Mariah Carey vs. Whitney Houston | Head 2 Head 🗣️

On the 40^th edition of Head 2 Head, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston contend for the best rendition of “Joy to the World.” 

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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.  On the 40^th edition of head-to-head, 🎙 Mariah Carey and 🎙 Whitney Houston contend for the best rendition of 🎵 “Joy to the World.” So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

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1. Mariah Carey, “Joy to the World”

💿 Merry Christmas • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1994 

🎙 Mariah Carey and Christmas go together perfectly, PERIOD.  How so? Well, Carey has long reigned supreme when it comes to festive music, with her 1994 album, 💿 Merry Christmas, being “kind of a big deal.” We all know that 🎵 “All I Want for Christmas is You” is the biggest attraction.  That said, there’s plenty of ‘joy’ to be had from a listening perspective, including a spirited rendition of 🎵 “Joy to the World.”

With “Joy to the World,” Carey gives listeners a little bit of everything.  The record begins as a ballad, with Mariah showing off her prodigious pipes.  Soon enough, “Joy the World” picks up the tempo and adds an electrifying, danceable groove – hallelujah!  Carey further steps up her game vocally and is bolstered by a truly lit gospel choir.  One of the unique wrinkles appearing in this rendition are quotes from the joyful, jubilant 🎙 Three Dog Night classic – wait for it – 🎵 “Joy to the World”! Mariah gives one of the best, most joyful versions of this beloved carol you’ll ever hear.

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 10 Songs Filled with Considerable Joy

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2. Whitney Houston & The Georgia Mass Choir, “Joy to the World”

💿 The Preacher’s Wife (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 Arista • 📅 1996

“Joy to the world / The lord is come / Let Earth receive her king.” There are many awesome, spiritually savvy renditions of the Christmas carol, 🎵 “Joy to the World.”  When performed as it should be, it really touches the heart and soul.  The words do so naturally, proclaiming the birth of a Savior, who’d ultimately die for our sins.  One of the best renditions comes courtesy of 🎙 Whitney Houston alongside 🎙 The Georgia Mass Choir.  Famously, the ‘Whitney’ version appears on 💿 The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack, one of my personal favorite albums of the 90s.

“Joy to the World” doesn’t need to be tweaked musically, but tweak it right, and you have a surefire masterpiece!  That’s what happens in the hands of Houston and The Georgia Mass Choir.  They spice things up, giving the traditional carol more of a contemporary gospel spin, following a smooth, playful intro by Houston.  The sound is bright and energetically, masterfully celebrating J-E-S-U-S.  Houston’s vocals are at their peak.  She exhibits composure and poise, yet knows when to ‘let ‘em rip,’ taking the spirit next level.  The Georgia Mass Choir is there to provide a lift, and this ‘gospelized’ version plays directly to their strengths. Add in a vamp/breakdown section, and we get a hint of contemporary R&B ala the 90s which is sweet.  Ultimately, this spirited take is one you’ll not only want to refresh you during Christmas, but into New Years’ and beyond.

Also Appears On 🔽:
🔗 🎧 Whitney Houston, “Joy to the World”: Sunday Refresh 🙏 No. 30 (2021)

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The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston / The Georgia Mass Choir?  Phew – this one’s tough! Two talented queens giving two awesome renditions of a Christmas standard.  Tough call, but I’mma give the late, great Whitney Houston her props. There’s just something extremely special about her take, which plays to her strengths.  Still, that Carey version tho – ballad, dance, and Three Dog Night? Mad props!

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Mariah Carey vs. Whitney Houston: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 40 [📷: Arista, Brent Faulkner, GenderArts from Pixabay, The Musical Hype, Sony Music Entertainment, Valentin Tikhonov from Pixabay]

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