The Grammy Awards are held tonight, and like last year, I can’t help but think of Whitney Houston, who died the night before the 2012 ceremonies. (She also passed away on my birthday, February 11, so there’s also that inescapable association.)

Fay Wolf’s cover of Whitney’s 1987 #1 hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” was only introduced to me a few days ago (thanks, Dan), though it was released back in September 2012. Piano-centric and understated, Wolf’s arrangement and performance is the complete opposite of the original blast of pure pop. There’s also her additional lyric in the song’s final third, following “I need a man who’ll take the chance on a love that burns hot enough” with “or I need a woman who’ll take the chance” (Wolf is bisexual).

I can’t help but hear some Suzanne Vega in Wolf’s voice, especially at the start.

Whitney’s mentor, Arista Records mogul Clive Davis (who came out as bisexual last year), is compiling an album of her live performances for release later this year.

Purchase Fay Wolf – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” (Whitney Houston cover) via iTunes, Amazon MP3.