Marvin Gaye vs. John Legend & The Roots | Head 2 Head 🗣️

In the 37^th edition of Head 🗣️ 2 Head 🗣️ (2022), Marvin Gaye and John Legend / The Roots contend for the best rendition of “Wholy Holy.” 

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 37^th edition of head 🗣️2 head 🗣️ (2022),  Marvin Gaye and John Legend / The Roots contend for the best rendition of “Wholy Holy”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Marvin Gaye, “Wholy Holy”

💿 What’s Going On • 🏷 Motown • 📅 1971

“We should believe in one another (Believe in Jesus).” Those are the prudent words of Marvin Gaye in his gospel-soul classic, “Wholy Holy”. “Wholy Holy” appears on arguably Gaye’s best album, What’s Going On, released in 1971.  Notably, What’s Going On has more prominent songs but “Wholy Holy” is a gorgeous record with the awesome message of togetherness and the power of faith – living like Jesus.  Gaye penned it alongside Al Cleveland and Renaldo Benson.

Essentially, in this slow but moving ballad, Gaye preaches unity and conquering the obstacles getting in the way.   “Jesus left a long time ago, said he would return,” he sings, adding, “He left us a book to believe in / In it we’ve got a lot to learn / Oh yeah.”  Continuing to promote the power of togetherness, if we are truly “Wholy holy,” he believes “We can rock the world’s foundation (Yes we can).” One of the most moving moments occurs when Gaye asserts, “We proclaim love our salvation.”  More than five decades after its release, those words still ring incredibly true.  Yes, there are more popular Gaye hits than “Wholy Holy”.  Even so, this is one of those album tracks that’s rock solid and chocked full of meaning and transcendence.

Appears in 🔻:

• Marvin Gaye, Wholy Holy: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 89 (2022)

2. John Legend & The Roots, “Wholy Holy”

💿 Wake Up! • 🏷 Getting Out Our Dreams / Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 2010 

Covering a musical icon like the late Marvin Gaye is an elephantine task.  It takes a tremendous musician to challenge someone of that stature.  The late, great Aretha Franklin was a master at covering the songs of others, and she did a fabulous job with “Wholy Holy” from her bestselling album, Amazing Grace.  Franklin’s take didn’t arrive long after Gaye’s moving original.  However, John Legend and The Roots covered “Wholy Holy” nearly 40 years later on the Grammy-winning R&B album, Wake Up! It’s safe to say, Legend/The Roots did Gaye justice.

The John Legend rendition of “Wholy Holy” features some of the most soulful vocals you’ll ever hear. Legend is tailor-made for a record like this, which blends soul and gospel seamlessly.  The tempo is incredibly relaxed, and nothing feels forced.  Notably, this 2010 cover runs three minutes longer than the original! Legend and company milk this spiritual, unity-driven joint for all it’s worth, and the results are utterly sublime.  As compelling as Legend is, the instrumental by The Roots is equally compelling, recreating this underrated Gaye staple. Piano, organ, gospel-ized backing vocals – it’s a vibe! Had Marvin or Aretha never recorded “Wholy Holy” originally, you could easily be made to believe the Legend/Roots version was the original and definitive take.

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️ 

Marvin Gaye or John Legend / The Roots?  It’s rare that the original version doesn’t earn the award for the best rendition.  Gaye sounds absolutely awesome as he delivers this record of spiritual wellness, togetherness, and unity.  It’s the less heralded gem from the perfect album (💿 What’s Going On). That said, Legend and The Roots serve up a cover for the ages – one that seems to expand upon what Gaye did on the original.  Let’s not forget, Aretha Franklin ‘upped the ante’ on her version of “Wholy Holy” too.  I actually lean toward Legend and The Roots, though I’m not sure ‘that’s my final answer.’ Don’t lock it in just yet!

Marvin Gaye vs. John Legend & The Roots: Head 2 Head 🗣️ No. 37 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Getting Out Our Dreams, Kool Shooters, Layers, Mario Aranda, Motown, The Musical Hype, Pexels, Pixabay, RODNAE Productions, Sony Music Entertainment, Valentin Tikhonov]