Con Funk Shun vs. Silk Sonic | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 37^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Con Funk Shun and Silk Sonic contend for the best rendition of “Love’s Train.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 37th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Con Funk Shun and 🎙 Silk Sonic contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Love’s Train.” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Con Funk Shun, “Love’s Train”

💿 To The Max • 🏷 Mercury • 🗓 1982

“If you are that special lover / And love keeps you tied to another / That’s the way it goes on love’s train.” Among the most beloved, popular songs by R&B/funk collective 🎙 Con Funk Shun is 🎵 “Love’s Train”.  The memorable chorus continues, “Sometimes, heart strings can be broken / But you just have to keep on goin’ / That’s the way it goes on love’s train.” “Love’s Train” graces the band’s 1982 album, 💿 To The Max. To The Max didn’t earn the success of a quartet of albums by Con Funk Shun between 1977 and 1980 that were all certified gold. Also, amazingly, “Love’s Train,” arguably the group’s ace in the hole, wasn’t released as a single 🤯.  Regardless, the excellence of this love triangle oriented joint makes it a surefire gem.   

The gist is, he, 🎙 Michael Cooper (lead vocals), wants to be with her.  She also wants to be with him, but, there’s another in the picture:  

“She said ‘Sugar, Honey, Darlin’ 

I really wanna see ya, too 

It’s just that someone’s over, and baby 

I really wanna be with you.’” 

Oh, the plight of love, in all of its unfairness! More unfair is that this great R&B record didn’t receive the fanfare it deserved.  The production is warm, idiomatic of the smooth, quiet storm brand of R&B popular in the 80s: keys, rhythm guitar, prominent bass line, and a hi-hat heavy drum groove. “Love’s Train” feels and sounds natural, never hurried, and taking its time. Besides the love-driven lyrics, Cooper’s vocals are buttery and silky smooth.  His pipes ooze with romance and sexiness, even if another person involved throws a wrench in the plans. Furthermore, “Love’s Train” features incredibly tuneful melodies.  Among the most tuneful section that is not named the chorus is the pre-chorus, where Cooper ascends into his powerful upper register. While Con Funk Shun didn’t receive the attention they should’ve for 🎵 “Love’s Train”, it truly is a bop. 

Appears in 🔻:

• Con Funk Shun, Love’s Train: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 126 (2023) 

2. Silk Sonic, “Love’s Train”

💿 An Evening with Silk Sonic  • 🏷 Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic • 🗓 2021

In 2022, 🎙 Silk Sonic – 🎙 Anderson .Paak and 🎙 Bruno Mars – added a 10^th song to their 2022 LP, 💿 An Evening With Silk Sonic: 🎵 “Love’s Train”. While many folks might’ve assumed this was an original song, it’s not.  By the time Silk Sonic unveiled their cover, the original by R&B/funk band 🎙 Con Funk Shun was 30 years old 🤯! Even though Silk Sonic didn’t write this gem, they put their all in on the sensational cover, which is hot from the onset. Mars produces alongside 🎛 D’Mile superbly capturing the essence of the 1982 classic.

Following the ear-catching intro, which recalls 80s R&B in all its glory, Anderson .Paak delivers soulful vocals in the first verse.  He channels his inner 🎙 Michael Cooper excelling in his middle register.  Paak plays it relatively straight here – few frills – which feels right for the opening verse.  Bruno Mars contrasts with his entrance in the refrain, showing off his powerful,  ripe upper register. He successfully matches the original, with the contrast being more pronounced with the lead being split by two different artists. Paak returns, looser and more nuanced in the second verse.  Additionally, he welcomes vocal harmonies.  Following another sublime refrain by Mars, Paak gives us what we’ve all been waiting for – the beloved chorus!

“If you are that special lover

And love keeps you tied to another

That’s the way it goes on love’s train

Sometimes, heartstrings can be broken

But you just have to keep on goin’

That’s the way it goes on love’s train.”

In the third and final verse, there are slight instrumental contrasts, which maintain the engagement.  The third and final refrain by Mars is arguably his best and most powerful. Fittingly, the final chorus, which brings Mars into the mix, is terrific.  There are more ad-libs with Silk Sonic bringing 🎵 “Love’s Train” to a whole new generation of listeners 30 years later.

Appears in 🔻:

• Silk Sonic, Love’s Train: Covers No. 35 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Who performed 🎵 “Love’s Train” the best? Was it the OG performers, 🎙 Con Funk Shun or the coverers, 🎙 Silk Sonic?  Both groups did a bang up job, period.  Chart performance is a non-factor, at least in terms of the Billboard Hot 100.  Con Funk Shun didn’t release “Love’s Train” as a single.  That makes its popularity even more impressive given that the collective has impacted the pop charts with other singles.  As for Silk Sonic, “Love’s Train” impacted the R&B charts, peaking at no. 47.  As far as streaming, it shouldn’t surprise you that the new version is more popular – compare plays on Spotify alone and you’ll see that.  Ultimately, it’s a matter of preference.  And guess what, I love both version so much I call it a TIE 👔.

Con Funk Shun vs. Silk Sonic: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 37 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Aftermath Entertainment / Atlantic, Mercury; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]