Greg Long vs. CeCe Winans | Head 2 Head

In the 39^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Greg Long and CeCe Winans contend for the best rendition of “Mercy Said No.”

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song and compare their performances.  After deliberating, we render a verdict on which performance was the best, or, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the 39^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Greg Long and CeCe Winans contend for the best rendition of “Mercy Said No”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Greg Long, “Mercy Said No”

Jesus Saves // Myrrh / Word Entertainment // 1998

“I was just a child when I felt the Savior leading / I was drawn to what I could not understand.” Amen!  Greg Long, alongside Dave Clark and Donald Koch, composed a gorgeous, meaningful, faith-based ballad in 1998.  “Mercy Said No” is the fourth track from the Avalon vocalist’s album, Jesus Saves.  He continues singing the first verse, “I realize His grace is what I’ll need / When sin demanded justice for my soul.” Those are moving, poetic, and reflective lyrics regarding faith.

The verses of “Mercy Said No” feature memorable melodies.  They also feature Biblical and spiritual lyricism.  In the second verse, Long quotes John 3:16, singing “For God so loved the world, that He sent His Son to save us / From the cross He built a bridge to set us free.”  He later references  the crucifixion day, where “Evil tried to stop redemption’s flow,” but, we all know that: “Mercy said, ‘No, I’m not gonna let you go /I’m not gonna let you slip away, you don’t have to be afraid…” Throughout, he serves up beautiful, reverent, and warm lead vocals.  He never oversings, providing just the right oomph initially.  As the song progresses, he raises the bar – ups the ante.  The chorus is the section to beat – it is incredibly moving. The bridge and key modulation that follows is one of the most special moments, further increasing the energy, intensity, and spirituality (“And now when Heaven looks at me / It’s through the blood of Jesus / Remind me of one day long ago / Long ago”). Greg Long and his anointed writing team have blessed listeners with the timeless “Mercy Said No”.

Appears in 🔻:

• Greg Long, Mercy Said No: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 37 (2024)

2. CeCe Winans, “Mercy Said No”

Throne Room // PureSprings Gospel // 2003

“Mercy said, ‘No, I’m not gonna let you go / I’m not gonna let you slip away, you don’t have to be afraid.’” Greg Long, Dave Clark, and Donald Koch penned a CCM gem with “Mercy Said No”.  Long also did a marvelous job recording it originally in 1998. In 2023, Grammy-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans ‘put her stamp on’ “Mercy Said No”.  It was the crowning achievement of her gold-certified album, Throne Room.

CeCe is adept at providing balanced, highly effective gospel performances.  She straddles the line between gospel and CCM extremely well. Her cover of “Mercy Said No” ‘breathes on you’ for most of its five-minute duration. It ascends to a greater dynamic level in the chorus where Jesus is firmly in control. It reaches a fever pitch towards the end where Winans shows the power of her pipes.  Still, she never forces things while delivering the lyrics with utmost conviction.  She shines in key lyrical moments such as, “I realize His grace is what I’ll need / When sin demanded justice for my soul,” and, “The light of hope seemed oh so far away / As evil tried to stop redemption’s flow.”  CeCe Winans makes “Mercy Said No”, a cover, hers.

Appears in 🔻:

• CeCe Winans, Mercy Said No: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 No. 25 (2022)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Who performed “Mercy Said No” the best? Was it the original, co-written and performed by Greg Long back in 1998? Or, was it the cover by decorated, multi-Grammy-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans? With Long and his songwriting team, there would’ve been no “Mercy Said No.” As a composer, “Mercy Said No” is one of those songs I wish I’d written! Furthermore, Long sings beautifully.  But, when CeCe Winans covers a song, watch out – she’s a magnificent vocalist.  My first experience with “Mercy Said No” came from CeCe.  Therefore, after more than two decades of believing she owned the definitive version of “Mercy Said No,” nothing has changed.

Greg Long vs. CeCe Winans: Head 2 Head No. 39 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Myrrh, PureSprings Gospel, Word Entertainment; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]