Luther Vandross vs. Ruben Studdard | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the 21st edition of Head 2 Head, Luther Vandross & Ruben Studdard duke it out over respective takes on The Carpenters staple, “Superstar.” 

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elcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians singing the same song together, comparing their performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  For our 21^st head-to-head, 🎙 Luther Vandross and 🎙 Ruben Studdard duke it out over respective takes on 🎙 The Carpenters staple, 🎵 “Superstar.” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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Additional Background

While The Carpenters are renowned for “Superstar,” they too are covering the song as opposed to originating it! Shocking right? “Superstar” was written by 🎼✍ Bonnie Bramlett and 🎼✍ Leon Russell.  The original recording of “Superstar” was by Delaney & Bonnie, not The Carpenters.  Even so, The Carpenters put this beloved tune on the map in 1971. 

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1. Luther Vandross, “Superstar”

💿 Busy Body • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1983

There are few singers who could sing as smooth as 🎙 Luther Vandross.  Vandross was the exemplification of cool energy and finesse.  His vocal performances can be characterized by being refined.  One of Vandross’ best, most iconic performances was his cover of 🎵 “Superstar,” popularized by 🎙 The Carpenters, who covered the songs themselves.  Appearing as the seventh track on his 1983 album, 💿 Busy Body, the original nine-minute-long song is fused with the soul gem, 🎵 “Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)”.  On various greatest hits compilations, it’s released as a standalone, five-and-a-half-minute-long number.

Listening to Luther sing “Superstar” is a heavenly experience – it’s almost spiritual! His tone is silky smooth, riding lush production work with incredible ease.  He sings with utmost expression yet never forces things.  Furthermore, that backdrop, intact with keys, strings, and backing vocals, never crowds or inhibits Vandross – he’s always in command. Speaking of background vocals, I love it when we get those sweet ‘Lutheran’ (not religious) harmonies.  The Carpenters performed this 🎼✍ Bonnie Bramlett / 🎼✍ Leon Russell classic sensationally, but Vandross makes it his own, gorgeous adult contemporary R&B masterpiece.  Can anyone, besides The Carpenters, give him a run for his money?

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2. Ruben Studdard, “Superstar”

💿 Soulful • 🏷 19 Recordings Limited • 📅 2003

They called him ‘The Velvet Teddy Bear,’ and for good reason. 🎙 Ruben Studdard was among the best contestants to ever grace American Idol.  Sure, there were ample #Team 🎙 Clay Aiken fans for good reason, but Studdard was equally talented.  One of the performances Studdard was renowned for was a cover of 🎵 “Superstar.”  Clearly, Studdard emulated the 1983 cover by Luther Vandross.  His emulation earned him comparisons to the legendary R&B singer.  “Superstar” ended up appearing as the seventh track on the Idol winner’s 2003 platinum-certified debut, 💿 Soulful. 

In Ruben’s hands, “Superstar” is smooth and fittingly, Soulful.  Studdard sings with ease, but also throws in some gritty ad-libs and runs.  Furthermore, he serves up a dash of falsetto, which is ripe and incredibly beautiful.  Like his idol’s version from 1983, the production is very ‘urban’ – a contrast to The Carpenters’ definitive version from the 70s. The difference between Luther and Ruben’s backdrops? And updated sound fit for the aughts with a few contrasting touches.  James McMillan does a nice job of making “Superstar” sound natural, never overproducing, or taking away from the classicism.  Does Studdard do Vandross proud? You bet! He was nominated for a 🏆 Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Luther Vandross or Ruben Studdard?  Well, Ruben was nominated for a Grammy for his take on “Superstar” while Vandross shockingly wasn’t. Even so, Vandross wins this Head 2 Head, hands down.  Studdard shines but Vandross is on another level.  I think Ruben would agree. 

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Luther Vandross vs. Ruben Studdard: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 21 [📷: 19 Recordings Limited, Brent Faulkner, Epic, GenderArts from Pixabay, The Musical Hype, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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