"Try It on My Own" (titled "On My Own" for its single release) is a song by American recording artist Whitney Houston. It was written by Babyface,Jason Edmonds,Carole Bayer Sager,Aleese Simmons,and Nathan Walton for her fifth studio album Just Whitney (2002),with production handled by the former. A pop ballad,the song is about overcoming doubts or fears so a person can reach the point in their life where they can "try it on [their] own".
Critical reception for "Try It on My Own" was generally positive. In a single review,Billboard said that "the third single 'Try It on My Own' is the best song on the disc,a classic Whitney ballad that pushes every diva button,from huge celestial notes to a creamy orchestral arrangement".[2] Keysha Davis from BBC felt that the song marked "the most welcomed return on Just Whitney,with the melancholic [song] providing one of the album's highlights."[3] Generally critical with the album,Entertainment Weekly's Tom Sinclair called the record a "treacly keyboards-and-strings big ballad."[4]Slant Magazine felt that "Try It on My Own" was "the kind of syrupy ballad responsible for cookie-cutter star-makers like American Idol's."[5]
The music video can be interpreted as part of Houston's self-actualization during the late 1990s and early 2000s,when she repudiated the pop queen persona built under Clive Davis during the 1980s. Houston also uses the video,along with the song itself,to respond to criticism from the media and music industry at the time.[7] It opens with music industry insiders waiting for Houston to appear,staring at their watches. As Houston starts singing,the panel is bewildered,holding up lyrics from "Over the Rainbow." This scene parodies her high-profile firing by Burt Bacharach from the 2000 Academy Awards ceremony for not singing "Rainbow" during rehearsals for the show. But she continues to sing "On My Own" as the insiders leave there in frustration due to Houston not following their prescribed formula. The video then cuts to Houston performing with a gospel choir in front of her adoring fans,giving their cheers through.[7]
Chart performance
The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 on the week dated April 26,2003 at number 99.[8] In its fourth week it peaked at number 84,which was its peak position and stayed there for two weeks. It stayed on the charts for 12 weeks.
On the magazine's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart,the song entered on the week dated May 10,2003 at number 91.[9] In its eighth week dated July 5,2003,it reached its peak of number 80. [10] It would spend a total of 14 weeks on the chart.
The album found its biggest chart successes on the Billboardadult contemporary and dance charts. On the former chart,it peaked at number ten on the week dated May 3,2003 giving Houston her 24th career top ten single on that chart,staying for 22 cumulative weeks on the chart.
On the Dance Club Songs chart,it topped the chart on the week dated April 12,2003,staying for a week atop the charts and spending 14 cumulative weeks on the chart.
Overseas,the ballad hit the charts in Canada and Switzerland,peaking at 79 on the latter chart and number 24 on the Canadian Singles chart.
Cover versions
"Try It on My Own" is also the winning piece and debut single of Mau Marcelo,the winner of Philippine Idol in 2006. She sang the song twice during the show,first in the final performance night as Sony BMG's choice and second in the final results night when she was crowned the winner.
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