Synopsis

Whitney Houston moves between two sides of her identity in this energetic 1990 video. At first, she appears alone in a New York apartment, dancing and singing as a mysterious silhouette catches her attention. The figure draws her into a series of stylized performance scenes, where Houston adopts several glamorous and theatrical personas. The video alternates between her private self and her larger-than-life entertainer image, eventually bringing both worlds together when the silhouette becomes a real dancer and rides away with her on a motorcycle.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was released on October 2, 1990, alongside the U.S. release of the song, the title track and lead single from Houston's third studio album.

• Filming took place at a park along New York City's Hudson River West Side and at the nightclub Tatou.

• Adam Shankman handled the choreography.

• Houston's costumes and poses pay tribute to several major cultural influences, including Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and the Supremes. One sequence echoes Hepburn's dance performance in the 1957 film "Funny Face."

• The video presented a noticeably tougher image than Houston's earlier pop videos. Ripped high-waisted jeans, an oversized leather jacket and more androgynous styling replaced much of the polished, pastel look associated with her 1980s image.

• The accompanying song was written and produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface. It was the final track recorded for the album, and Houston reportedly completed her vocal in less than an hour.

• "I'm Your Baby Tonight" became Houston's eighth No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 when it reached the top on December 1, 1990.

• The video was later included on the video edition of Houston's 2000 compilation "Whitney: The Greatest Hits."