My Name Is Not Susan


"My Name Is Not Susan" is the fourth single released from Whitney Houston's third album I'm Your Baby Tonight. The song was produced by L.A. Reid and Babyface, and written by Eric Foster White. In the song, Houston confronts a lover who has mistakenly called her by his ex-girlfriend's name "Susan." She gives him a harsh rebuke for the mistake and lets him know that if he cannot get over Susan, then their relationship is over.

Critical reception

Rolling Stone's James Hunter noted that Houston "stipulates in no uncertain terms" in this song vocally. Entertainment Weekly editor David Browne panned: "in what could be seen as an audition for her pending movie career, Houston gets to act angry on My Name Is Not Susan, in which she scolds a bedmate for calling out the name of an ex-flame in his sleep." J. D. Consodine of The Baltimore Sun felt that the song was emotionless: " has no trouble navigating a state-of-the-art funk groove, she's mainly going through the motions; there's absolutely nothing in her performance to suggest that she was even the slightest bit moved by these songs." Music & Media described the song as a "pacey pop/dance track boasting a snappy chorus."

Music video

In the song's music video directed by Lionel C. Martin, Houston is featured playing both herself and a character named "Susan." The video is inspired by several elements in the Alfred Hitchcock film Vertigo, both containing a man involved with an obsessive love for both a glamorous blonde and down-to-earth brunette played by the same actress. Several specific scenes that are parallel include a visit to a park, dining in a restaurant, and the photographer's buying clothes for the girl, having her hair also dyed blonde, and the way she emerges from the bathroom. The boyfriend, who is a photographer may have been suggested by another Hitchcock film, Rear Window. There is also a version of the video with a remix with British rapper Monie Love. Outtakes from the video and alternate footage was reused for the video to the follow-up single "I Belong to You".

Chart performance

"My Name Is Not Susan" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67, peaking at number 20. It remained in the Top 40 for six weeks, Houston's shortest showing at the time. It peaked at number eight on the R&B Singles Chart. "My Name Is Not Susan" was modestly received internationally, where it peaked at number 29 on the UK Singles Chart and a modest number 57 in Germany. In 1998, a remixed version of the song charted in Germany and reached number 52, five places higher than the original did in 1991.

Live performances

Houston performed the song on her 1991 I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour. Three different performances of the song were taped; in Yokohama, Japan on March 15, 1991; Oakland, California on May 11, 1991; and A Coruña, Spain on September 29, 1991. The Yokohama concert was broadcast on Japanese TV channel and the show in Oakland was aired during The Simple Truth: A Concert for Kurdish Refugees, a telethon held to aid the Kurds on May 12, 1991. She also performed the song on Welcome Home Heroes, broadcast live on HBO, March 31, 1991. This performance can be found on the video: Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston ― Live in Concert. At the 19th American Music Awards of 1992, Houston performed the remixed version of the song as a part of "I'm Your Baby Tonight Medley," along with "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and "Who Do You Love." In addition, she performed the song on, the first of three concerts was aired live on HBO in November 1994, and on a private gig to celebrate for the wedding of Princess Rashidah, the eldest daughter of the Sultan of Brunei on August 24, 1996.

Track listings and formats

  1. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:08
  2. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 7:45
  3. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:37
  1. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 7:40
  2. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 5:56
  3. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 6:17
  1. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:37
  2. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:10
  3. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:39
  4. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:04
  1. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 4:08
  2. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 5:34
  3. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 5:39
  4. "My Name Is Not Susan" — 5:08
Notes: The "'70's Flange Mix" is named the "Bellydance Mix" on some vinyl releases. The "Waddell Straight Mix", "Extended U.K. Mix" & "The Upbeat Cut Mix" are the same mix with alternate names. The "Waddell Alternate Mix" & "Alternate U.K. Mix" are the same mix as well.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts