Madonna vs. The Flaming Lips | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 16^th edition of Head 2 Head (2022), Madonna and The Flaming Lips contend for the best rendition of “Borderline.” 

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 16^th edition of head-to-head (2022), 🎙 Madonna and 🎙 The Flaming Lips contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Borderline”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Madonna, “Borderline”

💿 Madonna • 🏷 Warner • 📅 1983

“Borderline – feels like I’m going to lose my mind / You just keep on pushing my love over the borderline.” Sigh, 🎵 “Borderline” is one of my personal favorite 🎙 Madonna songs.  It hails from her landmark, 1983 self-titled debut. Ultimately, this 💿 Madonna hit would be the catalyst for a run of iconic hits to come in a truly illustrious career.

Few will characterize Madonna as an elite vocalist. That’s no insult. While she’s no powerhouse, the 🏆 Grammy winner’s performances tend to be a ‘vibe’ that pack a significant punch. Catchy songwriting, attitude, sex appeal, and marvelous production tend to be the modus operandi for Madge.  That’s a successful formula that’s not ‘borderline’ in the least. On “Borderline,” she sounds great without wowing from a vocal perspective.  Her upper register pipes fit the bright, welcoming major-key backdrop constructed by 🎛 Reggie Lucas.  It’s 80s to the core, yet still makes your ears perk up nearly four decades later. Of course, the thing that’s making Madge lose it is L-O-V-E.  It’ll do it every time.  All in all, Madonna really ‘did the damn thing’ on this pop hit, which peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Appears in 🔻:

• 11 Triggering Border, Borderline Songs

2. The Flaming Lips & Stardeath and White Dwarfs, “Borderline”

💿 Covered, A Revolution in Sound: Warner Bros. Records • 🏷 Warner • 📅 2009

Had 🎵 “Borderline” never been covered by anybody else, the original 🎙 Madonna version more than suffices.  It’s a certified classic! That said, 🎙 Wayne Coyne and 🎙 The Flaming Lips manage to make their own, distinct rendition of this Madge gem. Coyne and company get an assist from 🎙 Stardeath and White Dwarfs on this 2009 interpretation, which serves as the closing track on the compilation, 💿 Covered, A Revolution in Sound: Warner Bros. Records.

“Borderline” commences with minimalist production cues – drum programming, synths, and ‘contained noise’ if you will (it is The Flaming Lips after all).  In TFL’s hands, the tempo is slower compared to the exuberant original.  This slower pace provides ample contrast and ultimately plays to the band’s strength. They never get into a rush; there’s ample space.  Honestly, it takes a while for the vocals to enter the mix.  When Coyne begins singing, his tone is lovely, and he commands the initial minimal backdrop superbly.  Early on, the listeners only hear an excerpt from the original – it’s more fragmented.

Beginning just before the two-and-a-half-minute mark, however, “Borderline” begins to pick up steam. Eventually, the entirety of the song is revealed, including the incredibly catchy chorus. Generally, the last half of the song is much heavier than the first. Throughout the entirety of the cover, the band embraces repetition.  Worth noting, this starkly different interpretation ends enigmatically and softer, despite reaching that fever pitch in the second half of the record.  Safe to say, in The Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs’ hands, “Borderline” gets an utterly rewarding, truly compelling interpretation.

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

🎙 Madonna or 🎙 The Flaming Lips?  Both renditions of “Borderline” kick serious ass, no cap.  That said, despite how much work The Flaming Lips put into their cover, the original by Madge will ALWAYS be the definitive version.  Honestly, it’s hard to believe that “Borderline” in Madonna’s hands only peaked at no. 10.  Have I mentioned how great the song is?

Madonna vs. The Flaming Lips: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 16 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Layers, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Valentin Tikhonov, Warner]