It is a strange thing, really. You have Whitney Houston at the absolute peak of her powers in the mid-1990s. She could have recorded anything. She could have turned a phone book into a multi-platinum record. Yet, one of her most enduring vocal performances—the one that parents still play for their kids every December—comes from a movie that critics didn't even particularly like at the time.
Who Would Imagine a King isn't just a holiday track. It's a masterclass in restraint.
When people talk about Whitney, they usually talk about the "voice." The power. The high notes that shatter glass. But this song? It’s different. It’s quiet. It’s almost a lullaby. It reminds us that sometimes the most profound messages don't need to be shouted from the rooftops. They can be whispered in a stable.
The Preacher's Wife and the Birth of a Modern Carol
To understand why this song works, you have to go back to 1996. Whitney Houston was starring in The Preacher’s Wife alongside Denzel Washington. It was a remake of the 1947 classic The Bishop's Wife, and the soundtrack was a massive deal. We are talking about the best-selling gospel album of all time.
The song was written by Mervyn Warren and Hallerin Hilton Hill. Warren, a founding member of Take 6, is a genius when it comes to vocal arrangements. He knew he wasn't just writing a song for a movie; he was writing for the voice.
But here’s the kicker. The song doesn't follow the typical pop structure of the nineties. It doesn't have a massive, over-the-produced key change that hits you over the head. Instead, it relies on a simple, folk-like melody. It feels old. It feels like something that has existed for centuries, even though it’s barely thirty years old.
Why the Lyrics Still Hit Different
Most Christmas songs are about the "stuff." The bells, the snow, the gifts, the giant red suit. Who Would Imagine a King flips the script entirely. It focuses on the paradox of the Nativity.
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“A tiny wee baby, a shepherd's boy.”
The lyrics play with this idea of subverted expectations. In a world that equates power with gold, crowns, and armies, the song points toward a child in a manger. It’s a bit subversive if you really think about it. It asks a genuine question: Who would actually expect a king to show up like this?
Honestly, the simplicity is what makes it "human-quality" music. It’s not trying too hard to be profound; it just is. When Whitney sings about the "lowly" beginnings, you believe her. There is a vulnerability in her tone that she rarely showed on her more "diva" tracks like I'm Every Woman.
The Technical Brilliance Nobody Talks About
If you’re a music nerd, listen to the orchestral arrangement. It’s incredibly lush but never crowds the vocal.
Mervyn Warren used a lot of traditional tropes—pizzicato strings that feel like falling snow—but he kept the harmonic progression relatively grounded. It stays in a comfortable range, which is why it has become such a staple for school choirs and church soloists. It’s accessible.
However, don't let the accessibility fool you.
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Singing this song well is actually quite difficult. It requires immense breath control because the phrases are long and flowing. You can't "bark" these notes. You have to float them. Whitney’s version is the gold standard because she uses a very light vibrato, almost a straight tone at times, which gives it that "angelic" quality the directors were looking for in the film.
More Than Just Whitney: The Song’s Second Life
While Houston owns the definitive version, the song has traveled far since 1996. It’s been covered by everyone from Katherine Jenkins to gospel groups across the globe.
Why? Because it fills a specific gap in the holiday repertoire.
Most Christmas songs fall into two categories:
- Secular "party" songs (think Mariah Carey).
- Traditional, heavy hymns (think O Holy Night).
Who Would Imagine a King sits right in the middle. It has the emotional weight of a hymn but the melodic sensibility of a modern ballad. It’s versatile. You can hear it at a candlelight service or in a shopping mall, and it doesn't feel out of place in either.
The "Discover" Factor: Why We Are Still Searching for It
Every year, around late November, search interest for this song spikes. It’s a "seasonal evergreen" in the truest sense.
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People aren't just looking for the lyrics. They are looking for the feeling. In a world that feels increasingly loud and chaotic—especially in 2026—there is something deeply grounding about a song that celebrates humility.
It’s also a nostalgia play. For Gen X and Millennials, The Preacher’s Wife was a staple of the holiday television rotation. Hearing that opening flute line immediately transports people back to a specific time and place. It’s sonic comfort food.
Common Misconceptions About the Track
I've seen people online claiming this is a "traditional" carol from the 1800s. It’s not. It was written specifically for the movie.
Another weird myth? That it was originally intended for a different artist. There is zero evidence for that. Mervyn Warren has been pretty clear in interviews that the collaboration with Whitney was the driving force behind the song’s creation. He wanted to capture her "church" side—the Cissy Houston-influenced gospel roots that often got buried under the glossy Arista Records production.
How to Actually Use This Song Today
If you’re a musician or a worship leader looking to incorporate this into a setlist, keep these things in mind:
- Don't overproduce it. The song dies if you add too many drums or synth layers. Keep the piano or acoustic guitar at the forefront.
- Focus on the storytelling. The lyrics are a narrative. If the singer is just focused on hitting the notes, the "magic" of the question—Who would imagine?—gets lost.
- Watch the tempo. It’s easy to let this song drag. It needs to move like a gentle cradle rocking, not a funeral march.
Practical Steps for Your Holiday Playlist
If you want to experience the song in its best light, don't just stream the "Best of Whitney" version. Go find the original soundtrack version from The Preacher's Wife. The mastering on that specific album is tailored to the gospel acoustics of the time.
- Listen for the background vocals. They are subtle, but the layering is what gives the song its "heavenly" depth.
- Watch the movie scene. Seeing Whitney perform it in the context of the small church in the film adds a layer of emotional resonance that you miss when you're just listening on Spotify.
- Compare versions. Check out the Nat King Cole-style arrangements that some jazz artists have tried. It’s a great study in how a good melody can survive any genre.
Ultimately, Who Would Imagine a King reminds us that the best parts of the holiday season aren't the ones that scream for our attention. They are the quiet moments of wonder. Whether you’re a fan of 90s pop, a gospel enthusiast, or just someone who likes a good Christmas tune, this song stands as a testament to the power of a simple story told well.
Check your favorite streaming platform for the "Anniversary Edition" of the soundtrack—the remastered audio quality really brings out the nuances in Whitney’s lower register that were hissed out on older cassette versions. It’s worth the re-listen.