Which song gave Whitney Houston her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 as a lead artist?

Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love for You” gave her her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 as a lead artist.

The single reached the summit in October 1985 and came from Houston’s self-titled debut album. It was written by Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser, who had originally created the song for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. Houston’s version presented the material as a polished pop-soul ballad and became a major early showcase for her voice.

The success began a run of landmark Houston singles in the United States. She followed it with “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love of All,” both of which also reached No. 1. “Saving All My Love for You” additionally earned Houston a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Listeners sometimes name “How Will I Know” because it is one of Houston’s most recognizable early hits. It was her second Hot 100 leader, not her first.