A Song for You: My Life with Whitney Houston

This book was so good that I read it twice in the first week! Robyn does such a beautiful job sharing her story with a raw honesty and grace that you really just don’t witness often. I laughed and cried and was completely jaw dropped on several occasions. There are so many wild, hilarious, and intimate stories recalled with such detail that you feel as if you’re actually present with Robyn & Whit in the moment. You can feel the sincere love and care radiating from the pages as you read, and you can tell Robyn was intentional about what she shared and HOW she shared -- I really respected that. I also want to note that there’s a certain restraint where she could have absolutely gone in on certain people on multiple occasions for being crappy humans, but she chose to be more subtle, and to me that was just a glimpse into Robyn’s character that I thought was pretty cool. I had a conversation recently with someone who runs one of the major Whitney fan pages on Instagram & while we were discussing this memoir she said she was slightly bothered by the small chapter of the book where Robyn shares some intimate details of their brief physical relationship because Whitney isn’t here to share it herself. My response was that their story and experiences *together* are just as much Robyn’s as they are Whitney’s — the book is about “Robyn’s life WITH Whitney Houston. There’s a delicacy & intention in the way she goes about sharing so many intimate details of her life and relationships that clearly maintains both honesty AND integrity. All in all, this memoir gives you an extraordinarily special glimpse into who Whit truly was from her closest friend, & Robyn made certain that you can hear Whitney’s voice and character on the pages as you read. I promise you won’t be disappointed when you buy!

If there's anybody who has the right to write about Whitney Houston, it is Robyn Crawford, who knew Whitney since she was 16 years old. It is a candid, honest biography. Robyn doesn't sugarcoat anything, but gives you an honest, multifaceted portrait of a talented, yet troubled artist. She always had Nippy's best interests at heart, even after the two women had stopped their physical relationship. She worked as Nippy's personal assistant for many years, doing whatever she could to protect the singer/actress not only from her own destructive habits, but from others trying to take advantage of her. Bear in mind this book is written from Robyn's point of view. She was a true insider and friend in Whitney's life. She is frank about her dislike of Bobby Brown and the friction between herself and Cissy Houston. If you're fans of Cissy Houston or Bobby Brown, you may not like this book. Robyn admitted using drugs recreationally with Nippy when they were young, but was able to stop once her mother intervened. Sadly, Whitney was never able to shake her addiction to pot, cocaine and crack. In addition she was a heavy cigarette smoker. Heavy smoking and drug use took its toll on Whitney's voice. In her younger days, her voice was like crystal: so clear and smooth. She had quite a range. Her later songs showed a Whitney with a huskier, deeper voice, lacking the clarity and range she once had. Compare "I Will Always Love You" or "Dance With Somebody" to "I Look To You" to see what I mean. Robyn tried to alert Cissy Houston or anybody close to Whitney about her heavy drug use, but it fell on deaf ears. She worked hard to make sure Whitney's needs were met during her concert tours. She couldn't control Whitney's access to drugs; often her brothers were her suppliers. Things headed south for Robyn once Whitney married Bobby Brown. For whatever reason, Whitney told him about her early relationship with Robyn, which made Bobby very truculent and hostile towards Robyn. Things got so bad between Robyn and Bobby that she finally told Whitney she was resigning. Whitney didn't believe her, but Robyn couldn't take the fighting with Whitney's family, Bobby Brown, and Whitney's drug use. She realized that she was sacrificing her own life and a chance for happiness in order to take care of Whitney. Every time Robyn had showed interest or dated another woman, Whitney would get extremely jealous, even after she married Bobby Brown. Robyn would have to give up the relationship. It was fortunate and inevitable that Robyn left such a destructive relationship to make her own way into the world and to find happiness with another woman, forging her own path. She and her partner are now parents to two adorable kids. As a way of thanks, when Robyn tried to get a job at Arista records, she was blocked by Whitney. So much for friendship and loyalty. Robyn's leaving was tragic for Whitney, because she was no longer had the extensive care and protection that she required. Perhaps her demise in a bath tub would have been prevented had Robyn still been Whitney's personal assistant. The people caring for Whitney kept changing their stories as to what happened on that fateful night. Robyn knew that nobody was really watching out for her friend. This is a easy, fast read, but you'll want to savor Robyn's story. It's very good, and hard to put down once you start reading it. I would love to see Robyn's story made into a movie, because it would be a good one.

