4 Non Blondes vs. Dolly Parton & Linda Perry | Head 2 Head

In the 33^rd edition of Head 2 Head (2025), 4 Non Blondes and Dolly Parton & Linda Perry contend for the best rendition of “What’s Up?”.

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberation, we decide which performance is the best or moves us more subjectively.  In the 33^rd edition of Head 2 Head (2025), 4 Non Blondes and Dolly Parton & Linda Perry contend for the best rendition of “What’s Up?”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. 4 Non Blondes, “What’s Up?” 2.Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, “What’s Up?” The Verdict 👨🏾‍⚖️

 

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1. 4 Non Blondes, “What’s Up?”

Bigger, Better, Faster, More! »

Interscope »

1992

 

“And I say, hey-ey-ey / Hey-ey-ey / I said ‘Hey, a-what’s going on?’” Those lyrics are nothing short of iconic, sung by Hall of Fame songwriter Linda Perry (b. 1965).  The lesbian singer/songwriter, at the time, was the frontwoman of the short-lived, formerly all-female rock band, 4 Non Blondes.  4 Non Blondes scored a big-time hit with “What’s Up?”, the third track from their 1992, platinum-certified debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!.  “What’s Up?” peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.  It performed even better worldwide, reaching number one or number two in various countries.  Ultimately, the Recording Industry Association of America certified the single gold.  This would be 4 Non Blondes only hit, hence, making the collective a one-hit wonder.

“What’s Up” begins with rhythmic guitar accompaniment, which sets the tone marvelously.  Soon after, lead guitar, bass, and drums enter the mix. Linda Perry brings assertive, spirited vocals throughout, particularly as the song progresses.  The rawness of her performance stands out the most. There are tuneful melodies during the verse, pre-chorus, and the chorus.  The songwriting is elite from the beginning. “I realized quickly when I knew I should,” Perry sings in the first verse, and continues, “That the world was made up of this brotherhood of men / For whatever that means.” In the pre-chorus, to cope, she asserts, “And I take a deep breath, and I get real high / And I scream from the top of my lungs / ‘What’s going on?’” The second verse, with its coarse, rough vocal performance, is also notable, where Perry concludes, “I pray every single day / For revolution.” The chorus, excerpted earlier, is the centerpiece, the section to beat, in all its inquiring glory.  Although “What’s Up?” was the only hit for 4 Non Blondes, it’s a magical, unforgettable song that still shines well into the 21^st century.

Appears in:

4 Non Blondes, What’s Up?: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 37 (2025)

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2. Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, “What’s Up?”

Rockstar »

Butterfly Records, LLC / Big Machine Label Group, LLC »

2023

 

Fresh off her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Iconic country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton did something she had never done before: she recorded a rock album, titled Rockstar. One of the highlights of her 2023 album is the 24^th track, “What’s Up?”, a cover. Parton collaborated with Hall of Fame songwriter Linda Perry (b. 1965), who originally wrote and sang the gold-certified song with her short-lived rock band, 4 Non Blondes.  Perry plays acoustic guitar and sings on the centerpiece of the song, the unforgettable chorus, supporting Parton’s lead vocals. Kent Wells produced the Parton/Perry rendition.

“What’s Up” begins with gorgeous acoustic guitar, performed by Perry and Wells.  The electric guitar (Jerry McPherson) enters the mix, much like the original.  Among other striking sounds from the instrumental is the organ, which adds some extra spice. Parton sings marvelously with her distinct, beautiful voice.  She sounds more refined compared to Perry’s rawer, rougher-around-the-edges vocals.  Even so, Parton still brings the bite to this 1990s classic, particularly in the timeless chorus:

“And then I say, ‘Hey, yeah, yeah, hey

Hey, yеah, yeah’

I say, ‘Hey

What’s goin’ on?’

Then I say, ‘Hеy, yeah, yeah, hey

Hey, yeah, yeah’

I say, ‘Hey

What’s goin’ on?’”

Of course, Perry provides awesome vocal support during the centerpiece, too.  Beyond the chorus, Parton brings even more oomph during the second verse, offering more playful, high-flying vocals. Ultimately, Parton delivers a well-rounded interpretation of “What’s Up?”.  In her skilled hands,  this rock sounds like it could’ve originally been a country or country-rock song and we would’ve never blinked an eye.

 

Appears in:

Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, What’s Up?: Covers No. 29 (2025)

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who delivered the best rendition of “What’s Up?”? Is the hard rocking 🤘 original written by and featuring the vocals of Linda Perry by 4 Non Blondes, king 👑? Or is the rousing cover, featuring the lead vocals of iconic country musician Dolly Parton, and supporting vocals by Linda Perry, the version to beat?  The good news is, either way, Linda Perry comes out on top! Parton’s cover is impressive, showing that, hypothetically, if “What’s Up?” had been a country song originally, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising.  It’s Dolly Parton after all! But, when it’s all said and done, the original by 4 Non Blondes is one of the unforgettable staples from the 1990s. More than three decades later, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes is potent and timeless. Linda Perry wins via her short-lived, one-hit wonder band.

🏅 Winner: 4 Non Blondes

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4 Non Blondes vs. Dolly Parton & Linda Perry: Head 2 Head No. 33 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Butterfly Records, LLC / Big Machine Label Group, LLC, Interscope; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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