Which singer was 'How Will I Know' originally intended for?

“How Will I Know” was originally intended for Janet Jackson.

Songwriters George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam wrote the demo in 1984 with Jackson in mind. Jackson’s management passed on it, deciding that the song did not fit the material already being developed for her. That decision opened the door for Whitney Houston to record it.

Gerry Griffith, an A&R executive working with Arista and A&M, heard the demo while helping assemble Houston’s debut album. He believed it supplied the project with the upbeat pop crossover song it needed and brought it to Clive Davis, who approved the idea.

Producer Narada Michael Walden reshaped the track by changing its key, tempo, chord progression, and arrangement. Houston recorded her lead vocal in late 1984, with her mother, Cissy Houston, contributing background vocals. Released in 1985, the song became one of Houston’s signature dance-pop hits and a major breakthrough from her debut album.