Jennifer Hudson, And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going | COVERS

In the 50^th edition of COVERS (2024), Jennifer Hudson delivers a compelling rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” originally performed by Jennifer Holliday.   

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 50^th edition of COVERS (2024), Jennifer Hudson delivers a compelling rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” originally performed by Jennifer Holliday.

Jennifer Hudson had big, big shoes to fill. That is an understatement. This was before the EGOT. Not just anybody can play Effie White in Dreamgirls. Furthermore, not just anybody can sing White’s big, big song, “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”.  It takes mad pipes – some truly elite vocals. Jennifer Holliday killed her role as Effie White, nailing the best song from the 1982 Broadway musical.  She won hardware: a Grammy and a Tony.  Guess what? Hudson proved she was perfect to act in the role of Effie White in the film adaptation.  Even better, she had the gospel-laden, high-flying pipes to sing one of Broadway’s most difficult and most epic songs.  Hudson earned one of the most prestigious awards for her role – an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

As a millennial, the original recording and Broadway musical for Dreamgirls predated my existence. My introduction to Effie White came via Jennifer Hudson.  Watching her in the film and hearing those spirited, powerhouse vocals, I found myself in sheer awe.  Hudson brings ample personality and top-notch musicianship to this Henry Krieger (music) and Tom Eyen (lyrics)-penned gem. It’s not all ‘powered-up’ vocals, of course.  Hudson shows plenty of nuance, beginning with poise and gradually digging into the dramatic showstopper. Backed by a sweet musical backdrop – orchestra with soul and gospel elements – she cooks.  Her riffs are electric, sounding as if they originate from the church choir.  The gospel histrionics and theatrics are perfectly suited for a big Broadway ballad, period.  We all knew Hudson had chops during a far too short stay on American Idol season three – remember that epic  “The Circle of Life” performance? But, her pitch-perfect, dramatic rendition of  “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” solidified Hudson’s powerhouse diva status.  The breathtaking performance speaks for itself, folks.

Jennifer Hudson // Dreamgirls (Music From The Motion Picture) // Sony BMG Music Entertainment // 2006

Jennifer Hudson, And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going: Covers No. 50 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Sony BMG Music Entertainment; Alan Cordero, Ba Tik, Kampus Production, Matteo Milan, SHVETS production from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors, StockSnap, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]