Pop Rescue. August 7, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  12. Hamilton, James (January 15, 1994). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 7. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  13. Frith, Mark (January 5, 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 53. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  14. Garcia, Alex S. "mvdbase.com - Bobby Brown - "Something in common"". Music Video DataBase. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
  15. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 01 May 1994". ARIA. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  16. Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 135. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  17. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. February 5, 1994. p. 21. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  18. "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. March 26, 1994. p. 26. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  19. "European Dance Radio Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. February 19, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  20. "Bobby Brown & Whitney Houston – Something in Common" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  21. Dutch Top 40, top40.nl
  22. Single Top 100, dutchcharts.nl
  23. New Zealand Music Charts-charts.org.nz
  24. Switzerland, hitparade.ch
  25. "Bobby Brown: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  26. "Dance Singles" (PDF). Music Week. January 22, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  27. "The RM Club Chart 22.1.94" (PDF). Music Week, in RM (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). January 22, 1994. p. 4. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  28. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  29. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  30. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  31. "Bobby Brown Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  32. "Single Releases". Music Week. January 8, 1994. p. 15.
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