Whitney Houston has not released an album since 2009, but that doesn't mean there isn't a vault of unreleased songs that were rejected from her first seven albums.
"Clive Davis always has ultimate control over the content of the albums and for many of his artists, songs would be cut in the eleventh hour and replaced according to Clive's wishes," an Arista insider told me. "It could be anything from three to five songs per album, which means Whitney could have as many as 35 unreleased songs."
The songs that Whitney recorded, even those unreleased, are owned by the songwriters, but all the recordings are owned by the record label, which can use the tracks as they wish.
"Whitney's catalogue will continue to make a lot of money for the record company for a long time," an industry source told me. "The label is already talking about putting out a greatest hits and then as many albums of never-before-released songs as possible. Unlike Michael [Jackson], Whitney didn't record songs in a home studio between releasing CDs, so it's unlikely that a ton of undiscovered recordings will be discovered. However, they do have the masters of all the songs that were cut from her 24-year recording career."
According to Nielsen SoundScan, which tracks music retailers, demand for Whitney's music increased almost 60-fold, mainly from digital downloads, in the week that ended Sunday. Leading the way was her mega-hit single "I Will Always Love You."
[{"entry_id":"1478181","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/04\/beastie-boy-dead-celebrities-react-on-twitter_n_1478181.html","content_type":"tweet","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/224516\/slide_224516_940640_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/224516\/slide_224516_940640_small.jpg","title":"Beastie Boy Dead: Celebrities React On Twitter","slideshow_id":"224516","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1440909","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/20\/celebrity-oversharers-kim-kardashian-alicia-silverstone_n_1440909.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/197634\/slide_197634_890194_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/197634\/slide_197634_890194_small.jpg","title":"Celebrity Oversharers: Kim Kardashian, Courtney Stodden, Alicia Silverstone Give TMI","slideshow_id":"197634","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1452691","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/25\/kesha-tweets-photo-peeing-in-street_n_1452691.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222640\/slide_222640_905353_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/222640\/slide_222640_905353_small.jpg","title":"Ke$ha Tweets Photo Of Herself Peeing In The Street (PHOTO)","slideshow_id":"222640","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1507187","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/10\/trace-cyrus-mileys-older-brother-scalp-tattoo_n_1507187.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220363\/slide_220363_866974_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220363\/slide_220363_866974_small.jpg","title":"Trace Cyrus, Miley's Older Brother, Shows Off Scalp Tattoo","slideshow_id":"220363","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1474016","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/03\/kim-kardashian-instagram_n_1474016.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/93509\/slide_93509_333561_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/93509\/slide_93509_333561_small.jpg","title":"Kim Kardashian Tweets Photo Of Scott Disick's Car, Ghostlike Girl","slideshow_id":"93509","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1450310","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/24\/levon-helm-dead-memorial-woodstock_n_1450310.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/22496\/slide_22496_273980_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/22496\/slide_22496_273980_small.jpg","title":"Levon Helm Dead: Memorial Planned In Woodstock","slideshow_id":"22496","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1468510","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/01\/kate-upton-dances-the-cat-daddy_n_1468510.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/210697\/slide_210697_716714_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/210697\/slide_210697_716714_small.jpg","title":"Kate Upton Dances The Cat Daddy In A Bikini For Terry Richardson (VIDEO)","slideshow_id":"210697","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1442703","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/21\/kim-kardashian-without-makeup-kris-jenner-tweets-creepy-photo-of-kim-sleeping_n_1442703.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/196123\/slide_196123_589314_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/196123\/slide_196123_589314_small.jpg","title":"Kim Kardashian Without Makeup: Kris Jenner Tweets Creepy Photo Of Kim Sleeping (PHOTOS)","slideshow_id":"196123","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1458758","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/27\/kim-kardashian-denies-naked-kitchen-photo-not-me_n_1458758.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/36840\/slide_36840_316515_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/36840\/slide_36840_316515_small.jpg","title":"Kim Kardashian Denies Nude Kitchen Photo: 'It's Not Me' (PHOTOS)","slideshow_id":"36840","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1545551","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/25\/janet-jackson-urges-paris-jackson-not-to-act_n_1545551.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/32573\/slide_32573_305809_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/32573\/slide_32573_305809_small.jpg","title":"Janet Jackson Urges Paris Jackson Not To Start Acting","slideshow_id":"32573","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1465236","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/30\/kelly-osbourne-ends-christina-aguliera-feud_n_1465236.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220197\/slide_220197_864008_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/220197\/slide_220197_864008_small.jpg","title":"Kelly Osbourne Ends Feud With Christina Aguilera","slideshow_id":"220197","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1514596","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/14\/jessica-pare-teeth-mad-men-star-discusses-famous-feature_n_1514596.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/213563\/slide_213563_770950_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/213563\/slide_213563_770950_small.jpg","title":"Jessica Pare Teeth: 'Mad Men' Star Discusses Her Famous Feature","slideshow_id":"213563","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1467561","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/01\/marilyn-monroe-nudes-outtakes-last-on-set-shoot-revealed-larry-schiller_n_1467561.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/193540\/slide_193540_409790_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/193540\/slide_193540_409790_small.jpg","title":"Marilyn Monroe Nudes: Lost Photos From Her Last On-Set Shoot","slideshow_id":"193540","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1453420","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/25\/brandy-eating-disorder-teen_n_1453420.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/39819\/slide_39819_321211_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/39819\/slide_39819_321211_small.jpg","title":"Brandy Reveals She Had An Eating Disorder As A Teen (VIDEO)","slideshow_id":"39819","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1440600","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/04\/20\/lena-dunham-talks-losing-virginity_n_1440600.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/6477\/slide_6477_85908_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/6477\/slide_6477_85908_small.jpg","title":"Lena Dunham Talks Losing Her Virginity: 'Girls' Star Opens Up","slideshow_id":"6477","vertical":"celebrity"},{"entry_id":"1546544","entry_url":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/25\/gregg-allman-allman-brothers-engaged-to-24-year-old-girlfriend_n_1546544.html","content_type":"image","image_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/197716\/slide_197716_482126_small.jpg","thumbnail_url":"gadgets\/slideshows\/197716\/slide_197716_482126_small.jpg","title":"Gregg Allman, Allman Brothers Singer, Engaged To 24-Year-Old Girlfriend","slideshow_id":"197716","vertical":"celebrity"}]
CORRECTION: This article previously included a statement that mechanical royalties are derived from radio play, which is incorrect and has been removed.