excellent

When I saw longtime Whitney Houston friend/executive Robyn Crawford had written a book I thought here's another snake coming out of the grass to capitalize off Houston's death. I couldn't have been more wrong. Crawford's book is genuine, sincere and truthful. If you Google Robyn Crawford there's a series of half-truth's, rumors and speculation about Houston's sexuality. I completely understand why Crawford would want the true account made public especially after the two released documentaries, Whitney: Can I Be Me and Whitney (the family's account). If Hollywood were to make a genuine account of Houston's life and career this is the account it should be based on. Crawford was left out of all meetings with Clive Davis so she has no stories of the "Svengali," (Davis has such an ego he would share his side anyway) but she did grow up with Whitney and they had a very special bond. I've had friendships of 30 plus years that have ended not of my own volition so I understand how these two were pulled apart. This is an easy and quick read, 2/3 days tops, but I'd be fascinated to know what Crawford left out. My guess is plenty. Lifetime's "Whitney" was one of the worst biographies I'd ever seen. If someone like HBOMAX wanted to tackle Whitney like the did with "Liberace: Under The Candelabra" Robyn Crawford is THE source. It's my sincere belief that Whitney would still be alive had Crawford not been forced out. (Bobby would give his account if he made $1 off of it). She appears to be the only person in Whitney's life that actually put Whitney first, before herself, and had a genuine love for her, which was platonic after Whitney signed her record contract. I was also delighted to have the National Anthem/LipSync issue resolved (Whitney did indeed sing live). Any account of Houston's life leaves out too many stories about the actual music, and "A Song For You" is no exception but it does cover what it can and I appreciate that. Robyn, if you happen to read this review, thank you for sharing your truth.

Veey good book. I like her story, she seems so sweet.

Robyn Crawford erzählt offen, liebevoll, aber auch schonungslos von ihren zwei Jahrzehnten mit Whitney Houston. Ihre Geschichte gewährt einen Einblick ins Leben des Superstars, der bisher in keiner vergleichbaren Form existierte. Unter allem liegt für mich ein melancholischer Unterton, weil Whitneys langsamer Niedergang in die Welt der Drogen und in einer toxischen Beziehung aufhaltbar gewesen wäre, allerdings niemand den rechten Weg dazu zu finden schien. Ein trauriges Bild wirft das Buch auf die vielen Arten von Ausbeutung innerhalb der Familie und im weiteren Umfeld, die das Leben als Superstar für Whitney mit sich brachte. Allen Fans von Whitney wird dieses Buch gefallen, da es viele Fragen beantwortet, die zuvor niemals beantwortet wurden. Nur Schade, dass es nie zu einer Aussöhnung zwischen Robyn und Whitney kommen konnte, da der Tod schneller war. Ich bin dankbar dafür, Robyns Blick auf die Geschichte in diesem Buch erfahren zu dürfen.

O livro demorou pouco mais de um mês para chegar ao Brasil. A capa veio um pouco machucada, mas acredito que foi por conta da importação. O livro em si tem uma história fantástica, todos os fãs de Whitney deveriam comprá-lo

The Voice with the unique ability to wrap a lyric in emotion.

I hesitated to read this book for quite some time, convinced that I wasn’t mentally strong or emotionally prepared for it—especially after hearing snippets and breakdowns from those who had. How wrong I was! This has undoubtedly been one of the best things to happen to me this year. The inspiration I’ve drawn from this beautiful book is immeasurable. I’m grateful for Mrs. Robyn’s, honesty and vulnerability in sharing her life story. Her words sparked something within me—something I have yet to fully understand or explain. Also, the lessons woven into her experiences are profound and deeply impactful. I am truly happy that she reclaimed her life and now enjoy the comfort, joy, and happiness she so deserves. Wishing her and her family the very best—may blessings never depart from their household. A fantastic read. Thank you!