George Michael vs. Divine | Head 2 Head

In the 16^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), George Michael and Divine contend for the best rendition of “One More Try.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song, comparing their respective 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 16^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), George Michael and Divine contend for the best rendition of “One More Try”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. George Michael, “One More Try”

Faith // Sony // 1987

“‘Cause teacher / There are things that I don’t want to learn / And the last one I had / Made me cry.” The timeless “One More Try” was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 from Faith, the biggest album of George Michael’s career, ultimately winning the Grammy for Album Of The Year at the 31^st Annual Grammy Awards. Had Michael never released another album, Faith was enough to cement his legacy. “Now I think it’s time / That you let me know / So, if you love me / Say you love me / But if you don’t / Just let me go.” “One More Try,” an utterly sublime ballad, plays to his strengths, allowing him to flaunt his gorgeous tone.   

Running nearly six minutes in duration, Michael milks “One More Try” for all it’s worth, and who can blame him! Even better than Michael’s ravishing good looks was his marvelous instrument.  Regarding production, “One More Try” is firmly planted in the 80s. The backdrop, fueled by electric keyboard (the patch, pads, and synths) sounds little like the music of the aughts and beyond.  Despite lacking flashiness or pizzazz, the sound feels right. Beyond the vocals, shout out Michael’s songwriting skills. The result is a personal, authentic song that shines thanks to simplicity and sheer artistry.  The chorus is the centerpiece, thriving off love and heartbreak:     

“And teacher  

There are things that I still have to learn  

But the one thing I have is my pride  

Oh, so I don’t want to learn to  

Hold you, touch you  

Think that you’re mine  

Because there ain’t no joy  

For an uptown boy  

Who just isn’t willin’ to try.”   

All told, “One More Try” is a classic that remains potent approaching 40 years later.  Notably, the ballad has been covered multiple times, including the likes of Mariah Carey and Divine.

Appears in 🔻:   

• George Michael vs. Mariah Carey: Head 2 Head 🗣️ 5 (2021)    
• George Michael, One More Try: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 19 (2021) 
• Incredible Songs: 1980s, Vol. 2 (2023) 
• Try: 3 to 5 BOPS No. 70 (2023)
• 11 Songs That Make You Wanna Try (2023)

2. Divine, “One More Try”

Fairy Tales // Modern Entertainment BV // 1998 

Short-lived R&B trio Divine (Kia Thornton, Nikki Bratcher, and Tonia Tash) is best known for their  no. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Lately”. “Lately” appears on their sole album, 1998’s Fairy Tales. While often mistaken as one-hit-wonders, Divine charted a second top-40 hit: “One More Try”, a cover of the beloved, George Michael hit.  Their gorgeous, no. 29 peaking rendition of the ballad appears as the third track on Fairy Tales.

Denzil Foster and Thomas McElroy produced the Divine rendition of “One More Try”. Fittingly,  given the personnel, “One More Try” gets more of an urban, R&B sound.  The original by George Michael had R&B vibes too, so it’s not a drastic, unusual transformation. The tweaks in the instrumental come primarily from the gift that keeps on giving – keyboards! Vocally, Kia, Nikki, and Tonia serve up sweet vocals, never forcing things.  There is a cool energy, not far-fetched from Michael’s, preserving the sanctity of this pop classic. Towards the end of the song, expectedly, Divine rise to the occasion, maintaining the warmth of the performance, yet also bring some more punch. One of the biggest selling points? Vocal harmonies, which make everything sweeter! Divine’s cover of “One More Try” is sweet – DIVINE!

Appears in 🔻:

• Divine, One More Try: Covers No. 13 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

So, who gets the edge in this “One More Try” driven Head 2 Head? Is it the songwriter and original performer, George Michael,  or the compelling, contemporary R&B cover courtesy of trio, Divine?  While Divine sound ‘utterly divine’ covering this beloved pop classic, “One More Try” will ALWAYS belong to the late, great, George Michael.  Michael delivered a passionate performance, backed by a relatively simple, but potent instrumental backdrop. Simply put, it would take a special coverer to usurp the original by George.

George Michael vs. Divine: Head 2 Head No. 16 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Modern Entertainment BV, Sony; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]