Whitney Houston has not released an album since 2009, but that doesn't mean there isn't a vault of unreleased songs that were rejected from her first seven albums.
"Clive Davis always has ultimate ...
Whitney Houston has not released an album since 2009, but that doesn't mean there isn't a vault of unreleased songs that were rejected from her first seven albums.
"Clive Davis always has ultimate ...
You've probably been hearing a lot of Whitney Houston songs lately. But this mash-up, which combines vocals from Whitney's "How Will I Know" with the...
Matt Lauer and Bill O'Reilly sparred about media coverage of Whitney Houston and her death on Thursday's "Today." O'Reilly attracted controversy when he declared on...
A public memorial planned for Friday has been scrapped, but the late singer's publicist has told media outlets that Saturday's private family service at the...
The tabloid press can struggle with journalistic ethics surrounding intrusion into grief at the best of times. With the death of Houston they faced two further tests; writing respectfully about women and responsibly reporting drug addiction. On both counts I think they've failed. Much like the case of Amy Winehouse, the reason for her death was considered a given before any official statement was made. "Once an addict, always an addict". It's a lazy and inaccurate portrayal of addiction but one all too often taken up by the popular press.
bellamackie
Google Elizabeth II, you get site titled 'Whitney Houston sacrificed for Jubilee.' So all you celebrating, you helped KILL Whitney #jubilee
Whitney Houston's death may just be a wake-up- call. Known is the oppression that is targeted at our oppressed....Also known is Barry White, Luther, Don Cornelious and Michael died having given their all. What part of gagaville and speardom isn't being deciphered? And excuse me but what is all this ADELATION SUPPOSE TO BEAM IN?????????????
regumption: Whitney Houston's death may just be a wake-up- call. Known
While I would be first in line to buy that music, I'm still disturbed by all this talk of money, royalties, profits, masters, money, Dolly Parton....and the funeral hasn't even happened yet.
The stuff is the last thing on Ms. Houston's family and Dolly Parton's mind; they have a relative and she has a friend to bury tomorrow.
Can the vultures please take a brief moratorium on profit making talk in the name of common decency?
Ronaldus785: While I would be first in line to buy that
Ah yes...the vultures are swarming. It's ridiculous how quickly these companies pounce on cashing in on _dead celebrities. Can we at least have a funeral before you guys start promoting posthumous releases?
08Voter: Ah yes...the vultures are swarming. It's ridiculous how quickly these
I plead to the media, CNN in particular to give this woman a break with all the negative press. Please remember her for her great contribution to our culture. She was not perfect, neither of us are. She had great shortcomings commensurate to her great talent. She was a mother and a daughter. Please have mercy to her family and let it go!
LET HER REST IN PEACE NOW.
F-ierce: I plead to the media, CNN in particular to give
It's a shame Whitney never had any writing credit on any of the songs that she blessed with her vocals. Her handlers knew this and never encouraged her to do so. I think I read long time ago that Elvis was going to sing Dolly's song but requested sharing in the publishing and she said no. Which was her right as a writer of the song of course. But Elvis knew his worth and what it would do for the writer.Whitney was a straight up goldmine for all of those writers. If she had better management they should have demanded some kind of sharing because if she sang that song it was going to be a hit and that would have been a win win for all. Very typical...
goldie01z: It's a shame Whitney never had any writing credit on
Why should she donate the money to anyone, I mean she wrote the song and owns the publishing rights, She didnt kill whitney houston. It would be nice of her if she wanted to but, she wouldnt be morally wrong if she didnt. She wrote a song ITs going to be purchased and played alot, she makes money, Thats business
dmg12700: Why should she donate the money to anyone, I mean
Loading comments… 
First Posted: 02/16/2012 1:21 pm Updated: 02/16/2012 5:49 pm