Funkadelic vs. Mavis Staples | Head 2 Head

In the 43^rd edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Funkadelic and Mavis Staples contend for the best rendition of “Can You Get To That.”

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 43^rd edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Funkadelic and Mavis Staples contend for the best rendition of “Can You Get To That”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

 

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1. Funkadelic, “Can You Get To That” 2. Mavis Staples, “Can You Get To That” The Verdict 👨🏾‍⚖️

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1. Funkadelic, “Can You Get To That”

Maggot Brain » Westbound » 1971

Funkadelic was one of many funk endeavors by the legendary George Clinton (b. 1941). Funkadelic often incorporated more psychedelic rock elements into the mix.  The album that “Can You Get To That” hails from, Maggot Brain, is a masterpiece. “Can You Get To That” clocks in under three minutes.  George Clinton and Ernest Harris wrote it, while Clinton produced it. Although not particularly impactful on the pop charts, “Can” peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Can You Get To That” commences with sweet, distinct, folksy acoustic guitar riffs. This sets the tone of this blend of funk, gospel, rock, and soul.  It thrives on its soulful groove. The robust bass line provides a mean and mighty anchor. Bernie Worrell plays sweetly on the keys.  “Can” features some fabulous, funked-up vocals.  The vocal performance has plenty of collective moments, which makes the song stand out even more. However, it is the bass vocals of Ray Davis (1940 – 2005) that truly make “Can” special, particularly in the brief and potent third verse and the chorus. The lyrics are striking throughout. See the first verse: “Well, I read an old quotation in a book just yesterday / Said, ‘Gonna reap just what you sow, the debts you make, you have to pay.” In the second, there is more clarity, involving matters of the heart: “When you base your love on credit and your loving days are done / Checks you signed with a-love and kisses, later come back signed / ‘Insufficient funds’.” Oh, snap! As captivating as the verses are, the chorus (excerpted earlier) is the crowning achievement.  There is a blend of upper register, tenor vocals, contrasted with mean bass vocals is nothing short of epic.  Simply put, Funkadelic shines on the timeless “Can You Get To That”, another superb moment from their magnum opus, Maggot Brain.

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Funkadelic on The Musical Hype🔻

Funkadelic, Hit It And Quit It: Throwback Vibez No. 40 (2023) Funkadelic, Jimmy’s Got a Little Bit of Bitch in Him: Wacky Wednesday No. 27 (2025) Funkadelic, Can You Get To That: Throwback Vibez No. 192 (2025)

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Appears in:

Funkadelic, Can You Get To That: Throwback Vibez No. 192 (2025)

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2. Mavis Staples, “Can You Get To That”

One True Vine » Anti Inc. » 2013

Mavis Staples (b. 1939) is a legendary soul and gospel singer.  By the time the 2013 album, One True Vine, arrived, the Grammy-winning Staple Singers frontwoman had nothing else to prove. Even so, she sensationally covered a Funkadelic classic, “Can You Get To That”. Taking the superb song and making it her own, Staples enlisted the talented Jeff Tweedy (b. 1967, of Wilco fame) to produce this marvelous remake.

“Can You Get To That” commences with the signature, folksy, acoustic guitar-led intro of the original (Tweedy). This is the first indication that “Can” is a strongly engineered track. The musical accompaniment is on point with the guitar, the robust bass line, and a strong anchor provided by the drums.  The tone of the drums, within the recording, marks another selling point.  Of course, Mavis Staples eats. I love the mix of her husky vocals and the higher background vocals (Tweedy, Donny Gerrard, Kelly Hogan, and Makeda Francisco), particularly in the first verse. Staples and the musical personnel do a phenomenal job of capturing a similar vibe to the original by Funkadelic. Even so, they still make “Can You Get To That” their own distinct take.  The vocal arrangement matches the excellence of the instrumental arrangement.  Those background vocals sound particularly compelling background vocals during the chorus. Also, there is a talented bass singer who appears during the chorus and sings a verse, channeling his inner Ray Davis (1940 – 2005). All told, Mavis Staples and company excel on their cover of this beloved Funkadelic classic.  “Can You Get To That” in the hands of Mavis rocks!

Appears in:

Mavis Staples, Can You Get To That: Covers No. 39 (2025)

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who performed “Can You Get To That” the best? Was it the original ‘70s rendition by  Funkadelic, or a fine 2013 cover by Mavis Staples?  Either way, there is a heaping dose of soul in the mix! Staples’ cover masterfully reintroduces “Can You Get To That” in the 21^st century.  It is well-rounded in every facet.  However, it’s tough to beat out an original as timeless as Funkadelic’s.  Therefore, Funkadelic gets the edge in this head-to-head battle. Simply put, it’s a key part of a key album by one of the great bands of the 1970s.

🏅 Winner: Funkadelic

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Funkadelic vs. Mavis Staples: Head 2 Head No. 43 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Anti Inc., Westbound; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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