HOUSTON HITMAKERS RIDE THE WAVE

Shannon Rubicam and George Merrill, who wrote multiple hits for Whitney Houston, are partnering with Primary Wave Music, which is producing the Houston biopic opening next month.

PW has acquired Merrill and Rubicam’s interests in much of their publishing catalog, as well as their writers’ share of income worldwide. Among the songs they wrote for Houston are “How Will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).”

Beyond songwriting, Shannon and George formed the band Boy Meets Girl in 1985 and had success with “Waiting for a Star To Fall,” “Oh Girl” and others. Their most recent album, Five, was released digitally in 2021 and will come out on vinyl in December.

“When Shannon and George’s songs are played—anywhere around the world—people will sing along the minute they begin,” said Justin Shukat, president of publishing at Primary Wave Music. “It’s rare for songwriters to not only see that type of response but write #1 hits for both themselves and other artists.”

Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” has seen an uptick in streams with word getting out about the biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody, which will be premiere 12/21.