Mahalia Jackson vs. Whitney Houston | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 2^nd edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2023), Mahalia Jackson and Whitney Houston contend for the best rendition of “Somebody Bigger Than You and I.”

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 2^nd edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2023), 🎙 Mahalia Jackson and 🎙 Whitney Houston contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Mahalia Jackson, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”

💿 I Believe • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 1960

“Who made the mountains? Who made the trees? / Who made the rivers flow to the see?” legendary gospel singer 🎙 Mahalia Jackson sings on the moving faith-based ballad, 🎵 “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”.  “Somebody Bigger Than You and I” appears on Jackson’s 1960 album, 💿 I Believe. Penned by 🎼 ✍ Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, and Sonny Burke, Jackson authentically brings the writers’ poetic lyrics to life. She continues singing in the first verse, “Who hung the moon in a starry sky? / Somebody bigger than you and I.”

Of course, that somebody bigger than you and I refers to God.  The second verse, Jackson continues to ask questions about all of the miraculous things God does without specifically naming Him.  By the bridge, He is the pronoun, making it clear (if there was ever any doubt), this uplifting record pays ode to God. “He lights the way when the road is long / And He’ll keep you company,” Jackson sings, adding, “He walks beside you just like He walks with me.” Accompanied by orchestra and choir, alongside Jackson’s once-in-a-lifetime, anointed pipes, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I” is truly special.  Notably, other late, great icons, 🎙 Elvis Presley and 🎙 Whitney Houston, recorded covers on How Great Thou Art (1967) and The Preacher’s Wife (1996) respectively.

Appears in 🔻:

• Mahalia Jackson, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”: Music Lifts 🎶 🏋 46 (2022)

2. Whitney Houston, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I” (Ft. Bobby Brown, Faith Evans, Johnny Gill, Monica & Ralph Tresvant)

💿 The Preacher’s Wife • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1996

How does one follow up an icon? As best as they can, honestly! The late, great 🎙 Mahalia Jackson sounded truly amazing on 🎵 “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”. Of course, many artists, including those considered to be icons have covered the record too. 🎙 Whitney Houston released a much more  contemporary take of  🎵 “Somebody Bigger Than You And I”  in 1996 for The Preacher’s Wife.

“Somebody bigger than the Earth is round

Bigger than the saddest frown

Bigger than the brightest smile

And longer than the longest mile.”

Notably, those rapped lyrics didn’t appear on the original. #Transformation! In Houston’s hands, with the help of some high profile names – 🎙 Bobby Brown, 🎙 Faith Evans, 🎙 Johnny Gill, 🎙 Monica, and 🎙 Ralph Tresvant – the religious ballad earns more of a hip-hop soul makeover, idiomatic of the 1990s. If you never happened to hear the original, maybe you’d attribute the song to Houston and company definitively. All voices involved, especially Houston, sound fantastic.  She is the star of the show but there are plenty of fine moments from the star-studded cast that joins her. The expressiveness and the authenticity with which the performance is delivered, even with the ‘modern production sheen’ goes a long way. This cool yet energetic, rhythmic rendition picks up the pace compared to the brilliant,  Mahalia Jackson take, but still emphasizes the point: Giving praise to almighty God.

Appears in 🔻:

• Whitney Houston, “Somebody Bigger Than You and I”: Covers No. 2 (2023)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

🎙 Mahalia Jackson or 🎙 Whitney Houston?  WOW! How does one decide between two musical icons? Both versions are special in their own right.  Jackson’s rendition is chilling.  Whitney and company modernize this gem, introducing it to a brand-new audience, making it their own.  That said, when it’s all said and done, the Jackson version is the most moving, getting the slight edge.

Mahalia Jackson vs. Whitney Houston: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 2 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Arista, Columbia; Antoni Shkraba via Pexels; andresilva5, talha khalil, Valentin Tikhonov via Pixabay; Nick Wang on Unsplash]