"Count on Me" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Single by Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
from the album Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Released | March 4, 1996 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recorded | 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre | R&B, gospel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 4:26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Label | Arista | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Writer(s) | Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Whitney Houston, Michael Houston | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Producer(s) | Babyface | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Count on Me" is a duet by American recording artists Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans. It is an uplifting song about leaning on a friend for support when needed. Released in early 1996, the song was the fourth single from the soundtrack album of the motion picture Waiting to Exhale, and the second single by Houston released from that album and its soundtrack. became Winans highest position reached on the US Hot 100 as the single reached the top ten, peaking at number eight. It was certified gold in the US.
Chicago Tribune editor Greg Kot wrote that the soul is present on this song and it doesn't sound "particularly enraptured". Allmusic editor Craig Lytle praised: "She (Whitney) teams with Cece Winans on the inspirational duet "Count on Me," and both accomplished singers raise all hopes with their comforting vocals." Billboard called this song torchy.The Orlando Sentinel wrote that "with its swelling choruses and shouted pledges of friendship" the song "is infused with We Are the World earnestness and overkill, but the performances save it from being too treacly".
The music video for the song features Houston and Winans giving a concert performance, while clips of the Waiting to Exhale feature film are sporadically mixed in. The "Count on Me" music video peaked at number one on music channels BET, MTV, and VH1.
On a Valentines Day episode of Sister Sister, the three principal actors: Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry and Marques Houston, sing the song at a karaoke bar. They sing the first two verses and the chorus.
*sales figures based on certification alone