ARTIST SPOTLIGHT = Vanessa Williams (3 songs)

This singer-producer is also an actress & former fashion model. Her 1st Broadway appearance was in the musical ‘Kiss Of The Spider Woman’ (1994). Her big-screen debut was in 1996’s ‘Eraser’, in which she was the female lead. Her TV appearances include ABC’s “Ugly Betty” (2006-2010) & ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” (2010-2012).

#1
This song, written by Lisa Montgomery & Geneva Paschal, was originally performed by the family group Guinn (1986). Williams recorded the song in 1988 & released it 08/16/1988 as the 3rd single from her debut album ‘The Right Stuff’. This single became her 1st Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #8, & 3rd straight Top 10 on the R&B charts, claiming #1, her 1st chart topper there. Her debut release, “The Right Stuff”, had claimed #1 on the Dance & reached #5 on the R&B charts.

#2
Released 01/14/1992 as the 3rd song from her 2nd album, ‘The Comfort Zone’, this song quickly became her signature tune, claiming #1 on 3 United States charts: Billboard Hot 100 (5 weeks), R&B (3 weeks) & Adult Contemporary (3 weeks). This single also claimed #1 in Australia & Canada, while reaching the Top 10 of 4 other charts: Belgium (#7), Netherlands (#4), Switzerland (#6) & England (#3).

#3
This song, written by Stephen Schwartz & Alan Menken for the 1995 movie ‘Pocahontas’, was originally recorded by Judy Kuhn in her role as the singing voice of the title character. Williams’ cover version was released as the lead single from the film’s soundtrack, 03/23/1995, & reached #2 on the Adult Contemporary & #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. For Williams, it was preceded by successful tunes like 1993’s “Love Is” (with Brian McKnight) & was followed by songs like 1996’s “Where Do We Go From Here?”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6YeqnBaWPA