Luther Vandross vs. Céline Dion | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 29^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2022), Luther Vandross and Céline Dion contend for the best rendition of “Dance with My Father.” 

Welcome 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.  In the 29^th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2022), 🎙 Luther Vandross and 🎙 Céline Dion contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Dance with My Father”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Luther Vandross, “Dance with My Father”

💿 Dance with My Father • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2003

🎙 Luther Vandross was one of the smoothest vocalists in the game, period.  The 🏆 Grammy-winning R&B artist had his fair share of success.  Vandross’ final studio album, 💿 Dance With My Father, earned him the no. 1 spot on the Billboard 200, as well as double-platinum certification – the biggest album of his career.  Sadly, his health was poor when Dance With My Father was released.  Just two years later, Vandross died at 54.  The biggest song from Dance With My Father is 🎵 “Dance with My Father”, which earned some success on the Billboard Hot 100 as well (peaked at no. 38).

“Back when I was a child / Before life removed all the innocence / My father would lift me high / And dance with my mother and me and then…” “Dance with My Father” recounts the joyous times that Vandross experienced with his late father.  It is a celebratory record that longs for one more dance – one final time spent with him, best exemplified by the chorus:

“If I could get another chance

Another walk

Another dance with him

I’d play a song that would never ever end

How I’d love, love, love

To dance with my father again.”

Vandross never seems to break a sweat as he sings, performing with incredible finesse, refinement, and utmost sophistication.  Even when “Dance with My Father” integrates a modulation (key change), Luther retains a sense of poise. He’s commanding throughout “Dance with My Father” even if he eschews gospel histrionics and endless vocal runs. Further making this Grammy-winning record epic beyond the songwriting (Vandross and 🎼 ✍ Richard Marx), and elite vocal performance is the production (Vandross), which is firmly planted in adult contemporary R&B.  All told, this is an excellent, incredibly moving, and thoughtful record – one of the best of the Luther Vandross discography.

Appears in 🔻:

• Luther Vandross, “Dance with My Father”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 67 (2022)

2. Céline Dion, “Dance with My Father”

💿 So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross • 🏷 J / Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 📅 2005

How do you follow up such a poignant performance as the late, great 🎙 Luther Vandross gives on 🎵 “Dance with My Father”? Well, it’s not easy, but you have a pretty good shot at following up when the vocalist is another icon, 🎙 Céline Dion.  The 🏆 Grammy winner is nothing short of a powerhouse with an incredible instrument at her disposal. Covering Luther is never easy, but Céline gives it her best shot on “Dance with My Father,” which originally appeared on the 2005 Luther Vandross tribute album, 💿 So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross.  It has also appeared on compilations by Dion, which speaks to the excellence of her rendition.

One reason why Céline Dion has success with “Dance with My Father” is that she doesn’t seek to copycat Luther Vandross.  Where the original is adult contemporary R&B, Dion’s version is more adult contemporary pop.  Sure, there’s a thin line between the two styles, but Céline stays in her artistic lane.  Her voice is incredibly compelling, and like Luther, she doesn’t over-sing or ‘try to do too much.’ One key difference is when it comes to the key change before the final verse.  Where the Vandross original maintains subtlety, the Dion version has more bombast, particularly given the sound of the guitars.  Vandross gets some additional punch with the keys mind you, but it’s clear Dion/company wanted to distinguish that particular moment more.  All told, she does a marvelous job singing this beloved ballad. Had Luther not written and recorded it originally, this could’ve been a Céline song… just saying!

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

🎙 Luther Vandross or 🎙 Céline Dion?  Phew – this is a battle of two heavyweights! Both musicians ‘bring the heat’ on their respective performances of  🎵 “Dance with My Father”.  That said, it’s only fitting and right to crown the original performer, Vandross, as the victor.  His silky-smooth rendition simply can’t be usurped. Also, given his health condition during the release of Dance with My Father, and his death just two years later, “Dance with My Father” the song will ALWAYS be Luther’s and nobody else’s.

Luther Vandross vs. Céline Dion: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 29 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, J, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, Sony Music Entertainment,  RODNAE Productions, Valentin Tikhonov]