David Foster: Why I Had to Lie to Clive Davis

What happened in this episode?

David Foster discusses his work with Whitney Houston and recounts an anecdote about delivering a deliberately quick “rough” mix of “I Will Always Love You” to label executive Clive Davis, expecting Davis to demand changes. Foster says Davis instead repeatedly insisted the first version should be released, even after Foster sent revised mixes with technical and arrangement tweaks. Foster describes the disagreement turning into a phone argument, after which he says he admitted the “approved” mix only existed on a single DAT tape Davis possessed; Foster claims Davis had carried it in his pocket for months and played it widely, and that the tape was ultimately used for mastering.

Maher then pivots to taste and reputation in record-making, arguing for Phil Spector’s string-and-choir treatment on The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road”, while acknowledging Spector’s later criminal conviction. Foster agrees the arrangement suits the song.

The conversation ends with a brief dispute over Paul McCartney’s 1989 album “Flowers in the Dirt”. Foster says he produced three songs but cannot recall titles; Maher challenges his recollection and defends the album’s quality, citing tracks such as “My Brave Face” and “This One”.

What are the key points?

• David Foster says he tried to “trick” Clive Davis by submitting a fast rough mix to elicit notes before doing a full mix.
• Foster claims Davis unexpectedly approved the rough mix of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and rejected later revisions.
• Foster describes a heated argument with Davis before confessing the approved mix existed only on the original DAT.
• Foster says Davis told him he had carried the DAT “in my pocket all summer” and played it for others.
• Bill Maher argues he prefers Phil Spector’s string-and-choir version of The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road”; Foster agrees.
• Foster and Maher disagree over “Flowers in the Dirt”, with Foster downplaying the album while Maher defends it and questions Foster’s song recall.

Who is speaking?

Named speakers identified in Egleze's source-linked moments from this episode.

• David Foster

Which topics are covered?

How is this page sourced?

Programme

Club Random

Published

15 September 2026

Duration

5m

Original episode

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