Lionel Richie vs. Luther Vandross | Head 2 Head

In the 44^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Lionel Richie & Diana Ross and Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey contend for the best rendition of “Endless Love.”

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 44^th edition of Head 2 Head (2025), Lionel Richie & Diana Ross and Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey contend for the best rendition of “Endless Love”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

 

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1. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, “Endless Love” 2. Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey, “Endless Love” The Verdict 👨🏾‍⚖️

 

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1. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, “Endless Love”

Endless Love (Soundtrack) » PolyGram Pictures Ltd. / The Island Def Jam Music Group » 1981

Never underestimate the power and beauty of an authentic and pure love song.  The dedication is incredible on “Endless Love”, one of the greatest duets of all time 🥰.  Part of the reason for the greatness is the two legendary vocalists who bring it to life: Lionel Richie (b. 1949) and Diana Ross (b. 1944). Soul royalty! “Endless Love” is the opener from the Endless Love (Soundtrack), released in 1981. Richie penned and produced the pop hit, which spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, quite a big deal back then. Unsurprisingly, “Endless Love” was nominated for three Grammys: Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. Unfortunately, this pop juggernaut lost all three awards.  Equally prestigious, Richie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, which he also lost.

 

Lionel Richie and Diana Ross may have lost the physical awards for a much-deserved duet, but the sheer musical excellence they gave the world is worth much more.  “Endless Love” commences beautifully with a warm piano introduction. Lionel Richie draws first blood, singing tenderly in the first half of the first verse. “My love / There’s only you in my life / The only thing that’s right.” Oh, the feels! Diana Ross follows with equally tender, devoted, and thoughtful vocals in the second half: “You’re every breath that I take / You’re every step I make.” In the chorus, the centerpiece, both Richie and Ross sing harmoniously, with select solo moments for each:

“And I (I), I want to share
All my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes (Your eyes, your eyes)
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes, you will always be
My endless love.”

The production grows grander and lusher during the chorus, which includes the orchestra, most notably soaring strings. In the second verse, both artists duet, asserting “Two hearts / Two hearts that beat as one / Our lives have just begun.” Word. There are a few moments where Ross takes the lead first, followed by Lionel, which keeps things fresh and less predictable. The back-and-forth moments between them are stunning (“I know (I know) / (I’ve found) / I’ve found in you my endless love”). The bridge marks an especially sweet moment between the two, filled with “Boom” (literally, 13 of them). None of the luster is lost near the end of “Endless Love.” That love continues with high-flying vocal moments, namely the outro: “‘Cause no one can deny / This love I have inside / And I’ll give it all to you /… My endless love.” Lionel Richie and Diana Ross shine on “Endless Love”, a timeless, unforgettable, and incredibly sincere romantic duet. Dazzling? You bet!

Appears in:

Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, Endless Love: Dazzling Duets No. 23 (2025)

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2. Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey, “Endless Love”

Songs » Sony Music Entertainment » 1994

Following up a Lionel Richie and Diana Ross classic is not an easy task… for most. Neither Luther Vandross (1951 – 2005) nor Mariah Carey (b. 1969) is most people. Both Grammy-winning artists rank among the best to ever share their gift of song with the world.  On their cover of “Endless Love”, they shine bright like a diamond. “Endless Love” is the third track from Vandross’ 1994, Grammy-nominated album, Songs, an album where Vandross makes other timeless classics his own. “Endless Love” is the crown jewel.  A huge pop hit, “Endless Love” peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2021. Fittingly, the duet was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Collaboration at the 37^th Annual Grammy Awards.

Despite not winning a Grammy, “Endless Love” in the hands of Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey is to die for.  It begins with the gorgeous adult contemporary R&B production, which suits both artists superbly. “Love” begins with warm piano, which sets the tone. The musical accompaniment consists of a rhythm section and orchestra, including soaring strings. Vandross’ vocals are velvety smooth as he draws first blood (“My love, there’s only you in my life / The only thing that’s right”). Carey matches his finesse with her own sophisticated pipes (“My first love, you’re every breath that I take / You’re every step I make”). Their chemistry is remarkable when they sing together, growing more powerful as the song progresses. Both excel at ad-libs, never over-singing but keeping things just right. After singing separately in the first verse, they sing together frequently throughout the rest of the song, sounding effortless.  Their voices soar to higher heights as the song progresses. One of the best moments of this cover is the non-lyrical singing during the instrumental section.  More could be said, but the music speaks for itself.  With Vandross and Carey’s elite voices, “Endless Love” is utterly divine!

Appears in:

Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey, Endless Love: Covers No. 40 (2025)

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who touted “Endless Love” the best? Was it the original, 1981 hit by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross, or the magnificent cover, more than a decade later, by Luther Vandross & Mariah Carey? Shoo, that’s tough! Both of these performances and songs are rightfully highly regarded.  Richie and Ross dominated the pop charts, spending nine weeks at number one, earned platinum certification, received three Grammy nominations, and received an Academy Award nomination. Woo! Vandross and Carey earned their fair share of accolades, peaking at number two on the pop charts, earning platinum certification, and receiving a Grammy nomination, too.  The original is more decorated than the cover; however, the musicianship exhibited on both is hard to distinguish from one another. A legitimate argument can be made that the cover features the two best vocalists. So, who wins? A tie or draw wouldn’t be far-fetched by my estimations, but I’ll give the dominant original by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross the slight edge.

🏅 Winner: Lionel Richie & Diana Ross

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Lionel Richie vs. Luther Vandross: Head 2 Head No. 44 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; PolyGram Pictures Ltd., Sony Music Entertainment, The Island Def Jam Music Group; Israel Torres, KoolShooters, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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